Next Steps in Kosovo and Southeastern Europe: An Internet Symposium of Regional Perspectives

[Anne Marie Hvid]

Next Steps in Kosovo and Southeastern Europe 
An Internet Symposium of Regional Perspectives

June 29 - July 1, 1999

IREX is pleased to announce an innovative open discussion among international
experts over the Internet considering next steps for resolving the crisis in
Kosovo and Southeastern Europe and the priorities for peace and stable
development in the region. A bulletin of recommendations and conclusions will
be published electronically at the end of the three-day discussion.

The symposium will take the form of a moderated electronic mailing list
conducted on June 29, 30, and July 1. Each of the three days the list will
receive two messages. In the morning, expert panelists from Southeastern
Europe, Russia, and the United States will be responding to a topical question
concerning priorities for the region, and their commentary will be distributed
to the list.
 
On each day of the symposium, subscribers to the list will have the opportunity
to respond to the morning message and to present their own perspective. The
third day of the event will allow for commentary on conclusions and
recommendations among panelists, discussants, and subscribers of the symposium
list. 

To join the symposium, subscribe to the symposium list by sending a message to
<majordomo at info.irex.org.> In the body of the message write: subscribe
kosovo-symposium. You can also contact Alex Gupman by e-mail at
<agupman at irex.org> and request to be put on the list. To tune into the
symposium
on the Web, go to <http://www.irex.org/programs/conferences/>. 
___________________________________________________

Agenda

June 29, Day 1
Balancing Regional Considerations of Nationalism and Regional Stability 

June 30, Day 2
What Are the Next Steps? A Discussion of Priorities

July 1, Day 3
Conclusions and Recommendations

June 29, Day 1
Balancing Regional Considerations of Nationalism and Regional Stability

Whether it be the conflict in Southeastern Europe or the dissolution of the
Soviet Union, renewed considerations of ethnic identity and national
self-determination have greatly complicated international politics. Yet, at the
same time, an ethic of multi-national cooperation has developed. The discussion
of a regional peace settlement in Kosovo and Southeastern Europe involves a
remarkably active involvement of the international community, multilateral
cooperation and supra-national integration. 

What are the critical factors that will make or break the delicate balance
between considerations of ethnic identity, national self-determination,
regional cooperation and the international community?

June 30, Day 2
What Are the Next Steps? A Discussion of Priorities

A signatory of the NATO peace agreement recently stated, “Today, a new era will
start in Kosovo
We are not interested in building a criminal society, but a
modern civil society.”

Certainly there is consensus on the importance of stable social, political, and
economic institutions and a functional infrastructure in the region. But in
discussing these priorities, what comes first and why? What is the appropriate
sequencing for building a stable civil society and functioning social,
political, and economic institutions? Can all these things be done
simultaneously? Do social and cultural considerations come before economics
and/or politics?

Featuring Guest Panelists:
* Mr. Ibrahim Gashi, Kosovo Information Center 
* Ms. Tanya L. Domi Director of Press and Public Information, OSCE Mission to
Bosnia and Herzegovina 
* Ms. Azra Alimajstorvic, Bosnian Journalist, Humphrey Fellow 
* Ambassador Philip Dimitrov of the Republic of Bulgaria 
* Mr. Roderick Mackler Department of State, Program Officer for Kosovo 
* Mr. Davor Bozinovic Croation Foreign Ministry, The Department of Neighboring
States 
* Mr. Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the National Albanian American Council

* Ms. Ljiljana Smajlovic, Training Coordinator, IREX Serbia and Montenegro,
editor, Evropljanin 
* Rev. Irinej Dobrijevich Mission of US Religious Leaders to Belgrade, Serbian
Orthodox Church 
* Dr. Brian Shott Professor of Macedonian Politics, University of Virginia 
* Dr. Nikolai Sokov, research associate, Center for Russia and Eurasian Studies
Monterey Institute of International Studies 
* Dr. Anna Vassilieva, Associate Professor Center for East Asian Studies.
Center for Russia and Eurasian Studies Monterey Institute of International
Studies
* Ms. Zorica Maric, Montenegrin Trade Mission