Civil Resistance in Kosovo Author:Howard Clark The world woke up to the conflict between Serbs and Kosovo Albanians too late--when the die was cast for war in 1998-1999. Until then, the self-restraint and social solidarity of Kosovo Albanians in the face of Serbian ultra-nationalism created opportunities for preventive action which the West had spurred. Ultimately, however, the nonviolent po... more »licy of Kosovo Albanians succeeded only in postponing war, not averting it. In Civil Resistance in Kosovo, Howard Clark examines how a remarkable nonviolent struggle by Kosovo Albanians frustrated Serbia's plans for Kosovo. Covering key features of the struggle, such as the miner's strike of 1989, the Campaign to Reconcile Blood Feuds, and the creation of parallel structures in education, medical care, and taxation, Clark describes the growth and potential of the movement, its subsequent stagnation and attempts to reinvigorate it. In assessing the achievements and limitations of nonviolence in Kosovo, Clark suggests how the policy could have been more effective and draws lessons for consideration in future peace-building. Clark also addresses the failure of foreign governments. International diplomacy, he argues, took Kosovo Albanian nonviolence for granted. It did not respond adequately to the danger of war and failed to adopt preventative policies and deal justly with the Kosovo Albanians. Consequently Kosovo Albanians turned to arms, precipitating Serbian aggression and NATO military intervention. Clark reflects on the significance of the Kosovo tragedy for other civil resistance movements around the world.« less