ARmy Rumour SErvice

**Sun_Too** · 21-10-2009, 10:48

Thanks RSM,

any other takers?

**RCT(V)** · 11-11-2009, 18:22

Originally Posted by â€œToDAY programme on BBCâ€™s â€œRadio 4â€ at 0720hrs Wednesday 11 November 2009.â€

Bosnian leaders are meeting tomorrow to try and resolve long-standing divisions which many fear could lead to a new civil war.

Correspondent Edward Stourton reports from the Bosnian Serb town of Banja Luka.

Country profile: Bosnia-Hercegovina
Timeline: Bosnia-Hercegovina
Timeline: Siege of Srebrenica

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today...00/8353920.stm

Someone must think it was worth sending Ed Sturton to B-i-H !!

**HoneyHeart** · 11-11-2009, 18:25

I hope it doesn't kick off again. I went to Bosnia recently, and it's a beautiful country.

**RCT(V)** · 11-11-2009, 20:32

Originally Posted by rickshaw-major Fri Jul 03, 2009 5:51 am

A distillation! Sorry for the length :D

The PIC Steering Board has concluded it is too early to close OHR. The PIC blamed an escalation of tensions between the OHR and the Bosnian Serb leadership.

The international community has been trying to close the (United Nationâ€™s) OHR and replace it with a strengthened Office of the EU Special Representative (EUSR). But BiH is reverting to the position it was in before and after the 1992-95 war. Even so some EU member states (France a Spain particularly) OHR closed by end-2009 at all costs. However, amid conflicting positions and harsh statements from BiH leaders, the PIC noted the near-complete halt of almost all key reforms required for Bosnia to function normally and allow closure.

RS hostility. The latest crisis began after the Republika Srpska (RS) entity parliament called on May 14 for reclaiming competencies that have been transferred to state level in recent years by order of the high representative (HR). Bosnian Serb leaders also demanded that the current HR, Valentin Inzko stop using his 'Bonn powers' to impose laws and remove recalcitrant politicians, and reinstate all those who have been sacked. This was seen as growing Bosnian Serb hostility towards further administrative reforms, and a challenge to the OHR and renewed US and EU efforts in Bosnia. . . . .

The "Listening Device" I keep in an adjacent room - that would be Mrs RCT(V) - has reported for some weeks that the Federation's two constituents (Muslim/Bosniacs, and the Croats), are becoming (even more!) increasingly intolerant of the Serbs' intransigence and determination not to concede to the central Sarajevo (joint) government bodies, any more of what is "enshrined" in the Dayton agreement.

Originally Posted by HoneyHeart

I hope it doesn't kick off again. I went to Bosnia recently, and it's a beautiful country.

The dissolution of what is B-i-H could be done peacefully.

However, I suspect the developments over the next few days could be â€œinterestingâ€.

A suspicion, I imagine that is felt within the BBC. I cannot imagine why else, anyone as senior as Edward Stourton, would be sent to B-i-H/Banja Luka.

**RCT(V)** · 11-11-2009, 21:06

Originally Posted by Sun_Too

This...is the sound of inevitability...

I see there are some expert commentators on this thread, notably RCT(V).

Q: What do the RS (if it possible to generalise) want more, a. to be a separate and independent state, b. to join Serbia proper, c. join the EU.
Q2: have they given up any claims/desires for "Srpska" Krajina?
Q3: Any other related comment would be appreciated.

"Sun_Too", thank you for the compliment.

However, do not assume my enthusiasm, number of posts, and/or interest in the western Balkans, to be an indication of any personal expertise and knowledge of the area, or an ability to influence developments.

There are others who have contributed to this thread (and other threads) concerning the western Balkans, who are as â€œYodaâ€, and â€œObi-Wan Kenobiâ€, to my status as â€œapprenticeâ€. (I sit at their feet !).

As you will have deduced - it helps that our Balkan â€œYodaâ€, and â€œObi-Wan Kenobiâ€, both live in the area. Although I try to keep abreast of developments, I appreciate their informed observations and updates as much as you do.

**rickshaw-major** · 12-11-2009, 07:34

Originally Posted by RCT(V)

The "Listening Device" I keep in an adjacent room - that would be Mrs RCT(V) - has reported for some weeks that the Federation's two constituents (Muslim/Bosniacs, and the Croats), are becoming (even more!) increasingly intolerant of the Serbs' intransigence and determination not to concede to the central Sarajevo (joint) government bodies, any more of what is "enshrined" in the Dayton agreement.

Tell her dobro jutro iz Sarajeva from me! I was in BL a couple of weeks ago and its getting bl00dy expensive!

Edited for crap spelling of iz

**RCT(V)** · 12-11-2009, 09:45

A double-dose of Ed Stourton in Sarajevo this morning!

Originally Posted by â€œToDAY programme on BBCâ€™s â€œRadio 4â€ Thursday 12 November 2009.â€

At 0732 hrs,
Concerns are growing that escalating violence in Bosnia could lead to a new civil war. Ethnic tensions and corruption have remained unresolved since the civil war ended 15 years ago. Correspondent Edward Stourton reports from Bosnia.

( . . . . It was mentioned during this piece, that todayâ€™s meeting at which problems were to be addressed and decisions made, has been cancelled/postponed!).

At 0833 hrs,
Ethnic tensions have remained unresolved in Bosnia since the civil war ended more than a decade ago. The international community has failed to find a solution to governance in the country and the continued lack of dialogue between Bosnia's Muslim, Serb and Croat factions. Lord Ashdown, former High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, examines the current political crisis.

( . . . . with, Ashdown simply bemoaning the international communityâ€™s failure to join together three incompatible entities).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today...00/8356114.stm

There would be a lot more to show for the time, effort, and resources, that have already been invested in the area, if we could acknowledge the futility of trying to force to work together three entities that clearly do not want to work, live and cooperate with each other - and, now allow them to go their separate ways.

**Jorrocks** · 12-11-2009, 11:35

Dobar dan to all. I was on Grapple 5 (Zepce) and IFOR (Galmoc - Titov Drvar) and I have to say that my time in BiH was about the most rewarding of my life. That experience, together with extensive reading (Richard West, Christopher Bellamy, Noel Malcolm the fictional works of Ivo Andric) enlightened me to the bipolar nature of the Balkan character - great enjoyment of life, kindness and generosity, contrasted by a huge capacity to hate. The possibility of another Balkan war is very sad but not surprising. I often wondered whether a Bosnian Muslim state was a possibility. Do they have the cultural, economic and political foundations to exist outside the Federation? Today, more so than in the late 90s, the possibility that such a state would be hijacked by fundamentalists is a huge worry. How would the International Community react to such a breakup?

Edited to add; thanks to all you experts for the update on the present situation - most illuminating.

**tom16** · 12-11-2009, 11:50

Bosnia, beautiful country wrecked when iwas there op grapple 4 1994.
I want to go back one day, when i can afford it! Ex 2 R Anglian.

**rickshaw-major** · 12-11-2009, 13:15

Originally Posted by Jorrocks

Dobar dan to all. I was on Grapple 5 (Zepce) and IFOR (Galmoc - Titov Drvar) and I have to say that my time in BiH was about the most rewarding of my life. That experience, together with extensive reading (Richard West, Christopher Bellamy, Noel Malcolm the fictional works of Ivo Andric) enlightened me to the bipolar nature of the Balkan character - great enjoyment of life, kindness and generosity, contrasted by a huge capacity to hate. The possibility of another Balkan war is very sad but not surprising. I often wondered whether a Bosnian Muslim state was a possibility. Do they have the cultural, economic and political foundations to exist outside the Federation? Today, more so than in the late 90s, the possibility that such a state would be hijacked by fundamentalists is a huge worry. How would the International Community react to such a breakup?

Edited to add; thanks to all you experts for the update on the present situation - most illuminating.

In a word - NO. However the only thing that keeps the man in the street going is a universal distrust of politicians - contradicted (its the Balkans) by the fact that they vote for these thieving muppets. The International Community won't tolerate such a break-up but truthfully it all sounds a lot worse than it actually is on the ground. The real problem is that the EU pulls some stupid moves. Consider:

1. The politicians cause problems so no visas for Joe Average. The politicains of course have them so feck you Mujo - I'm OK.

2. The Serbs go to Serbia and the Croats to Croatia, pull dual nationality and get the visas anyway.

3. The average Muslim is therefore royally fcuked. And most of them are as Muslim as my Girlfriend (the muslim one :D ) who drinks and goes to the mosque every time there is a visible supernova in the sky i.e never.

4. Therefore my entreaties to them - you should see what this place looks like from a thousand kilometres away falls on deaf ears - they can't.

Believe me - it would work. The youth of here are well trained, very well educated and willing to work.

I notice your reading didn't extend to Mesa Selimovic - a laugh a minute - not

Books to read in a warm bath, full of neat gin and pills, whilst you cry and slit your wrists lengthways :D