Paramilitaries in the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia: Effects on the Peace Process
Abstract
This monograph examines the role of the paramilitary groups in the dissolution of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and their effects on the peace process. It offers lessons to political and military leaders considering involvement in conflicts characterized by complex environments, multiple actors, and multiple, changing objectives. It looks at a selection of the paramilitary groups operating in Croatia and Bosnia from 1991-1995 and speculates if their political, economic, or altruistic motives for fighting exacerbated the violence and hindered a peaceful resolution to the conflicts. It examines the contention that state leaders were not able to come to a political agreement on the future of Croatia, Bosnia, and Serbia because too many other actors were involved in the conflict who were willing to fight for their own objectives. It is inconclusive whether the involvement of paramilitaries delayed a civil, non-violent break-up of the country. Certainly, by their very participation in the fighting, they contributed to the violence. It is probable that paramilitaries that fought for political objectives that differed from those of the political leaders complicated the peace process since they made it difficult for negotiators to find a solution that satisfied all sides and sought to undermine the political leadership that had to negotiate peace terms. Additionally, paramilitary groups that took advantage of the break down in law and order to turn a profit on the conflicts by stealing from aid convoys, looting stores and homes, holding people for ransom, or other activities exacerbated the situation on the ground but did not directly affect the peace negotiations. It is also likely that the paramilitaries that fought for religious ideals or personal causes did not purposefully hinder the peace process to pursue their goals. By their participation in hostilities, they helped sustain the war like fuel to a fire. The purpose of examining the role paramilitary g
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA614255
Entities
People
- Gregory P. Olson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College