Rather than argue about what should have been done and not done four months ago, why not have a debate on self-determination for Kosova? The settlement with Milo precludes this at least in literal terms, but one could imagine scenarios where it could come about. NATO's there doing something useful -- protecting Kosovars -- so it might as well be urged to contribute to the self-government of the region.
Secondly, a discussion of strengthening international law regarding interventions. It should be possible for these to be carried out in a relevant time period and not be vulnerable to one or two countries' vetoes. On the other hand, they shouldn't be too easy either. Right now they are obviously too easy since they are subject to the whims of the U.S. president, not even restrained by existing U.S. law.
Third, I'd look to the operations of the EU in terms of strengthening its capabilities to build a Social Europe. This would entail progress in the field of tax coordination, EU-based fiscal equalization for poor regions (incl the Balkans), and democratizing the ECB, for starters.
mbs
This resolution concentrates on reforms. Some will consider it reformist, but the range of reforms proposed is extensive.
Even if it seems weak to people who put a lot of energy into opposing the war, it is important now to debate what could possibly be done, now that the war is over, rather than to sink into revolutionary cynicism.
Chris Burford
London
------------------------------------------------------------- The following emergency resolution was passed at Democratic Left's National Conference weekend, 5/6 June 1999: -------------------------------------------------------------
Recognising that members of Democratic Left disagree strongly about the war in former Yugoslavia, this conference nevertheless believes that, in the aftermath of the war, DL should seek to influence public debate about future defence and security policy in Europe. In particular, we ask the new EC to consider, as a matter of priority, convening a broad-based conference to discuss the following issues:
* the safety and well-being of the Kosovo Albanians and all
other victims of the break-up of Yugoslavia
* the physical, economic and social reconstruction of Serbia and its
re-integration within the international community
* the steps that need to be taken to secure a wider regional settlement,
including the possibility of a pan-European conference on the Balkans
and the establishment of an intergovernmental Balkan Council
* the reform of and relationship between NATO, the UN, the EU and
the OSCE
* the balance between military force, international diplomacy and
social development as instruments of security policy and the role of
non-government and community organisations as agents of conflict
prevention
* the promotion of multi-cultural institutions and norms as integral
elements of European civilisation
* the revision and updating of just war doctrines to take account of the
causes of modern wars and the nature of modern warfare
* the regulation of the arms trade, the prevention of nuclear
proliferation and the pursuit of nuclear disarmament