Trading with the enemy in Mitrovica, Kosovo. - RUhosting

different opinions on the peace inducting effects of trade. Most notably, traders themselves were the most
negative. They were the ones to stress that it is really only about money, no personal feelings were involved
and it doesn't change anything. Locals who worked at local NGO's or IGO's did all believe trade would
improve relations, but at the same time were often quite sceptical of the need to improve relations and the
extent to which this was possible. Most did not believe in integration and their interpretation of improving
inter-ethnic relations was along the lines of less violence, living in peace and leaving each other alone. The
internationals who were interviewed also all agreed that trade could improve relations but were a bit more
sceptical of this than the locals. They did however hold to a more extensive version of “better relations”
which in their eyes often included reintegration. To this it must be added that most internationals who work
or had worked in Mitrovica believed improving relations between the two ethnic groups there would be
nearly impossible at the moment, stressing that this should start in less difficult areas.
These views of held by the different groups seem to make sense. Internationals did not experience the violent
conflict themselves, nor are they involved in the ongoing political conflict about Kosovo's territory, or do
they live in a community which generally sees the other ethnic group as the enemy. For them it's easier to
just see the ethnic animosity as something comparable to racism or ethnocentrism which is also present
among some individuals and groups in Europe or the United States. Locals, on the other hand, see no reason
why they would want to live with their (former) enemies and are therefore more sceptical of ideas like
integration. Traders are in an even different position because they are already on the margins of what is
allowed under the “rules of the inter-ethnic game” regarding contact, and therefore have to be extra careful
not to be seen as a “traitor”, or anything like that. From these different opinions should be concluded that the
western view of 'reconciliation' is perhaps too optimistic and we should therefore start aiming at just
“peaceful relations”. There should also be more attention for this division in attitudes between locals and
internationals regarding inter-ethnic relations because now it seems as if western ideals are placed on an
society where they – at least for now – will not fit.
The north of Kosovo has a reputation of being lawless area with much criminal activities going on 23
. A part
of these illegal activities lie in inter-ethnic trade as well. The criminals engaging in this illegal trade benefit
from the current destabilised condition of the north of Kosovo and because of this contribute to it. On top of
that they have ties with radical politicians and other people in power who obstruct an improvement of interethnic
relations. Although the majority of people suffer under the current situation in Mitrovica, this small
minority benefits from it and will do anything in their power to make sure nothing changes. It is clear that
this illegal part of inter-ethnic trade only damages inter-ethnic relations, and therefore a distinction has to be
made between legal, grey and illegal trade. This illegal part of inter-ethnic trade was not part of my studies,
partly because of obvious safety concerns. This means I cannot elaborate on it further, but it should be clear
23
NRC Handelsblad 18-09-2008. 'Noord Kosovo is een wetteloze jungle'.
http://www.nrc.nl/nieuwsthema/kosovo/article1988721.ece/Noord-Kosovo_is_een_wetteloze_jungle
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