A united Bosnia? Not anytime soon
As war crime trials begin, it's business as usual in former Yugoslavia
May 8, 1996
Web posted at: 10 p.m. EDT (0200 GMT)
From International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour
BANJA LUKA, Bosnia-Herzegovina (CNN) -- Although the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday began trying crimes allegedly committed during the Bosnian war, many in the former Yugoslavia see a long road to a settled peace.
With indicted Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic still wielding clout and civilians sequestered from their homes, some worry that the Dayton peace accord may be in danger.
In an effort to squelch divisions, NATO troops have moved to Banja Luka, the biggest Serb stronghold. At the same time, Bosnia peace coordinator Carl Bildt has opened an office in the city.
Responsible for the civilian side of the Dayton peace process, Bildt has been criss-crossing Banja Luka, seeking out opposition groups and trying to shore up moderates in the ruling Serb party. His actions are aimed at sidelining Karadzic and his clique.
"We just have to say, 'Are we prepared to accept and tolerate (the Bosnian Serb opposition) poisoning the atmosphere and provoking the international community, or are we ready to do something about it?'" Bildt said. "That question will have to be addressed in the not-too-distant future."
Already too late?
Some say it's already late in the game. With Karadzic and former Bosnian Serb Gen. Ratko Mladic retaining positions of power, the peace is clearly in danger.
"The entire process could founder on this one factor," said George Mitchell of the International Crisis Group. "It's important that people understand that."
But neither the NATO peace enforcers nor anyone else shows any appetite for the job. With the hard-line Bosnian Serb leaders holding sway, a key part of the Dayton accord is on hold. Instead of being reintegrated, Bosnia is de facto partitioned -- with NATO forces effectively freezing former front lines. For instance, millions of refugees are not yet able to cross into former enemy territories and return home.
The Bosnian government warns it did not sign up for partition in Dayton. "The reason our people accepted the Dayton (is because) it says Bosnia will remain a single country and everyone has the right to go back and regain his own private property," said Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic.
Bildt warns away those who say partition may be the necessary price for peace. "If we are going to try to solve the problems of the region by separating ethnic communities. we are going to have one war after the other," said Bildt, who went on to detail a future of endless ethnic battles. (170K AIFF sound or 170K WAV sound)
Next step: Elections
In this uncertain atmosphere, officials are trying to organize proper elections by the fall. Ambassador Robert Frowic said that "free and fair elections as understood in West" are unlikely. However, he stressed, it would be a start. (119K AIFF sound or 119K WAV sound)
Hard-line nationalists still rule on all sides and, most importantly, control access to the media. Former Bosnian Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic now leads an opposition party.
"The state media is called 'state media,'" said Silajdzic, head of the Party for Bosnia-Herzegovina, "but actually it's in the hands of a few. That must change."
Miodrag Zivanovic of the Social Liberal Party says his Serb party is for a return to multi-ethnicity and a multi-party system. He, too, has no access to media other than his own party newspaper. But he believes Karadzic can and should be beaten at the ballot box.
"There is a danger," said Zivanovic, "that they (Karadzic and Mladic) could be hailed as martyrs and become national heroes if they are arrested." Still, he said, "The problem of war criminals is our biggest problem."
Related stories:
- War crimes tribunal gets history lesson - May 8, 1996
- Stage is set for trial of accused Bosnian war criminal - May 6, 1996
- Mladic, Karadzic still at large, threatening peace process - May 4, 1996
- War crimes tribunal hands down indictments for crimes against Serbs - March 22, 1996
- Tribunal indicts Croatian Serb leader - March 8, 1996
- Bosnian Serb war crime suspects turned over to international tribunal - February 12, 1996
- War crimes tribunal only has one person in custody - November 24, 1995
Related site:
Related newsgroups:
- alt.current-events.bosnia - not available at all sites
- bit.listserv.bosnet
- misc.news.bosnia - moderated; see the FAQ
- soc.culture.bosna-herzgvna
Copyright © 1996 Cable News Network, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive
