Serbia

Ivica Dačić, head of Serbia’s Socialist Party (SPS), and Rasim LJajić’s Social Democratic Party (SDPS) are reportedly close to an agreement by which they plan on enter local and provincial elections jointly. According to the Vojvodinian news-outlet “Novosti”, their parties will appear on a single list for the Vojvodinian Assembly no matter what forms of alliances appear during the pre-election season on a national level. Novosti reported that by now, all alliances should be known to the public. Meanwhile, Boris Tadić’s Democratic Party (DS) is thought to hold all the important political strings while Ljajić and Tadić reportedly held talks to also appear on a joint list. Should continued talks between the leaders of the DS and SDPS get sour, Ljajić could try to join forces with the SPS also on a Republican level or else enter the Republican race individually. As of last week, it was clear that DS and the Vojvodinian League of Social-democrats (LSV) will appear on a joint ticket. The LSV’s vice president Bojan Kostreš stated that while the LSV will most likely go out individually for local and provincial elections, he sees no problem in appearing on a joint ticket with the DS for parliamentary elections. Whether the united pensioners of Serbia (PUPS) will join SPS ticket was of last week not sure though an offer was made to go out on a three way list.

“Dačić i Ljajić novi dvojac u Vojvodini”. Novisti.rs. Accessed March 4, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/aktuelno.289.html:369104-Dacic-i-Ljajic-novi-dvojac-u-Vojvodini

“Dačić i Ljajić dvojac za Vojvodinu?”. B92. Accessed March 4, 2012. http://www.b92.net/mobilni/info/587881

Bosna i Herzegovina (BiH)

On the 24^th of April, an international conference held in Sarajevo, BiH ,is to find solutions and funding – €600 million - to find housing for refugees and displaced persons that face financial disadvantages. The initiative was launched jointly by the governments of BiH, Montenegro, Croatia and Serbia and supported by the United Nations High Chair for Refugees (UNHCR). Meanwhile, the diplomatic corps of Sarajevo was informed because it is believed that the most aid will arrive from the EU and the U.S. In addition, a meeting between ministers is planned on the subject of human rights. The war in the former Yugoslav republic triggered a mass exodus and created nearly three million refugees and displaced people. Today, thousands of people live without their own roof over their heads and one person has been quoted saying that “Seven times I turned in my documents and renewed my papers. Each time when I returned, some new paper shows up, I have no idea…then I borrow 20 marks from someone and return with the papers but when I return, there are still no results. Whenever I visit someone’s house for a day or two, it is not the same, it is not yours and you know that you will have to leave again”…. The regional housing program seeks to aid 74,000 refugees and displaced persons that live below the poverty line. For this project, €584 million are needed. According to the current plan, in Serbia, there will be 45,000 people, in BiH 14,000 people and in Croatia there are 8,500 and in Montenegro 6,000 people that are in need of aid. Meanwhile, Andrew Mayn who heads BiH’s UNHCR chapter stated that three preconditions must be fulfilled for the project to succeed. First, strong support from the donor states must be guaranteed while, second, a monitoring process must be ensured so that people who truly need support receive the aid. Thirdly, close coordination among the stakeholders will prove significant so that issues related to social security, insurance and other relevant questions can be adequately addressed. All actors involved have expressed that close cooperation and mutual support is necessary to resolve the problems faced by refugees and displaced persons.

The ministry for the security of BiH announced that Mevlid Jašarević who last October shot at the U.S. embassy in Sarajevo, had strong ties to radical movements located in BiH, Austria and Sandžak. Jašarević allegedly lived in Gornja Maoča in Dino Pečinković’s house who was also arrested in relation to the shooting at the U.S. embassy. The ministry was scheduled to address the joint defense commission last Tuesday.

As B92 reported, assistants at the American University of Sarajevo consider the current global financial system inefficient and of dubious value. Instead, they seek to create a system based on elements found in Sharia law. In an article titled “Islamic Finance in the Western Balkans – Perspectives and Legal Challenges” published in the quarterly edition of Arab Rights, the author proposes the creation of a market that would allow for investors to participate in projects directly. The two authors Asim Jusic and Ašraf Ismalib from the department of law and finance respectively address questions of reform that are in line with Islamic financial customs and propose to protect property laws by way of arbitration as opposed to litigation. Arbitration would, as explained by the proponents, reduce cost and simultaneously strengthen investor confidence. Islamic finance is the fastest growing sector within the financial system particularly in times of crisis and growing interest in alternative forms if investing.

“Šerijat spas za finansijski sistem”. B92. Accessed March 11, 12. http://www.b92.net/biz/vesti/region.php?yyyy=2012&mm=03&dd=06&nav_id=588522

“Vehabija Jašarević dobio instrukcije iz Austrije?”. Novosti.rs. Accessed March 5, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:369269-Vehabija-Jasarevic-dobio-instrukcije-iz-Austrije

“Donatorska konferencija bi mogla riješiti problem izbjeglih”. Radio Slobodna Evropa. Accessed March 5, 2012. http://www.slobodnaevropa.org/content/donatorska_konferencija_sa_zbrinjanje_izbjeglih_u_regiji/24502733.html

Sandžak

The Police of Novi Pazar arrested two individuals, Abit P (25) and Izudin C. (23) due to violent behavior and damaging other people’s property. The two attacked a Bosnian film crew that was in the process of shooting a film upon which Abit and Izudin damaged their camera. As the news outlet Tanjug reported, the Abit and Izudin are reportedly followers of the Wahhabi movement. As RTV reported, Bosnian journalists caught the scene on tape which is to serve as evidence in the case against Abit and Izudin. Wahhabi’s, so the Vojvodinian news outlet, wear short pants and have beards while their women are likely to be covered. Bosnian news media have in the past reported that followers of the Wahhabi movement receive 300 convertible marks in exchange for adopting the movements’ values. Lately, some people call have called followers of the movement Wahhabis, others call them Salafists while again others call them true believers. Lately, however, the term terrorist has come to be used more often in association with the movement. There is much controversy surrounding the Wahhabi and/or Salafi movement that is often based on believes that these are very dangerous young men, or a generally problematic population.

“Uhapšeni napadači na ekipu Federalne TV” – Radio-Televizija Vojvodine. Accessed March 6, 2012. http://www.rtv.rs/rs_lat/hronika/uhapseni-napadaci-na-ekipu-federalne-tv_304616.html

Bosnia i Herzegovina (BiH)

Bosnian and Turkish diplomats are determined to strengthen ties between the two respective states. After Bakir Izetbegović’s, member of BiH’s rotating presidency, recent statement by which he deemed Recep Tayyip Ergogan not only an important leader for Turkey, but also for BiH, Turkish ambassador Ahmed Yildiz to BiH assured BiH’s importance for Ankara. Yildiz explained that BiH and Ankara share historical and cultural ties while a large Bosniak diaspora lives in Turkey. Every occurrence in BiH thus also carries consequences for Ankara, he said. According to Novosti, Yildiz displayed special interest for military property. Yildiz emphasized the importance of EU membership as he expressed his hopes for a positive signal from Brussels. Regarding the military properties, there is no consensus among the parties so far, yet he hopes that this question can be resolved prior to the upcoming NATO summit in May so that BiH can advance its process of joining NATO. Republika Srpka’s Party of Independent Social Democrats (SNSD) meanwhile perceives increased partnership between Turkey and BiH as a threat. SNSD member Slavko Jovičić told Novisti that Turkey seeks to position itself as a leader in the region. Foreign Affairs minister of BiH Zlatko Lagumdžija confirmed that BiH will increase its cooperation with Turkey and stated that economic cooperation and trade will be at the center of the partnership. After a meeting with the president of the Commission for External Relations Volkan Bozkir, Lagumdžija stated that BiH’s goal is EU and NATO admission. Bozkir explained that Turkey will support BiH, especially on its way to NATO accession.

The mayor of Višegrad Tomislav Popović received the deputy director general of the Turkish International Cooperation Agency “Tika” Surej Polat as well as Ceran Burak Hasan who presides over Tika’s department of development. Popović was informed about the renovation and reconstruction of the Mehmet-Paša Sokolović Bridge over the Drina. Tika won the contract by way of public competition and the project is likely to take between two and two and half years due to the extensive and complex reconstruction effort. The Turkish government stated that the project is not a question of economics, but done out of respect for history as well as the significance of the structure.

BiH’s unemployment number is rising and has reached 43.08 percent as reported by the agency and for labour and employment. In January, 541,360 people were unemployed which is just 140,000 below the total number of employed people of BiH. In other words, an additional 4500, or .85 percent have lost their jobs since December 2011. Among the highest unemployed people are skilled workers, followed by the unskilled workforce and people with a secondary education. In January, there were only 687,000 employed people of which only 280,000 were women.

“Stopa nezaposlenosti u BiH premašila 43 posto”. Business.hr. accessed February 29, 2012. http://www.business.hr/ekonomija/stopa-nezaposlenosti-u-bih-premasila-43-posto

“Turci obnavljaju višegradsku ćupriju”. Novosti.rs. accessed March 2, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:368882-Turci-obnavljaju-visegradsku-cupriju

“Lagumdžija: Saradnju BiH sa Turskom podići na viši nivo”. BiH-Nezavisne Novine. Accessed February 26, 2012. http://www.nezavisne.com/novosti/bih/Lagumdzija-Saradnju-BiHs-sa-Turskom-podici-na-visi-nivo-130091.html

“Jačaju veze Turske i BiH”. Novosti.rs. accessed February 25, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:367783-Jacaju-veze-Turske-i-BiH

Sandžak

Mufti Zukorlić stated that he is dangerous only for those people that seek to oppress “my people”. My rhetoric may be considered dangerous and I myself be even viewed as radical. Asked about how he would define himself, either a religious leader who happens to deal with political questions or, a religious leader with serious political ambitions, Zukorlić stated he was neither. First of all, explained the mufti, he is a religious leader. However, he also considers himself a leader to the Bosniak movement of Sandžak that is now organizing in different areas of the Balkans. Islam and politics, explained Zukorlić, are not mutually exclusive while religious institutions cannot deal with political questions, however, nor should they. Yet, religion, education and culture are very well in his interest, said Zukorlić. Moreover, my bringing up human rights issues is painful for the government while human rights are universal issues, and nobody has the right to exclusively deal with them. Asked about the statement that many citizens of Serbia view him as a radical, Zukorlić countered that only people who are intellectually unable to counter-argue and have a discussion will deem ‘the other’ a dangerous radical. Besides, questioned Zukorlić, what is a radical? In the past twenty years, I have acted appropriately and tried to help the citizens of Sandžak and all the citizens of Serbia, explained Zukorlić. My role in the Islamic Community (IZ) is one of a pacifist, as has been the role of my people for the past 100 years. During the war years, Serbia’s Sandžak, as well as Kosovo were powder kegs and it was necessary that one of them to spark. A radical and dangerous person with ambitions to destabilize the region, Zukorlić added, would use any chance he got to do so. Moreover, there exist official records proofing that the IZ was the main factor that ensured peace and stability.

A debate under the name “Sandžak’s Young” has been launched by the news-outlet Dnevni List Danas (Daily News) and financed by the British Embassy in Serbia. Twenty students from the student parliament from the state university, activists and representatives of NGO’s as well as youth offices from in and around Novi Pazar and Tutin presented their vision of a multiethnic and religious environment such as Sandžak. Questions revolved around the visibility of division along ethnic and religious lines as well as about what connects these people and/or what factors divide them. The common problem among the young of Sandžak is the high unemployment rate and lacking events of sportive and cultural nature. There are visible national and religious divisions about which much of the responsibility lies with the elderly and especially the political leaders. Speakers expressed regret that not more Serbians participated in the discussion, as a joint effort is needed so as to resolve the existing problems. The event was attended by Borka Jovanović who is the president of the city while debates where hosted by the training center of the OSCE.

“Za dijalog su potrebne dve strane”. Dnevni List Danas. accessed February 26, 2012. http://danas.rs/danasrs/srbija/hronika/za_dijalog_su_potrebne_dve_strane.73.html

“Opasan sam jer ne služim vlasti”. B92. Accessed February 25, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&dd=25&nav_category=11&nav_id=585585

Serbia & the EU

Serbia was given status for EU membership accession. This decision was first announced via Twitter by Herman van Rompuy and later confirmed by the Commission’s president Jose Manuel Barroso, also via Twitter. The twenty-seven EU member-states met last Tuesday so as to discuss Serbia’s candidacy. Discussion lasted longer than originally expected and mainly hinged on Belgrade’s minority policy. Romania sought additional guarantees that Belgrade would apply minority policies properly. B92 reports that Rumania’s demand regarding minority policies came as a surprise as most assumed that the main requirements were to come from Germany. Normalizing relations with Priština is still the main criteria for Serbia to gain membership with the EU.

Croatia’s president Zoran Milanović expressed support for Serbia’s EU candidacy as he stated that Croatia will transfer her experience about the EU accession process to Serbia. Croatia’s foreign minister Vesna Pušić confirmed this information and stated via the electronic news media that Croatia will propose to its neighbors – including Serbia – the signing of bilateral agreements about the definition of collaboration and the transfer of experience regarding the accession process. Pušic explained that Croatia has the desire, the ability and the ambition to play a mediating role with each neighboring state in the region, with each of them in a way most appropriate.

“Zagreb: Podrška za kandidaturu”. B92. http://www.b92.net/inf/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&nav_category=167&nav_id=586536

“Srbija dobila status kandidata”. B92. accessed March 2, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=03&dd=02&nav_id=587161

Sandžak

In the past week, Muamer Zukorlić received threats that were sent to him via Facebook. In response, Zukorlić published a short video clip announcing that should his head roll, Serb politicians would not be able to enter Sandžak unscathed for the coming 50 years. In Serbia, Zukorlić explained, nothing transpires by happenstance. Every serious liquidation in Serbia has been planned, said Zukorlić, adding they are conspiracies and often connected with the highest echelons of Serbia’s government. Dnevni Avaz reported that Zukorlić’s assassination has been planned for four months by a group of Serbian criminals. After having learned about these threats, the Serbian mešihat announced it would send a letter to the ministry of interior so as to clear up the facts relating to the plans of Zukorlić’s assassination. According to Blic, meanwhile, there are allegedly no signs that Zukorlić’s life is in danger. Rasim LJajic, minister of social and labour policies also demented Zukorlić’s statements adding that they are part of Zukorlić’s attempt to position himself before the elections. Ljajić also stated that by fabricating the story of his threat, Zukorlić seeks to justify the creation of his paramilitary troops that, according to Zukorlić, serve as security guards. Ljajić, however, explains that “people” already wonder who all the individuals are that follow Zukorlić around in black jeeps.

Muamer Zukorlić questions if the main street’s name of Novi Pazar is appropriate. It is unacceptable the street continues to be named Stefan Nemanja when, in reality, the city was established under the auspices of Gazi Isa Beg, so Zukorlić. Zukorlić is also opposed to street names of Sjenica. The main street ought not be Karađorđe given that he murdered about two thirds of the entire population there. Zukorlić assured Serbia’s citizens that he was not against the Nemanja dynasty or against them per se. However, the mufti explained that Novi Pazar has nothing to do with these people. Instead, said Zukorlić, Novi Pazar has everything to do with Gazi Isa Beg. He also explained that the Facebook page, on which appeared threats against the Mufti and his alleged response to the threats, was not set up by him, but by Sandžak youth that joined the social network in his name. Regarding the threats against his person, Zukorlić explained the ministry for the interior knew about the threats for two months already while nobody informed him about it. Why, Zukorlić now asks, was this information hidden for so long? Asked about why exactly negotiations regarding the unification of the Islamic community in Serbia led by Turkey were halted, Zukorlić assured that Belgrade and Ankara’s problems will be solved with the victory of the Bosniak Democratic Association (BDZ). According to Zukorlić, the BDZ is loyal to him. The mufti did not specify how he plans to solve the problems.

In Prijepolje, chauvinistic graffiti that read “knife, wire, Srebrenica”, “this is not Sandžak, this is Raška”, “don’t forget who your grandfather was” and “Serbia for Serbs” have caused uncertainty and unrest among members of the Bosniak population. The city’s municipal board requested that the perpetrators be found as soon as possible adding the graffiti represents the most chauvinistic of outbursts. The board also noted that the cross, accompanied by four S’s, has appeared on the building that houses the BDZ as well as on other buildings around Prijepolje. Meanwhile, the BDZ stated that police as well as the local municipalities have done nothing to punish such display of chauvinism adding that this means the government protects the perpetrators. Should the police fail to find the perpetrators soon, the BDZ requests the police chief be replaced. The BDZ has called on all Bosniaks and “good people” to keep calm and restraint in their fight against chauvinism.

In an interview, Aida Ćorović who heads the non governmental organization UrbanIn, talked about her role in the Sandžak community and the mixing of religious and political questions, among other things. Ćorović is an outspoken critic of Muamer Zukorlić and she explained that Zukorlić is connected to religious, political and economic matters in the area so much so that without his involvement, no serious business can be conducted. Zukorlić, explained Ćorović, run Sandžak as a “religious-nationalist” state in which he will be the “ayatollah”. In Bosnia meanwhile, the terms “Bosniak” and “believer” have become nearly synonymous and Sandžak, says Ćorović, this is especially true. Due to her open criticism of Zukorlić, Ćorović has in the past come under attack so much so that for a while, she was protected by police forces. In the most recent past, verbal attacks against her personality have been especially frequent to which end the journalist sought to know why this is occurring. Is it perhaps, asked the interviewer, because of the upcoming elections, is radicalization truly taking root or is the power of the Islamic community (IZ) waning to which end the IZ seeks to re-establish its prominence? Ćorović explained that it was all of the above. However, sais Ćorović, polls show that religion is the most important aspect of ones life in the region, yet, polls also indicate declining trust in their religious institutions. The IZ of BiH too, so Ćorović, is loosing backing and the outgoing grand mufti Mustafa Cerić is grooming Zukorlić to assume his mantle.

According to Muamer Zukorlić, talking about a unified and autonomous Sandžak ought not be deemed subversive in Montenegro. At any rate, northern Montenegro is in fact southern Sandžak, said the mufti. Zukorlić explained that Sandžak is a unique cultural and civilizational space and “special autonomy” for the region would neither harm Serbia nor Montenegro.

The Turkish youth delegation of Recep Tayyip Ergogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) visited Novi Pazar where it met its counterpart, the youth delegation of the Democratic Action Party (SDA). The two party organs discussed further cooperation and toured the city during their multiple day visit. Sulejma Ugljanin, head and founder of Sandžak’s SDA and president of the Bosniak National Council (BNV)Esad Đuđević also welcomed the delegation. Young people are thought to be strongest link between Serbia and Turkey and the goal of the visit was to establish solid relations between the two states.

“Mladi spona između Srbije i Turske”. Dnevni List Danas. Accessed February 23, 2012. http://www.danas.rs/dodaci/sandzak/mladi_spona_izmedju_srbije_i_turske.42.html?news_id=234640

“Zukorlić: Sever Crne Gore Je Južni Sandžak”. RTS. Accessed February 23, 2012. http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/11/Region/1050162/Zukorlić%3A+Sever+Crne+Gore+je+južni+Sandžak.html

“Aida Ćorović: Muftija Zukorlić kopa rovove između Bošnjaka i Srba”. Sandžačke novine. Accessed February 20, 2012. http://www.sandzacke.rs/info/intervju/aida-corovic-muftija-zukorlic-kopa-rovove-izmedu-bosnaka-i-Srba

“Šovinističku graffiti u Prijepolju”. B92. Accessed February 22, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&dd=22&nav_id=584645

“Ne prihvatam da se glavne ulice zovu po Stefanu Nemanju ili Karađorđevu”. Aladin. Accessed February 21, 2012. http://vesti.aladin.info/2012-02021/1035603-zukorlic:-ne-prihvatam-da-se-glavne-ulice-zovu-po-stefanu-nemanji-ili-karadjordju

“Zukorlić pričom o atentatu opravda svoju paravojnu formaciju”. SMedia. Accessed February 21, 2012. http://www.smedia.rs/vesti/vesti/87051/#

“Zukorlić: Za slučaj da me ubiju…” B92. Accessed February 2, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&dd=21&nav_category=12&nav_id=584265

Bosna i Herzegovina (BiH)

Vjekoslav Bevanda, chairman of the rotating presidency of BiH, noted that the “Greece syndrome” can happen to any body, including BiH. The state of BiH could face the same situation, said Bevanda, if one were to continue irresponsibility and live removed from the reality. The way to improve the economic and fiscal situation in BiH would by implementation of radical actions. Bevanda assured that the ministries’ priorities lie in improving BiH’s budget. Specifically, the ministry seeks to allocate funds for the upcoming census and local elections in addition to securing funding for the border crossings toward Croatia that will, starting next year, be border crossings into the European Union. Pointing toward an easy exit of agreements with the International Monetary Fund, Bawanda stated that this would be the worst of all as reaching an agreement with the IMF is opening doors to investments and cooperation with other world banks.

As grand mufti Mustafa Cerić prepares to leave office, he assured that elections will be held in accordance with religious guidelines of the IZ. Asked about the EU’s MP Doris Pack and her investigation into Wahhabi groupings of BiH, Cerić answered that Pack is uninformed, and that he felt sorry about that. Asked about Mevlid Jašarević’s and his shooting at the U.S. embassy in Sarajevo, Cerić said the IZ took the incident seriously, considered it and condemned Jašarević’s actions.

“Cerić: Imam izveštaj o islamofobiji”. B92. Accessed February 23, 2012. http://www.b92.net/info/vesti/index.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&dd=23&nav_category=167&nav_id=585216

“I Bosni se može dogoditi “Grčka””. B92. Accessed February 20, 2012. http://www.b92.net/biz/vesti/region.php?yyyy=2012&mm=02&dd=20&nav_id=584148

Kosovo and Serbia

Following dialogues between Kosovo and Serbia, Edita Tahiri announced “the historic agreement will open a new chapter for Kosovo’s relations with regional states and the EU”. Kosovo is now regarded on equal footing during regional meetings and will be able to sign intergovernmental agreements. “Also, there is no longer any need for the UNMIK mission”, said Tahiri. Today’s signing of the integrated border management/crossing means that Serbia de facto recognized Kosovo’s independence. Reader comments reached from relieve that the status of Kosovo be resolved soon to sheer outrage over Tadić’s alleged role as a traitor to Serbia. In a statement, however, Borislav Stefanović, assured that Serbia did not recognize Kosovo’s independence. Instead, said Stefanović, new life was given to Res. 1244 on the international stage.

“Srbija nije priznala Kosovo”. RTS. Accessed February 25, 2012. http://www.rts.rs/page/stories/sr/story/9/Politika/1051584/Srbija+nije+priznala+Kosovo.html

“Država Srbija de fakto priznala Kosovo”. Vesti online. accessed February 24, 2012 http://www.vesti-online.com/Vesti/Srbija/205424/Drzava-Srbija-de-facto-priznala-Kosovo

Sandžak

On Sunday, February 12, a Sandžak delegation visited with Muhamed bin-Nasser al-Hussein in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, so as to talk about the situation of Bosniak Muslims in Sandžak. The hosts to the Sandžak delegation indicated their knowledge of the situation on the ground in Serbia adding that an on sight visit will determine what kind of aid Sandžak will receive. Al-Hussein praised the Islamic Community of Sandžak as being one of the most organized and attentive regarding the observance of religious rules. During the visit, the delegation visited the Islamic Bank in Jeddah so as to discuss future projects. The visit to the bank was followed by prayers at the Ka’aba were the senior delegation of Sandžak pleaded for the help in their fight for truth and freedom.

The following letter was written by a student of Novi Sad University, Serbia, and published by Dnevni List Danas

History has left an indelible mark on Priboj, Sandžak. The area has been ruled by many differing states and rules and is located in a unique geographical location. As a result, Priboj has been and still is a multiethnic area. All citizens of Proboj, including Bosnaiks and Serbs, whether they are Christians or Muslims, experienced the same conflicts, including the most recent war years, and fate has not separated them – yet, fate has also not spared them. Immediately following WWII, Serbia as well as Bosnia experienced skyrocketing development all the while Bosnians and Serbs boasted about their shopping trips to Trieste and Poland and their vacations in Pula. Then, after the exhilarating 60’s, 70’s and 80’s came the gloomy 90’s and the 21^st century during which Serbs and Bosnians waited in the same line to receive a slap in the face from fate, or anybody else for that matter. Good neighborly relations came to be seriously questionable as men in distress change for the worse. Yet, even under these difficult circumstances, neighbors proved resilient and showed that they could get along as they used to during the more carefree times. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you any of those stories out of personal experience, as I was not born during these happy times. My peers and I meanwhile, be they Serb or Bosnian, only waited in line for a slap in the face instead of visiting Triest, Poland or Pula. The war filled our harts with deep fear that we might get “contaminated” by the vile war relations that ensued across the boarder. Prior to the war, relations among differing ethnicities where similar in Priboj and BiH while the mixture became flammable in BiH – in Priboj, we sought to maintain tolerance. Later, we were together in shelters during the bombing, the madness, the power cuts and during the protests, though we did not know why, or for whom we protested. Today, the level of interethnic interaction is very high. For instance, friendships develop among peers of mixed backgrounds; my circle of friends is neither the rule nor the exception. Our stomachs ache from eating too much baklava for Eid, and hard-boiled eggs for Easter. We are all critical of the 1990’s. In Proboj, restaurants and other places of social gatherings are not ethnically segregated as is so often the case in other multiethnic places. Employees hire Bosnians as well as Serbs and classes in schools are mixed. Young Bosnians and Serbs together seek to enrich the lives of Priboj residents, despite the chronic shortage of funds. Handball team coach Alem Toskić represents all of Priboj, regardless of nationality and these days, everybody tries to shovel Proboj out of the snow – together. To be sure, there are disagreements and not all is wonderful. Yet, it is not so important so as to jeopardize existing relationships and centuries of establishing good relations among the people of Priboj.

It is increasingly becoming clear that Mufti Muamer Zukorlić will partake in the upcoming elections of Serbia. Whether he will participate in the elections officially or will play an important role behind the scenes, however, is not clear as of yet. It appears that the Bosniak Democratic Union (BDZ) will play a key role in Zukorlić’s politicking. The BDZ enjoys the Mufti’s full support and is headed by Zukorlić’s brother in law Emir Elfić. In Novi Pazar, there is overall little doubt about the Mufti’s involvement during the upcoming elections. Head of the local NGO UrbanIn Aida Ćorović explained “power and money are no longer satisfactory for Zukorlić” while Rasim Ljajić, head of the Social Democratic Party (SDPS), stated “Zukorlić will experience a debacle should he enter the race. Zukorlić’s entry into the field of politics will cause tension and exacerbate hatred”.

“I Zukorlić na izborima”. Novosti.rs. Accessed February 17, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/naslovna/aktuelno.289.html:399775-I-Zukorlic-na-izborima

“Suživot u Priboju”. Dnevni List Danas. Accessed February 16, 2012. http://www.danas.rs/dodaci/sandzak/suzivot_u_priboju.42.html?news_id234117

“Saudijska Arabija Će Pomoći Bošnjacima Sandžaka”. Bosnjaci.net. Accessed February 12, 2012. http://bosnjaci.net/prilog.php?pid=45007

Bosnia i Herzegovnia (BiH)

BiH’s head of the Islamic Community (IZ) Mustafa Cerić has as of yet not proven willing to condemn the growing Wahhabi movement as Europe’s Parliamentarian Doris Pack had requested the previous week. The EU is in the process of drafting a new resolution for BiH that will repeat the same request leveled at Cerić last week. Cerić, instead of condemning the growing Wahhabi movement in BiH, criticized the EU delegates of leading psychological warfare against BiH’s Muslim community. In their fight, so Cerić, “they” are responsible for crimes committed against Bosniak Muslims and even genocide.

Upon member of BiH’s presidency Bakir Izetbegović’s visit with Turkish president Abdullah Gül, Izetbegović foresees an even stronger relationship between Turkey and BiH. Izetbegović stated his content regarding Turkeys growing economic clout and hopes that Turkey will invest “significantly” into BiH’s economy. The president in turn reiterated Turkey’s support to BiH and its path toward a Euro-Atlantic future. Gül also expressed his satisfaction regarding intensified meetings with other Western Balkan heads of state adding that he expects to see results regarding outstanding issues among those states. All participants agreed that the continued trilateral meetings are necessary as good results emanated from these encounters. Among the results of the meeting was that BiH reintroduce agricultural production as there is need and interest among the population to bring back production thereof. Izetbegović is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Recep Tayyp Ergogan who is currently recuperating from a successful surgery.

Following Angelina Jolie’s film debut “Land of Blood and Honey” in Sarajevo, Mustafa Cerić explained that this was the most fortunate event for BiH since the Dayton Agreement was signed in the 1990’s. The film, so Cerić, is significant for BiH as well as for the greater region as it illustrates the aggression and genocide carried out against the people of BiH. Cerić said he was initially nervous “that the movie would only illustrate half the people’s plight and that he would suffer in his hart should there be nobody honest enough to show the cold truth after all the lies that have been told thus far”. Cerić is now sure that Jolie is that person as she is not afraid to tell the truth. Cerić thanked Jolie for openly demonstrating her fondness for BiH and for showing to the world that there is talent in BiH. The Mufti suggested that the movie be shown in Belgrade and Banja Luka because “shock therapy serves as the best medicine against some diseases”.

Should BiH not follow suit regarding the economic framework between 2012 and 2014, the EU will block financial aid to BiH, said head of EU delegation Peter Sorenson. This includes assistance in microfinance from the EU commission worth €100 million. Sorenson assured the EU’s support of the newly formed council while also reminding the ministers about the need to produce tangible results soon. Sorenson explained that it is important the council of ministers find a way to finance institutions on the national level while BiH needs to meet its external debt obligations.

German MP and rapporteur of BiH for the EU Doris Pack expressed distress regarding Mustafa Cerić’s statement upon having drafted a resolution that called for Cerić’s and Izetbegović’s denouncing of the growing Wahhabi movement in BiH. Pack stated that Cerić had raised serious allegations against her person including her alleged conducting of psychological and propaganda warfare against BiH’s Muslims while being on somebody’s payroll to do so. Pack stated that somebody who holds a religious office should “really not speak this way” adding that Cerić’s allegations are especially astonishing to her as she initially received compliments from Cerić’s office.

Miorad Živanović, professor of philosophy at the University of Banja Luka stated that the people of BiH no longer live “next to each other”. Instead, explained Živanović, people are against one another and everything is based on anti-Serb, anti-Bosniak and anti-Croatian sentiments. Živanović stated that published books, movies and songs resonate sentiments of political separation proclamation of “disorders” of the other. Such sentiments have been resonating in Serbia and Croatia for a whole century while in BiH it has lasted 25 years. As a result, according to Živanović, people are reduces to lives their lives along ethnic patterns. As an example, Živanović cited the discourse around the publication of the movie In the Land of Blood and Honey.

“Živanović: Ljudi u BiH žive jedni protiv drugih”. Radio Televizija Vojvodine. Accessed February 19, 12. http://www.rtv/sr_lat/region/zivanovic:-ljudi-u-bih-zive-jedni-protiv-drugih_301172.html

“Mustafa Cerić jedno piše, drugo izjavljuje”. Vesti Online. accessed February 16, 2012. http:/www.vesti-online.com/Vesti/Ex-Yu/203118/Mustafa-Ceric-jedno-pise-drugo-izjavljuje

“EU će blokirati pomoć BiH”. B92. Accessed February 16, 2012. http://www.b92.net/biz/vesti/region.php?yyy=2012&mm=02&dd=dd=16&nav_id=583090

“Mustafa Cerić: Andželinin film je dokaz genocida”. Blic Online. Accessed February 16, 2012. http://www.blic.rs/Vesti/Politika/307375/Mustafa-Ceric-Andzelinin-film-je-dokaz-genocida

“Izetbegović: Turska i BiH bratske I prijateljske zemlje”. Vesti Online. Accessed February 15, 2012. https://www.vesti-online.com/Vesti?Ex-YU/203065?Izetbegovic-Turska-i-BiH-bratske-i-prijateljske-zemlje

“Cerić neće da osudi vehabije”. Novosti.rs. Accessed February 13, 2012. http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:366301-Ceric-nece-da-osudi-vehabije