“Serbia’s suspicious policies towards Bosnia”

Mesić said that such policies “can lead to new instability and conflicts” which will have no end, and warned that the RS used to be made up of 48 percent Croats and Bosniaks, and that the number of Croats that lives there has decreased from 220,000 to about 10,000.
B92

Here is mesic again with his one-sided emotionalizing of the Croats suffering in modern Bosnia.

But can you tell us mr mesic where are the Serbs of Sarajevo? Where are the Serbs of Mostar?What about the Serbs in central Bosnia that were ethnically cleansed by the Wahhabis?

If you're unwilling to answer the above why should anybody be concerned of what happened to Croatians?

When Kosovo declared its illegal UDI a year ago Mr Mesic went on record saying that Serbia had to face reality and the province will never be Serbian again.

Well it is about time for the Serbs to say that Republic of Srpska will never be Bosnia again.They have the right to secede and decide on their future instead of continuing to be part of this artificial creation called Bosnia.

If there has ever been any doubt that Serbs not only kept the old Yugoslavia together financially then this situation in Bosnia proves it beyond question. Everyone can break away from Serbia, but Serbs can’t do the same in Bosnia; why? It’s the fact that the other parts of Bosnia, Croat/Bosniak, are financially insolvent. Have a look at what Serbs have left the EU/US; the worst parts that have to be maintained forever. Serbia refuses to comply and trade under the old formulae where Serbia gets the short end of the stick while the other republics would live a high life and gloat. So the west is stuck with funding the financial ‘pit’ of no return.
The wheels have begun to fall off the wagon, so to speak; just today there were demonstrations in Slovenia about poor pay for workers and they were demanding an increase in their minimum wages. These people were openly stating that their bosses told them that if they attended the ‘meeting’ they would lose their jobs. No a very good sight, especially in a ‘democratic and freedom loving’ country eh! This was the ‘richest nation’ of the old Yugoslavia that joined the EU, but it does not look too rich now and once you fall off that pedestal it’s nearly impossible to climb back again because the EU does not have the money for that.
It has taken Stipe Mesic this long to work out that Serbia completely supports RS, my God what a genius. Serbia respect Bosnia’s sovereignty, that’s until it’s no longer useful then it will break like an egg. Like all spoilt children, every time things don’t go their way it’s off to mummy EU and cry about the awful Serbs. It’ll be war if they break away, it will be war – idle and idiotic threats by spoilt children. There are no more guns to be played and the first to start will get the blame and that’s the end of that.
So you see Milorad Dodik will at the right time call for a referendum and RS will make the break without even a murmur. The west has almost capitulated to Dodik, offering him everything and I mean everything just to stay in Bosnia. Even the Bosniaks can’t believe what they are seeing.
Old Stipe is worried about his Croats who are disappearing on a weekly basis out of Bosnia. In fact the Bosniaks are doing a good job of ethnically cleansing them, but Stipe blames the Serbs. I have a feeling that Stipe must wake up at night screaming “it’s the Serbs fault”.
Here is a challenge for you Stipe, find something else to occupy your time such as finding more jobs and bringing more investment to Croatia rather than just staring at the Serbs. I know we are a very fascinating people considering we put up with the worst sanctions in the world, bombed by NATO and emerging as the top nation in the Balkans. Your Croats would have capitulated after 1 week. But please find another hobby, your becoming obsessed

Stjepan Mesic how dare you complain about Croats not returning to Republika Srpska no one is stopping them, not like the croatian government that is doing everything so that the Serbian population does not come back. Stjepan Mesic you are a deceiving old man people like you should be in the hague.

...the number of Croats that lives there has decreased from 220,000 to about 10,000.
--
That's not true but it is true that Croats have not only left RS but also Federacija - BiH as a whole 200,000+.

I suspect that's one of the things he's worried about. Croats leaving en mass. They are leaving bankrupt Federacija and they don't want to live with Serbians in RS.

I think it's Mesic who wants a third entity but Serbians hold the key to that. However, so long as we insist on the Dayton accords the Croats continue to lose out.

Croatian policy is to keep the ethnically cleansed lands of Krajina, which serves little purpose to them, but as a result they are slowly losing Hercegovina.

Mesic is dreaming of resurrecting the Independed State of Croatia, that's why he is in secret hoping for instability in Bosnia by accusing Dodik and Serbia of doing the destabilsation.

"I don’t think there is any reason for Tadić to be mad at me, I only gave my opinion,” Mesić said.

Tadic didn't ask for your opinion so keep it for yourself.
Mesic should be as eager to help Serbs return to their homeland in Krajina as he is regarding the return of Croats to RS.
Can't imagine why this croat troll is so concerned about Serbs and their internal affairs?

Mesic has worn many political coats over the years but the fact remains that he is a rampant Croatian nationalist. Is it any wonder that Tadic (whose grandfather and other relatives were slaughtered by the Ustase) is fed up listening to constant serbophobic rants from this former Tudjmanite. How can Mesic keep a straight face worrying about Bosnia’s instability, whilst enthusiastically supporting the illegitimate secession of Serbia’s southern province of Kosovo.

Serbia's policies are not suspicious at all. Referendum, recognition of Republika Srpska by Russia and Serbia is to follow. A victory of democracy and self-determination over imperialism.
Cheers!!

Man, this guy is on a roll. Who spiked his morning breakfast? So he talks about Serbia allegedly fawning over Plavsic, a woman who served her time and was released on good behavior, as if she were an acquitted Eichmann, when members of his own government take personal days off to attend Thompson concerts. I really wonder what roles and obligations are required for President of Croatia because it seems like they'll take any crazy seljak.

What’s this guy smocking lately. Doesn’t he know when enough is enough. If I was Mr. Tadic I would
demand public apology from this obviously not mentally well balanced person. Does anyone in Serbian government have a spine to stand up for our country and our citizens.

Suggested future headlines for Mesic's regular 'comments' on the Serbs:

'Outgoing Mesic Continues to Provoke Serbs'

These continued comments by Mesic bear no value of any kind. They are best ignored and as such I will no longer react to such blatant s**t stirring. May he retire (quietly) with his little Ustasa heart and just fade away.

mesicyou should let all the Serbs back to krajina which is Serbian lands hows if we talk about that and all Serbs should speak about this because in history that is Serbian land even on paper and there was 750,000+ Serbs in krajina and now about 300,000. lets get tadic to bring this on the table as soon as possible and lets get autonomy on the table also as soon as possible and the croats in bosnia are getting chased out by bosniaks not Serbs i think mesic does not care about croats, he is just worried about Serbs well the republica srpska will seperate because its about 93%+ Serbs and we want tadic to help bring all Serbs back to the Serbian lands of krajina now with out any problems and criminal court. and vojvodina is Serbian province which has 75% Serbs so all Serbs to unite and see this statute now are no statute enough is enough with all this against Serbs because we could see the minority Hungarians want this autonomy but their population has dropped, so lets stand up and speak THIS SI TO ALL SERBS IN THE COUNTRY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. mesic you should also look at the figures its over 2 million bosniaks then 1,700,000 serbs and then 499,000 croats in bosnia and the croat population is dropping because they are getting chased out by the bosnians so you should worry about your own and not someone else.

This is worth a laugh.
He seems to have taken up lecturing others as a hobby and every day appears with new allegations against somebody, so many allegations that its easy to lose interest.

OK so he is annointing himself patron saint of Bosnia or patron saint of moderate Croatian nationalism?

Well that isn't so funny really because it has roots in the Croatian nationalistic theory that Bosnian Muslums are somehow holy because really they are collapsed catholics that must be brought back to the fold. They must not be attacked but be persuaded of this in a gentle way. Everything that Mesic is doing recently is going in that direction.

In the end you can create a Greater Croatia without conflict, or so some think.

And who would be the Empreror of Greater Croatia? I'm sure Stipe has no idea at all...

"Mesić said that in Serbia “war criminal Biljana Plavšić is welcomed like Joan of Arc,..."
And I guess this is a first time, so now he needs to speak out?

On July 7th 2006 Naser Oric was sentenced to 2 years in prison and released (time already served in Tribunal).
Nevertheless, he was at that point convicted war criminal (Later he appealed and was aquioted of all charges).

Oric recieved a hero's welcome at Sarajevo airport, by thousands, including many important politicians.
And not only from Federation, as Sefket Hafizovic, (Muslim) the RS National Assembly Deputy Speaker, was in Sarajevo to welcome Oric.

BiH Presidency President Sulejman Tihic, had an official reception for Oric where he called him "courageous and persistent", "great Bosnian son" etc.
Remember, he was talking to a man just sentenced for war crimes against Serbs.
Can't remember hearing anything from Mesic then...
That was probably fine with him.

So how then Mesic brings in practise that Serbia and Croatia must improve its regional cooperation following "EU standards" if he is repeatedly coming out with his non-confirmed allegations and suspicious ideas?

High time for him to leave his position...just that for us Serbians there is more then realistic chance that the next Croatian leader will be possibly even worser then he is, was.
Just to crystallise the minds of ones who think that Croatia will support Serbia's bid to join the EU. In reality it will be full time blockade.

Mesic is free to criticize, but it's in very bad taste, and does not help the situation one bit, when he speaks about potential violence and war.

So, 'RS used to be made up of 48 percent Croats and Bosniaks, and that the number of Croats that lives there has decreased from 220,000 to about 10,000.' And Croatia? What about the 200,000 Serbs that were cleansed during Operation Storm, but that's okay according to Mesic. Mesic, once a sworn Yugoslav, now has a selective memory.

Mesic must be suspicious of consistent policy. Since 1995 Serbia's stance on BH has been consistant. Something that can't be said of Croats and Mesic himself. Sometimes they're for a thirdd entity, the no entity then Greater Croatia.

Anyways. It's no surprise that a man who has gone from a capitalist to a communist extremist to a amrket socialist to a Croatian nationalist to a pro-western liberal who want to the Hague to claim how he loved Yugoslavia to a "moderate" Croat nationalist.

Well Tadic should do a few thing:
* Mention the fact that Mesic's actions over the last week are against diplomatic protocol.
* Mention that Plavsic's arrival wasn't waited by greatly. It was a media even, few people were even concerned with it, and the people who came to see her were from RS, not Serbia.
* Mention how he called for teh repatriation of all Ustashe who fled abroad and giving them medals of heroism in 1991.
* How Hague indictees were treated like heroes by officials from his own party when they returned?
* Or that a Croat who tried to bomb the Yugoslav consulate in New York was received by a hero at the Zagreb airport by more people then came from Plavsic, when his sentence ended.

But concerning claims regarding Bosnia:
* When exactly were there "220,000" Croats in RS?. The 1991 census shows 150,414?
* OHR estimates place the Croat returnees at 58,000 not 12,000.
* I wonder if he read of the FOKUS magazine in RS which reported that several dozen RCroat families left Sarajevo to RS municipalities near Sarajevo this year. (Places there were no Croats before the war)

“a large number of former homes of Krajina Serbs are occupied by Bosnian Croats who formerly lived in what became "RS", particularly from the Posavina and Banja Luka regions. And of course the government of "RS" - one of the few states in the world formed on an explicitly ethnic basis - likewise does everything in its power to block the return of the Croats”

Dim Tuc,

Where do you find your information? I’ve been to Krajina in Croatia, many many times, the last time was in Spring. It’s a wasted ghost town filled with Nazi graffiti and burnt out Orthodox Churches.

For the Record.

RS has a 12% minority population – growing since 1995. New Mosques in every city last time I visited last spring.

The Federation – 2% minority population and SHRINKING since 1995.

Anywhere Serbs did not fight or lost, they are no more.

Only in those areas that we put up a serious fight are we left.

I feel terrible for the victims of war, but we Serbs are not going to sit down for another genocide like WWII.

As far as Mesic’s BS goes, when I see rebuilt Orthodox Churches in Krajina I might change my mind. However, reality PROVES RS has handled its minority situation far better.

I have not been to the Federation in the last couple of years, so I supposed it could be different than Krajina now. However, I doubt it, last time I was there it was full of Croatian flags on all the government buildings and Mostar was a complete wreck of a city. A monument to how kindly the Croatians (Mesic was in power back then) treat their allies.

Iko?

“Unlike Kosovo its claim cannot be based upon ethnography (forcibly removing people is considered in international law as an offense in itself), history nor legality.”

Wow, completely unfamiliar with history are we? Genocide, WWII, Serbs used to be the largest minority in all of Bosnia. Everything you just said applies to Krajina as well. Krajina was autonomous for centuries something neither Bosnia nor Kosovo enjoyed under the Ottoman’s.

Strange how Kosovo gets automony under Tito, but Krajina and RS don’t?

BTW, ethnic cleansing is not a valid justification for independence. If it were, Serbs in Kosovo and Krajina would be free. Not to mention Kurds, Palestinians and even native American Indians and especially Mexicans in California and Texas.

Where do you draw the line Iko? Oh yeah, with YOUR people, just not Serbs.

This country is such a headache, it should never have been created. How is this any different from Yugoslavia (except that it is much poorer)? You cannot force three different peoples to live alongside one another, they should have split it in the '90s.

On the other hand, there is the question of international law.

To compare RS with Kosovo’s case for independence is like comparing a brick with a balloon. Kosovo’s case is based on ethnography, history and legality and this has a more than even chance of overriding the lobbying power of Russia, as Serbia lost all credability as a lobbying force outside of Greece over the last 15 years. It wishes to join the dissolution of former Yugoslavia into its constituent elements like Serbia itself and Montenegro whereas RS is attempting to secede from the sovereign state of Bi H. Since RS creation is based upon one of the most violent events of recent European history it is unlikely to get a nod from any civilised country… except for Serbia and Russia. Say no more. Unlike Kosovo its claim cannot be based upon ethnography (forcibly removing people is considered in international law as an offense in itself), history nor legality. The territory of Republika Srpska has been part of a Bosnian geopolitical unit for 373 out of the last 400 years. During the same period Kosovo has been part of a Serbian geopolitical unit for just the last 53.
By the way Serbia did not stave off financial ruin for Jugoslavia as their ineffective control ( look at the composition of the financial committees and Central Committee) of the SFRJ economy for the 20 year period leading up to the 90’s is the direct reason for the dissatisfaction within the constituent parts leading to the eventual collapse of Yugoslavia. Remember it was Serbia who first refused to pay their federal taxes that in effect paved the way for others to isolate themselves from the Jugoslav federation. Mesic has been a champion for common sense and decency, not nationalist fervour.

Serbs continually point, quite rightly, to the ethnic cleansing of Krajina and accuse the Croatian governments of not doing enough to facilitate their return, if not actively blocking it in practice. And no doubt there is considerable justice in these claims.

However, what you don't want to know is that the biggest problem is that a large number of former homes of Krajina Serbs are occupied by Bosnian Croats who formerly lived in what became "RS", particularly from the Posavina and Banja Luka regions. And of course the government of "RS" - one of the few states in the world formed on an explicitly ethnic basis - likewise does everything in its power to block the return of the Croats.

"Mesic has worn many political coats over the years but the fact remains that he is a rampant Croatian nationalist."

No, he isn't, not even remotely.

"Is it any wonder that Tadic (whose grandfather and other relatives were slaughtered by the Ustase) is fed up listening to constant serbophobic rants"

Mesic and his family also lived in terror of the Ustase as his was a
partisan family, and he spent his childhood in a refuge on liberated
territory. Many other leaders of the Croatian governments also had
relatives slaughtered by the Ustase; for example, the father of Mesic's
ally, Ivica Racan, was killed in a Nazi concentration camp.

Mesic says of the Ustase regime that it was "neither Independent, Nor
Croatian, Nor A State" which was "responsible for crimes against Serbs,
Jews, Romani, Croats anti-fascists and anyone who was suspected of
remotely being different" and vigorously supports the anti-fascist
resistance.

And there was nothing remotely "Serbophobic" in this latest "outburst"
where he simply said a few things that makes you uncomfortable.

Mesić said that such policies “can lead to new instability and conflicts” which will have no end, and warned that the RS used to be made up of 48 percent Croats and Bosniaks, and that the number of Croats that lives there has decreased from 220,000 to about 10,000.
B92

Here is mesic again with his one-sided emotionalizing of the Croats suffering in modern Bosnia.

But can you tell us mr mesic where are the Serbs of Sarajevo? Where are the Serbs of Mostar?What about the Serbs in central Bosnia that were ethnically cleansed by the Wahhabis?

If you're unwilling to answer the above why should anybody be concerned of what happened to Croatians?

When Kosovo declared its illegal UDI a year ago Mr Mesic went on record saying that Serbia had to face reality and the province will never be Serbian again.

Well it is about time for the Serbs to say that Republic of Srpska will never be Bosnia again.They have the right to secede and decide on their future instead of continuing to be part of this artificial creation called Bosnia.

What’s this guy smocking lately. Doesn’t he know when enough is enough. If I was Mr. Tadic I would
demand public apology from this obviously not mentally well balanced person. Does anyone in Serbian government have a spine to stand up for our country and our citizens.

Mesic is dreaming of resurrecting the Independed State of Croatia, that's why he is in secret hoping for instability in Bosnia by accusing Dodik and Serbia of doing the destabilsation.

...the number of Croats that lives there has decreased from 220,000 to about 10,000.
--
That's not true but it is true that Croats have not only left RS but also Federacija - BiH as a whole 200,000+.

I suspect that's one of the things he's worried about. Croats leaving en mass. They are leaving bankrupt Federacija and they don't want to live with Serbians in RS.

I think it's Mesic who wants a third entity but Serbians hold the key to that. However, so long as we insist on the Dayton accords the Croats continue to lose out.

Croatian policy is to keep the ethnically cleansed lands of Krajina, which serves little purpose to them, but as a result they are slowly losing Hercegovina.

Mesic has worn many political coats over the years but the fact remains that he is a rampant Croatian nationalist. Is it any wonder that Tadic (whose grandfather and other relatives were slaughtered by the Ustase) is fed up listening to constant serbophobic rants from this former Tudjmanite. How can Mesic keep a straight face worrying about Bosnia’s instability, whilst enthusiastically supporting the illegitimate secession of Serbia’s southern province of Kosovo.

If there has ever been any doubt that Serbs not only kept the old Yugoslavia together financially then this situation in Bosnia proves it beyond question. Everyone can break away from Serbia, but Serbs can’t do the same in Bosnia; why? It’s the fact that the other parts of Bosnia, Croat/Bosniak, are financially insolvent. Have a look at what Serbs have left the EU/US; the worst parts that have to be maintained forever. Serbia refuses to comply and trade under the old formulae where Serbia gets the short end of the stick while the other republics would live a high life and gloat. So the west is stuck with funding the financial ‘pit’ of no return.
The wheels have begun to fall off the wagon, so to speak; just today there were demonstrations in Slovenia about poor pay for workers and they were demanding an increase in their minimum wages. These people were openly stating that their bosses told them that if they attended the ‘meeting’ they would lose their jobs. No a very good sight, especially in a ‘democratic and freedom loving’ country eh! This was the ‘richest nation’ of the old Yugoslavia that joined the EU, but it does not look too rich now and once you fall off that pedestal it’s nearly impossible to climb back again because the EU does not have the money for that.
It has taken Stipe Mesic this long to work out that Serbia completely supports RS, my God what a genius. Serbia respect Bosnia’s sovereignty, that’s until it’s no longer useful then it will break like an egg. Like all spoilt children, every time things don’t go their way it’s off to mummy EU and cry about the awful Serbs. It’ll be war if they break away, it will be war – idle and idiotic threats by spoilt children. There are no more guns to be played and the first to start will get the blame and that’s the end of that.
So you see Milorad Dodik will at the right time call for a referendum and RS will make the break without even a murmur. The west has almost capitulated to Dodik, offering him everything and I mean everything just to stay in Bosnia. Even the Bosniaks can’t believe what they are seeing.
Old Stipe is worried about his Croats who are disappearing on a weekly basis out of Bosnia. In fact the Bosniaks are doing a good job of ethnically cleansing them, but Stipe blames the Serbs. I have a feeling that Stipe must wake up at night screaming “it’s the Serbs fault”.
Here is a challenge for you Stipe, find something else to occupy your time such as finding more jobs and bringing more investment to Croatia rather than just staring at the Serbs. I know we are a very fascinating people considering we put up with the worst sanctions in the world, bombed by NATO and emerging as the top nation in the Balkans. Your Croats would have capitulated after 1 week. But please find another hobby, your becoming obsessed

"I don’t think there is any reason for Tadić to be mad at me, I only gave my opinion,” Mesić said.

Tadic didn't ask for your opinion so keep it for yourself.
Mesic should be as eager to help Serbs return to their homeland in Krajina as he is regarding the return of Croats to RS.
Can't imagine why this croat troll is so concerned about Serbs and their internal affairs?

Stjepan Mesic how dare you complain about Croats not returning to Republika Srpska no one is stopping them, not like the croatian government that is doing everything so that the Serbian population does not come back. Stjepan Mesic you are a deceiving old man people like you should be in the hague.

Suggested future headlines for Mesic's regular 'comments' on the Serbs:

'Outgoing Mesic Continues to Provoke Serbs'

These continued comments by Mesic bear no value of any kind. They are best ignored and as such I will no longer react to such blatant s**t stirring. May he retire (quietly) with his little Ustasa heart and just fade away.

So how then Mesic brings in practise that Serbia and Croatia must improve its regional cooperation following "EU standards" if he is repeatedly coming out with his non-confirmed allegations and suspicious ideas?

High time for him to leave his position...just that for us Serbians there is more then realistic chance that the next Croatian leader will be possibly even worser then he is, was.
Just to crystallise the minds of ones who think that Croatia will support Serbia's bid to join the EU. In reality it will be full time blockade.

Man, this guy is on a roll. Who spiked his morning breakfast? So he talks about Serbia allegedly fawning over Plavsic, a woman who served her time and was released on good behavior, as if she were an acquitted Eichmann, when members of his own government take personal days off to attend Thompson concerts. I really wonder what roles and obligations are required for President of Croatia because it seems like they'll take any crazy seljak.

mesicyou should let all the Serbs back to krajina which is Serbian lands hows if we talk about that and all Serbs should speak about this because in history that is Serbian land even on paper and there was 750,000+ Serbs in krajina and now about 300,000. lets get tadic to bring this on the table as soon as possible and lets get autonomy on the table also as soon as possible and the croats in bosnia are getting chased out by bosniaks not Serbs i think mesic does not care about croats, he is just worried about Serbs well the republica srpska will seperate because its about 93%+ Serbs and we want tadic to help bring all Serbs back to the Serbian lands of krajina now with out any problems and criminal court. and vojvodina is Serbian province which has 75% Serbs so all Serbs to unite and see this statute now are no statute enough is enough with all this against Serbs because we could see the minority Hungarians want this autonomy but their population has dropped, so lets stand up and speak THIS SI TO ALL SERBS IN THE COUNTRY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. mesic you should also look at the figures its over 2 million bosniaks then 1,700,000 serbs and then 499,000 croats in bosnia and the croat population is dropping because they are getting chased out by the bosnians so you should worry about your own and not someone else.

This is worth a laugh.
He seems to have taken up lecturing others as a hobby and every day appears with new allegations against somebody, so many allegations that its easy to lose interest.

OK so he is annointing himself patron saint of Bosnia or patron saint of moderate Croatian nationalism?

Well that isn't so funny really because it has roots in the Croatian nationalistic theory that Bosnian Muslums are somehow holy because really they are collapsed catholics that must be brought back to the fold. They must not be attacked but be persuaded of this in a gentle way. Everything that Mesic is doing recently is going in that direction.

In the end you can create a Greater Croatia without conflict, or so some think.

And who would be the Empreror of Greater Croatia? I'm sure Stipe has no idea at all...

Serbia's policies are not suspicious at all. Referendum, recognition of Republika Srpska by Russia and Serbia is to follow. A victory of democracy and self-determination over imperialism.
Cheers!!

To compare RS with Kosovo’s case for independence is like comparing a brick with a balloon. Kosovo’s case is based on ethnography, history and legality and this has a more than even chance of overriding the lobbying power of Russia, as Serbia lost all credability as a lobbying force outside of Greece over the last 15 years. It wishes to join the dissolution of former Yugoslavia into its constituent elements like Serbia itself and Montenegro whereas RS is attempting to secede from the sovereign state of Bi H. Since RS creation is based upon one of the most violent events of recent European history it is unlikely to get a nod from any civilised country… except for Serbia and Russia. Say no more. Unlike Kosovo its claim cannot be based upon ethnography (forcibly removing people is considered in international law as an offense in itself), history nor legality. The territory of Republika Srpska has been part of a Bosnian geopolitical unit for 373 out of the last 400 years. During the same period Kosovo has been part of a Serbian geopolitical unit for just the last 53.
By the way Serbia did not stave off financial ruin for Jugoslavia as their ineffective control ( look at the composition of the financial committees and Central Committee) of the SFRJ economy for the 20 year period leading up to the 90’s is the direct reason for the dissatisfaction within the constituent parts leading to the eventual collapse of Yugoslavia. Remember it was Serbia who first refused to pay their federal taxes that in effect paved the way for others to isolate themselves from the Jugoslav federation. Mesic has been a champion for common sense and decency, not nationalist fervour.

Serbs continually point, quite rightly, to the ethnic cleansing of Krajina and accuse the Croatian governments of not doing enough to facilitate their return, if not actively blocking it in practice. And no doubt there is considerable justice in these claims.

However, what you don't want to know is that the biggest problem is that a large number of former homes of Krajina Serbs are occupied by Bosnian Croats who formerly lived in what became "RS", particularly from the Posavina and Banja Luka regions. And of course the government of "RS" - one of the few states in the world formed on an explicitly ethnic basis - likewise does everything in its power to block the return of the Croats.

"Mesic has worn many political coats over the years but the fact remains that he is a rampant Croatian nationalist."

No, he isn't, not even remotely.

"Is it any wonder that Tadic (whose grandfather and other relatives were slaughtered by the Ustase) is fed up listening to constant serbophobic rants"

Mesic and his family also lived in terror of the Ustase as his was a
partisan family, and he spent his childhood in a refuge on liberated
territory. Many other leaders of the Croatian governments also had
relatives slaughtered by the Ustase; for example, the father of Mesic's
ally, Ivica Racan, was killed in a Nazi concentration camp.

Mesic says of the Ustase regime that it was "neither Independent, Nor
Croatian, Nor A State" which was "responsible for crimes against Serbs,
Jews, Romani, Croats anti-fascists and anyone who was suspected of
remotely being different" and vigorously supports the anti-fascist
resistance.

And there was nothing remotely "Serbophobic" in this latest "outburst"
where he simply said a few things that makes you uncomfortable.

Mesic is free to criticize, but it's in very bad taste, and does not help the situation one bit, when he speaks about potential violence and war.

"Mesić said that in Serbia “war criminal Biljana Plavšić is welcomed like Joan of Arc,..."
And I guess this is a first time, so now he needs to speak out?

On July 7th 2006 Naser Oric was sentenced to 2 years in prison and released (time already served in Tribunal).
Nevertheless, he was at that point convicted war criminal (Later he appealed and was aquioted of all charges).

Oric recieved a hero's welcome at Sarajevo airport, by thousands, including many important politicians.
And not only from Federation, as Sefket Hafizovic, (Muslim) the RS National Assembly Deputy Speaker, was in Sarajevo to welcome Oric.

BiH Presidency President Sulejman Tihic, had an official reception for Oric where he called him "courageous and persistent", "great Bosnian son" etc.
Remember, he was talking to a man just sentenced for war crimes against Serbs.
Can't remember hearing anything from Mesic then...
That was probably fine with him.

Mesic must be suspicious of consistent policy. Since 1995 Serbia's stance on BH has been consistant. Something that can't be said of Croats and Mesic himself. Sometimes they're for a thirdd entity, the no entity then Greater Croatia.

Anyways. It's no surprise that a man who has gone from a capitalist to a communist extremist to a amrket socialist to a Croatian nationalist to a pro-western liberal who want to the Hague to claim how he loved Yugoslavia to a "moderate" Croat nationalist.

Well Tadic should do a few thing:
* Mention the fact that Mesic's actions over the last week are against diplomatic protocol.
* Mention that Plavsic's arrival wasn't waited by greatly. It was a media even, few people were even concerned with it, and the people who came to see her were from RS, not Serbia.
* Mention how he called for teh repatriation of all Ustashe who fled abroad and giving them medals of heroism in 1991.
* How Hague indictees were treated like heroes by officials from his own party when they returned?
* Or that a Croat who tried to bomb the Yugoslav consulate in New York was received by a hero at the Zagreb airport by more people then came from Plavsic, when his sentence ended.

But concerning claims regarding Bosnia:
* When exactly were there "220,000" Croats in RS?. The 1991 census shows 150,414?
* OHR estimates place the Croat returnees at 58,000 not 12,000.
* I wonder if he read of the FOKUS magazine in RS which reported that several dozen RCroat families left Sarajevo to RS municipalities near Sarajevo this year. (Places there were no Croats before the war)

This country is such a headache, it should never have been created. How is this any different from Yugoslavia (except that it is much poorer)? You cannot force three different peoples to live alongside one another, they should have split it in the '90s.

On the other hand, there is the question of international law.

So, 'RS used to be made up of 48 percent Croats and Bosniaks, and that the number of Croats that lives there has decreased from 220,000 to about 10,000.' And Croatia? What about the 200,000 Serbs that were cleansed during Operation Storm, but that's okay according to Mesic. Mesic, once a sworn Yugoslav, now has a selective memory.

“a large number of former homes of Krajina Serbs are occupied by Bosnian Croats who formerly lived in what became "RS", particularly from the Posavina and Banja Luka regions. And of course the government of "RS" - one of the few states in the world formed on an explicitly ethnic basis - likewise does everything in its power to block the return of the Croats”

Dim Tuc,

Where do you find your information? I’ve been to Krajina in Croatia, many many times, the last time was in Spring. It’s a wasted ghost town filled with Nazi graffiti and burnt out Orthodox Churches.

For the Record.

RS has a 12% minority population – growing since 1995. New Mosques in every city last time I visited last spring.

The Federation – 2% minority population and SHRINKING since 1995.

Anywhere Serbs did not fight or lost, they are no more.

Only in those areas that we put up a serious fight are we left.

I feel terrible for the victims of war, but we Serbs are not going to sit down for another genocide like WWII.

As far as Mesic’s BS goes, when I see rebuilt Orthodox Churches in Krajina I might change my mind. However, reality PROVES RS has handled its minority situation far better.

I have not been to the Federation in the last couple of years, so I supposed it could be different than Krajina now. However, I doubt it, last time I was there it was full of Croatian flags on all the government buildings and Mostar was a complete wreck of a city. A monument to how kindly the Croatians (Mesic was in power back then) treat their allies.

Iko?

“Unlike Kosovo its claim cannot be based upon ethnography (forcibly removing people is considered in international law as an offense in itself), history nor legality.”

Wow, completely unfamiliar with history are we? Genocide, WWII, Serbs used to be the largest minority in all of Bosnia. Everything you just said applies to Krajina as well. Krajina was autonomous for centuries something neither Bosnia nor Kosovo enjoyed under the Ottoman’s.

Strange how Kosovo gets automony under Tito, but Krajina and RS don’t?

BTW, ethnic cleansing is not a valid justification for independence. If it were, Serbs in Kosovo and Krajina would be free. Not to mention Kurds, Palestinians and even native American Indians and especially Mexicans in California and Texas.

Where do you draw the line Iko? Oh yeah, with YOUR people, just not Serbs.