I agree, That is why I posed it as a question, and I would argue that the actions of the Serbs didn't come out of thin air. That is the problem with any conflict, atrocities are commited on both sides.
In most of history, we see the victors vilifying the losers, maybe the only exception so far being the reconcilliaction process in South Afirca (although I am sure there is debate there too); but we also see that heavy humiliation and reparartions on Germany after WW1 didn't lead to a better place.
Any healing from this has to acknowledge both sides.... or is it possible to just forget and move on...?
I agree, I am always happy to learn. As I said I think that what happens in the Balkans has far reaching consequences for the rest of us, but I don't pretend to be an authority on them, and I would be glad to hear what you have to say
If we don't talk or discuss things, we never learn, and I believe non-communication leads to conflict.
You obviously feel strongly about it, if I have it wrong let me know, or if you want to put your side, tell your story...
Nice to see that this thread is still alive, and that there is good discussion going on.
All the views so far have been very interesting. I'd just like to jumpm in on one point though, where Serbia and the Balkans are concerned it is never a "localised" problem.
The Balkans have always been the yard stick, and flash point for the rest of Europe. It was where ww1 started ( the assassitnation of Grand Duke Ferdinand), which led to the spliting of the rest of Europe into the axis and allied powers, same again in ww2. Tito's coalition of the non-aligned highlighted the problems of the cold war and the countries left in between the super powers, and the "police actions" that the fall of Yugoslavia demanded, gave us a intervention model that, I would argue, created the climate for Afgahanistan and Iraq.
Those things aside, the way that Europe as a whole now deals with perpertrators of genocide right on its door step, will send out a big message to the assession states, and the ones that wish to join, and will have a definitive effect on European politics in the years to come....
I hope too that they catch his General soon too, for all the reasons above.
Whether you support Europe or not, it is the future at the moment. It seems that the issues of national and european identity are going to increase to be fought out in the public domain, through books, articles and popular culture, if not on the streets.
Do you think that nationalism can coexist with this new identity, or is the rise of the right, we see in many European countries, and ones on its borders, a dark sign of things to come?
just trying to get those brains cells working... ;)
lol...okay.. Its just it is quite an important thing I think. Karadzic has been on the run for 13 years, and is likely to be the first European politician convicted of genocide since the 2nd world war.... just thought it would be interesting to get peoples views, as it stikes me its an important thing for Europe as a whole...I could be wrong though....
The Balkans has always been a yard stick for the rest of Europe. From the assasination of Grand Duke Ferdinand, through Ttio's coallition of the unaligned, to the break up of Yugoslavia; the region has always had a knack of showing the cracks in the European idea, and highlighting the differences in all the memeber states.
With the capture of Karadzic, does this mean there will be a chance for wounds of the past to be healed, and a new path forged for the Balkans, and Europe? or will it ignite and highlight the differences?
"You might be surprised to learn that there are seven at least orbiting the planet. The big moon that we all see, known as Luna by astronomers, is the only one to observe a strict orbit , and the only one visible to the naked eye but there are six more Near Earth Asteroids which do follow Earth around the Sun.
The first to be identified was Cruithne. It takes its name from Britain’s earliest recorded Celtic tribe. It is three miles wide and has a horseshoe shaped orbit. It was discovered in 1997. Since then five more have been found. There names are more like catalogue references than proper names.
Some astronomers say they are just ordinary asteroids taking about the same time to get around the sun as us and occasionally exerting some gravitational influence. In the future one or all of them might settle down into a regular orbit."
NISEI - refer to the children of Japanese emigrants. Usually they were born in the country to which the parents moved, but some may have been born in Japan, and moved as infants
I think it can mean they are not desperate or wanting to rush into things, or it can mean they were but have now found someone, but want to keep in touch with the friends they made here...
But I guess the best way to find out is ask them...:)
DarkDreamer2005 Forum Posts (335)
...I am guessing I'm wrong then...no-one cares.....
Is the capture of Radovan Karadzic a chance for healing for the Balkans?