ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses a couple of general issues in international relations that the author encountered during his experiences as a diplomat. At the end of his term in Vienna they started within the OSCE to address the issues of preventive diplomacy. In this new atmosphere the concept of preventive diplomacy emerged. Preventive diplomacy might work when applied within a State where there is a certain amount of willingness to co-operate. Four years after the signing of the Dayton Agreement, it is disturbing to note that several basic issues in the treaty have still not been implemented. The chapter focuses on the economic structure dominated by publicly-owned enterprises, which are run by each informal power centre. It seems that the international community still has a tendency to justify its efforts by arranging elections. The Stability Pact is a good initiative, but unfortunately there seems to be a division in attitude among the key players regarding the success of this Pact.
