Panel remarks

Today we had a panel with distinguished guest. Topic of conversation was break down of Yugoslavia.

As I was not so involved in political life in that time I do not want to despute with comments of guests. But it really bothered me generalisation of topic. First of all, break up of Yugoslavia is not one story. Six new countries were created and every one of them has it own completely different story. There was no war in Macedonia and Montenegro, war luckaly ended soon in Slovenia. Croatia and Bosnia were not so lucky. Can be Serbia blamed for everything? Generalisation can only lead to making new prejudice and can not help in rebuliding friendship, that was once there.

Secondly, communism in Yugoslavia was different than in other countries of east Europe. It was not the best regime in the world, but it had many possitive sides. It was democraticaly elected and when it did not work, people decided to go seperate ways. It was also democraticaly voted. I can not agree with panelist who said that politicians vent from communism to nationalism. I can say for my country, that they great job and they pave way for democracy. I can not tell about other countries, but on my opinion they had wrong men at wrong time at their lidership. And Bosnia was in the middle.

Thirdly, I disagree that there was no civil society movments in that time. It was very much alive and especialy in Slovenia started as Punk movment, kultural and farmer organisations and others. Some were led by disidents, that came back, others by intelectuals. Special editions of newspapers were made.

Can there be peace in Balkan? I think yes. European union must play bigger role in Balkan, telling Balkan countries who are not in EU that they are wanted in EU. Economic standard in some countries must raised to a level that provides decent living. This is first step to democracy. Balkan countries should not be playing ground for interests of Russia or USA. EU must protect them and on the other hand trest them as equals (but that is another problem of EU). Other differences can be manageble. We can still be friends - and balkan teachers in CSA are good example of it.