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Kosovo Liberation Army

Fading Euphoria in Albania as Peace Agreement Takes Shape

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the Group of Eight's peace framework agreement with Yugoslavia takes shape, euphoria in Albania is giving way to nervousness and disillusionment. The agreement's proposal for Kosovo to remain part of Yugoslavia, combined with the demilitarization of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the retention of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic in power, has come as a shock to many Albanians and Kosovars who had believed Nato would secure the complete defeat of Mr Milosevic and de facto independence for Kosovo.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Group of Eight's peace framework agreement has been met with nervousness and disillusionment in Albania, where many had believed Nato would secure the complete defeat of Slobodan Milosevic and de facto independence for Kosovo.
  • The agreement's proposal for Kosovo to remain part of Yugoslavia, combined with the demilitarization of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the retention of Mr Milosevic in power, has been met with concern by Albanian President's adviser, Prec Zogaj.
  • The original peace plan worked out at Rambouillet in February did not anticipate the current implications of the Group of Eight's agreement, which has been seen as a potentially weak form of autonomy for Kosovo.
  • Many Albanians and Kosovars had assumed the Rambouillet agreement would lead to an almost independent international protectorate, rather than renewed Serb control.
  • There are fears among Albanians that if the agreement does not provide sufficient guarantees for the Kosovars, the resulting anger at the Albanian government could lead to violent disorder.
  • The Rambouillet agreement provided for Kosovo to be a protectorate within the Yugoslav federation, but many believed this was a front for independence, and now it seems more likely that a model similar to the Republika Srpska is being prepared.

Sources:

  • "Euphoria fades in Albania as peace deal lets Milosevic stay", The Financial Times, 1999.
  • Quoted statements from Prec Zogaj, adviser to the Albanian president, and Artan Hoxha, former minister of foreign trade and chairman of the Albanian Institute for Contemporary Studies.

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