[ALBSA-Info] Fwd: The Balkans Forum: April 23, 2002, 4 to 6 p.m., Georgetown University

[Agron Alibali]

  Sarah Peterson <speterson at sfcg.org> wrote: From Sarah Peterson Wed Apr 17 14:47:09 2002
Subject: The Balkans Forum: April 23, 2002, 4 to 6 p.m., Georgetown University
Date: Wed, 17 Apr 2002 17:47:09 -0400
From: "Sarah Peterson" 

PREVENTION AND PRACTICE: THE BALKANS FORUM
Organized jointly by 
Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs,
Georgetown University's Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies,
and
Search for Common Ground

Session 16 

The Legacy of the Use of Force:
The Balkans and Beyond

Tuesday, April 23, 4 - 6 p.m.
Georgetown University - 205 Old North Building

With a presentation by 

Ambassador Avis Bohlen
Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control
and
Former U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria


In previous sessions of the Balkans Forum, some participants have argued that the "Powell Doctrine," which mandates use of force only as a last resort, is not applicable in the Balkans. Had military force not been applied relatively early in Kosovo, the argument goes, there would be no Albanians left there today. Furthermore, the delay in military action in Bosnia and the concurrent humanitarian crisis were widely criticized by analysts and observers both inside and outside government. Once military operations were underway, NATO relied exclusively on airpower to complete its policy objectives of ending the war. This decision was both maligned and applauded by informed opinion makers.

As a result of these inconclusive aspects of NATO engagement, commentators and policymakers alike continue to draw conflicting conclusions from the past decade of U.S. military intervention in Southeast Europe. Two prominent points of contention are the principle of force as a last resort and the effectiveness of sole reliance on airpower. This conflict has the potential of clouding the lessons of U.S. and European military engagement in the Balkans and effectively impeding future policy. 

The upcoming session of the Balkans Forum will focus on the legacy of the use of force in the Balkans and its implication for future U.S. and European engagement. Ambassador Bohlen will illuminate key lessons provided by the U.S. military experience that could inform future military and political planning worldwide. 



Ambassador Avis Bohlen, a career Foreign Service Officer, was sworn in on November 24, 1999 as Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control. Prior to this position, she most recently served as U.S. Ambassador to Bulgaria (1996-1999) and before that, as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paris (1991-1995). Since entering the Foreign Service in 1977, she has had several assignments in the Bureau of European Affairs. She has also served on the Policy Planning Staff and as Executive Director on the U.S. Delegation for Nuclear and Space Talks in Geneva.

The discussion will be held Tuesday, April 23, from 4 - 6 p.m. at Georgetown University (205 Old North Building). Directions to the Georgetown Campus follow.
_________________________

In its second year, the Balkans Forum brings together a diverse group of experts-academics, activists, policy makers, and practitioners-for sustained dialogue on U.S. policy in the Balkans. Each monthly session is organized around a brief presentation from one or two Balkan specialists followed by a roundtable discussion. 

The theme for the 2001-2002 session of Balkans Forum is "Learning Peace in the Balkans." While the experience of building peace in the Balkans has been significant, it has not proven to be cumulative. Lessons learned in some instances have not always been replicated in others. During this year of the Balkans Forum, we will examine the strategic choices-and the outcomes of those choices-made by international actors in their attempts to prevent deadly conflict in the region.

We hope you will join us for what promises to be a fascinating conversation. Please contact Sarah Peterson at Search for Common Ground by April 22 at speterson at sfcg.org or call +1 (202) 777-2206 to reserve a space at the April 23 Balkans Forum. 

Regards,

Andrew J. Loomis 
Program Manager 
Search for Common Ground 

Ana Cutter
Program Officer 
Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs

Directions:

If you are taking a taxi or parking off campus, enter the Georgetown Campus at 37th Street and O. The pathway will go between two buildings (Healy Building on your left, and Copley Hall on your right). About 20 yards ahead on your left you will see large stairs leading to Old North. Room 205 is located on the second floor.

If you are parking on campus, use the University entrance at Canal or Prospect Streets. Follow the driveway/access road past the large construction site (as a reference, you will see tennis courts to your left). You might be prompted to take a ticket as you enter the University and pay when you leave (please be sure to mention that you attended the Balkans Forum to get the flat rate of $4 for the evening). To get to 205 Old North, exit the parking lot by the ICC building (red brick modern-looking building) go down the hill and follow the path that curves around a small Jesuit cemetery (a tall dorm building will be to your right). Take the stairs on your left, which lead to the top of the hill. Keep walking straight about 50 yards and you will see stairs on your right leading to Old
North.



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