Subject: PROSPECTS OF NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE IN KOSOVO
Dear Olivier,
This is a material about the Internatioinal Conference. You already talk about this with Afrim. Can you give this material to Mrs. Bonino and Pannella, please because I don't have their email address. I will wait for your answer, as soon as possible if you can.
Yours, Sihana
MM Review - Prishtina
Postpessimists - Prishtina
International Conference
PROSPECTS OF NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE IN KOSOVO
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you that we have begun the preparations for the International Conference "Prospects of Non-Violent Movement in Kosovo" which is to take place from 27-29 April 1998 in Prishtina (or, alternatively, should there be any organisational obstacles by the authorities, from 27-29 May 1998
The preliminary list of organisations and individuals invited has been compiled, but we would appreciate your suggestion of other individuals and organisations, as well as possible sponsors of this gathering.
We would appreciate if you sent us your tentative acceptance and, possibly, the title and outline of your paper.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
Shkelzen Maliqi
The Conference Initiator
On Behalf of the Organisational Board
Prishtina, 12 January 1998
International Conference
PROSPECTS OF NON-VIOLENT RESISTANCE IN KOSOVO
Escalation of the Kosovo Crisis
The several-year-long status quo in Kosovo based on the balance of fear has come to an end. The increased deterioration of Serbian-Albanian relations over the past months threatens to become a trend which may lead to armed hostilities and crises on a greater scale.
The Albanian political factor in Kosovo, which opted for political and non-violent resistance to the Serbian policy of dictate and force since 1990, has now entered a delicate phase of examining its peaceful policy. The Albanian political and intellectual leaders are now faced with big challenges and contradictory public pressure. Certain influential circles in Kosovo are now posing the question of purposefullnes of the policy of non-violence and waiting. They believe that non-violent means have not rendered any tangible results thus far, nor can they be expected to do so in the future.
The appearance of the shadowy military organization UCK (The Liberation Army of Kosovo) on the Kosovo scene has made it poignantly clear that this is not mere rhetorical radicalization. The organization has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on the Serbian police force and its objects. UCK's activities may seriously thwart the efforts aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the Kosovo issue.
At the same time, there have emerged new movements and initiatives which are in search of new forms of resistance to the current regime which is unsustainable in the long-term. The most important is the movement of Albanian students, whose more engaged and active approach to the solving of the concrete issue - the freeing of usurped school and university buildings - is based on the principles of active non-violent resistance.
Meanwhile, Serbia/FR Yugoslavia continues the dangerous policy of forceful control of Kosovo, disregarding the international community's demands to lift repressive and discriminatory measures and start a dialogue with Kosovo Albanians. A deep systemic, political and economic crisis in Serbia/FR Yugoslavia, where democratic alternative is fragmented and side-lined, whilst pro-Communist, nationalist and pro-Fascist forces dominate in the Parliament and in the institutions of power - represents yet another threat to fragile peace in Kosovo, and a wider regional crisis.
Conference on Non-Violence
What can be done to prevent the realization of radical scenarios and uncontrolled development of events which would result in new bloodshed in the Balkans?
Alongside the involvement of international organizations and foreign governments interested in creating lasting conditions for peace in the region, we deem it is essential at this moment to support the existing and encourage the launch of new civic initiatives that reaffirm the principles of non-violent resolution of the Kosovo conflict.
This premise was the guiding idea for organizing the international conference entitled "Prospects of Non-Violent Resistance in Kosovo". The conference is to take place on 27-29 April in Kosovo (the venue has yet to be determined). Should there be obstacles in the course of organization of the conference, a possible date moves forward to 27-29 May.
Practitioners and theorists of non-violence from Kosovo, FR Yugoslavia, and from the world will be invited to the Conference. The number of participants will depend on the budgetary constraints. The plan is to invite approximately 60 experts.
Purpose of the Conference
The main objectives of the Conference are as follows:
1) To allow self-reflection and in-depth examination of the Albanian movement of non-violent resistance;
2) To stimulate the quest for arguments and methods which would enhance the efficiency as well as stimulate wider and lasting acceptance of the philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance;
3) To compare the Kosovo type of non-violent resistance with similar non-violent, (both past and contemporary) movements in the world;
4) To stimulating and define organizational forms conducive to better cooperation between Albanian peace groups and peace organizations in the world, particularly those in the Balkans and in Serbia/FR Yugoslavia;
5) To encourage the idea of founding the Kosovo Center for Non-Violent Resistance which would be systematically engaged in the affirmation of the philosophy and practice of non-violence;
6) To uphold wider involvement of the young in peace activities;
7) To support to a more active approach of the media to the issues of non-violent resistance.
The Conference Topics
The conference topics will deal with issues which derive from the Conference objectives. The preliminary list of topics is as follows:
1) The analysis of experience of non-violent resistance in Kosovo over the last 9 years;
2) The assessment of the current stage of the Albanian non-violent movement;
3) Defining the unique features of the non-violent movement in Kosovo in relation to other international experiences of non-violent resistance;
4) The challenges of possible radicalization of the Albanian national movement;
5) The possibility of cooperation of the Albanian non-violent movement with other movements and NGOs, including the cooperation with the organisations in Serbia/Yugoslavia;
6) Specific methods of non-violent resistance applicable in Kosovo and FR Yugoslavia;
7) Non-violence and students - the experience of student movements in Kosovo and FR Yugoslavia;
8) The role of the media in promoting and supporting the policy of non-violent resistance.
Participants
Peace activists, representatives of NGOs, politicians and academics About 60 participants: Kosovo (20), Serbia/FR Yugoslavia (15-20), world (20-25)
Conference Format and Program
a) Plenary sessions
b) Working groups
4 to 6 main papers, possibly available in advance
8 to 12 reports of NGOs and organisations involved in aspects of non-violence
Executive Organisers
MM Review - Prishtina & Postpessimists - Prishtina
Brief Description of Executive Organisers
MM
MM is a leading theoretical review in the Albanian language. The review specializes in affirmation of new theoretical trends in humanities and arts and in promotion of the values of a democratic and open society. It has been published in Prishtina since 1995.
Postpessimists
Postpessimists are a local NGO gathering the young people up to the age of 20, whose main activities focus on affirmation of civil society values, civic initiatives and the culture of dialogue among the young. Ever since 1994 Postpessimists have been well known for their impact. Apart from the current leadership of Postpessimists, the members of the first, more experienced generation of Postpessimists, who are now students or journalists will be actively involved in the organization of the Conference.
Associate Organisers
Alongside from the Conference-initiator and executive organisers, the possibility is left open for other NGOs and organizations to support the Conference more actively as its associate organisers. Two such organisations are currently on the list:
KC Dodona - Prishtina: The Albanian political weekly "Zeri" - Prishtina (The list is open)
The Organizational Board: Albin Kurti, Alisa Maliqi, Anton Berishaj, Astrit Salihu, Blerim Shala, Fisnik Abrashi, Garentina Kraja, Gazmend Pula, Jeta Xharra, Migjen Kelmendi, Sihana Xhaferi, Shkelzen Maliqi... (List is open)
Venue: Prishtina (There are other alternatives, it case it is not feasible to obtain the license or visas for foreign participants).
The Initial Sponsor
Fond for an Open Society, Belgrade/Prishtina
Other Sponsors
There are promises, but no concrete commitments...
Time: 27-29 April 1998 (or 27-29 May 1998)
The Proposal Compiled By Shkelzen Maliqi
January 10, 1998
Note:
C.V.
Shkelzen Maliqi, a philosopher by training, is an author of numerous articles in the field of political analysis. He published the following books: Nyja e Kosoves (The Kosovo Knot, Ljubljana 1990), Albanski Ghandizm (Albanian Ghandism, Wieser Verlage Klagenfurt 1993) and Shqiptaret dhe Evropa (Albanians and Europe, Peja 1994). He is one of few Albanian intellectuals who has attempted to reflect upon the character and achievement of the Albanian non-violent resistance in articles published on the issue (in the English language: Albanian Self-Understanding in Non-Violence, Albanian Intifada, Albanian Ghandism, Albanians and Europe, Albanians between East and West, The Albanian Movement in Kosova).
For all interested, these articles are available in the English language and will be distributed upon request via e-mail.
