Djinjdic's Verdict

Recent articles and analysis on Serbia’s political future usually point to Serbia being at a juxtaposition, between the ultra-nationalist past, and a possible inclusive “European” future. This division has taken place both internally between political parties; as well as externally with regards to debates over the capturing of certain fugitives from justice; the issue of Kosovo, and possible admittance into the EU. This week, a street in Belgrade symbolized where Serbia's political future may lie; and perhaps what might have been.

During the week, a member of the SRS made an oh so subtle sign of support for a certain fugitive from justice in the Serbian parliament. The move caused outcries from some pro-democracy MPs. The streets of Belgrade was also the sight of a similar "show of support" as some supporters of the SRS decided "rename" a street after Ratko Mladic.
Yet, even with all of the attention "Ratko Mladic Boulevard" has received in the press; it is hard not to lose sight of the figure for whom the street is actually in the process of being named for; Zoran Djindjic; the Prime Minister who was assassinated in 2003.
This week, the direct organizers of Mr. Djidjic's murder were sentenced to prison terms. Yet, while those directly involved in Djindjic's assassination have been sentenced to prison; lingering questions still remain as to the full scope of the political atmosphere and involvement in Djindjic's death. As well as an even greater question of where Serbia would be politically today had Mr. Djindjic not been killed; and an even greater question of where Serbia's political future lies.
The answer to that verdict; unlike the trial of Mr. Djindjic's killers is far less than certain.

Afternoon Reading

Puls Demokratije has added English translations to the May-June issue of their website.

In Jasmila Žbanić: Society With a Tumour ; the director of Grbavica is interviewed on the subject of BiH civil society and civil activism.

In De certified Police officers: A State Caught Between Human Rights and International Obligations ; Boris Topic discusses the issue of decertified police officers in the larger frame of post Dayton politics.

While in The Issue of Collective Responsibility, Sabina Čehajić writes about collective responsibility as being a necessary step for reconciliation.

And in (UN) creative Chaos: Legislation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Valerija Galić, takes on legislative reform.

Rock The Vote

According to the Independent, Serbia's democracy was saved at the 11th hour, although some bloggers were less than 100% convinced. Included in the prize package however, is the possible reopening of the SAA talks.
Not to be left out, the ousted Toma Nikolic shared some of his thoughts and predictions with the press.

Meanwhile, onto a less important, but no less controverstrial election; the Eurovision contest.
Bosnia's entry is one of the youngest participants: Maria Sestic. Her song, despite containing lyrics such as:
: "You are my pain, You are my sorrow, Just once more I want, To be with you, And let my heart ache, Forever for you, With it I DIE."(cap. for dramatic effect) ; we are told is really is not a sad song, but a love song. And speaking of sad songs, Spinner Magazine just came out with their list of the 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World (English language songs only though).

Before attending the Eurovision comp. Maria visited Serbia where she was a guest of Serbia's very popular entry, Marija Serifovic.

Rounding out some of the regional finalists include: Alenka Gotar-Slovenia, Korolina-Macedonia, Sarbel-Greece Kenan Dogolu-Turkey, among others.

But alas, no singing competition can be complete without some slight ethnopolitical controversy.


And as a way of uniting these two seemingly disjointed topics (the ousting of Nikolic and the Eurovision competition) together, here is a link to the very entertaining Music for Maniacs Blog.

Employment

While the papers are full with job ads; here are a few positions that just got filled:
Miroslav Lajcak is set to be sixth High Representative to Bosnia; taking over for Christian Schwarz-Schilling.
In Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic of the Serb Radical Party and Seselj political sidekick; recieved 142/244 votes and the post of the President of the Parliament One could probably come to the conclusion that Seselj himself would be voted President; if there wasn't some pesky logistical issue with him being in the Hague.
In that spirit, East Ethnia had designed a list of Government Ministers and officials for the new coalition government.
And if that doesn't work; there is always the dancing robot. I wonder what platform she's running on?

Is that News report half full or half empty?

Article from the NYT posted on justwatch-l:

MOSCOW, April 21 -- At their first meeting with journalists since taking over
Russia's largest independent radio news network, the managers had startling
news of their own: from now on, they said, at least 50 percent of the reports
about Russia must be "positive."

* And in other news from Russia, former President Boris Yeltsin had died.
(I realize that was a bit random; but since this topic does deal with Russia, I'd include the news on this post).

Mladic Petition

Open to all British citizens (at home and abroad) and residents. If you know anyone who fits the criteria and would be interested in signing the petition; direct them to this site:



Mladic to ICTY

The ICJ Verdict: Trends, Consequences, and more

Croatian v. Serbia: As of yesterday, Croatia was still considering charging Serbia with genocide. The Croatian PM did note that they would study the recent ICJ judgment as well. IMO, in light of the ICJ judgment in the Bosnia case, I cannot possibly imagine Croatia even thinking it has a case that it can successfully prove. The JNA's involvement in Croatia however is more obvious than even in Bosnia; and I wouldn't be surprised if Croatia is able to negotiate an out of court settlement with Serbia to pay for damages as a result of JNA/Serbian Paramilitary actions. That would probably be the best result for everyone, because it would give (at least some) of the victims some compensation, without having to drag through a court case where they have no chance of proving genocide.


Bosnian Serbian Relations: A lot of common consensus I've read on other blogs have noted that the verdict was the best possible outcome for not inflaming the tepid/tense Bosnian-Serbian relations. Any more thoughts on possible outcomes this verdict could have on future state-to-state relations between Bosnia and Serbia? It is also my personal opinion that even though Serbia is certainly not legally obligated to pay anything to Bosnia re: the ICJ verdict; it would certainly be morally the right thing to do, imo, for Serbia to pay some compensation, even just a token compensation (and any form of compensation is going to have to be "token", because it cannot possibly pay for the full financial damages, let along personal and emotional damage suffered).


RS Status: In wake of the verdict, some Bosniak politicians, most notably President Haris Silajdzic have become much more vocal in their insistence that the RS be demolished. Former Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey argues that Srebrenica and Zepa should be revoked from the RS.
Even Tomislav Nikolic realizes the verdict was damaging to the RS. Just a few days after the verdict, the RS government officially apologized for war crimes committed against non Serbs.

Serbian Politics: The LDP has urges a resolution condemning the genocide in Srebrenica. The move is supported by President Tadic; but the SRS, the Socialist Party of Serbia and Kostunica's Democratic Party of Serbia says that it would only support a resolution that condemns all war crimes.

Serbia and the EU: What effect will the ICJ verdict have on Serbia and the SAA? For some trends, see here here and here.


Darfur: Remember Darfur? Some time ago, Darfur was in the news quite a bit, as the United States made the argument that the crimes against humanity that was occuring in Darfur amounted to genocide. The UN concluded that there was no attempt to detroy the tribes as "such" therefore, massive crimes against humanity still occur, but now without much international interest or incentives for governments to stop the atrocities. For some pundits, the Bosnia verdict has shown just how tough it is to prove genocide; and how difficult it is to prove genocide in cases like Darfur. For some, this is based less on the lack of evidence pointing to genocide, but more towards the extreme rigidness, and narrow interpretation of the genocide convention; an interpretation that Raphael Lemkin, who created the word "genocide" never intended to be so rigid. A more positive flipside is that in the wake of the verdict, it is shown that legally states can be held accountable for genocide; which hopefully isn't lost on the Sudanese government. And hopefully even more, the fact that according to the UN, the atrocities that are committed against those in Darfur does not reach the threshold of "genocide" does not diminish their seriousness or brutality. In the words of a LA Times op-ed,

No matter what we call them, we know horrible atrocities when we see them. Such crimes, on their own, should be met with political, humanitarian and, when necessary, forceful responses.

Editorial: Trading Genocide for Independence

Remember years ago when the Balkans were covered in "Wanted" posters featuring Karadzic and Mladic's mugs on them?
Yeah, well, it seems as if the one time "Most Wanted Men in the World" will continue to evade capture; as the EU has become much more lax over demands that Mladic be sent to the Hague; in exchange for Serbia not blocking Kosovo's "independence."
Editorial

Article: Bosnia's Messy Politics

From the Economist. A short, but rather sobering article.