Abstract The paper discusses how the Albanians of Kosovo were forced to partake in a mass migration move due to the dramatic rise in the degree of ethnic animosity and violence in the region, threatening the very existence of minorities, Albanians as well as others. The paper explores the reasons behind the sudden increase in Albanians seeking to leave Kosovo, including the role which NATO's attacks on the region played in their leaving. Finally, the paper examines why Switzerland became the Albanians' chosen immigration destination.
From the Paper "The best thing about the Swiss policy in regard to refugees is that they?re virtually no degree of discrimination in accordance to the manner, in which the refugees are treated in all aspects, this being apparent in light of the fact that once they cross the age of 16, all refugees are given a sum of CHF 3,250 [EUR 2,101] in order to attend language courses provided by private organizations. ? Furthermore, there are no restrictions implemented upon the refugees in terms of work, education, social welfare and citizenship too, the criteria for refugees being virtually the same as the one applying to citizens; A refugee who has been resident in Switzerland for at least 12 years may apply for Swiss citizenship."
Abstract In this article, the writer discusses the sources of the conflict in Kosovo and the efforts taken by the international community, specifically the United States and NATO, to stem the violence. Furthermore, this work addresses changes that could have been undertaken or what might have been done differently and what steps could be taken in the present or in the future to improve the country and its stability. The writer concludes that while agreements have been apparently reached between the Serb and ethnic-Albanians who both desire to remain in the region, even if it means compromise on each side, it is yet to be seen whether peace in the Kosovo region will result from NATO and U.S. involvement in Kosovo.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Report of Secretary of State Albright
Seven Weeks into U.S./NATO Intervention
Startling Serbs to the Reality of Violence with Bombs
Kosovo Talks Enter Final Phase
Both Albanians and Serbs Desire to Remain in Kosovo
Debate on Possibility of 'Setting Precedent'
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "Kosovo is a province of Serbia and is the central area of the old Yugoslavia in which 90% of those in the region are Albanian in their origin with the remainder being Serbs. Under the former government, that of the old Yugoslavia this region was characterized by a great deal of autonomy. However, this autonomy was taken away by President Slobodan Milosevic in 1989 who was seeking what he called a 'Greater Serbia' seeking to secure it through a nationalist campaign. The Kosovo region was the site of a historic and emotionally charged defeat by the Ottoman Empire in 1389 and therefore has great significance to Serbian nationalists residing in the Kosovo region. Upon this region, losing its autonomy at the hands of Milosevic a conflict ensued due to the ethnic-Albanian people striving to have their cultural rights restored. The Kosovo Liberation Army, also known as the KLA drove the conflict toward the radical edge through entering violent conflicts with arms and their demand of full independence while simultaneously the Serbs were fiercely determined to keep the province. The United States and NATO entered the situation when hundreds of thousands of ethnic-Albanians were forced from their homes in what was destined to be a humanitarian disaster resulting in refugees strewn across an entire continent."
Abstract This paper looks at "Operation Allied Force" NATO's bombing campaign against Serbia during the Kosovo War in 1999. The history of the conflict is presented in detail, with particular attention being placed on the humanitarian needs of the population that was being devastated by this war. The author presents several arguments against the bombing, and discusses why these arguments are wrong, or do not apply to Kosovo. In addition to the human rights angle, the author also looks at the political reasons for NATO's intervention, first and foremost being, regional stability and the fear that the war would spread.
From the Paper "Detractors argue that the clear acceleration of Serb ethnic cleansing of Albanians in Kosovo that occurred concurrently with Operation Allied Force demonstrates that the war did not aid the Kosovars; however, given the ominous signs of ethnic cleansing, the argument is insupportable. After all, whether Serb atrocities and ethnic cleansing occurred over one month or six months is low impact. Although the Kosovars did suffer much before the end of the war, the war's ultimate result-- protection from Serb atrocities and the fall from power and trial of Slobodan Milosevic-- will allow the Kosovars to more securely recover from the harm that they have suffered, and be more secure in the future than they would have under continued rule by Milosevic."
Abstract This paper explores the Kosovo conflict, its escalation in 1998 and its subsequent management. It is divided in four parts. First, it deals with the accusations of human rights violations within the province and presents diverse evidence from various human rights groups on the existence of such abuses. Second, it examines the Serbian response to these allegations and the reasons behind Milosevic's unwillingness to rectify the worsening situation. Third, it presents an evaluation of the need for intervention with regard to International Law and previous humanitarian practice. Fourth, it analyzes the diplomatic and military actions taken by the International Community.
Table of Contents:
Introduction.
The Human Rights Situation in Kosovo:
History of Albanian Mistreatment.
Allegations of Human Rights Violations.
The Serbian Response to Accusations of Human Rights Violations.
An Evaluation of the Need for Intervention with Regard to International Humanitarian Law
An Examination of the Accusations of Human Rights Violations.
On the Legality of Military Intervention.
International Action
International Humanitarian Action in Perspective: The Failure of Diplomacy and the NATO Bombing Campaign
Belated Recommendations: Was there an Alternative?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Bosnia and the Kosovo conflicts marked the biggest outbreaks of violence in Europe after the end of the Second World War. The instable political environment in federal Yugoslavia after the fall of communism, brought about the emergence of salient ethnic issues, which led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. The focus of this paper is the Kosovo conflict, the human rights violations that led to its escalation, and the international response that followed. Even though the situation in Serbia has changed and democratic parties are in power, the Kosovo question is still far from being resolved due to the mutual hatred of Serbs and Albanians. Moreover, the downturn of the Kosovo crisis gave credibility to the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) as a political player, which has further exacerbated the situation not only in Kosovo, but also in neighboring Montenegro and Macedonia."
Abstract A discussion on the civil war between Serbs and Croats in Bosnia. The paper covers ethnic cleansing, the war between Serbs and ethnic Albanians, and the fall of the Serbian government.
From the Paper "A Comparison of Ethnic Divisions in the
Former Yugoslavia and Former Czechoslovakia
For much of the 1990s, the attention of Europe and the world was riveted on ethnic turmoil in the former Balkan nation of Yugoslavia, as ethnic Serbs and Croats fought a ..."
Abstract This paper examines the causes of the Kosovo war, the way the war was planned and carried out, the thought that went into the attacks against Serbia, how it eventually ended, and what the results were for both ethnic Albanians and Serbs.
From the Paper "Clinton's administration, in 1993, re-stated a similar threat, albeit the concern of the U.S. (and Western allies) was not "self-determination" for Kosovo, but the protection of human rights insofar as ethnic Albanians are concerned. The U.S. and allies were not willing to witness a massacre ? or pogrom ? on any great level, especially so close after the atrocities carried out by the Nazis against the Jews in World War II."
Abstract This paper begins by introducing the functions of NATO and then discusses whether the Kosovo conflict was waged as effectively as it could have been. The paper then examines the reason the war was started, the way the war was planned and carried out, the thought that went into the attacks against Serbia. It looks at NATO's involvement in how it eventually ended and what the results were for both ethnic Albanians and Serbs.
Outline
Introduction to NATO
About the Kosovo Conflict: Was it Waged Effectively?
How the Seeds of the Kosovo War were Planted
The Allies and NATO Work Towards Defeating Milosevic
The Strategy used by NATO and the West to fight the Kosovo War
References
From the Paper "The history of ethnic and political strife in the Balkan region defined as Albania-Greece-Macedonia-Yugoslavia-Kosovo is not a straight forward series of events to be able to discuss in a few minutes' conversation, but the reason for the war NATO waged against Serbia can be explained by following the actions of Serbian strong man, Slobodan Milosevic. Milosevic, whose regime, according to the authors in Winning Ugly: NATO's War to Save Kosovo, tried to rid Kosovo of ethnic Albanians, "created the largest forced exodus on the European continent since World War II" (6). The forced exodus of large numbers of ethnic Albanians was nothing new to this group, as the author points out (7), as Serbs lost control over Kosovo during World War I, and the nations of Serbia and Kosovo were combined to create Yugoslavia and tensions continued among Serbs, who hoped to regain control."
Abstract This paper examines the strategy formulation, coordination, and execution, that lead to NATO's war to save Kosovo. How the U.S. and NATO reached their goal cannot be described as perfectly executed, or even well thought out. In the end, when the dust settled the alliance was able to reverse most of the damage that Serbia had caused during the early stages of the war.
From the Paper "Eshtain ( 2000) outlines a procedure for determining whether an armed conflict is a just war. The first part of the just war framework is devoted to determining whether or not a resort to war-or intervention-is justified. War, for example, should be fought only for a justifiable cause of substantial importance. The primary just cause in an era of nations and states is a nation's response to direct aggression. Protecting citizens from harm is a fundamental norm, and it scarcely counts as protection if no response is made when one's fellow citizens and women are being slaughtered, hounded, routed from their homes, and the like."
Provides a discussion of the current situation in Kosovo, regarding the political, social, economic and human rights issues in the area, as well as the European Union and United Nations' policies and actions to address these issues.
Abstract The political fate of Kosovo is still unclear. Since June 1999 Kosovo is under the supervision of the international community. The Serbian state refuses to grant independence to Kosovo while the ethnic Albanians in the area are either pro-independence or pro-union with Albania oriented. This paper aims at estimating the current political and economic situation in this region and at evaluating the EU involvement in Kosovo as a stabilization tool and trigger of reforms.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
The Political Situation in Kosovo
Human Rights Issues and Social Situation
What was the EU Financial Assistance to Foster these Ongoing Changes in Kosovo?
Overview of Economic Stability
Conclusion
Works Cited
From the Paper "There are still a lot of legislative gaps in Kosovo's Civil Servant Law, such as the lack of a unified salary system. The maximum period of an employment contract, according to its regulations is three years, without any specifications for further extension(Stabilization and Association Report, p.54). A trend towards politicization of the civil servants can be observed. Structures such as the Independent Oversight Board and the joint UNMIK-PISG Steering Board on Public Administration were established to act against and prevent such kinds of corruption".
Abstract This paper examines the tensions that existed between Croats, Muslims and Serbs in Bosnia and examines the conditions that led to the recent war there. The paper also discusses the response to the conflict of the United Nations, the European Union and the United States and the reasons for the ethnic cleansing that took place during the conflict. Finally, the paper considers whether it was wise for the west to intervene in Bosnia and concludes emphatically that it was the right decision.
From the Paper "Nikolaos A. Stavrou, professor of International Affairs at Howard University and apologist for the Croatian factor of Yugoslavia writes that the Bosnian mess is getting worse by the day. According to Professor Stavou, a misinformation cabal and a masterful censorship of truth that would have made many dictators envious keep the American people in the dark. Instead of enlightenment, a new science of victimology has been developed to hide facts and force upon us a policy based on emotions. He writes that everywhere he traveled and at every conference he attended in the past four years, one question always popped up: Where is the other side to the Bosnia story? The professor has no answer, but feels a civic duty to attempt an answer."
Abstract In an effort to determine whether or not the United States led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was correct in their intervention in Kosovo, along humanitarian lines, this paper presents information on the history, background and religions of the region and the crisis. The paper also considers the implications concerning state sovereignty that arise from the intervention, as well as NATO's background and purpose regarding questions of international law.
Table of Contents
Thesis Statement
The Historical Context of Kosovo
The World War II Period and Beyond
What Sort of War is it?
The Clinton Doctrine
The Motivations of U.S. Led NATO Forces
The Conduct of the War and World Involvement
Other Important Points Concerning U.S. and NATO
External Self-Determination and International Community
The Formation of New States
The Reasoning for the Action as it Unfolds
Some of the Consequences
International Law from the Interventionist Viewpoint
The Interventionist's Critical Question of Genocide
The Demonizing of Milosevic
The Story from the Yugoslav Point of View
Conclusions Then and Now
From the Paper "The Serbs however finally liberated Kosovo from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, and as expected, reprisals and the expulsion of the Albanian settlers who had been previously patronized by the Ottomans accompanied this liberation. Indeed, the ethnic cleansing, murders and other atrocities were actually far worse in this period than in the present although few outside the region knew of them. Moreover, few really concerned themselves with the problems until the First World War that actually originated in the Balkan region."
