This article analyses Swiss policy during the Kosovo conflict and the subsequent peace‐building process. It advocates first of all the establishment of a robust, coherent and long‐term civilian and military framework to reconstruct the war‐torn region and therefore favours an integrated approach to peace‐building in Kosovo that overcomes the Dayton approach of institutional separation. Second, Switzerland's present and future participation is analysed. Although the country's options are limited, it can make valuable contributions to the ongoing international aid efforts. The study advocates the establishment of a civilian peace‐building unit which provides the technical backbone of an international peace‐building mission, favours technical assistance to several international activities and argues that Switzerland could make a major contribution to the establishment of subsistent agricultural structures. The conclusion draws lessons from the Kosovo conflict for Switzerland's security policy.

Heiko Borchert International relations, The University of St Gallen, Switzerland

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