The Stick did not work. Let´s try
the carrot.
Certainly we can achieve what former President
Michael Gorbachev called the "Europeanization of the Balkans
rather than the Balkanization of Europe"?
Massive bombing has neither brought Milosevic
to the negotiating table nor stopped the violence against the Kosovar
civilian population. Rather is has all but destroyed the one force
that could have accomplished both: the democratic opposition to Milosevic
inside Serbia.
The rain of bombs has dramatically intensified
the violence against Albanians in Kosovo. Over one million Kosovars
have been terrorized and forced from their homes. Many have been murdered.
In addition, NATO violence from the outside is predictably driving
millions of Serbs including those who opposed Milosevic´s dictatorial
and nationalistic policies, to rally behind their flag and government.
In Montenegro, one of Yugoslavia´s two
republics, the democratically elected government attempts to distance
itself from President Milosevic and forge a more democratic and peaceful
future for its people. But that government is in danger of falling
if the war continues much longer.
What would a differente aproach look like?
How could we craft a win-win solution? What would help build the foundation
for a lasting peace? Consider this.
Behind the killing that destroys our himanity and hardens our hearts,
the overwhelming majority in Yugoslavia and in Kosovo want somethingelse,
not war or oppression.
In Serbia, Kosovo, and Montenegro they want:
The opportunity to join Europe, live with dignity, and raise their
children without fear of ciolence - not bombs, economic sanctions,
restrictions on travel and trade, or dictatorship.
So what is the carrot to transform this obsolete
culture of war that insult the world´s intelligence and creativity?
Yugoslavia, for its part, can grant Kosovo
independence. This includes international safeguards for all the sacred
sites in Kosovo, including the monasteries and revered battlefield
of Kosovo Polje (where the Serbs were defeated by the Turks in 1389),
and human rights guarantees for all peoples in the province. At the
same time, Yugoslavia would be invited into the European community.
In response to withdrawing all Yugoslavian
military, police and paramilitary personnel and equipment from Kosovo,
Kosovo would agree to be a demilitarized state with no military presence
- neither armed Kosovo Liberation Army nor NATO nor Yugoslav troops,
police, or paramilitaries.
Instead, thousand of international civilian
UN or OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) peace
monitors, trained in peacemaking, civilian relationship-building,
and community development, would monitor agreements and assure that
refugees can return safely. These peace monitors would be resources
for building a civil society with institutions based on the rights
and needs of all, regardless of ethnicity, in an independent Kosovo.
We and the international community would end
all sanctions against Yugoslavia and renew full diplomatic relations,
while opening diplomatic relations with Kosovo.
The West would begin a new ´Marshall
Plan´ to help rebuild Yugoslavia and Kosovo, focused on renewing
the infrastructure of these societies. The cost? A lot less than war.
And international Peace Corps Volunteers could plan an important role
in this rebuilding.
The world can also support the Yugoslav and
Kosovar people to strenghten non-governmental institutions and an
independent media as important building blocks for a democratic society.
In the matter of war crimes against humanity,
the International Court in The Hague could try the accused regardless
of rank or nationality. Yet another mechanism could be far more effective
at healing the aching wound and building a stable peace: national
´truth and reconciliation´ commissions for each region,
in the model already successful in South Africa and Guatemala.
Non-governmental organizations skilld in postwar
reconciliation can be supportive in both regions. Some are already
proving themselves in other parts of former-Yugoslavia, emphasizing
interregional healing and working with young people to build their
common future.
Naturally a period of time may be needed for
an international protectorate under the United Nations, while civilian
observers and peacemakers help facilitate renewed communities. An
international peacekeeping force - not NATO - can verify an end to
hostilities, the return of refugees, and human rights.
The carrot will be an attraction and beacon,
if not to President Milosevic, then to the people of Yugoslavia and
of Kosovo. Instead of driving Yugoslavians by the thousands into the
arms of Milosevic, this positive policy will help the people seize
a living alternative to war.
The 1.5 million Serbs who demonstrated against
Milosevic in the winter of 1996 and 1997 could again raise their voices
in their longing for a future that works for the good of all.
The carrot approach requires communication
and education, including international radio and rtelevision support;
state-controlled Yugoslav media cooperation is unlikely. Consider
dropping millions of educational leaflets from the air instead of
bombs.
When Kosovo and Yugoslavia join Europe, boundaries
will make increasingly less difference. There will be freer travel,
trade, and cultural interaction between Kosovo and Yugoslavia, and
thoughout the continent.
I have been in Kosovo. Today, negotiations
with United Nations and Russian participation should begin immediately
to move the peace process forward.
Tomorrow, I know that carrots are what´s
needed, to inspire people to build their common future where everyone
wins.
David Hartsough is
Executive Director of PEACEWORKERS, based in San Francisco. He has
worked in Kosovo and Yugoslavia for three years. In March, 1998 David
accompanied Albanians in their nonviolent demonstrations in Kosvo.
He was arrested, jailed, and later expelled from the country by the
Yugoslav authorities.