Publications

153 Publications
Western Balkans

Sovereignty, Europe and the future of Serbia and Montenegro - A proposal for international mediation

12 Feb 2001

Amidst the celebrations surrounding the new regime in Belgrade, the prospect of dissolution of the third Yugoslavia now seems more real than ever. Fortunately, the future of the FRY s no longer an issue of war and peace, with both sides committed to settling the matter at a political level. If no lasting solution is found soon, however, it has the potential to introduce yet more tensions and divisions into the region.

Stability Pact

Stability, Institutions And European Integration - Brussels Discussion Paper

31 Oct 2000

A new consensus is emerging that the greatest obstacle to stability and prosperity in South Eastern Europe today is the lack of effective and accountable state institutions. Without a solid institutional framework for the exercise of public power, free and fair elections will not lead to representative or accountable government. Without strong institutions to implement the rule of law, there is little prospect that states will provide effective protection of human and minority rights, whatever international conventions they may accede to.

Western Balkans

Autonomy, dependency, security: The Montenegrin dilemma

4 Aug 2000

Since the Montenegrin government distanced itself from the president of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slobodan Milosevic, during last year's Kosovo war, Montenegro has found itself in the international spotlight. Montenegrin politicians have been courted by the West. The United States and the European Union have offered rapid and substantial financial aid

Western Balkans

Turning Point: The Brussels PIC Declaration And A State-Building Agenda For Bosnia And Herzegovina

7 Jun 2000

State-building and economic reform are deeply linked; functioning institutions can remedy Bosnia's fragmented economy, and economic reform can drive state development. The Brussels PIC Declaration provides concrete priority areas for the OHR to build Bosnian institutions, establishing clear benchmarks to measure performance of Bosnian and international institutions over the next two years.

Western Balkans

Taking On The Commanding Heights - Integration Of Network Industries As A Tool Of Peace Building - A Proposal For The Peace Implementation Council

3 May 2000

The key international objectives in Bosnia and Herzegovina are building an effective state, breaking the hold of unaccountable war-time power structures, creating conditions for economic growth and laying a basis for closer integration with European institutions. An international focus on institution building at the commanding heights of the political economy offers an outstanding opportunity to advance each of these goals.

Western Balkans

Reshaping International Priorities In Bosnia And Herzegovina - Part II International Power In Bosnia

1 Mar 2000

The international community has the potential to exercise considerable power in Bosnia. However, it has been slow at learning the lessons of its successes, and at understanding the sources of its influence. The limited progress in the peace process is attributable in large part to the failure of the international community to understand international power as a resource which must be used strategically in support of the peace mission.

Western Balkans

Power And Strategy In Bosnia And Herzegovina - ESI Stockholm Discussion For The Stockholm Seminar On Bosnia And Herzegovina

24 Feb 2000

This paper, part of the ESI series Changing International Priorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, discusses prerequisites for a successful medium-term strategy in Bosnia ahead of the upcoming Peace Implementation Council (PIC) meeting. It studies international influence in Bosnia, state and institution building, international agenda setting, the PIC's role, and deriving insights from peace process successes.

Western Balkans

Elections In 2000 Risks For The Bosnian Peace Process

5 Jan 2000

According to current plans, the coming year in Bosnia and Herzegovina will once again be a year dominated by elections. ESI has serious concerns about the impact of these elections on the Bosnian peace process. Because of their timing, the elections are likely to reinforce the war-time nationalist regimes. They will also dominate the international agenda in a year when attention should be focused on addressing the institutional reasons for the weakness of Bosnian democracy.

Western Balkans

Montenegro: Issues and questions

26 Nov 1999

As municipalities are passing resolutions to assert their autonomy from Podgorica, a real threat of parallel structures consolidating in parts of Montenegro prevails. The extent of authority of the Podgorica administration is being challenged, even holding a referendum on independence in these areas is considered impossible by some observers. The Montenegrin Interior Ministry continues to remain confident that it can maintain control of a complex security situation.

Western Balkans

Reshaping International Priorities In Bosnia And Herzegovina - Part I - Bosnian Power Structures

14 Oct 1999

Until now, the evolution of international power in Bosnia has occurred haphazardly, in response to events on the ground rather than according to a strategic vision. If international support is withdrawn in the absence of self-sustaining domestic structures, the peace process may falter, and many of the gains made to date will be lost. The concept of "ownership" of the Bosnian peace process raises an obvious question: to which individuals or local institutions should "ownership" be entrusted?

Western Balkans

Montenegro: A balancing Act

16 Sep 1999

Opposition figures warn of special protection forces and organized gatherings and tribal council meetings in the Serb-majority areas in the North of Montenegro. The financial support given to Montenegro by the international community is claimed to be less than Milosevic's support to the SNP. Conversely, if the main obstacle for becoming a recipient of Western assistance is seen to be belonging to a joint state with Serbia (e.g. World Bank policy), there will be increasing calls for separation.

Western Balkans

Interim Evaluation Of Reconstruction And Return Task Force (RRTF)

14 Sep 1999

Assisting displaced Bosnians return to their homes in areas controlled by the military of another ethnic group, so-called minority returns, has proved one of the most difficult challenges of the peace process. While progress was slow initially, returns have accelerated in 1999 to previously inaccessible areas. The Return and Reconstruction Task Force's on-the-ground expertise has been key in brokering returns and monitoring conditions.

Stability Pact

The Stability Pact And Lessons From A Decade Of Regional Initiatives

1 Sep 1999

The 1990s saw the creation of several regional initiatives in South Eastern Europe following historical turning points like the end of the Cold War and the Bosnian War. These had overlapping objectives, expanding memberships, focused on meetings not implementation, and lacked strategic vision and impact assessment. The Stability Pact faces challenges to develop clear priorities, implementation mechanisms, mobilize resources, gain visibility, and promote real institution building.