Security architecture and the problems of the post-war Kosovo and Metohia as challenges to regional security

Abstract

After the termination of war confrontations, on the basis of the UN Security Council Decision, a protectorate had been established in Kosovo and Metohia, including the engagement of international security and civil forces. The order of interim administration ended in 2008, when the self-proclaimed Kosovo assembly adopted the decision on declaration of independence from the Republic of Serbia, and the process of administrative mandate transfer started from international to local institutions. In the paper, first of all, general performances of social and political life were delineated, and then the complex architecture of security forces active there during previous eleven years was presented. Also, all the most important problems Kosovo and Metohia faces are enumerated. The post-war Kosovo and Metohia may be characterized as a society in disorganization. The old system of institutions was destroyed, and a new one has not been established. The number of Serbs is decreasing, and local Albanians have not maturated for a self-administration of the newly established state. The further maintenance of this circumstances or even its deterioration might move towards social riots, caused by the bad living conditions, large unemployment, impoverishment of significant social groups or the escalation of attacks at remaining non-Albanian population, which could induce serious security threats in the region.

Svrha ovog rada je da sintetički prikaže najznačajnije parametre u ključnim sferama bezbednosti i društvenog života na Kosovu i Metohiji deset godina posle završetka rata i uspostavljanja međunarodnog protektorata. Istraživanje je zasnovano na sekundarnoj analizi raspoloživih istraživanja, kao i informacija i dokumenata iz nadležnih institucija. U radu se rezimiraju efekti međunarodne intervencije na planu političkog, institucionalnog, kao i ekonomskog konteksta, i njihove praktične implikacije u sferi lične i javne bezbednosti. Nakon 1999. godine Kosovo i Metohija su pozornica mnogobrojnih izazova i zamki za sve aktere: međunarodnu zajednicu, Kosovo i Srbiju. Dostignuća u posleratnoj socijalnoj rekonstrukciji krajnje su skromna, dok u pogledu pomirenja suprotstavljenih etničkih grupa predstoje veliki izazovi. Kosovo se danas, uz sve druge probleme koji su tipični za tranziciona društva (organizovani kriminal, trgovina ljudima itd.), generalno može označiti kao anomično (post)konfliktno društvo.