Reconstruction ofthe railway system

in KosovoAuthor:

Lieutenant Colonel Richard H. Brown

Tsuyoshi Takayanagi

Department of Civil Engineering

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Contents History Fragmentation (FRY) Railway Network Damage Reconstruction Civilian Railway Organization Bringing the railway back to life Conclusions

History In 1980, The death of Tito connect to

fragmentation of Yugoslavia Federation President Milosevic's rise take away Kosovo’s

autonomy and forced policy of Serb initiatives

Conflict occurred between Yugoslavia and Kosovo

NATO force bombed Yugoslavia to stop conflict in Kosovo in 1999.

Before 1991 2001

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia

Fragmentation (FRY)

SERBIA

Kosovo

Republic of Montenegro

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Vojvodina

Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina independent from FRY

Railway Network

Pec

Mitrovica

MACEDONIA

SERBIA

Ferizaj

Kosovo Polje

Pristina

Kosovo’s local economy was depend on its industry (zinc, silver, gold)

Rail system was essential for many people who could not afford cars

But this real system was controlled from Yugoslavia and suffer some limitations

Cut connection between the route from the south and the route to the west at Kosovo Polje by Serbia

Railway Network

Damage Damage was mainly focused on stations and the signaling

system in Albanian There was some damage to track system Heavy damage was inflicted by NATO’s bombing, such as

bridges and tunnels Train was used to transfer Kosovo refugees

Reconstruction

NATO force took a control of railway system

The Italian engineers brought rapid-repair construction train

The engineers set about repairing intermittent track damage

Commandeered the only three remaining operative locomotives.

Civilian Railway OrganizationThere are two problems in Kosovo’s rail system Kosovo’s rail system was mono-ethnic state (it became target of terror) Kosovo was to be responsible for the management

of all public enterprises, but ownership of their facilities was retained by Yugoslavia.

A present of multi-ethnic train was difficulty , but it was presented fortuitously

The U.N. mission in Kosovo set up ‘Railways of Kosovo’ as a U.N. administered enterprise

Civilian Railway Organization The UNMIK designed a new organizational structure for the railways (it

was not easy) The enforced lack of training and management experience suffered by

Albanians 　→ unfair employment

The ethnic railway employment ratio 50% Serbs and 50% AlbaniansThe ethnic population ratio 10% Serbs and 90% Albanians

By 1999

Compromise plan to solve this problem was not agreed

Enterprises had capitulated to majority momentum and held 　　 no posts for those from minority groups.

Bringing the railway back to life The new railway organization was created with an

objective of eventually taking over full By Reestablishment of railway, Kosovo has

connection for military and industry Physical reconstruction is one thing, a workable

organizational transition plan is quite It is very important to operate railway network

effectively.

Conclusions Railways act as ‘connectors’ both physically

and emotionally, in society. Reestablishment brings hope that divided

communities may gradually heal their wounds. The civilian and the military had to work

alongside each other and fully cooperate to be effective.

Holistic strategic assessment has been important.

END