In this moment, it is important to remember that Bosnia has better chances in peace than in the war. The time in front of us is the time of decision about the Bosnia's destiny. We are at the crossroads, and there are only two options: reintegration or dissolution. Both have their supporters and their players and one should not bet on either one. It is necessary to warn that the time left for the final decision is limited, and that the countdown has started already. The forces supporting reintegration must act immediately, and cannot afford any mistakes, because there will be no time for corrections.
The goal of aggression against Bosnia was its breakup. The fundamental aggressor's idea was that peoples cannot live together and that solution is in division and national states. The tradition of Bosnia is the opposite of that idea and is based on coexistence. The antithesis of Bosnia hasn't won, but it hasn't been defeated either. That should be done in this transitional period. It is necessary to forcefully reaffirm idea of Bosnia through social practice. All segments and levels of the social being should be colored with that idea.
It is necessary to clearly define principles which are the soul of Bosnia and on the basis of these principles plan the concept of its reintegration. All relevant political and social factors must be won over to that concept. Consensus of all elements of Bosnia's social being is necessary for Bosnia-Hercegovina which will be the continuation of its thousand years old tradition.
No one, absolutely no one, must stay outside that general movement for Bosnia. The stakes are too high to leave things to politicians. A historic challenge lies in front of intellectuals of all kinds. They have to recognize in the current moment lasting, authentic, historical interest of Bosnia. The same is true for artists, scientists, religious institutions and their leaders. Their task is to take this idea to all citizens of Bosna. All factors which are for the reintegration of Bosnia must enter the political and social scene; the union of these factors should be strengthened, methods and means determined. Reintegration must be implemented; nothing will occur spontaneously, nothing should be given to chance, especially because the enemies of Bosnia won't stand still.
They will simply transform their activities, but the tendency for the dissolution of Bosnia will still be present. The states surrounding Bosnia won't give up their "greater-state" [expansionist] appetites. One has to count on low blows. Manipulations and media distortions will also be there. The media match in the field of propaganda can also be expected, and this will give great importance to the electronic media. Bosnia must urgently obtain a satellite channel and fortify existing radio and TV signals and use professional and creative people to form a concept of promotion of the Bosnian idea. Kenovic and Isakovic must not stay outside Bosnia; Sidran, Gojer and those like them must take part in the realization of that concept.
The basis of Bosnia is multinational and multicultural; it relies on the right to be different, tolerance and openness to all values. The expected peace solution with two entities is both a chance and a trap for Bosnia. Reintegration and dissolution are both theoretical and practical possibilities. The forces supporting reintegration must be different in everything from those which want the opposite, above all in the quintessence of their idea and the broadness of their base.
That base must include everything which represents the essence of the Bosnian being, Bosnian spirit and tradition. National, religious and political variety is the Bosnia's fortune and plurality the only mode of existence. Reduction of Bosnia's complexity along the national lines would help the aggressor.
The war showed clearly disastrous consequences of the nationalist solution of the contradictions in the society. The existing demographic picture in Bosnia is not a natural one, nor is it in agreement with Bosnia's tradition and essence. The current state is a product of violence and therefore historically illegitimate and illegal. To build the state structure on such situation and determine the character of the society counters the Bosnian essence. The essence of Bosnia is outside individual historical periods. That is why continuity is a significant characteristic of Bosnia. The historic perception must be wiser than current traps. Those who follow short term interests are punished by history.
Several goals must be accomplished in the transitional period in order for the reintegration of Bosnia to succeed. Above all, realization of the Bosniac-Croat Federation must confirm that coexistence in this territory is possible. Then it should be demonstrated to the serb entity with concrete and tangible arguments that the Bosnian idea is more valuable and desirable. How? By economic recovery and raising of the standard of living.
Germany has already begun the initiative for the formation of a fund for development of Bosnia-Hercegovina. The sponsors, beside Germany, would be the USA, Japan, European Union and Persian gulf countries. It would be similar to the well known Marshall plan. Capital in itself won't guarantee development.
In order for the Serbs to accept reintegration the life in Bosnia must be more attractive than secession. Indoctrination of Bosnian Serbs by the Belgrade regime has alienated a good number from Bosnia. They should be helped in their awakening. In Bosnia-Hercegovina they must recognize security and a state in which their individuality and self-realization are possible. Whether this is possible after collective hypnosis and history, the time will show. Maybe this is more likely today than in 1990, since the practice (life) has confirmed the failure of the idea of a single-nation state. Bosnian Serbs encountered a wall in Serbia, antagonisms and intolerance of the "brothers in the fatherland". We should find the way to awaken in Serbs a natural need for self realization and development, which has been suppressed in recent years.
Reintegration of Bosnia must (and can) be completed on an intellectual plain at first and than in practise. It is necessary to define and reaffirm social ideals which will be guideposts and spell out short term and long term goals which would direct social movements. If in those ideals a large number of people recognizes the possibility of realization of individual needs, the Bosnian idea has a chance to be widely accepted. This would increase the likelihood of the territorial integration as well.