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Kosovo
A virtual exhibit prepared by Documents Assistant Renee Phelan during the
1999 crisis in Kosovo.
Yugoslavia
History
In 1914, the Austrian Archduke Franz-Ferdinand was assassinated
in Sarajevo, the event that caused World War I. In 1918, the
kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed. Eleven years
later its name was changed to Yugoslavia. In 1928, the political struggle
between Serbs and Croats, two ethnic groups, turned violent when the
political leader of the Croats was shot by a Serb.
During World War II, Marshal Josip Broz Tito of the Communist Party
emerged as a leader. On November 29, 1945, the Federal People's
Republic of Yugoslavia was declared. On January 31, 1946, a
constitution modeled after that of the USSR was adopted and Tito
became the official head of the government.
For a brief period after the war Tito worked with Stalin, but Tito's
insistence on Yugoslavian independence got his country expelled from
the Cominform in 1948, after which Stalin imposed an economic blockade.
This began Yugoslavia's so-called "independent road to socialism."
Up until the breakdown of the Yugoslavian union in 1991, the country
was divided into six republics, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia-Hercegovina,
Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Also there were two autonomous
provinces in Serbia, Vojvodina and Kosovo. |
Background notes on Yugoslavia
GOVT. S 1.123: Y 9/989 |
Yugoslavia, a Country Study
GOVT. D 101.22: 550-99/992 |
Serbia and Montenegro
note: Serbia and Montenegro, two republics of the now defunct Socialist
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, assert that they have formed a joint
independent state. While the United States does not formally
recognize the formation of this entity, it will be treated here
as one whole country, because their actions during this crisis
are determined only by what they say they are, not what the US
government says they are.
History
Serbia and Montenegro proclaimed themselves to be the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia, and the successor to the previous government,
the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on April 11, 1992.
Their new constitution was adopted on April 27, 1992.
Government
The country is run by a republican government, and is subdivided into
two republics (Serbia and Montenegro) and two autonomous provinces
(Kosovo and Vojvodina). The capital of Serbia is Belgrade,
and the capital of Montenegro is Podgorica.
The President is elected by the Federal
Assembly for a four year term. The President then has the power to
nominate the Prime Minister. Slobodan Milosevic was elected president
on July 23, 1997 with 90% of the legislative vote. In addition, each
republic has a president as well. The current President of Serbia is
Milan Milutinovic and the President of Montenegro is Milo Djukanovic.
The legislature of Serbia and Montenegro is bicameral, the Chamber of
Republics and the Chamber of Citizens.
Geography
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The total size of Serbia and Montenegro is slightly less than that of
Kentucky. In the south (the area including the borders with Albania,
Kosovo, and Montenegro), the summers and autumns are hot and dry,
and the winters are rather cold with heavy snowfall. In addition,
the south is extremly mountainous, the highest point is over 8,700
feet. |
Yugoslavia, a Country Study
GOVT. D 101.22: 550-99/992 |
Military
The total population of the country by a 1998 estimate is 11.2
million. The total population fit for military service (1998) is
2.2 million. In addition, the government spends between 500 million
and 1 billion dollars per year on military expenditures (this is
an estimate because of the changing exchange rate between the
US dollar and the Yugolavian New Dinar).
Links
Map of Serbia and Montenegro
World Factbook page on Serbia and Montenegro
Macedonia
History
Macedonia proclaimed its independence from Yugoslavia on September
17, 1991. Its constitution was ratified on November 21, 1991.
Government
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is run by a democratic
government. President Kiro Gligorov was elected by popular vote
on Octover 16, 1994. The President serves a five year term. The
current Prime Minister is Branko Crvenkovski. A unicameral Assembly
runs the legislative branch of government.
Geography
The total area of Macedonia makes it slightly larger than Vermont.
Much of the terrain and climate are similar to southern Serbia, with
hot, dry summers and snowy winters. The highest point in Macedonia is
over 9,000 feet.
Military
The total population of Macedonia is 2 million (1998). The total
population
fit for military service is 430,000. A rough estimate of annual
military expenditures is 200 million dollars (because of the changing
exchange rate between the denar and the dollar).
Links
World Factbook page on Macedonia
Albania
History
In the midst of the post-war confusion in Europe Albania declared
itself to be a "People's Republic." The Albanian government then
proceeded to alienate itself from the rest of the world. First,
the Albanian government broke ties with the UN. Next, they
refused American aid in the form of the Marshall Plan. Beginning
in 1948, they were able to in succession befriend and then alienate
Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, and China. In 1990, major economic
and political changes began to take place. By 1992, Albania had
elected a democratic president in multi-party elections.
Government
The current Albanian government is run by a democratic system.
The president is elected for a five-year term. Current president
Rexhep Meidani and Prime Minister Fatos Nano have served since
July 24, 1997. The legislative branch is run by the unicameral
People's Assembly.
Geography
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The total area of Albania makes it slightly smaller than Maryland.
Albania has cold, wet winters, and hot, dry summers, with conditions
colder and wetter inland. Most of the country is mountainous, and
the highest point is over 9,000 feet. |
Albania, a Country Study
GOVT. D 101.22: 550-98/994 |
Military
The total population of Albania is about 3.3 million people. The
total population fit for military service is about 600,000. The
total military expenditures of Albania is about $42 million per
year.
Links
World Factbook page on Albania
NATO
Rather than attempt to put the NATO mission in Kosovo in our own
words, below is an excerpt from the NATO homepage describing
the peacekeeping efforts.
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"During 1998, NATO countries and the international community became
gravely concerned about the escalating conflict between Serbian military
and
ethnic Albanian forces in Kosovo, its humanitarian consequences and the
risk
of it spreading to other countries in the region. In October, NATO
threatened
air strikes to force the Milosevic regime to withdraw some of its forces,
help
bring an end to the violence and facilitate the return of refugees to
their homes."
Links
NATO homepage
The North Atlantic Treaty
Documents on Subject
Gazetteer of Yugoslavia (vol.1+2) GOVT. D 5.319: Y 9
Strategic Forum, NATO Enlargement: A Russian Perspective GOVT. D
5.417: 34
Albania, a Country Study GOVT. D 101.22: 550-98/994
Yugoslavia, a Country Study GOVT. D 101.22: 550-99/992
Peace Operations GOVT. GA 1.13: NSIAD-96-38
Bosnia Peace Operation GOVT. GA 1.13: NSIAD-98-138
Tips for Travelers to Eastern Europe GOVT. S 1.2: EA 7/991
Tips for Travelers to Eastern Europe and Yugoslavia GOVT. S 1.74:
84
Background notes on Albania GOVT. S 1.123: AL 1/986
Background notes on Yugoslavia GOVT. S 1.123: Y 9/989
Yugoslavia at the Brink-Prospects for Stability or Disintegration
GOVT. Y 3.P 31: 16/27
Situation in Kosovo GOVT. Y 4.F 76/1: K 84/15
Persecution of the Albanian Minority in Yugoslavia GOVT. Y 4.F
76/1: Y 9/2
Developments in Yugoslavia and Europe-August 1992 GOVT. Y 4.F
76/1: Y 9/3
The Crisis in the Former Yugoslavia and the US Role GOVT. Y 4.F
76/1: Y 9/4
Developments in Europe and the Former Yugoslavia GOVT. Y 4.F
76/1: Y 9/5
Human Rights and Democracy in Albania GOVT. Y 4.IN 8/16: D 39/8
The History of the Armenian Genocide GOVT. Y 4.IN 8/16: H 62/2
Kosovo: Current Situation and Future Options GOVT. Y 4.IN 8/16: K
84/8
Report on the US Helsinki Commission Delegation to Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Albania, and Turkey GOVT. Y 4.SE 2: B 65
The 1997 Municipal Elections in Bosnia-Herzegovina GOVT. Y 4.SE 2:
EL 2/3
Presidential Elections in Montenegro GOVT. Y 4.SE 2: EL 2/4
Parliamentary and Municipal Elections in Montenegro GOVT. Y 4.SE 2:
EL 2/5
The War Crimes Trial for the Former Yugoslavia: Prospects and
Problems GOVT Y 4.SE 2: Y 9
Implementation of the Helsinki Accords GOVT. 4.SE 2: 103-1-1
Implementation of the Helsinki Accords GOVT. 4.SE 2: 103-1-2
Implementation of the Helsinki Accords GOVT. 4.SE 2: 103-1-7
Implementation of the Helsinki Accords GOVT. 4.SE 2: 103-2-14
Genocide in Bosnia-Herzegovina GOVT. 4.SE 2: 104-1-4
Challenges to Democracy in Albania GOVT. 4.SE 2: 103-2-11
Political Turmoil in Serbia GOVT. 4.SE 2: 104-2-16
Repression and Violence in Kosovo and Kosovo-the Human
Perspective GOVT. 4.SE 2: 105-2-1&2
Atrocities in Kosovo GOVT. 4.SE 2: 105-2-4
United States Policy Towards the Former Yugoslavia GOVT. 4.SE 2/1A:
995-96/36
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