Rahda 31. Kumar: The Troubled History of Partition Bosnia's Partition: o Dayton Peace Agreement created a virtual partition because it included the following stipulations: It created two entities within the territory Created virtually separate legislatures, administrations, and armies o But the agreement also attempted to avoid the common problems associated with partition by included the following stipulations: Both "entities" shared a common economic spaces and arms control regulations Structures were put into place that could eventually be used to reverse the partition and that could rebuild the civil society Arguments FOR Partition: o One of the most humane forms of intervention because it furthered the possibilities for negotiation that would otherwise be achieved through fighting o Could save the country from disappearing altogether because the intervener would try and secure the rights of both rather than allowing the stronger group from just ousting the weaker. o It would be a logical conclusion because it divides the country along communal battle lines and makes resulting terms more ethnically homogenous because of population transfers. o It could be a more permanent means of containing the conflict Arguments AGAINST Partition o It's just a way for outside powers (usually colonial powers) to divide and quit o In Cyprus, India, and Palestine, Partition fomented further violence and forced mass migration o Even though enables outside powers to leave, it leads to a disastrous war o A partition is unable to contain the fragmentation it triggers o Partition gives birth to weak civil institutions o Partition turns out to really be a policy of divide and stay o High level of negotiations before partition ever reaches ground (ex. Ireland because took 4 yrs of war and even then the 4 yrs followed 10 yrs of deliberation Changing perceptions of partition over time o Pre WWI Effected for needs of an empire to strengthen rule and administration o Post 1918 Partition took place as part of a devolution of authority or as a Cold War policy of spheres of influence. o Competing Rationals after WWI British colonial policy of identifying irreconcilable nationalities Ex. Ireland, India and later Cyprus and Palestine Partition is a lesser evil than constant civil war Wilsonian Rational of national self determination Applied to Poland and Romania Ethnic identity is an important determinant of political rights Supported ethnic self determination as freedom from colonial rule In Bosnia, partition was rationalized as a lesser evil o Was not prompted by a desire for peace and determination, but rather because colonial Britain wanted to withdraw. o Compared to separation Cyprus: of legislature, presidency, civil service, police and army. "Green Line" drawn as territorial boundary and ethnic conflict intensified. After years of conflict between the Greek and Turkish people, took 14 years total to establish a shaky partition
o To this day in Cyprus, violent demonstrations occur, and short fuse between countries is evident. Permanent vigilance on part of NATO and Atlantic allies is necessary decades after the de facto partition took place. Other Partitions o After incomplete partition in Palestine, we have witnessed three Arab-Israeli wars and territorial concerns still dog peace talks. o India's partition could be considered the most successful, because the British were able to quit and the conflict after some years has since been largely contained. But, as Bangladesh broke from Pakistan just a few years after the partition ended, we see that two stable territories were not truly created. We also see that the conflict persists over territorial disputes in Kashmir. Bosnia o Dayton Agreement can't contain conflict so long as partition is still in progress. Elections reflect that tensions between groups are still present and that partition is still incomplete on the ground. o Nearly half of the population of Bosnia as of 1992 is still living outside of the country. And many of the refugees can't be allowed to go back to their original homes as they would pose problems to the ethnic homogeneity that was created by driving these same people out. o The potential for further fragmentation is still there because now third parties are asking, if the country could be split into two to separate the two major warring groups, then why can't it be split into three so we can have our own territory as well? o The boundary line drawn during partition is awkward, and therefore will require the continued presence of a large international force o Only hope is that the shared economic space will eventually erode the lines of partition. Conclusion: o Partition can hamper the development of postwar economies. Ongoing conflict over Kashmir hinders economic cooperation between India and Pakistan, therefore hindering the South Asian economies as a whole. Partition is also seen as the reason Palestine and parts of Ireland are impoverished. o Because Bosnian conflict is high profile, it's rendering the West unable to walk away. It actually has led to more, rather than less, involvement. o Because imposing partition upon Bosnia is starting to seem like an indefinitely prolonged commitment in a potentially volatile region for Western countries, "investment in reintegration may be discovered to be an easier route to withdrawal.