Interim Administration in the Era of the Post-Westphalia Order: A Kosovo Case Study

Ing. Peter Ondrovič

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

Dizertačná práca predstavuje jednopripadovú hodnotiacu štúdiu, ktorá sa zameriava na analýzu systému prechodnej správy v Kosove. Práca je založená na aplikácii súboru výskumných metód. Efektívnosť, komplexnosť a štrukturálna konceptualizácia modelu prechodnej správy v Kosove predstavuje primarnu schému, v rámci ktorej sa výskumná časť práce pohybuje. Pre zodpovedanie výskumných otázok, práca zameriava svoju pozornosť na analýzu oboch hlavných etnických skupín, aplikáciu krízového manažmentu, systému procesu prechodu, analýzu vývoja krízy a následnú aplikáciu modelu prechodnej správy v Kosove. Práca preukázala, že Kosovo dosiahlo značný pokrok vo formovaní multi-etnickej spoločnosti, avšak hlavný ciel - vytvorenie podmienok pre mierové spolunažívanie a normálny spôsob života pre všetkých občanov Kosova stanovený medzinárodným spoločenstvom ako jeden z hlavných cieľov v prílohe č. II Rezolúcie 1244 nebol doposial naplnený. Práca ďalej preukázala, že systém prechodnej správy a stratégie medzinárodného spoločenstva pre transformáciu spoločnosti sú neustále oslabované existenciou rozdielnych etnických záujmov. I napriek snahe medzinárodného spoločenstva tento prvok nebol doposial eliminovaný a predstavuje stále zásadnú prekážku v napredovaní spoločnosti. V teoretickej rovine, je prácou predostreté alternatívne riešenie pre tzv. exit strategy.

Abstract:

The work starts from a point of origin that accepts the evolutionary nature of internationally-led post-conflict approaches in the contemporary international system. The increased significance of an alternative option for an exit strategy of the transitional process in Kosovo, which would reflect structural changes in the mode of transition and persisting antagonistic inter-cultural ethnic interests in the transitional scheme, proves a central matter of interest in the work. The transitional process and the mode of transition have been influenced by three important factors that significantly undermined the aim of interim administrators to achieve benchmarks. Moreover, conflicting ethnic interest has emerged as the most influential factor that has had a serious detrimental impact on the mode of transition. The work is based on numerous theoretical interpretations and methodological approaches that delineate the conceptual notion of this work. Conventional methods and techniques offer a narrow application. The effectiveness, complexity and structural conceptualization of the model of post-conflict state-building management in Kosovo poses a major causal challenge for this work. These specifications also define a general acceptance, and generate a scope of interest within which the research operates. The dissertation thesis represents an evaluation study. The findings were collected by means of several research methods. The key parts of this work are based on the analytical approach. The method of analysis rested on process-tracing within one case in order to determine the effect that the interplay between local, national and international factors has had on deviations inside the mode of transition. Primarily reports of the UN General-Secretary on UNMIK are analyzed to answer the question posed in the title of the work. Important development points during the reporting periods that cover key research areas such as security, political cooperation, Northern Kosovo, ethnic tensions, and violence are analyzed. In order to answer the research questions stated in this work, two major ethnic groups, crisis development, the interim administration process in Kosovo, and the mode of transition have been examined. This work argues that there are three important elements characterizing the identity of the nation – language, religion, and common history and culture. These characteristics define the uniqueness of the ethnic group. Both major ethnic groups have been studied. The major characteristics of the ethnic identities and the multiple interface between their dependent and independent variables significantly molded the trajectory of the conflict and crisis in Kosovo. As a result, the work identifies ten factors as propulsion forces of the conflict. It is demonstrated that all ten factors existed in the society and persisted deeply rooted inside society during the whole observed period of time. Since the establishment of the Interim Administration in Kosovo, Kosovo has delivered remarkable progress in structural reforms and rebuilding society. The UMNIK and the European Union mission – EULEX - have undergone numerous alternations to respond to the evolving circumstances on the ground. In spite of the restructuring of the UMNIK mission, the mission is still mandated under UN SC Resolution 1244, and the situation on the ground still requires an international presence. Kosovar society has made significant progress towards the creation of a cohesive society; however, there are a lot of issues that have further posed significant obstacles for the creation of the unique multi-ethnic society. In contrast, the ongoing high-level political negotiations between Pristine and Belgrade have deteriorated the sensitive social cohesion in Northern Kosovo. The work argues that despite the lengthy international post-conflict reconstruction program in Kosovo, Northern Kosovo today is still amidst a crisis flamed by deep ethnic tensions, which are fueled

Abstract:

by serious economic problems. The complicated situation in northern municipalities could be partially attributed to the inadequate implementation of an interim administration structure, and the improper application of the UMNIK mandate in Northern Kosovo. The absence of a power and law-enforcement authority in northern municipalities is the basic cause of the instability. The work has proved that the international presence has not yet reached the conditions for a peaceful and normal life for all inhabitants in Kosovo, as one of the major goals set out in Annex 2 of UN SC Resolution 1244. UNMIK, EULEX and the mode of transition itself continue to be undermined by key phenomena that remain deeply rooted, mostly in Northern Kosovo society. The IA has failed to transform individual interests that are still very deeply rooted in the political system and in society. Present diplomatic achievements are still strongly imperiled by a deep hostility in the region, largely because of a chronic ignorance on the part of administrators of the intensity of conflicting ethnic interests. To ensure security in the area an international presence will probably be needed in Kosovo for a very long time. To consider the aspect of UN SC Resolution 1244 on the one side, and the issue of Northern Kosovo and the ongoing high-level diplomatic dialogue on the other, the strategy of international involvement needs to consider a scenario that could provide some flexible political solution to the process of transition. On the theoretical groundwork of the analysis, an implication about an alternative for the exit strategy has been drawn. The work argues that the high-level negotiations managed in line with the principles of the Ahtisaari plan paint a scenario that could facilitate a revision of the exit strategy. The hybrid form of the transitional administration based on the essential structural architecture of the mission mandated by UN SC Resolution 1244 might be a proper answer.

Keywords

UNMIK, Northern Kosovo, conflicting ethnic interests, Resolution 1244, mode of transition, provisional institutions, hybrid system, failure of the transitional scheme

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 17. 3. 2014

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 4. 7. 2014
• Supervisor: doc. PhDr. Zdeněk Kříž, Ph.D.
• Reader: prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D., Mgr. Richard Stojar, Ph.D.

Masaryk University

Faculty of Social Studies

Doctoral programme / field:
International Territorial Studies (4-years) / International Relations