A Study of the first year of International Peacekeeping in Kosovo: the achievements, failures, and lessons for the future

Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to describe and analyze the first year of international peacekeeping in Kosovo (from June 1999 through August 2000). The essay attempts to find out the successes and failures of international peacekeepers, as well as the lessons to be drawn for the future. This essay starts with considering the “division of labor” among NATO, UN and OSCE, attempting to consolidate peace, initiate social reconciliation, and build the basis for sustainable self-propelling growth in the economy of the province. Then, a discussion of the achievements and failures of peacekeepers in rebuilding economic life, society and civil administration is provided. Likewise, the effectiveness of the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo (KFOR), as well as the sizes, sector deployment, national composition and command and control structure are considered in detail. Further, specific measures taken by the international peacekeeping organizations to solve the problem of peaceful coexistence between Albanian majority and Serbian and other minorities in Kosovo up to date are discussed. Also, substantial differences, namely, geostrategic differences, differences in current demographic situation, balance of forces between the parties to the conflict, of the Karabakh and Kosovo cases, in their possibilities to harbor a successful international peacekeeping operation are analyzed. Finally, through the consideration of discussed and analyzed data, with the findings of the essay, conclusion is made on one-year peacekeeping in Kosovo.