Ethnic Dimension in Kosovo, Security and its Consequences in Transition

Abstract

Historically, the inter-ethnic conflict in Kosovo has been made for its territory. Both sides, Serbs and Albanians, have voiced allegations of history and ethno-demography to justify their supposedly exclusive right over this ethnically mixed territory. According to the London Conferences (1912-13), Versailles (1919) and Paris (1946) and against the free will of its Albanian population, Kosovo has become part of Yugoslavia. After the Second World War with the establishment of Communist Yugoslavia Kosovo Albanians were given a degree of autonomy within the framework of Serbia. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991, the Kosovo Albanian population organized a referendum in which independence was elected. On the other hand, Serbian authorities insisted on Kosovo's constitutional status as an integral part of Serbia. Kosovo represents important challenges and also the opportunity to fulfill human rights guarantees and promises of international co-operation. Where ethnic tensions and violence share societies, as is the case with Kosovo, respect for minority rights promotes conditions for political, social, and peace stability. In such societies, different national, ethnic, religious and linguistic groups have the opportunity to live together, communicate effectively and understand the value of differences between themselves and cultural diversity in their societies.