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Kosovo Liberation Army

Kosovo: A Tragic Experiment in Intervention

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Kosovo, considered the heartland of Serbia's Orthodox faith, has been embroiled in ethnic tensions since the late 1980s. Initially, the Serbs were the victims, but as the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) emerged, skirmishing became more or less mutual. The international community, through the Rambouillet peace initiative, pushed President Slobodan Milosevic into accelerating repression against the KLA before NATO's bombing campaign began on March 24.

Key Takeaways:

  • The international sanctions against Yugoslavia in 1992 crippled the country's middle class, the carriers of democracy, and led to a decline in the democratic movement in Belgrade.
  • Independent radio stations sprang up in Belgrade during the sanctions, but were silenced by the regime since the start of the bombing campaign.
  • The NATO bombing has crushed the hopes of pro-democratic Serbs, including Dr. Miroslav Konstantinovic and Dr. Danilo Udovicki-Selb, who had fought for democracy in Belgrade in the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Dr. Konstantinovic's pro-democratic colleagues are now clustered citizens, independent of political orientation, trying to defend their homes, rather than fighting against Milosevic.
  • The West's bombing of Yugoslavia has fulfilled Milosevic's prophecies of Western persecution, playing into the regime's hands and thwarting the pro-democratic movement in Belgrade.
  • Gary Demsey of the CATO Institute warned that bombing might trigger martial law and lead to a prolonged post-Milosevic era.
  • The Rambouillet document, which insisted NATO occupy Kosovo or face bombing, was implemented without foresight, leading to a multitude of refugees in neighboring countries.
  • The bombing campaign has devastated the country, with pro-democratic Serbs now defending their communities against the regime.

Statistics:

  • March 24, NATO began bombing Yugoslavia.
  • 1992, international sanctions against Yugoslavia crippled the country's middle class.
  • 1968, Dr. Danilo Udovicki-Selb fought for democracy in Belgrade, but was put in prison by Tito.
  • 1996-1997, Dr. Miroslav Konstantinovic participated in pro-democratic demonstrations in Belgrade.
  • 10 years, the pro-democratic movement in Belgrade was isolated and struggling.

Sources:

  • New York Times, "In Yugoslavia, Rising Ethnic Strife Brings Fears of Worse Civil Conflict" (Nov. 1, 1987)
  • Newsweek, Interview with Henry Kissinger (April 5)
  • Newsweek, Interview with Dr. Miroslav Konstantinovic (undated)
  • The Death of a Nation, Laura Silber (author)
  • The Fall of Yugoslavia, Misha Glenny (author)
  • Charlie Rose show, Misha Glenny (March 31)

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