Bosnia Vault

Moved!

2009-02-02T00:01:00.003-06:00

Haven't posted anything on blogger for a week because I was busy working on my new blog: Blogging Balkanistan.
Which I hope will become a more comprehensive blog focusing on the Balkans and related issues.

I have four articles up already, on Bulgarian economic and political realities, the Gay and Lesbian scene in Belgrade, commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide by the EU and the possibility of the US joining the ICC (in addition to the Balkans, I also hope to occassionally write articles on world wide issues of human rights, genocide/crimes against humanity, other war crimes, etc.) Which hopefully will give a good indication of the diversity of topics I hope on covering.

If you have followed the Bosnia Vault-thank you! I really hope you will also continue to read/comment at Blogging Balkanistan as well.

I will keep the Bosnia Vault up as an archive. In the meantime, please update all links to http://bloggingbalkanistan.wordpress.com

Tomorrow I will go on my shameless self-promotional tour.

Until then-see you at the new blog!

Article

2009-01-14T22:51:00.003-06:00

An update on the story of Senida Becirovic.

Night And Fog

2009-01-12T22:54:00.005-06:00

Alain Resnais' "Night and Fog" begins with colored shots of Auschwitz and the surrounding the landscape. Many Holocaust documentaries also include a similar shot, perhaps because there is such a contrast between the natural beauty-the rich yellows, greens and browns of the Polish countryside and the grainy black and white images of starving prisoners and mass graves. But Resnais' documentary was filmed in 1955, only 10 years after the camp was liberated, and some of the landscape and images that Renais filmed, probably greeted the victims of the camp.

Night and Fog is one of the first major documentaries on the Holocaust, and has received numerous awards since its first release. The film is in French with English subtitles. There were some technical problems with the subtitles, they went by too fast, and the white lettering against gray background made it almost impossible to read.

But, the narration is of secondary importance. It is the images that endure long after the film ends. Besides the tranquil shots of the post-war Auschwitz countryside, there are the images of the dirty prison barracks and the pale blue latrines. The stillness of those images contrast in tenure and tone with the black and white war time footage. There is the famous shot of the family with the little boy being deported from Warsaw; and the video clip of the half starving Roma girl arriving at the camp. There are the films of the trains arriving at Auschwitz, of the rooms full of hair, of the starving half-dead naked prisoners humiliated, the mass graves; and a woman-who looking at her face I could not tell if she was dead or alive, before the camera panned to her limp corpse. These images are both familiar and startling. Holocaust awareness was a major part of my school curriculum, we had entire units on the Holocaust in the 5th and 8th grade, I've visited the Holocaust Museum in D.C., read "Night" and "The Diary of Anne Frank" in school. But these images still have the power to shock and sicken. And more than once I found myself adverting my gaze from the screen.

Even when I could make the narration out, they faded in comparison to the images on the film. But two things stood out to me. The first is, unless I missed it, there are almost no mention of the Jews as the primary (although by no means only) target of the genocide; and certainly no mention of the fact that the Jews were singled out for complete annihilation. There is however a brief mention of political prisoners at the beginning of the film (the title of the film comes from a Nazi pogrom against political rivals). This omission is perhaps better understood within a larger context. Early reporting of the Holocaust was unfortunately influenced by institutional Anti-Semitism. In U.S. newsreels for example, the suffering of the Jews was often downplayed. In France the story is much more complex, and it is really only since the 1990s that there has been an acknowledgment of the role of the French collaborationists in the Final Solution.

What also sticks in my mind is the ending, a haunting warning and prophesy of things to come. It is easy to confine the Holocaust to one time and one place. But, if it took place at this one time and place, how can it not happen again?

A Dialogue

2009-01-07T21:23:00.002-06:00

A rare dialogue between a Serbian writer and an Albanian one from Kosova, organized by Radio Free Europe's Most (Bridge) programme and showing a large degree of agreement on the present situation - and also on the future

Also, here is an article by Vladimir Arsenijevic, one of the participants in the dialogue.

Year in Review

2008-12-29T22:17:00.003-06:00

Kosovo and Karadzic dominated. Although I don't think anyone needs an article to tell them that.

A year of progress over war crimes in Bosnia's courts.

Hague and Arusha Courts Work Overtime

2008-12-29T22:14:00.002-06:00

From Radio Netherlands Worldwide:

Never before were so many cases being processed simultaneously at the Yugoslavia Tribunal in The Hague and the Rwanda Tribunal in Arusha. Speed has been increased in order to have as many cases as possible finished by 2010. Both the Arusha and the Hague tribunal will have to close by then. Only appeal cases can continue until 2012.

Bosnian Serb PM offered part of RS for Brcko

2008-12-29T22:09:00.002-06:00

A summary of a report from Slobodna Bosna, allegedly, Dodik offered 8% of the RS (Bosanska Posavina and some "unproductive" municipalities in eastern Bosnia) in exchange for integration of Brcko into the RS.

The Santaland Diaries

2008-12-29T22:00:00.004-06:00

Protesting in favor of Santa in Sarajevo. While Christmas is celebrated in Kosovo.

Some background information to the "Santa ban" in the pre-schools can be found in this New York Times article.

Bosnia's Main Parties Agree to Change Const.

2008-12-22T16:52:00.003-06:00

Excerpt:

Leaders of Bosnia's biggest Muslim,
Croat, and Serb parties have called for parliament to begin revising
the constitution, a key condition for joining the European Union.

Efforts to change the constitution enshrined in the Dayton peace treaty
that ended the Bosnia's 1992-95 civil war have been in the works for
two years.

But, interethnic squabbling has hampered progress to reform the
charter to take away power from Bosnia's two autonomous entities,
the Serb Republic and Muslim-Croat Federation, which have coexisted
in an uneasy alliance since the end of the war.

Full Article

The (Really) Moderate Muslims of Kosovo

2008-12-15T22:06:00.001-06:00

An article by Michael Totten. Although there is nothing really new in the article for anyone who has some knowledge of the region; the article is well written. On a side note, I'm also glad to see that the very liberal and inclusive form of Islam practiced in Kosovo is given positive attention as well.

Michael at PoliGazette add his own thoughts on the article: here.

Fears of New Ethnic Conflict in Bosnia

2008-12-14T15:28:00.000-06:00

From the New York Times:

SARAJEVO, Bosnia and Herzegovina -- Thirteen years after the United States
brokered the Dayton peace agreement to end the ferocious ethnic war in the
former Yugoslavia, fears are mounting that Bosnia, poor and divided, is again
teetering toward crisis.

On the surface, this haunted capital, its ancient mosques and Orthodox churches
still pocked by mortar fire, appears to be enjoying a renaissance. Young
professionals throng to stylish cafes and gleaming new shopping malls while the
muezzin heralds the morning prayer. The ghosts of Srebrenica linger -ecalling
the worst massacre in Europe since World War II - but Sarajevans prefer to talk
about President-elect Barack Obama or the global financial crisis.

Yet for the first time in years, talk of the prospect of another war is
creeping into conversations across the ethnic divide in Bosnia, a former
Yugoslav republic that the Dayton agreement divided into two entities, a
Muslim-Croat Federation and a Serb Republic.

Full Article

60 years on, Genocide Convention Still Prompts Debate

2008-12-09T22:41:00.000-06:00

Sixty years ago, the UN adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. This week, historians, lawyers and politicians discussed the convention's future at a conference in The Hague.

Faziagica Kula Mosque

2008-12-09T22:33:00.001-06:00

Sarah and Jasmin write on the burning of a mosque in the village of Faziagica Kula in the RS on the first day of Bajram.

Bosnian Election Results (better late than never)

2008-12-09T22:17:00.000-06:00

Better late than never; local election results from this fall.
I was most interested in seeing how Our Party would do in their first election.

But wait, there's more

2008-12-03T20:44:00.001-06:00

At first I was going to publish a reminder about CNN's "Scream Bloody Murder" special, airing tomorrow, about those who speak out against genocide.
Particulary since that was one of the main motivations for starting this blog in the first place; but alas, I've been beaten to the punch (certainly not for the first time) but the Americans For Bosnia Blog. Which also has further information about the show.

But as the title says...

And while I'm sure no one's surprised, Samantha Power is back working for the Obama administration (if she ever really was let go in the first place); as part of the "agency review team" for the State Department.

EDIT: Power has a position with the transition, although as the linked article states, there is a strong possiblity that she will continue to have potentially substansive role in the incoming administration.

Mirsad Tokaca Article

2008-11-26T17:35:00.000-06:00

An in-depth article on Mirsad Tokaca, of the RDC about the "Bosnia's Book of the Dead" project.

Direct Link to Article: http://www.rferl.org/Content/Bosnian_Researcher_Counts_The_Dead_And_Faces_Threats_For_His_Objectivity/1350799.html

Yes we can! (Make a Profit)

2008-11-17T18:58:00.000-06:00

Since this Obamamania almost certainly won't last, I leave you with this:

Bosnia's oldest clothing company, Borac, has started making Obama suits and says they are selling well in the country and neighbouring Croatia.

"It's a line of top quality business suits, and naming it Obama was an obvious choice because the president-elect is clearly a very elegant man and one of a few who knows how to wear a suit," Borac manager Ahmet Curic told AFP.

Curic added that the company wanted to "pay respect" to the United States for giving the company funds to help restart production after Bosnia's 1992-1995 war. The US embassy in Sarajevo says it has no problem with the name.

A blog post where I don't talk about Krazy Karadzic and Maniac Mladic

2008-09-25T21:56:00.000-05:00

In what should have been a story about the first major gay pride event in Sarajevo, has turned into a depressingly familiar story of a group of violent extremists (in this case some 70 Wahabbis) making complete asses of themselves, with some good old fashion violence thrown in for good measure. Although, I'm sure their signs had less misspellings that this one.

Besides the event itself and the courage of those who attended the event, another upside is the reaction of some NGOS who released this press release:

The tolerance of violence by a religious movement which has nothing to do with the (traditional) Islam in Bosnia and Herzegovina, raises the question of whether Bosnia and Herzegovina is an Islamic or a secular country and whether Serbs, Croats, Jews and others are allowed to organise their cultural events during the holy month of Ramadan,” said a statement by the non-government organisation, Front. It also called on the Islamic community to openly denounce the vandals.

Let's hope they do.

H/T: Americans for Bosnia Blog.

Screw This!

2008-09-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

Ah, Screw this.

Suspension is over.

Although your praise and accolades are still expected.

Due to the economic crisis I am temporarily suspending my blog.

2008-09-25T21:47:00.000-05:00

Dear readers:

Yes, I know this a major sacrifice on my part. But, until a deal is agreed upon, I cannot in good conscious blog. I know I'm making an enormous self-sacrifice (no *thank you!*); but in times like these-sacrifice is required.

I await your praise and accolaids...

Karadzic's Legacy

2008-09-17T20:21:00.000-05:00

Sobering article from one of the best journalist on Bosnia.

Wow a new post!

2008-09-10T22:47:00.000-05:00

Since its been over a month since my last posting-here is something new (or at least new to me).

Old Bosnian Postcards

A blog featuring a huge archive of old postcards from Bosnia, mostly dating from the Austrian-Hungarian period.

First Regional Truth Commission Runs Into Doubts

2008-08-05T22:29:00.000-05:00

From Balkan Insight via justwatch-l.

NGOs mount bold initiative to form first regional truth commission
on war crimes, in spite of governments' indifference and scepticism
of experts

Catch up time

2008-08-02T19:47:00.001-05:00

Of course by now everyone and their second cousin knows that Karadzic was successfully transferred to the Hague.

At his initial appearance, Karadzic noted that while he doesn't have a defense counsel, he does plan on defending himself with the help of an "invisible advisor."
As this Time Magazine article explains, representing oneself at the Hague has several tangible upsides for defendants.

Karadzic's new advisor(?)

And in related news...
Besides Karadzic's appearance, the other major news was the resurfacing of rumors that the U.S. government offered Karadzic immunity in exchange for staying out of public life, which the U.S. State Department denies (not exactly a shock there).
While as of yet, there is no "smoking gun." Evidence pointing to a deal has gained more and more support.
But, even without a specific deal, the extreme reluctance (to put in politely) of NATO forces to arrest alleged war criminals is well known by now.
For a good discussion on a possible deal, check out East Ethnia and Justwatch-l discussion group.

And on the subject of Karadzic's new home, an excellent two part article from Slate Magazine.

Paddy Ashdown: Bosnia on the edge again

2008-07-27T21:26:00.000-05:00

Op-ed from Paddy Ashdown.

Radovan Redux

2008-07-24T18:34:00.001-05:00

More details have emerged on Karadzic's secret life while on the run. Authorities are investigating whether Karadzic stole his assumed identity from a Sarajevo sniping victim. According to the victim's brother, Mladen Dabic:

"My brother was killed in 1993 by a sniper bullet when he went to collect humanitarian aid", Mladen Dabic said. "This is amazing, horrifying. My brother was running across a street and the sniper bullet came from the direction of Vrace." At the time, the Vrace neighbourhood was under the control of Serbs.

Meanwhile, as to what Dr. Dabic was doing for the past few months in Belgrade: He played the gusle at the Luda Kuca bar where

[t]he walls and bar of the Luda Kuca (the name means madhouse) are adorned with the Serb pantheon - Slobodan Milosevic, Vojislav Seselj, Ratko Mladic and of course, Radovan Karadzic - each one a nationalist hero.

As to where Dragan Dabic was heading that fateful night he was arrested, apprently he was heading on vaction.

As to the future: A good Q&A about a Karadzic trial from the NYT.

The Karadzic Arrest

2008-07-22T21:21:00.000-05:00

No extradition date has been set yet.
While the fact that police apparently stumbled on Karadzic while they were attempting to locate Mladic has caused some to wonder if the "tragic hero" will be next to go.

And a concise summary of the possible ramifications of the Karadzic arrest.

The Hubris of Dr. Dubic

2008-07-22T19:59:00.000-05:00

It ended not with a bang, but with a whimper. On a bus to be precise, there were no SWAT team like raids and thankfully no casualties; as one of the world's most wanted war criminals ended his thirteen year run from the law.

And for thirteen years there have been conflicting rumors on Radovan Karadzic's whereabouts. The oft reported rumor was that he disguised himself as a Serbian Orthodox monk, sheltered in monasteries along the Bosnian/Serbian border. It made sense, after all, the Serbian Orthodox Church, as an institution, was one of the key supporters and instruments in the rise of Serbian nationalism in the late 1980s. For the past few years there have been raids, "near misses" and growing rumors over whether or not a deal was made with Karadzic to allow him to escape arrest.

But in the end Karadzic was arrested not in countryside and not disguised as a monk, but in Belgrade and as a New Age doctor.
Reporters, Balkan experts and a host of people much more knowledgeable than I am about Karadzic have stressed his vanity and narcissism. But, few would probably wager a bet that Karadzic would not only hide in plain sight, but revel in his identity as a New Age healer-write articles, attend symposiums, even create his own website. Even his e-mail address (healingwound@dragandabic.com) smacks of incredible degree of narcissism and hubris.

The manner of his arrest, low key and almost anti-climatic is fitting. With Karadzic's own sense of grandeur, from declaring his poetry among the best ever written in the history of Serbian poetry, to declaring himself a self-styled "President"; most people would assume that if Karadzic was ever apprehended, it would be a scene out of a blockbuster movie.
In the end, the arrest turned out to be as banal as Karadzic himself.

The Art of Human Quantum Energy

2008-07-22T16:38:00.001-05:00

One of Dragan "David" Dabic's many areas of expertise.

And since I'm not sure how much longer "Dabic's" website will remain online, here is the English language translation of his biography. Notice his e-mail account:

Dr. Dragan "David" Dabic was born some 60 years ago in a small Serbian village of Kovaci, near Kraljevo. As a young boy he liked to explore nearby forests and mountains, spending a lot of time on Kopaonik mountain where he tended to pick the omnipresent natural and potent medicinal herbs that grew there. As a young man he moved to Belgrade, and then on to Moscow where he graduated with a Psychiatry degree at the Moscow State University (Lomonosov). After Russia, Dr. Dabic travelled around India and Japan, after which he settled in China where he specialized in alternative medicine, with special emphasis on Chinese herbs. In mid 1990s Dr. Dabic returned back to mother Serbia for good.

Ever since, Dr. Dabic emerged as one of the most prominent experts in the field of alternative medicine, bioenergy, and macrobiotic diet in the whole of the Balkans, and is frequent guest on many forums, seminars and symposiums (Belgrade, Novi Sad, Pancevo, Sombor, Smederevo...) dedicated to these topics.

For panel invitations or private consultations Dr. Dragan Dabic can be reached at the following contact:

healingwounds @ dragandabic . com

Dr. K's Wild Ride

2008-07-21T17:54:00.002-05:00

The Karadzic arrest is now a "top-story" on google. There are a number of articles on the arrest of Karadzic and various reactions; (now summarized in this handy guide) but not surprisingly, they are short on details of the actual arrest. Although I expect that to change over the next few days.

Rhetorical question: I wonder how long until the obligatory "free Radovan" website pops up?
No doubt it will contain the good doctor's poetry.

Note: Check East Ethnia for more details and updates from the Serbian press.

KARADZIC ARRESTED

2008-07-21T17:01:00.000-05:00

I think the all caps title is warranted in this case. I must say I'm very pleasantly
surprised, and I did not see it coming at all.

Karadzic arrested in Serbia

MAJOR h/t to Owen for informing me of the news.

Weekend Articles

2008-07-20T13:51:00.000-05:00

There are some interesting Bosnia-centric articles this weekend.

In Sarajevo headscarves uncover generation gap

Bridge of Hope

Croatian Premier says Bosnia's main problem is status of Croats

Perfect Villans, Flawed Tribunal

This Man's Land

2008-07-15T20:30:00.000-05:00

A profile of director Danis Tanovic and his new political party, "Our Party."

Excerpts:

“For me, the international community is nonsense; it’s something that doesn’t really exist. What do exist are French, English, American interests …,” he said at a recent meeting of Our Party. Bosnia’s government has been under international supervision since the Dayton accords ended the war in 1995. “I can't see why would they do a single thing contrary to their interests – everybody works in their own best interest. So that's why we need to start working in our own interest, for our country. I don't think anybody in Bosnia has the right to just wait for things to get better.”

If we want to create a better future for ourselves, we have to stop dealing with the same old issues that aren’t the real issues that must be dealt with,” he said. Chief among them, the ethnic divisions that retard the country’s progress. “I always liked diversity. I'm glad to be from a country full of diversity and I have to admit that countries without it are quite boring.”

Marjanovic said the party would focus on social justice. “The situation in Bosnia is such that we’ve taken the worst of capitalism and find it in such a way that it’s exploitation. So we’re going to keep talking about the fact that there are so many unemployed people in this country, that people’s vital interest … is to be able to work in proper conditions and have a good and dignified life that you support with the fruits of that labor -- a proper salary. Your vital national interest is to have a proper health care system, to be able to send your kids to good schools in this country, to buy them books, to feed and clothe them, and to secure them a future. We’re talking about your everyday problems and we’re able to identify at that level with the public in this country.

Kanun

2008-07-14T22:23:00.001-05:00

An in depth article from the NYT on the devestating effects of blood feuds on families in Albania.

As Noel Malcolm explains in his study on Kosovo, the Kanun provided an extensive basis of law and social customs that cover a wide and diverse range of issues (beyond just crime and punishment) during an unpredictable and lawless era:

The importance of the Kanun to the ordinary life of the Albanians of Kosovo and the Malesi can hardly be exaggerated. `Whenever in the mountains I asked why anything was done,' wrote Edith Durham in the 1920s, `I was told, "Because Lek ordered it." ... "Lek said so" obtained more obedience than the Ten Commandments, and the teaching of the hodjas [Muslim clerics] and the priests was often vain if it ran counter to that of Lek.' Anyone who has read Ismail Kadare's novel Broken April will associate the Kanun above all with the archaic and terrible laws of the blood-feud; and some news reports on the revival of the blood-feud in post-Communist Albania have given the impression that the Kanun, which is now being implemented again in the Malesi, is nothing more than a system of vendettas. But the Kanun covered most aspects of human life (there are sections, for example, on the duties of blacksmiths and millers); it specified the system of assemblies, judges and juries; and it laid down punishments for a range of criminal offences (fines for minor ones, and execution, plus the burning down of the offender's house and the expulsion of his family, for serious crimes).

One leading scholar has summed up the basic principles of the Kanun as follows. The foundation of it all is the principle of personal honour. Next comes the equality of persons. From these flows a third principle, the freedom of each to act in accordance with his own honour, within the limits of the law, without being subject to another's command. And the fourth principle is the word of honour, the bese (def.: besa), which creates a situation of inviolable trust. Gjecov's version of the Kanun decrees: `An offence to honour is not paid for with property, but by the spilling of blood or a magnanimous pardon.' And it specifies the ways of dishonouring a man, of which the most important are calling him a liar in front of other men; insulting his wife; taking his weapons; or violating his hospitality. The reference to hospitality here is important: entering a man's house as his guest creates, like the word of honour, an inviolable bond between the two, and there are stories of Albanians sacrificing their lives to protect a perfect stranger who had taken shelter with them for one night. The reference to weapons should also be noted: the history of Kosovo and northern Albania is punctuated by a series of revolts caused by ill-starred official attempts to disarm the population. In the words of one English traveller of the 1880s: `The pride of a farmer in his livestock, or of a collector in his specimens, is nothing to the pride of an Albanian in his weapons. They are ... the guardians of his hearth, the object of his admiration, and his perpetual glory.'

In the wake of the mammoth political, social and economic changes over the last 2 decades, some isolated areas of northern Albania have experienced a "return" of the blood feud so to speak. According to the National Reconciliation Committee, an Albanian organization dedicated to ending the practice, approximately 20,000 people have been trapped in cycle of the blood feuds since in early 1990s. Thanks to the work of the counselors, the practice has been declining dramatically over the last year; but the new blood feuds, instead of just targeting the direct perpetrator, targets his family members as well-something not sanctioned by the Kanun.

One of the more interesting side effects of the blood feuds is the reversing of traditional gender roles. Since women are supposed to be excluded from the blood feuds, they are the ones who become the family breadwinners, while their husbands and sons are trapped in their homes.

The issue of the Kanun is not black or white; it offered a system of basic law and social mores during an unpredictable and violent time. But, at the same time, as the NYT article points out, the practice of blood feuds today only creates more and more victims.

EXIT Festival

2008-07-12T21:25:00.003-05:00

This weekend marks the famed EXIT festival in Novi Sad. Last year the festival attracted a record number of fans from all over Europe; and was named the best festival in Europe.
But while the festival grows each year in popularity; politics is never far removed from the surface.
The festival began in 2000 as an anti-Milosevic regime music fest; this year controversy was raised over allegations that the EXIT fest founders cancelled Bjork's show due to the singer's support for Kosovo's independence.

Srebrenica

2008-07-12T12:31:00.000-05:00

Articles commermorating the 13th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica.
While thousands of family members marked the anniverary at Potocari, for the first time Serbian peace activist joined the "Peace March" commemorating Srebrenica.
And for those connected to Srebrenica, the pain still lingers, both for family members and for investigators trying to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Besides the enormity and cruelity of the massacres themselves, much of the international attention on Srebrenica is because the town was a U.N. safe area; and because of the debate over the role the international community (be it in the form of the UN, NATO, or the Security Council states) played or should have played; it is an issue that still reverberates today in places like Darfur.

Berat, Albania

2008-07-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

The old town in Berat has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Photos

(Hat Tip: Inside Albania)

Srebrenica

2008-07-10T17:14:00.000-05:00

A Dutch court rules that the U.N. has immunity from a lawsuit filed on behalf of the "Mothers of Srebrenica."

Meanwhile, 307 victims will be buried during the 13th anniversary memorial.

Games & Elections-Not Necessarily in that Order

2008-07-10T16:31:00.001-05:00

Serbia has a new government, which you can read about here and here.
And if you ever wanted the opportunity to help create the next government of Serbia, here is your chance. (Hat Tip: Eric)
I haven't played the online game yet, but just the concept of it seems more entertaining than the Election version of Stratego they're selling at the Barnes & Noble.

New Look! (And Goodies)

2008-07-09T21:38:00.001-05:00

Eh, not really, as I think I had this layout before at one time. I really should dust off one of my html/web design books that I bought a few years ago, study up and create my own layout-but in the meantime, blogger templates work just fine.
Although I do wish that their template program would allow more flexibility when it comes to creating layout; sort of like a Frontpage editor for blogger.

I also added some more links to the blogroll. Perceptive readers will notice that I changed the title from "Balkan Blogroll" to simply "Blogroll" as now I'm linking to blogs from Central Europe to Central Asia.

Also, the description changed as well. Bosnia, will still be the main focus of the blog, but I'm probably also going to write more about other countries in the region, and beyond.

Anyways, now for the extras: Balkan newsfeed from Google (which is apparently making us all stupid .

And now for the goodies: links to, what are in my opinion, 5 of the greatest songs of all time. My music taste is eclectic and runs the gamut from mainstream top 40, punk-pop, rap, classical, praise, classic rock, alternative, showtunes, Motown... hopefully, you get the point right now.
Anyways, whether I'm listening to Rachmaninoff, Hole, or the Black Eyed Peas; these 5 songs are always near the top of my list of favorites.
They should all be the full song-except for Bonnie Bramlett's cover version of "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" because I wasn't able to find a complete version on youtube.

Stari Most Bridge Remains on UNESCO List

2008-07-07T19:27:00.000-05:00

Mostar's "Old Bridge" will remain on UNESCO's World Heritage list, on the condition of the remodeling of a local hotel.

Background information on the bridge,its destruction before & after photos and the and the reconstruction project.

IWPR

2008-07-07T16:31:00.000-05:00

July 4th, 2008 issue of IWPR.

IWPR

2008-07-02T22:58:00.000-05:00

IWPR weekly report (from last week)

McMafia

2008-07-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

The information is not new, but journalist Misha Glenny discusses the role the mafia played in the Balkan Wars.

And a related article published last year from T.O.L.

Rape as a Weapon of War

2008-06-26T16:32:00.001-05:00

Op-Ed from Slavenka Drakulic author of "They Would Never Hurt A Fly"

No longer can a man defend himself by saying that he "only" raped a woman he could have killed. We know now, as we knew before the passage of this resolution, that rape is a kind of slow murder.

Kosovo Blues

2008-06-26T16:28:00.000-05:00

Op-Ed from B92 by William Montgomery:

A philosopher once said that what differentiates humans from all other species on earth was the ability to simultaneously believe in two concepts contradictory to each other. That comes to mind frequently when it comes to the question of Kosovo.

Sarajevo Film Fest Preview

2008-06-25T18:30:00.003-05:00

It is never too early to start to get excited about the Sarajevo Film Festival.
This year's festival is scheduled for August 15th-23rd and will open with a showing of Aida Begic's "Snow." Also to be featured in the lineup, Ari Folman's "Waltz with Bashir."

City Break: Belgrade

2008-06-21T19:39:00.000-05:00

It is not exactly the Exit Festival, but last week Belgrade beat out Helsinki and Athens to host "City Break"; a business to business exibition promoting European tourism.
More on the event, which was held on June 9-10th can be found here.
As well as a promo video on Belgrade.

Friday Night Videos

2008-06-13T20:28:00.001-05:00

And no, this thread has nothing to do with R.Kelly.
Instead, from Sarajevo-X new videos from Dino Merlin and the late Tose Proeski.

And via the Gulag; apparently some people are offended by Merlin's new video.
BTW: What's up with the dude in the Afro?

Srebrenica Civil Suit Press Release

2008-06-04T20:27:00.000-05:00

"The Dutch State Failed in its Duty to Protect Civilian Victims of Genocide at Srebrenica"

Tales of a City

2008-05-14T23:34:00.000-05:00

Excerpts from Robert Donia's "Sarajevo: A Biography."

Sign of the Times

2008-05-04T20:20:00.000-05:00

Turbofolk is back in the news again.

And would it have been asking too much for the CSM to actually look up the indictment against Raznatovic?

City of the Imagination: Sarajevo

2008-05-01T20:57:00.000-05:00

Author Tim Clancy is working on a volume on Sarajevo for the Signal Publishing series "Cities of Imagination."
At his blog Tim asks for readers to give their input and suggestions for the book:

The task at hand is not to write yet another historical depiction of Sarajevo. I do not want to talk about Ottoman occupation but rather the wonderful cultural influences and customs of the Ottomans. The Austrian annexation of BiH is often only seen through a historical or political perspective. We so rarely look at it as the Europeanization of Sarajevo. Tito's regime is all to often weighed by strong arguments from both sides whether he was a true dictator or magician in holding Yugoslavia together. But so few speak of the socialist cultural revolution that took place and the great artists and movements that this grassroots revolution created.

I certainly don't want to talk about Markala, the Vance-Owen plan, or Mitterand's visit to Sarajevo. I want to show the world how Oslobodenje printed the news every day of the modern worlds longest siege. How the Sarajevo Film Festival was born in 1994, the war theatre, the Miss Sarajevo contest....and how all these things shaped the post war cultural rennaissance. I need to show how these events, directly related to human experiences and not political ones, created the films of Danis Tanovic and Jasmila Zbanic and why the Sarajevo Film Festival has become as popular as it has. Where does Aleskander Hemon find his true inspiration...what makes Faruk Sehic tick....how and why did Namik Kabil come back from driving a taxi in LA to create the impeccable films and documentaries that he has.

So my message to you my dear friends....is, as citizens of this great city, despite all the stupid shit that goes on here, we have a serious task at hand. I kindly ask you to consider your comments carefully. I would love your help. Tell me your ideas. It's your city too. What we're lookin' for is nothing ordinary....quite the opposite actually. I want to tell stories of the water fountains, of the zanatlija, of tucano kahva, how we hid the Haggadah from the Nazi's, of the Ilegalci, of our forgotten poets, of Mak Dizdar writing Kameni Spavac in Male Daire, of Teta serving food to the poor on Bistrik....about what makes the heart of this city beat.

So, spread the word!

How Washington Got It Wrong

2008-04-29T18:38:00.000-05:00

Transitions Online's Tihomir Loza's offers this commentary on former Sec. of State Richard Holbrooke's claim that without Dayton (and one can probably infer without Holbrooke), the September 11th attacks would have been planned from Bosnia instead of Afghanistan.
The money quote is here.

Welcome to the club

2008-04-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

Forget NATO or the EU, Montenegro has just been granted membership in the ISU!

Danis Tanovic

2008-04-06T17:04:00.000-05:00

Bosnian Director Danis Tanovic has been keeping himself busy lately. He recently launched a new political party, "Our Party" in an attempt to find a political alternative to the corruption and squabling that appears to characterize much of the mainstream BiH political scene right now.
And he is also directing a new film, "Triage"based on the novel of the same title by Scott Anderson.

In Memoriam: Dith Pran

2008-03-31T22:46:00.000-05:00

If the name Dith Pran does not immiediately ring any bells, than the movie inspired by his plight, during the Cambodian Genocide; "The Killing Fields" almost certainly will.

In a day and age where the word "hero" is most often associated with athletic stars for no reason other than their on the field feats; Dith Pran was a living example.

Thank God for turtles!

2008-03-27T20:27:00.001-05:00

My orginal plans were to write a post lamenting over the fact that because many articles on Balkan Insight are now subscription only, I have less access to the in-depth, quality Balkan analysis that Balkan Insight has provided.
But, I decided not to. Because: 1. It's not like I haven't been there, done that, before. 2. I could have access to the articles if I was willing to pay a subscription fee-which I'm not.
3. And most importantly, I just discovered the Balkan Insight blogs, my favorite being Dusica L. Ikic-Cook's take on being single mother in the Balkans.
And if there was even a vague bit of curiosity of where the title came from, here is the answer.

I also enjoyed reading Marian Chiriac's blog post about the connection between journalism and marathon running.

And for something more overtly political, there is Krenar Gashi's post on Vuk Jeremic.

Milosevic on trial

2008-03-22T12:22:00.000-05:00

Via justwatch-l; an article about a new documentary on the Milosevic trial.
And I'm typing on my own computer!

At least the trains still run on time

2008-03-15T15:15:00.000-05:00

My computer crashed last Sunday, and although the good people at Best Buy told me that they would be able to fix my computer in about three days, it is going to take at least another week for them to look at the computer and try to figure out what exactly is going on.

But, of course Balkan news goes on-
including:

1. A 'deconstruction' of the "Kosovo is Serbia" rally by Sasha Ilic for the independent Belgrade newspaper-Danas.

2. The latest issue of Tribunal Watch by IWPR.

3. And of BIRN

Be back next weekend, and hopefully blogging on my own computer.

Ode to a Chicken

2008-03-09T14:33:00.000-05:00

Or, Bosnia's 2008 Eurovision entry.

P.M. Dissolves Serbia's government

2008-03-08T20:25:00.000-06:00

Serbia's Prime Minister, Vojislav Kostunica dissolved the government, and is calling for new elections.

Balkan Justice & Reconcilliation

2008-03-07T20:24:00.001-06:00

As the ICTY trials are winding to a close, the IWPR's Merdijana Sadovic wonders "Has Balkan Justice Assisted Reconcilliation?"

On a side note, while the IWPR still has their Tribunal section, it appears as if they no longer have a Balkans section on their site.

Samantha Power

2008-03-01T21:41:00.000-06:00

And speaking of Obama; one of his top foreign policy advisors is Samantha Power, a name that is probably familiar to many people who read this blog.

She still may be best known as the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning book, "A Problem From Hell: America In The Age of Genocide." A book whose context spans time wise from Ottoman Turkey at the start of the 20th century to Kosovo at the end; spanning across the globe from Africa to Europe to Asia to the Middle East (side note: I do wish Power would have at least made a cursory mention of some of the mass atrocities that took place in South America, especially during the latter half of the 20th century-especially given some of the U.S. government's rather cosy relationship with some governments involved.)
But even that oversight, doesn't take away from the book, which is one the best overviews of how the U.N. Treaty on the Prevention of Genocide came to be ratified in the first place, and how in so many cases, 'never again' has become more of an empty slogan than a impetus for the government to take immediate action.

Power has recently published another book, this one a biography of the life and times of the late Sergio Vieira de Mello, the UN mission chief in Iraq before he was killed an an Al-Queda suicide bombing.

Poster Children

2008-03-01T21:40:00.001-06:00

A new billboard has gone up in Serbia featuring JFK and Barack Obama with the slogan "Kosovo je Srbija"
Why do I have a feeling that August 28th will mark the 45th anniversary of MLK's famous speech "I Have A Dream That Kosovo Will Always Be Serbia"?

Where's Keith Olbermann when you need him?

2008-02-24T21:35:00.001-06:00

I recently found this interview in Bosnia's independent magazine, Start with Shirley Phelps.
I had to rely on a mediocre (as most are) online translator; but my understanding is that the basic gist of the interview was Ms. Phelps claiming that 'God hates Bosnia!', and I'm sure according to their world view, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo (apparently God already hates the U.S., Canada and Sweden). Really, I'd take it as a compliment.

Phelps belongs to the so-called "Westboro Baptist Church"; calling them Baptists is an insult to Baptists everywhere. There are only about 100 members, and most of them are related to each other, which perhaps is explanation enough. They have been making a name for themselves protesting the funerals of famous and ordinary citizens who died well publicized deaths. Thus, they protested the funeral of gay bashing victim Matthew Shepard, the college students killed at Virginia Tech and nearby NIU, and American soldiers killed in the current Iraq war, etc. They were going to protest the funeral of Heath Ledger, but luckily their version of God has not heard of frequent flyer miles and they stayed stateside.

If the Phelps were in Serbia, there is no doubt they would have protested at the funeral of Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic. Almost five years after his assasination; taking a page out of the Phelps' playbook, a reporter on Russian State T.V. praised his murder.

Now it looks as if Bill O'Reiley has some competition for "Worst Person In The World."

What a difference a day makes

2008-02-21T23:18:00.000-06:00

The new trinity of the post-Milosevic nationalist Serb leadership.

Also, unless you live under a rock, you probably know that several embassies in Belgrade, including the US Embassy were attacked by rioters.

And the response from B92 regarding the recent threats they have experienced.

AB on the XYZ

2008-02-20T23:44:00.001-06:00

A blog focusing on one man's thoughts, adventures & experiences in the former Yugoslavia, primarily Slovenia.

Living Life in the eX Yugoslav Zone

Between A Rock and A Hard Place

2008-02-20T21:21:00.000-06:00

A brief news article on Bosnia's position regarding Kosovo's declaration of independence.

And related from Balkan Insight: "Bosnia's Dodik Calms Secession Fears" (After helping rile them up last year).

Kosova's New Day

2008-02-17T11:15:00.002-06:00

The Republic of Kosova declared its declaration of independence today; along with a new flag.

More articles can be found on BIRN's website

Another analysis.

The Betrayal of Srebrenica: A Commemoration

2008-02-10T00:18:00.000-06:00

From January 29th to February 29th Boston College will be showcasing a Photographic exhibition "The Betrayal of Srebrenica: A Commemoration." The exhibit is presented by Lisa DiCaprio and features photos by Paula Allen.
According to an overview of the exhibit by BCHeights.com "

The exhibit encompasses four themes: the war in Bosnia, specifically Srebrenica, the determination of the survivors, the human rights issue of those "missing," and the 10-year commemoration for which DiCaprio and Allen were present.

Besides Boston College, the exhibit has been featured at other colleges, such as Washington and Lee University.

Tadic defeats Nikolic

2008-02-03T21:45:00.000-06:00

From the BBC, the results of the highly anticipated Serbian Presidential elections have been announced.

New boy in the neighborhood...

2008-02-01T23:40:00.000-06:00

At least in the blogging neighborhood, and he is Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic.
Is he the first major Bosnian politician who has a blog?

And because credit is given where credit is due, I found out about the blog via: East Ethnia

And being inspired by Balkan Baby, the title is taken from a song lyric. Actually, it is the lyrics to the theme song for "Charles in Charge." As, to why I have the somewhat creepy song lyrics of an 80s TV sitcom running through my head right now-I have no idea.

Bosnians Reflect on Del Ponte's Legacy

2008-01-24T18:34:00.000-06:00

An insightful article from Balkan Insight.

Thanks for the Reminder

2008-01-23T22:52:00.000-06:00

From Time Magazine:

When Gaza makes the front page, the photo is usually of Palestinian
militants on the rubble of a bombed-out apartment building or at the
funeral of a comrade, waving Kalashnikov rifles and howling defiantly
against Israel. Those images have lately been replaced by ones of
shivering, waiflike children holding a candlelight protest against
Israel's blackout of large parts of Gaza. The kids are a reminder that
not all of Gaza's 1.5 million Palestinians are gunmen, and that Israel's
prolonged economic blockade of the territory is taking a heavy toll
on civilians.

I'm not sure what disconcerting: that Time Magazine felt it necessary to print such a reminder, or that there are people out there who need such a reminder.

Related: Louise Arbour on the current situation in Gaza.

Not My Turn To Die: By Savo Heleta

2008-01-20T23:57:00.000-06:00

A memoir by Savo Heleta on the siege of Gorazde, the Bosnian war and ultimately, reconciliation.

For more information on Heleta and his book-check out his website, and in particular, this article from the South African Weekly Post

Turning the lens on ourselves

2008-01-09T23:06:00.000-06:00

A rather interesting article on the hit TV show, "Veliki Brat" Serbia's version of "Big Brother."

Sretna Nova Godina!

2007-12-31T23:34:00.000-06:00

What will 2008 bring to the Balkans? It is anyone's guess (hopefully another Eurovision victory!-gotta keep our priorities straight ;-) )

But whatever occurs, it seems clear that two of the most pressing issues will be Kosovo and constitutional reforms in Bosnia.

In Crisis and Reform: A Turn Around in Bosnia Peter Lippman looks back and analyzes the constitutional reforms and near political crises in 2007.

While Tim Judah looks at what issues and trends will face the Balkans (particularly Serbia and Kosovo) in 2008.

Western Promises

2007-12-30T18:42:00.000-06:00

A new book by a former ICTY official offers a vivid insider's account of realpolitik at the Milosevic trial.

Bosnia's Boogeyman

2007-12-22T23:30:00.000-06:00

Remember when Dodik was portrayed as pragmatic politician, more interested in economic development than nationalist rhetoric? Yeah.

Me and My Shadow

2007-12-17T23:16:00.000-06:00

For some observers, Putin's Russia is starting to bear an eerie resemblance to Milosevic's Serbia.

Milosevic Convicted

2007-12-12T23:14:00.000-06:00

Dragomir Milosevic was convicted for his role in overseeing the siege of Sarajevo and was sentenced to 33 years in prison.

Does Anyone Know A Good Attorney?

2007-12-10T20:03:00.000-06:00

If you are just mildly interested in what the Serbian government’s response to Kosovo gearing up towards declaring independence will be (and if you aren’t interested, you have probably stopped reading at this point); the answer is: litigation.

If you guessed correctly, you will receive a vintage cassette of 200 na sta. (A vintage cassette from a vintage-but not yet completely bygone era).
*The link to the cover version was found via Belgrade Blog*

And for some good articles:
Tension Digest: Belgrade Blog’s analysis of the reaction from politicians, “celebs”,soccer hooligans and some dead former Statesmen. Remember, Kennedy’s famous phrase: "Ich bin ein Berliner!" -I mean, "Kosovo is Serbia!"

Allan Little: Countdown to Kosovan Independence.

The Guardian's article on one Serb refugee family from Kosovo

And the ever perceptive: Balkan Baby Blog

Balkan Insight

2007-12-06T23:58:00.000-06:00

The latest edition of Balkan Insight.

Bloooooogggg!!!!!

2007-11-27T22:49:00.000-06:00

Eric over at East Ethnia recently posted an article on the Bosnian Football Culture blog; which looks at Bosnian football culture from an anthropological perspective.

Croatian Elections

2007-11-26T23:09:00.000-06:00

The run down:

1. The HDZ won the most Parliament seats (61 as of the time this article was written)

2. That number does not include votes counted from areas outside Croatia. And traditionally, the diaspora tends to be more conservative. Thus, the HDZ will probably be gaining more seats.

3. While it looks like the HDZ is the victorious party, it isn't a runaway victory. As the SDP increased their presence by 20 seats. Earning (again, as of the time of this article) 57/152 seats. And for trivia buffs out there, it is also the SDP's best result since-multiparty elections took place in 1990.

4. And to sum it up: Croatia's ruling HDZ opens coalition talks, but the SDP refuses to concede defeat.

5. Question: The above article mentions that the SDP chose not to campaign in Bosnia. Why? Is it because they assumed (perhaps correctly) that they would not get enough votes, so it was in their best interest to focus solely on Croatia?

6. And accused war criminal, Branimir Glavas was re-elected to Parliament.

7. For those who are in Croatia, or who followed the elections more in depth, than lets say, 5 minutes of googling (ahem), what are your opinions on the elections?

BIRN Update

2007-11-25T20:52:00.000-06:00

Three articles really caught my attention: Alexandra Stiglmayer looks at police reforms in Bosnia through the experiences of the town of Doboj.
And Dejan Anastasijevic analyzes the Serbian government's possible response to an independent Kosovo.
And since I occasionally leave Croatia out when it comes to these Balkan updates;
Goran Jungvirth looks at the role the diaspora might play in Sunday's parliamentary election.

Prijedor Exhibit

2007-11-21T19:55:00.000-06:00

St. Louis MO is home to one of the largest Bosnian communities in North America, this weekend, the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center presents Prijedor: Lives From the Bosnian Genocide.

Bosnia Post Conflict Recovery & Reconcilliation

2007-11-09T23:20:00.000-06:00

The U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, held a hearing on a wide range of issues facing Bosnia right now.

A transcript is available here.

An Eclectic Collection of Articles

2007-11-04T20:56:00.000-06:00

Some good articles from this past week, and I didn't feel like devoting an entire post to each new article, so here goes:

IWPR has a new addition of Tribunal Update, including an article on transcripts showing the Croatian government conspiring to carve up Bosnia; which I think is pretty well known(?).

Balkan Insight also has a new addition as well, with articles focusing on the EU, Kosovo and Bosnia's political turmoils.

Bosnia-Herzegovina: Serbs Protest Imposed Reforms, But Is It Smoke Or Fire? and Dangerous Rumblings In Bosnia also focuses on the current political situation in Bosnia.

Article

2007-10-28T23:17:00.000-05:00

Bosnian Politicians agree to unblock police reforms.

Bosfam's Srebrenica Memorial Quilt

2007-10-22T21:08:00.000-05:00

Last year, I profiled Bosfam, a Tuzla based NGO. The majority of Bosfam's clients are female survivors from Srebrenica, and Bosfam offers them an opportunity to meet, share their stories, all while knitting beautiful handicrafts and selling their crafts to earn money to support themselves and their families.

Recently, Bosfam had embarked on a new project, The Srebrenica Memorial Quilt.
According to Bosfam's website, "The quilt currently comprises 20 panels, each commemorating
a victim of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. Families who lost
relatives are being invited to commission new panels. As new
panels are added to the quilt, the quilt will grow in size,
keep the memory of the massacre alive and used to make the
case for more material and emotional support for Srebrenica
survivors."

To view a map of the quilt, as well as profiles of the weavers: click here.

If you are interested in commissioning a panel, please click here.

Book Reviews: Auschwitz

2007-10-18T00:17:00.000-05:00

On the Polish border with Germany, there is a town of Oswiecim. The history of Oswiecim is somewhat unusual, unlike the surrounding towns, there were no laws forbidding Jews to live in the town; and while Jews in neighboring towns faced the bloody effects of pogroms; the Jews of Oswiecim were largely left alone.
Centuries later, the town of Oswiecim would be known world wide, as Auschwitz.

Auschwitz was not history’s only mass murder site, or the only Nazi extermination camp. But, as the largest mass murder site in history; it has become symbolic of not only the Nazi policy of total annihilation of the Jews, but the utter depths of depravity human beings can sink into. Beyond the ‘Final Solution’, almost every aspect of the Nazi juggernaut of conquest, terror, mass murder and genocide, particularly against the Poles and Roma is captured within the specific space and time of Auschwitz.
Unique amongst almost every Nazi camps, Auschwitz was simultaneously a slave labor/concentration camp (where of course, people were killed as well) and an extermination camp. Although 960,000 of the at least 1.1 million victims at Auschwitz were Jewish; when Auschwitz first opened in 1940, the majority of the victims were Poles and Soviet POWs. It was not until 1942, that Auschwitz became the epicenter of the Nazi’s total genocide and in particular, the policy of annihilation of every single Jewish child.
Two books, “Auschwitz: A History” by Sybille Steinbacher and “Auschwitz: A New History” by Laurence Rees traces the devolution of Auschwitz and the place where as Laurence Rees succinctly puts it “mankind committed the ultimate infamy.”
Both Steinbacher and Rees have penned well researched and written authoritative histories of Auschwitz. The books compliment each other: Steinbacher’s book is a concise overview of Auschwitz, and Rees a comprehensive history of details and aspects of the death camp against the larger historical background.

Steingbacher and Rees add a convincing argument to the historical debate of the origins and process of the ‘Final Solution’; belonging to the ‘cumulative radicalization’ school, explaining the Final Solution as not a single order, by an accumulation of increasingly extreme policies towards the Jews. Rees in particular pays attention to ‘local initiatives’ of the Holocaust, as well as the overall policy and intentions of Hitler and the Nazi elite. He points out, in just one example, that one of that the shipping of 4,000 Jewish-French children to Auschwitz was at the initiative of the local authorities.

Steinbacher’s book is an overview of Auschwitz; from the history of the town, to the construction of the camp, to the prisoners, to mass extermination, rebellions, “medical research”, knowledge of Auschwitz by the allies; post war trials, and a final overview.
The prose is tightly structured and condensed; and the author includes an amazing amount of details in 155 pages of text. The narrative is very direct and the author’s style is to let the horror of Auschwitz speak for itself. We are told, for example, that the bunkers at Birkenau were designed for 180 people, but the SS squeezed in 700. The Roma “family camp” at Birkenau, where conditions were so horrendous, within a short space of time, 7,000 people died of typhus and gangrenous stomatitis, which was not present in other aspects of the camp. Perversely, the Roma camp also included a Kindergarten with fairy tale drawings on the wall. Himmler, one of the worst mass murders in history, was quite enlightened when it came to the environment, he created recycling programs at Auschwitz.

Steinbacher’s book gives a bird eyes view of Auschwitz, it is especially helpful in giving an overview and structure of Auschwitz on both a “micro” scale: details such as the different groups of prisoners/victims, the gassing process-is described in particularly stark and un-emotional terms, which makes it even that much more excruciating; as well as the “macro scale”: how Auschwitz became the epicenter of the liquidation and global genocide against Europe’s Jews, and the development of Auschwitz within the larger Nazi system.

The concise and well researched overview however, is achieved at the expense of personal narratives, experiences and details. For that, Laurence Rees’ “Auschwitz: A New History” makes excellent use of documentation, analysis, and above all, personal stories and interviews with perpetrators, victims and bystanders. Rees is aided not only by his own solid historian background, and his 15 years of diligent archival work, but also by the fact that the people directly involved in the Holocaust are in the last years of the lives; and many who have kept their silence for decades-are now speaking.
This allows us unprecedented access with the perpetrators, in particular the low ranking SS guards, some who were only in their late teens when they first begin working at Auschwitz. Very few of these guards display any remorse for what took place at Auschwitz. We learn that SS found that the biggest problem at Auschwitz was the corruption and that some of the young officers were making themselves wealthy by stealing the victims’ belongings. Rees also focuses on the stories of the survivors and how perseverance and the kindness of a stranger, and sheer luck led to survival.
There is a Polish political prisoner who is released from Auschwitz after outside intervention; after he is released, the SS guards ask him to fill out a surreal survey about his ‘stay’ at Auschwitz “did he have any complaints?” There is most remarkably, the extremely exceptional affair between a guard and a young Jewish woman-which ends up saving her life. There are two young children, Michel and Annette, who by a stroke of luck are saved from being transferred to Auschwitz. There is a young German girl, who is temporarily sent to Auschwitz, after it is revealed that she was adopted and is 25% Roma; she is adopted by a friendly Kapo before being released on the eve of the liquidation of the Gypsy Family Camp.

Unlike Steinbacher’s book, Rees’ book does not give a background history of the town; but instead starts with the construction of the camp. While in linear time, the book focus is on the Nazi era; the book at times diverges from the Auschwitz death camp, to different aspects of the Nazi Holocaust; from the first women & children from Slovakia killed in gassing; committed because it was “inhumane” to leave women and children to fend for themselves after the mass murder of Jewish males, the arrest of Jews at the English Channel, the rescue of the Danish Jews; to the horrific and morally complex situation in Lodz ghetto; to in one of the most emotionally devastating scenes in the entire book- the forced separation of young children from their mothers in France when their mothers were shipped to Auschwitz. After a few weeks of fending for themselves, the children are themselves murdered at Auschwitz. Within, Auschwitz, Rees focuses on the relationships between the victims, the daily humiliations, the brothels set up for the guards and some “elite” prisoners, the forced labor, the death march and the survivors return to the homes after the war. There are almost no happy endings. One Jewish prisoner of Auschwitz kills a German prisoner of Auschwitz. Polish families who hid Jewish families are made to feel shame and pogroms are directed at the victims when they come home.
Although the personal stories stand out, they are all woven into a larger tapestry of research and documenting Auschwitz and the Holocaust.

As Rees notes, there is one group of people who he cannot interview, but whose stories must be told, the 1.1 million people murdered at Auschwitz, in particular the 200,000 children. There is one particularly chilling anecdote told by a survivor which has stayed with the author since he first heard it: at the side of the railroad tracks were the personal belongings and baby carriages of the victims; there were so many carriages that it took one hour to pass them by.

Idi Amin & Me

2007-10-09T00:16:00.000-05:00

What do you get when you combine brutality and star power? If you are director in Barbet Schroeder and your subject / “co-director” is the late Ugandan dictator Idi Amin; the result is “Idi Amin Dada” an engrossing self-portrait of one of the 20th century’s worst, and most intriguing dictator.

Amin is not only the star of the documentary, he is also credited as co-director. The film, showing Amin giving speeches, attending festivals, giving insights into his rather paranoid psyche (particularly his virulent Anti-Semitism) is not that much different than what Ugandans saw everyday during Amin’s rule on the state run TV station.

But, this film is no pro-Amin propaganda film. The humor, is unintentional, and often at Amin’s expense. One of the most memorable scenes is where Amin is watching the army perform military training, using a child’s slide. Then there is the scene where Amin dressed in combat fatigues leads troops over a small hill, preparing for war with Israel over the Golan Heights. The scene looks like a bad war re-enactment produced by a community theater.
And of course no dictator is complete without the masses. Amin’s “masses” are about 40 villagers who are forced to cheer for him as his helicopter lands. Of course, sometimes the scene goes wrong for a director; and just as Amin’s helicopter lands; the crowd scurries for cover, hiding from the massive plume of dust caused by the landing. Ah, so much for a grand entrance.

Above all, Amin talks in the film. He gives really long lectures. I could sum it up in a nutshell: Women need to get up at 5:00 AM to take care of the house and everyone must love the leader! And when he speaks about donating food for “starving British people”; the real director couldn’t tell if Amin was being facetious, or if he was serous.

The early 1970s was a period of transition for the Third World, with colonial rule still in recent living memory; the United States and the USSR were arming and wooing governments in Africa and Asia, and using them as proxies in the larger Cold War between the two super powers. And Amin openly talks politics.
His favorite subject is Israel. Interestingly, the Israeli as well as the British government were initially supporters of Amin. When they dropped their support, Amin began to throw his support behind groups like Black September, the terrorist organization that killed 11 Israeli athletes in Munich.
Amin also admired Hitler and speaks about how the Holocaust was “justified.”
Besides his repugnant views on Holocaust; Amin also talks about more localized events. He honestly sees Uganda, with its one air force plane as a potential military super power; and as a leading light for post Colonial states. He speaks with genuine enthusiasm of his wish to teach African-Americans Swahili.
One of the most iconic and ironic scenes is one that is not in the DVD, but a photo from the DVD extras. The scene shows Amin, who was raised in British occupied Uganda, and who became the highest ranking African in the British Army, being carried in his chair by four white men; just like the British colonialists use to make the Africans do.
But, history and the link between colonial dictatorship and the dictatorship of newly independent countries is not the main theme of the film. The Ugandan people are not the subject of the film, with the exception that they are props for Amin's rule. Just as Amin is able to dominate a conversation, a room, his country; he dominates the film. And while he most certainly was a cruel and murderous dictator; he has a magnetic personality, and very much loves being the center of attention-whether it is playing the accordion at a party, leading a traditaional folk dance; or "winning" a swimming contest; due to everyone else doing their obvious best to let him win.

Amin is at his most charismatic giving a tour of a wild life preserve lake. In the extra, we learn that so many people were killed during Amin’s rule that their bodies would plug up the dams, the crocs not able to digest all the bodies thrown into the rivers. It is a chilling anecdote.

Although it is cliché, Amin loves the camera, and the camera loves him. I sort of imagine that if Amin didn’t die in exile, and was actually tried for the mass crimes he committed against his people, particularly the mass killing of members of other ethnic groups and political opponents, all one would need to do is to get him in front of a camera and he’d probably confess it all. And that would have been a sequel worth seeing.

BIRN

2007-10-01T21:50:00.000-05:00

BIRN's analysis of regional topics and war crimes trials.

President of Bosnia's RS Dies

2007-09-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

Milan Jelic, President of the RS died of a heart attack at the age of 51.

Article

The ICTY Archive

2007-09-22T10:35:00.000-05:00

When the ICTY shuts down in 2010 it will leave behind a paper legacy of transcripts, documents and other information related to the wars in the former Yugoslavia and the subsequent war crimes trials in the Hague. Recently, the ICTY sent out a questionnaire to government institutions, NGOs and historians in the Balkans asking them their opinion on the structure and location of the archive.

All The Balkan News That's Fit To Print

2007-09-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

Weekly updates from the IWPR, BIRN, and BIRN Justice Report.

Article

2007-09-03T21:51:00.000-05:00

Bosnians seek to kiss their way into the Record Books.

Komsic Interview

2007-08-30T20:42:00.000-05:00

An extensive interview with Bosnian President Zeljko Komsic on BiH politics, identity, the state and his trip to the US.