Mesić: RS problem in relations with Serbia

The sooner Mesic goes to political history the better for peace in the Balkans. This Croato nationalist turned "democrat" represents the worst out of Croatian political spectrum, always ready to obstruct especially in relation to Serb nation in the Balkans. Mesic, please leave, go now.

"The architecture of our region has ended???"
I might have bought that if Croatia didn't recognize Kosovo... but since that happened - all bets are off my dear Mr Mesic, the old argument of "republics are the final borders" you yourself have broken in favour of the "ethnic borders" idea.
I say let's bring back the debate of independence for Krajina.Those people have suffered 100 times more that the Albanians of Kosovo (under the NDH and Tudjman eras).
What a total amateur Mesic must be not to have seen this coming.
Having said that, Mesic talks about independence for RS so much, I almost wonder if he secretly is backing it to get his chunk of B&H??
Wouldn't be the first time Mesic has done a 180 spin.
Croatia really needs some new blood at the top.

Ah, there he is again, like the cantankerous coot at the old age home who gets upset when his oatmeal arrives cold, or someone got to the checkers game before he did. I mean seriously, does anyone take this guy seriously? He first fears the dissolution of Bosnia because of the activities of RS, but in the next sentence basically confirms what Croatia would do, which makes him no better:

“If the Republic of Srpska separates from Bosnia-Herzegovina, then the so-called Croatian republic would separate as well. And that part would then join Croatia,” Mesić said.

-- So he's basically upset that the Bosnian Croats don't have anything as advanced as RS? Is that what he wants? An RH? Be my guest. It's not like anyone believes anymore that Croats and Bosnian Muslims live in harmony.

“I told Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina—your country is Bosnia-Herzegovina, your capital city is Sarajevo; create your politics in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This message has not been sent to Serbs from Belgrade yet, we have not heard—Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, not the entity, but Bosnia-Herzegovina, your homeland is Bosnia-Herzegovina, your capital city is Sarajevo; create your politics with the other two groups of people in Sarajevo,” Mesić said.

-- Sorry Mr. Mesic, but as it stands now, Banja Luka is their capital for all practical intents and purposes. What connection to B Serbs have with Sarajevo? About as much as K Albanians have with Belgrade. If Croats were given the opportunity to establish a capital at Mostar or, perish the thought, Medju Gora, they'd do it. Too bad he couldn't have been as forward in reminding the K Albanians their capital was Belgrade not Pristina. You can't have it both ways. Now, let's have a nice nap before your lunch comes, and maybe we'll do some arts and crafts later to calm you down.

I do not understand why Mesic is so interested in Republika Srpska. He seems to only talk about this, while it would be more productive for him to focus on the problems of his own country. I think this is the method of talking about other things to lure people away from actual problems going on within Croatia.

Mesic is like spoiled child, when it des not get its way, on comes the tantrum. If RS breaks away then the Croat part of Bosnia will too and join Croatia.

First of all Stipe, my little man this is not 1999, but 2009. What’s left of your Croats are stuck with the Bosniaks and there is no breaking away. Secondly, Croats are a minority in Bosnia and therefore have no say in what happens to that part of Bosnia. Thirdly, Stipe, you don’t have your German allies to help you and the US, well we all know they are a tad busy elsewhere and also a tad broke as well. You are now on your own and if you think that the EU are going to let you take a chunk of the Bosniak/Croat part then you are dreaming.

Stipe is so angry because the Serbs will not take his Croats under their umbrella for protection. This is the crux of the issue.

"Mesić told B92 that Dodik is threatening with the idea of a new referendum “which would mean that Bosnia-Herzegovina would cease to exist."

Mr Mesic seems to think that it is ok to break Yugoslavia and Serbia appart but not Bosnia. Mr Mesic, You reap what you sow! You started the process, the Serbs will finish it!

The old former Yugo Croation leader Mesic reminds me of a wannabe be politician wanting to be fresh and hip and new again. Unfortunately, Mesic's actions and decisions in the past expose the hypocrisy he is trying to sell today. Even a blind man can see that if Mesic is advocating the separation of Kosovo and Croatia from Yugoslavia, there is just no weight to start pointing fingers and forbidding Serbs in Bosnia from leaving Bosnia! Its just sooooo unbecoming! Mesic's political words belong in a different time when Milosevic was the main player, not today. Even Mesic proclaiming that only war will come out of a Bosnia split is highly unresponsible and a threat to peace in of itself. Unfortunately Mesic doesn't understand that there will be no wars in any area of the former Yugoslavia in a long time because the west just has invested way too much time, money and effort in its future. Sorry Mesic, but keep talking your making Serbs life so much easier now.

'The architecture of our region has ended...'

Almost ended, but many people in the former Yugoslavia still delude themselves into thinking that the architects of the region were in Zagreb, Belgrade, Ljubljana and Sarajevo.

Berlin, Washington and Brussels might be more precise.

'If the Republic of Srpska separates from Bosnia-Herzegovina, then the so-called Croatian republic would separate as well. And that part would then join Croatia'.

Firstly, Herceg Bosna has been pretty much destroyed as an idea so I'm not convinced it would happen like he's saying. Secondly he is using the same argumentation Belgrade / Banja Luka is regarding Kosovo ie if Kosovo is allowed to secede then why not Republika Srpska.

Well ok if its about principle then Mesic should also be lecturing Kosovo Albanian leaders. After all Mesic knows very well that if Kosovo was to remain in Serbia the chances of Banja Luka breaking away from Bosnia would be much smaller.

By the looks of his face he must be very miserable. This guy talks, walks and slips with Serbia on his mind. Mr. Mesic, do your self a favor and everybody around you. Let it go! Mind your own business and take care of yourself and your own people. This weekly sitcom with you is becoming very boring.

its time for mesic not to worry about Serbs because republica srpska will get independence sooner than later and the population of Serbs in bosnia and republica srpska is 1,700,000 and croats well 499,000 and dropping in Bosnia, so he should not worry about that and you should worry about bringing all the Serbs back to their Serbian lands of krajina because it is and will be again Serbian its in history and on paper so the Serbs should get full autonomy in that region as soon as possible and the Serb population there was over 750,000 and now about 300,000. so lets talk on this and the Serbs should speak and let their governments know what is right and what is wrong and he is mad because the republica srpska is the rich part they are making more money and with investment and the croats are and have nothing blame the west for this and not the Serbs like you always do times are changing in Serbs favor instead of being against like it has for years and years .

Mesic constant recent “attacks” on Republika Srpska, Dodik and more often even as here is the case on Serbia too, are nothing more or less then preparing Croatia for taking its own part of BiH , but then putting the “final blame” for Bosnia collapse, as it “worked” so many times in the past, on the Serbian side.

This déjà vu of lying will not be working again.
Fact is that Bosnia is not functional state due to the unbridgeable ethnic hate and non-cooperation between the all ethnical groups involved.
Mesic himself should realize that his 1990-s “tricks and policies” will not be working anymore and that they belong to the dark history of Balkans where he should be retreating himself too asap.

“If the Republic of Srpska separates from Bosnia-Herzegovina, then the so-called Croatian republic would separate as well. And that part would then join Croatia,” Mesić said.
--
Mr Mesic, there is no Croatian republic, it's called the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If RS keeps BiH together long enough there wont even be enough Croatians left to claim anything. Once Croatia joins the EU, it's game over as they are all leaving.

So will you try to instigate another war in BiH? Well, why would Serbians get involved when we already have RS? In that case you'll be fighting against the Muslims and the Croatians will again be left with nothing.

Mr Mesic, how's Krajina going? Are those Serbian lands still deserted? You know your "Croatian Republic" is heading in the same direction.

"The sooner Mesic goes to political history the better for peace in the Balkans."

Isn't his presidential term up later this month? I also think he can't run again, but I'm sure he will be involved and meddling somehow in politics nevertheless.

Again, Mesic talks about war. Not Tadic, not Dodik, Mesic. This is more than bad taste.

As long as there is no war, the international community (esp. U.S.) doesn't care if B-H breaks up. From the larger point of view, a small, but functional Muslim state is no worse than a totally disfunctional small federation. Possibly better. Those who supported Kosovo independence won't mind if RS joins Serbia, and Croat bits Croatia, just so long as there is no killing. Referenda are a good idea.

But even talking about war is ugly.

Mesic,

Obviously this man cannot shut up and mind his own business. Rather than solve problems in his own backyard, he peers over a fence and meddles into his neighbours household problems. Mesic - shut up! You have a far greater problem with the hundreds of thousands of Serbs with no real democratic rights in Croatia to worry about!

"The referendum is against international law, it's specifically mentioned"

It was for Kosovo as well, they still declared illegal independence, Republic of Srpska can take the same path Russia would recognize them the next day. As for Mesic he should worry about the minorities in Croatia we all remember what happened in Krajina. Republic of Srpska treats its minorities better then Federation does. Self independence for RS.

As my grandmother used to say, "empty vessels make the most noise".

She must have been talking about Mesic when she said that :))

The referendum is against international law, it's specifically mentioned

Mesic is absolutely right, it is in nobody's interest to break this country. International community know that Bosnia is a just cause to fight for and they will. NATO is in Bosnia, and it won't allow a destruction of the country before their eyes. But more importantly, the patriotic Bosnian people of all ethnicity and religions won't allow this to happen either.

Tadic also keeps saying that the national interest of Serbia is united BIH. Is this true? Yes. He doesn't like to destroy Serbia because of Republica Srpska.

So, keeping the status-quo with small Constitutional changes to make the state functional is the best option for everyone but the nationalists, like Dodik, who just want to conceal their criminal and corruption activities.

JS, I agree with you that a new Yugoslavia, governed from the more central and symbolic Sarajevo, this time without Slovenia, Macedonia and certain parts (but not all) of Kosovo, would solve many problems in the Western Balkans.

But the external powers that divided Yugoslavia will never allow that to happen for as long as they have the means and the will to stop it. Where do you think the English word 'Balkanization' comes from, and why?

Those who desire a new Yugoslavia can only wait, work and pray. A new shift in the balance of power in central Europe and beyond is necessary first. That day is inevitable, and out of the coming mess a fourth and stronger Yugoslavia can emerge.

Wait, work and pray.

The best deal for the region would be a new Yugoslavia, wich contains Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia (and possibly Montenegro). These countries share language, history and will have very close ties in the future anyway. As capital I suggest Sarajevo; the only city in the region that bears enough history to become a true metropolis. What's more, Sarajevo is inhabited by a mix of all the concerned populations; Serbs, Croatians and Muslims (Bosnians). Montenegrins are Serbs anyway, so there won't be a problem for them to join. I am already in love with this new Yugoslavia, even if it takes years for it's creation. I strongly believe it is the best solution for the Balkans. Main obstacle: Croation nationalism...

i say if Mesic does not wish a small surrounded islamic state he should give the example himself and go to live there and try to run the country together with his fellow muslims.

Ako
"patriotic Bosnian people of all ethnicity and religions won't allow this to happen either"

Patriotic Bosnian people? what is this? do they exist?

"JS, I agree with you that a new Yugoslavia, governed from the more central and symbolic Sarajevo, this time without Slovenia, Macedonia and certain parts (but not all) of Kosovo, would solve many problems in the Western Balkans.

But the external powers that divided Yugoslavia will never allow that to happen for as long as they have the means and the will to stop it. Where do you think the English word 'Balkanization' comes from, and why?

Those who desire a new Yugoslavia can only wait, work and pray. A new shift in the balance of power in central Europe and beyond is necessary first. That day is inevitable, and out of the coming mess a fourth and stronger Yugoslavia can emerge.

Wait, work and pray."




A New Yugoslavia? are you guys serious, never ever going to happen.

Yugo is dead and buried and that is just a simple reality you have to face up to.

A new Yugoslavia, are you serious? How much more Serbian blood should be shed for this cursed country. We lost several million in WW1 fighting the Germanic tribes and then created the first Yugoslavia, then 800,000 were murdered during WW2. And you want this back. Read your history carefully and you will see that the Croats begged the Serbs to join after WW1 and within a decade they turned to terrorism claiming that the Serbs were suppressing them. The Macedonians killed King Alexander in France. And you want a new Yugoslavia, God keep me away from these people.

@ Marko
In history things happened before that noone ever believed they would happen. The current situation on the Balkans won't be frozen to remain the same till the end of times and I am convinced that the current map of the Balkans is NOT the final one. The ties of countries as Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia are too tight to be able to function as good neighbors. Everybody in the Balkans is able to read eachothers media and since the language is almost the same, everybody (like Mesic does) can interfere immediately in internal affairs of those neighbors. The way Mesic is acting now, is just an example of what the future with the current borders will bring. Politicians of all Balkan-states will be destabilizing the progress of its neighbors over and over again in their aim to keep the benefits just for themselves. A disaster for the whole region, since the rest of the world just laughs at the way new countries seem to pop up here every other year. The term 'Balkans' still means 'problems' and if we continue this way, noone is ever going to invest his money here. A new Yugoslavia, containing Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and possibly Montenegro, will give the best signal to the world that history finally settled down. It will give the best opportunity to leave the past behind and to move on, surprising the rest of the world with new and other issues instead of war, warcrimes, corruption, changing borders and backwardness. Together, the Balkans will be strong enough to make a difference within Europe. For example; Western Europeans still speak about Yugoslavia when they go on holiday in Croatia. Yugoslavia was a country the world took notice of. Serbia is not and neither is Croatia, not to mention Bosnia.

Jugoslavija is a nice idea in theory - a common space shared by people with a common language and ethnic background. A slimmed down Jugoslavija may have been more viable.

People talk a lot about the reality - the way that many never described themselves as Jugoslav, the way that within each nation (much less between nations) there are many differences of opinion and (political, historical) traditions.

That is true, but its also true that many citizens of SFRJ were satisfied living in a common state. Many of the very same people who cried on the streets when Tito died, suddenly changed and became nationalists. Many who supported Tito, suddenly proclaimed themselves as being convinced of the national cause. The media in each republic started to rewrite history and people persuaded themselves they never believed in Jugoslavija and Tito in the first place.

It wasn't quite that simple in Serbia (or Bosnia and Macedonia) though, where Jugoslavianism lingered. In Serbia in the first few years of his administration (and even after that) Milosevic tapped into the 'Jugoslav' vote in Serbia very well. On the other side he had the moderate nationalist vote who thought he would be the man to bring national renewal to the country.

Mesic is absolutely right, it is in nobody's interest to break this country. International community know that Bosnia is a just cause to fight for and they will. NATO is in Bosnia, and it won't allow a destruction of the country before their eyes. But more importantly, the patriotic Bosnian people of all ethnicity and religions won't allow this to happen either.

Tadic also keeps saying that the national interest of Serbia is united BIH. Is this true? Yes. He doesn't like to destroy Serbia because of Republica Srpska.

So, keeping the status-quo with small Constitutional changes to make the state functional is the best option for everyone but the nationalists, like Dodik, who just want to conceal their criminal and corruption activities.

The referendum is against international law, it's specifically mentioned

The sooner Mesic goes to political history the better for peace in the Balkans. This Croato nationalist turned "democrat" represents the worst out of Croatian political spectrum, always ready to obstruct especially in relation to Serb nation in the Balkans. Mesic, please leave, go now.

Ah, there he is again, like the cantankerous coot at the old age home who gets upset when his oatmeal arrives cold, or someone got to the checkers game before he did. I mean seriously, does anyone take this guy seriously? He first fears the dissolution of Bosnia because of the activities of RS, but in the next sentence basically confirms what Croatia would do, which makes him no better:

“If the Republic of Srpska separates from Bosnia-Herzegovina, then the so-called Croatian republic would separate as well. And that part would then join Croatia,” Mesić said.

-- So he's basically upset that the Bosnian Croats don't have anything as advanced as RS? Is that what he wants? An RH? Be my guest. It's not like anyone believes anymore that Croats and Bosnian Muslims live in harmony.

“I told Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina—your country is Bosnia-Herzegovina, your capital city is Sarajevo; create your politics in Bosnia-Herzegovina. This message has not been sent to Serbs from Belgrade yet, we have not heard—Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina, not the entity, but Bosnia-Herzegovina, your homeland is Bosnia-Herzegovina, your capital city is Sarajevo; create your politics with the other two groups of people in Sarajevo,” Mesić said.

-- Sorry Mr. Mesic, but as it stands now, Banja Luka is their capital for all practical intents and purposes. What connection to B Serbs have with Sarajevo? About as much as K Albanians have with Belgrade. If Croats were given the opportunity to establish a capital at Mostar or, perish the thought, Medju Gora, they'd do it. Too bad he couldn't have been as forward in reminding the K Albanians their capital was Belgrade not Pristina. You can't have it both ways. Now, let's have a nice nap before your lunch comes, and maybe we'll do some arts and crafts later to calm you down.

"The architecture of our region has ended???"
I might have bought that if Croatia didn't recognize Kosovo... but since that happened - all bets are off my dear Mr Mesic, the old argument of "republics are the final borders" you yourself have broken in favour of the "ethnic borders" idea.
I say let's bring back the debate of independence for Krajina.Those people have suffered 100 times more that the Albanians of Kosovo (under the NDH and Tudjman eras).
What a total amateur Mesic must be not to have seen this coming.
Having said that, Mesic talks about independence for RS so much, I almost wonder if he secretly is backing it to get his chunk of B&H??
Wouldn't be the first time Mesic has done a 180 spin.
Croatia really needs some new blood at the top.

By the looks of his face he must be very miserable. This guy talks, walks and slips with Serbia on his mind. Mr. Mesic, do your self a favor and everybody around you. Let it go! Mind your own business and take care of yourself and your own people. This weekly sitcom with you is becoming very boring.

'If the Republic of Srpska separates from Bosnia-Herzegovina, then the so-called Croatian republic would separate as well. And that part would then join Croatia'.

Firstly, Herceg Bosna has been pretty much destroyed as an idea so I'm not convinced it would happen like he's saying. Secondly he is using the same argumentation Belgrade / Banja Luka is regarding Kosovo ie if Kosovo is allowed to secede then why not Republika Srpska.

Well ok if its about principle then Mesic should also be lecturing Kosovo Albanian leaders. After all Mesic knows very well that if Kosovo was to remain in Serbia the chances of Banja Luka breaking away from Bosnia would be much smaller.

its time for mesic not to worry about Serbs because republica srpska will get independence sooner than later and the population of Serbs in bosnia and republica srpska is 1,700,000 and croats well 499,000 and dropping in Bosnia, so he should not worry about that and you should worry about bringing all the Serbs back to their Serbian lands of krajina because it is and will be again Serbian its in history and on paper so the Serbs should get full autonomy in that region as soon as possible and the Serb population there was over 750,000 and now about 300,000. so lets talk on this and the Serbs should speak and let their governments know what is right and what is wrong and he is mad because the republica srpska is the rich part they are making more money and with investment and the croats are and have nothing blame the west for this and not the Serbs like you always do times are changing in Serbs favor instead of being against like it has for years and years .

"Mesić told B92 that Dodik is threatening with the idea of a new referendum “which would mean that Bosnia-Herzegovina would cease to exist."

Mr Mesic seems to think that it is ok to break Yugoslavia and Serbia appart but not Bosnia. Mr Mesic, You reap what you sow! You started the process, the Serbs will finish it!

Mesic constant recent “attacks” on Republika Srpska, Dodik and more often even as here is the case on Serbia too, are nothing more or less then preparing Croatia for taking its own part of BiH , but then putting the “final blame” for Bosnia collapse, as it “worked” so many times in the past, on the Serbian side.

This déjà vu of lying will not be working again.
Fact is that Bosnia is not functional state due to the unbridgeable ethnic hate and non-cooperation between the all ethnical groups involved.
Mesic himself should realize that his 1990-s “tricks and policies” will not be working anymore and that they belong to the dark history of Balkans where he should be retreating himself too asap.

Mesic is like spoiled child, when it des not get its way, on comes the tantrum. If RS breaks away then the Croat part of Bosnia will too and join Croatia.

First of all Stipe, my little man this is not 1999, but 2009. What’s left of your Croats are stuck with the Bosniaks and there is no breaking away. Secondly, Croats are a minority in Bosnia and therefore have no say in what happens to that part of Bosnia. Thirdly, Stipe, you don’t have your German allies to help you and the US, well we all know they are a tad busy elsewhere and also a tad broke as well. You are now on your own and if you think that the EU are going to let you take a chunk of the Bosniak/Croat part then you are dreaming.

Stipe is so angry because the Serbs will not take his Croats under their umbrella for protection. This is the crux of the issue.

“If the Republic of Srpska separates from Bosnia-Herzegovina, then the so-called Croatian republic would separate as well. And that part would then join Croatia,” Mesić said.
--
Mr Mesic, there is no Croatian republic, it's called the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If RS keeps BiH together long enough there wont even be enough Croatians left to claim anything. Once Croatia joins the EU, it's game over as they are all leaving.

So will you try to instigate another war in BiH? Well, why would Serbians get involved when we already have RS? In that case you'll be fighting against the Muslims and the Croatians will again be left with nothing.

Mr Mesic, how's Krajina going? Are those Serbian lands still deserted? You know your "Croatian Republic" is heading in the same direction.

I do not understand why Mesic is so interested in Republika Srpska. He seems to only talk about this, while it would be more productive for him to focus on the problems of his own country. I think this is the method of talking about other things to lure people away from actual problems going on within Croatia.

"The sooner Mesic goes to political history the better for peace in the Balkans."

Isn't his presidential term up later this month? I also think he can't run again, but I'm sure he will be involved and meddling somehow in politics nevertheless.

The best deal for the region would be a new Yugoslavia, wich contains Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia (and possibly Montenegro). These countries share language, history and will have very close ties in the future anyway. As capital I suggest Sarajevo; the only city in the region that bears enough history to become a true metropolis. What's more, Sarajevo is inhabited by a mix of all the concerned populations; Serbs, Croatians and Muslims (Bosnians). Montenegrins are Serbs anyway, so there won't be a problem for them to join. I am already in love with this new Yugoslavia, even if it takes years for it's creation. I strongly believe it is the best solution for the Balkans. Main obstacle: Croation nationalism...

The old former Yugo Croation leader Mesic reminds me of a wannabe be politician wanting to be fresh and hip and new again. Unfortunately, Mesic's actions and decisions in the past expose the hypocrisy he is trying to sell today. Even a blind man can see that if Mesic is advocating the separation of Kosovo and Croatia from Yugoslavia, there is just no weight to start pointing fingers and forbidding Serbs in Bosnia from leaving Bosnia! Its just sooooo unbecoming! Mesic's political words belong in a different time when Milosevic was the main player, not today. Even Mesic proclaiming that only war will come out of a Bosnia split is highly unresponsible and a threat to peace in of itself. Unfortunately Mesic doesn't understand that there will be no wars in any area of the former Yugoslavia in a long time because the west just has invested way too much time, money and effort in its future. Sorry Mesic, but keep talking your making Serbs life so much easier now.

"The referendum is against international law, it's specifically mentioned"

It was for Kosovo as well, they still declared illegal independence, Republic of Srpska can take the same path Russia would recognize them the next day. As for Mesic he should worry about the minorities in Croatia we all remember what happened in Krajina. Republic of Srpska treats its minorities better then Federation does. Self independence for RS.

Again, Mesic talks about war. Not Tadic, not Dodik, Mesic. This is more than bad taste.

As long as there is no war, the international community (esp. U.S.) doesn't care if B-H breaks up. From the larger point of view, a small, but functional Muslim state is no worse than a totally disfunctional small federation. Possibly better. Those who supported Kosovo independence won't mind if RS joins Serbia, and Croat bits Croatia, just so long as there is no killing. Referenda are a good idea.

But even talking about war is ugly.

Mesic,

Obviously this man cannot shut up and mind his own business. Rather than solve problems in his own backyard, he peers over a fence and meddles into his neighbours household problems. Mesic - shut up! You have a far greater problem with the hundreds of thousands of Serbs with no real democratic rights in Croatia to worry about!

'The architecture of our region has ended...'

Almost ended, but many people in the former Yugoslavia still delude themselves into thinking that the architects of the region were in Zagreb, Belgrade, Ljubljana and Sarajevo.

Berlin, Washington and Brussels might be more precise.

JS, I agree with you that a new Yugoslavia, governed from the more central and symbolic Sarajevo, this time without Slovenia, Macedonia and certain parts (but not all) of Kosovo, would solve many problems in the Western Balkans.

But the external powers that divided Yugoslavia will never allow that to happen for as long as they have the means and the will to stop it. Where do you think the English word 'Balkanization' comes from, and why?

Those who desire a new Yugoslavia can only wait, work and pray. A new shift in the balance of power in central Europe and beyond is necessary first. That day is inevitable, and out of the coming mess a fourth and stronger Yugoslavia can emerge.

Wait, work and pray.

As my grandmother used to say, "empty vessels make the most noise".

She must have been talking about Mesic when she said that :))

@ Marko
In history things happened before that noone ever believed they would happen. The current situation on the Balkans won't be frozen to remain the same till the end of times and I am convinced that the current map of the Balkans is NOT the final one. The ties of countries as Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia are too tight to be able to function as good neighbors. Everybody in the Balkans is able to read eachothers media and since the language is almost the same, everybody (like Mesic does) can interfere immediately in internal affairs of those neighbors. The way Mesic is acting now, is just an example of what the future with the current borders will bring. Politicians of all Balkan-states will be destabilizing the progress of its neighbors over and over again in their aim to keep the benefits just for themselves. A disaster for the whole region, since the rest of the world just laughs at the way new countries seem to pop up here every other year. The term 'Balkans' still means 'problems' and if we continue this way, noone is ever going to invest his money here. A new Yugoslavia, containing Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and possibly Montenegro, will give the best signal to the world that history finally settled down. It will give the best opportunity to leave the past behind and to move on, surprising the rest of the world with new and other issues instead of war, warcrimes, corruption, changing borders and backwardness. Together, the Balkans will be strong enough to make a difference within Europe. For example; Western Europeans still speak about Yugoslavia when they go on holiday in Croatia. Yugoslavia was a country the world took notice of. Serbia is not and neither is Croatia, not to mention Bosnia.

i say if Mesic does not wish a small surrounded islamic state he should give the example himself and go to live there and try to run the country together with his fellow muslims.

Ako
"patriotic Bosnian people of all ethnicity and religions won't allow this to happen either"

Patriotic Bosnian people? what is this? do they exist?

"JS, I agree with you that a new Yugoslavia, governed from the more central and symbolic Sarajevo, this time without Slovenia, Macedonia and certain parts (but not all) of Kosovo, would solve many problems in the Western Balkans.

But the external powers that divided Yugoslavia will never allow that to happen for as long as they have the means and the will to stop it. Where do you think the English word 'Balkanization' comes from, and why?

Those who desire a new Yugoslavia can only wait, work and pray. A new shift in the balance of power in central Europe and beyond is necessary first. That day is inevitable, and out of the coming mess a fourth and stronger Yugoslavia can emerge.

Wait, work and pray."




A New Yugoslavia? are you guys serious, never ever going to happen.

Yugo is dead and buried and that is just a simple reality you have to face up to.

A new Yugoslavia, are you serious? How much more Serbian blood should be shed for this cursed country. We lost several million in WW1 fighting the Germanic tribes and then created the first Yugoslavia, then 800,000 were murdered during WW2. And you want this back. Read your history carefully and you will see that the Croats begged the Serbs to join after WW1 and within a decade they turned to terrorism claiming that the Serbs were suppressing them. The Macedonians killed King Alexander in France. And you want a new Yugoslavia, God keep me away from these people.

Jugoslavija is a nice idea in theory - a common space shared by people with a common language and ethnic background. A slimmed down Jugoslavija may have been more viable.

People talk a lot about the reality - the way that many never described themselves as Jugoslav, the way that within each nation (much less between nations) there are many differences of opinion and (political, historical) traditions.

That is true, but its also true that many citizens of SFRJ were satisfied living in a common state. Many of the very same people who cried on the streets when Tito died, suddenly changed and became nationalists. Many who supported Tito, suddenly proclaimed themselves as being convinced of the national cause. The media in each republic started to rewrite history and people persuaded themselves they never believed in Jugoslavija and Tito in the first place.

It wasn't quite that simple in Serbia (or Bosnia and Macedonia) though, where Jugoslavianism lingered. In Serbia in the first few years of his administration (and even after that) Milosevic tapped into the 'Jugoslav' vote in Serbia very well. On the other side he had the moderate nationalist vote who thought he would be the man to bring national renewal to the country.