Bosnia i Herzegovina (BiH)

The news-outlet Kurir reported that Mevlid Jašarević’s motive for shooting at the U.S. embassy in Sarajevo, BiH, was to punish Western coalition forces for their attitudes toward Islamic states. The report referred to a testimonial, allegedly left by Jašarević on the day of the shooting, that stated Jašarević chose the U.S. embassy because he identified the U.S. as the most powerful force. The note also served to illustrate to his fellow BiH citizens – except those resident in the Wahabbi stronghold Gornja Maoča – that the form of Islam practiced in BIH is not correct. His goal was allegedly to shoot at U.S. soldiers upon which he sought to die “that way”. There are still unanswered questions regarding how and why Jašarević managed to enter BiH in August though he was denied entry to the state sine July of 2011. The report further questions why Jašarević was not under surveillance and claims the only reason why he was not liquidated during the attack was because there was nobody in BiH who could have given such an order.

The military manufacturing industry of BiH is among the fastest growing industries and has nearly doubled its revenue compared to 2010. BiH’s Foreign Trade Chamber made this financial data available. Head of BiH’s Foregin Trade Chamber Zdravko Marinković explained to Banja Luka’s Independent that arms exports amounted €15 million in 2010 while in 2011, exports rose to over €22 million. At the same time, however, BiH’s import of arms declined to €1.75 million in 2011 which is half the sum spent on arms compared to 2010 imports.

“BiH izvoz oružja i vojne opreme”. SEEbiz.eu. Accessed March 21, 2012. http://www.seebiz.eu/bih-jaca-izvoz-oruzja-i-vojne-opreme/ar-29937/

“Jašarević želeo da kazni Amerikance zbog politike”. Kurir. Accessed March 19, 2012. http://www.kurir-info.rs/crna-hronika/jasarevic-zeleo-da-kazni-amerikance-zbog-politike-193434.php

Sandžak

The Turkish daily Turkije reported that mufti Muamer Zukorlić’s succession to grand mufti Mustafa Cerić of Sarajevo is almost certain. Cerić’s mandate is running out this year. However, the paper argues that Sarajevo’s political circles deny allegations that Zukorlić enjoys advantages over other possible candidates in taking over Cerić’s post. It remains to be seen how and if Sandžak’s lobby will be able to exert influence at the upcoming election. At this point, however, it is certain that Zukorlić enjoys strong support in Sarajevo and all of BiH. This is especially true for the political and financial circles that themselves are from Sandžak. Among Zukorlić goals is to solve the urgent question of Bosniaks of Serbia – a task that is supported by BiH as well as Turkey. The paper Turkije stated that all Bosniaks of BiH support highlighting the alarming situation as well as Sandžaks quest for autonomy.

In a recent interview published in Dnevni List Danas, Zukorlić was asked about the Turkish daily’s certainty about his taking over Cerić’s position answering that it is no surprise that a great deal of attention is being paid as to whom is going to take over the post of grand mufti. The reason for this, so Zukorlić, is because the position comes with great responsibility of leading the Muslim communities of Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia, but also because the Islamic community of BiH and Sandžak seek to preserve their autonomy. Asked about Turkey’s initiative of uniting the two Islamic Communities of Serbia, Zukorlić answered that Turkey acted upon having received falsified information from Serbian president Boris Tadić having been told that the Islamic Community poses an important national and political question. However, stated Zukorlić, it has likely become clear to Turkey that it is Belgrade that stands behind the Islamic Communities’ internal division.

Kurir reported that should a referendum be held on the autonomy of Sandžak, 80-90 percent of all Bosniaks would consent to that measure. Zukorlić stated that Sandžaks autonomy is an indispensible necessity that would stabilize Serbia. He told the news-outlet B92 that because of its genocidal actions during the war, Serbia should not have been given a republic while denying Sandžaks historical autonomy. The mufti stated that he expects autonomy for the Serbian as well as Montenegrin parts of Sandžak, which, as Zukorlić explained, is possible within the statutes of Serbia’s constitution adding that he also expected a clear victory at the upcoming election within the Bosniak Democratic Union (BDZ).

“Tadić nas je dva puta prevario”. Dnevni List Danas. Accessed March 21, 2012. http://www.danas.rs/danasrs/drustvo/tadic_nas_je_dva_puta_prevario_.55.html?news_id=236462

“Zukorlić: Autonomija Sandžaka neophodna nužnost”. Kurir. Accessed March 20, 2012. http://www.kurir-info.rs/vesti/zukorlic-autonomija-sandzaka-neophodna-nuznost-193900.php

“Zukorlić ‘vodi’ u trci za Cerićevo mesto?” Mondo. Accessed March 19, 2012. http://www.mondo.rs/s237821/Info/Zukorlic_vodi_u_trci_za_Cericevo_mesto.html

Serbia

Serbia’s electoral commission declared that six party-lists are to compete at the upcoming parliamentary elections. Each list needed 10,000 signatures to be able to compete and the following coalitions managed to garner enough support: first in row is Boris Tadić’s Democratic Party (DS) under the slogan “The Choice for a Better Life”, followed by Serbia’s Radical Party (SRS) lead by Dr. Vojislav Šešelj, The United Regions of Serbia under Mladjan Dinkić, Čedomir Jovanović’s Preokret (shift/reversal), in fifth place is Tomislav Nikolić’s Progressive Party (SNS) with Vojislav Koštunica’s Democratic Party of Serbia (DSS) taking the last place during the elections’ order. In all, there are 41 candidates partaking in the election within the above coalitions of which Jovanović’s list Preokret represents the most Bosniaks, a total of nine. Eleven candidates from Sandžak are Koštunica’s DSS, six are with Šešelj’s radical party while all other coalitions have five politicians from Sandžak on their lists. The most candidates come from Novi Pazar – 14 total, 11 are from Prijepolje, Priboj has 7 candidates in the race while three candidates each represent Sjenica, Tutin and Nova Varoš. In all, there are 10 women in the race – 31 one of the competing candidates are men. Rasim Ljajić who is on Boris Tadić’s DS list is best positioned being situated in fourth place on the list.

“Iz Sandžaka 41 kandidat na listama”. Press Online. Accessed March 21, 2012. http://www.pressonline.rs/sr/vesti/vesti_dana/story/210491/Iz+Sandžaka+41+kandidat+na+listama.html

“Izbori 2012 – Proglašena lista DSS”. B92. Accessed March 21, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/izbori2012/vesti.php?yyyy=2012&mm=03&dd=21&nav_id=593144