THE ROLE OF UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS AND NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION IN KOSOVO (1999-2008)

Abstract

Republic of Kosovo is the new state that declared its independence in 2008, under the administration of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, after a long journey of ethnic tension and humanitarian violations of its civilians. It was a part of Serbia's territory under the authority of Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The obsession of minority ethnic to control the territory led to ethnic discrimination and limitation rights of the majority population in Kosovo. The insufficient capability of the central government to provide the security of its people is the main reason of the United Nations Security Council to run the intervention mission together with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, under the authority of Charter of the United Nations, to settle the conflict and build peace in Kosovo, and also to secure the rights of both ethnics. The complexity of the conflict in Kosovo attracted the attention of the writer, since the actor and the cause of conflict are quite not conventional. Also, the procedure of humanitarian intervention is complicated, considering the sovereignty of the state as one of its vital elements, triggered the curiosity of the writer. The operation of humanitarian intervention should respect the sovereignty of the state; it can not operate without the permission of the host state. The writer hopes that this research can be useful for the readers and enhance their knowledge in humanitarian intervention. Although the idea of peacekeeping operation has some pros and contras, the world can not deny its achievement in maintaining peace and security. The existence of peacekeepers has changed many situations and settled many conflicts in the world.