Is Mostar Returning to 1993?
by Mario Marusic
Vjesnik, Zagreb, Croatia, February 10, 1997
Mostar is at the verge of a new war. Actually, as mayor Ivica Prskalo said
immediately after his return from the USA, the city on the Neretva river has been
in the state of war during the last few days. The war in which the
attackers are Muslim extremists from east Mostar, and the victims are Croats.
A well known plan, which increasingly reminds one of year 1993, is again
developing on the streets of Mostar. Tense situation and the smell of gun powder
are again a part of life in this city, all because of Muslims from
the eastern part of the city and their political leadership and the silent
support
by the international factors who are approvingly observing a series of
incidents.
Initial Preparation
Some may find these statements too harsh, but those who are more familiar
with the local
situation and who carefully followed the "preparation" during
the last weeks were not surprised by the force of the Muslim aggression on
their federal partners from the other side of the city. After political
obstruction in connection with the (lack of) establishment of the necessary
preconditions for the (co)existence in Mostar, Orucevic [mayor of east Mostar,
and vice-mayor of the "unified" city] and co. embarked on military provocation,
bringing the city, after two and a half years of (true) fragile (but still)
peace to the edge of a new conflict. Regardless, there is no doubt that such a
resolution would have dangerous consequences for the whole peace process in the
Federation B-H. But maybe exactly that is the task and the ultimate goal
of those who are behind the "green" Mostar, "green" Stolac [before the war
this town, south east from Mostar had Muslim majority; Muslims were expelled
during the Croat-Muslim war; there have been several attempts to bring the
refugees back after the Dayton, all unsuccessful] and "green" Neum project[Bosnia-Hercegovina's
outlet to the Adriatic sea; town with Croat majority]. Having in mind who is in the
Muslim leadership in eastern Mostar, the latest increase of tension in Mostar is not
surprising. The leader of eastern Mostar, favoured by Alija Izetbegovic, Safet
Orucevic, who also distinguished himself as an executioner and spy for the infamous UDBA [former
Yugoslav secret service; used indiscriminately in Croatian
press to discredit political opponents], is leading destructive forces
which are a threat to peace in Mostar. His close collaborator Fatima Leho, today
governor of Hercegovina-Neretva county, "processed" Croats under UDBA's
code name "Savjetnik" [advisor], and during the last week, successfully
obstructed work of this county by advising Muslim members of the county
legislature not to adopt the agenda and the county budget. The mentioned duet,
in collaboration with Mehmed Dizdar ("Benz", also former UDBA's spy, today
president of the war presidency of Stolac county), has had other activities
besides working on raising tensions in Mostar, all with the goal of completing
the plan for the green transversal; recently, they have negotiated with eastern Hercegovina
Serbs about purchase of territory in the Stolac hinterland; this land is supposed to
serve as a bridgehead
for a future attack towards the sea. The events in Mostar are a logical consequence
of a long term and systematic anti Croat policy of the Muslim side; they do not
flinch from sniper attacks on workers working on the building of the Croatian
National theater, mortar grenades fired at a children room in the township
Centar 2, nor (yet another) anti-tank rocket fired at a Catholic monastery,
as was the case during the last week. Let me not mention continuous stone
throwing at the boulevard and on the road through Donja Mahala, throwing of
explosive devices and burning of Croatian insignia, or setting up of barricades
under the guise of "speed bumps"...
Difficult Ballistic Puzzle
With all that terrorism which is pushing Mostar towards a new conflict, the Muslim
side - what cynicizm! - dares to complain about the lack of freedom of movement, lack
of human rights etc. in the part of the city under the control of Croatian
authorities; there are 9,000 Muslims in this part of the city, unlike in
east Mostar where the systematic ethnic cleansing of Croats was completed
long time ago. The saddest thing in all this are the lukewarm reactions of the
international factors, who are extremely numerous in Mostar. At best, they
would express concern or write senselessly long reports about the degradation
of the situation without naming those responsible for such a situation.
For example, IPTF, recently, when Muslim terrorists hit a children room in Center 2
with Tromblon mines, wisely concluded that the grenade came from the east,
but that didn't necessarily mean that the mine came from east Mostar?! Having in mind
the position of the building and a whole series of obvious details, even
those who know nothing about arms wouldn't have any problems in finding out
where the projectile had come from. For SFOR, IPTF or the High representative's
office, that "happened" to be too difficult a puzzle.
Dramatic Events in Mostar
by J. Pavkovic
Vecernji List, Zagreb, Croatia, February 11 1997
Large group of Muslim extremists, several hundreds of whom were armed, started
along Liska street towards Rondo at the time when carnival festivities were held
in front of Croatian hall "Herceg Stjepan Kosaca".
Police tried to stop that group, but the policemen were beaten and attacked by knives,
says the press release issued by Marko Radic, commander of Mostar police. 18 Croatian
policemen were wounded, 3 of them seriously. One police vehicle was destroyed.
Further, the press release says that the police managed to return the aforementioned
group to the Boulevard - street which divides east and west Mostar - by using
physical force and batons. The situation is still complicated, because yesterday
afternoon there were several incidents of shooting from firearms from the eastern
(Muslim) side. Muslim radio stations from the eastern part of the city invited all eligible
men to report to mobilization centers with military equipment. At the same time,
they blocked the Carina bridge, and several gatherings were observed in the
Muslim township of Cernica. By the way, yesterday, the situation in Mostar was tense through
the whole day. In spite of everything, carnival festivities were organized in front
of the Croatian hall. Thousands of Mostarci wanted to see famous singers and
actors and the best carnival costumes. However, Muslims, unannounced and armed (?)
set out for Liska cemetery which is located only several hundreds of meters away
from the place at which the carnival was held. Carnival festivities were interrupted
and a melee ensued. Terrified citizens ran away to their homes where they waited
in fear for the information about new developments.
Warning to War Mongers
by Jozo Pavkovic
Vecernji List, Zagreb, Croatia, February 12 1997
Bloody Monday didn't occur in Mostar because it was the last night of Bayram
and the first night of carnival. That night was simply the culmination of a
conflict which was unavoidable at that point. Muslims have been trying for
days to provoke that conflict. They need it as an alibi for their failures,
because only in tense situation they can avoid the transfer of demonstrations
from Belgrade to Sarajevo. When Croats didn't allow to be provoked by stonings,
beatings, setting of barricades, armed Muslims set out towards the carnival
procession. Of course, even in those environments which are not burdened
by a recent war, such an act would be offensive. Policemen who prevented
contact between two groups actually prevented (possibly) the bloodiest clash which
has ever occurred in this region; in any case, this incident will be remembered
by a large number of victims and it is a warning to those who wish for the
return of war to Mostar. Therefore, calls for restraint are at this moment
the only way to preserve peace, not only in Mostar, but in the whole Federation.
However, the behavior of the international community is making the situation
even more complicated: the international community is trying to assuage its bad
conscience by being lenient with respect to the Muslims in Mostar. The international
community
(un)consciously keeps siding with the Muslims, which can be interpreted as a green
light to terrorize Croats. In this type of atmosphere, Croats even don't' have
a right to defend themselves. And if they do, they are denounced as aggressors!?
The carnival removed many disguises, those of Muslims as well as those of
the international community. In spite of everything, Mostar Croats must
clench their teeth, because they can only achieve their goals with the policy
of wisdom and peace.
Time to Re-establish Peace in Mostar
by Jozo Pavkovic
Vecernji List, Zagreb, Croatia, February 12 1997
Yesterday only a few civilians and SFOR soldiers in their armoured personnel
carriers could be seen in the streets of Mostar. The situation is the same
as in the days of worst fighting in 1993. Of course, no one is even thinking
about crossing to the other side [of the city]. And those who by chance found
themselves on the eastern [Muslim] side (especially those on the road from Mostar to
Sarajevo) were beaten, arrested, robbed... Testimonies of those who managed
to escape back to western Mostar after such mistreatment are moving. They say
that what really bothers them is that they were humiliated just because they
are Croats. While the wounded are treating their wounds in the hospital,
citizens are talking about the events of the last few days. Two holidays
were celebrated on the two banks of the Neretva river. Croats had their
carnival in front of the Croatian hall, where several thousands of people gathered;
Muslims started from their part of the city towards a cemetery to pray there
for Bayram, although they had never done that before (they caused a similar incident
last year as well). In all that, it is strange that several hundreds of them
were armed. In the ensuing mess, firearms were used with tragic and bloody
consequences on both sides. 18 Croatian policemen were wounded, while the
Muslims withdrew to their part of the city carrying 30 wounded. Since at the
time of disturbances there were a lot of Croatian civilians on the road from
Mostar to Jablanica, Muslims vented their rage on them. Twenty four civilians
were seriously hurt on the road; that evening there was a another clash near
Carinski bridge. A forceful intervention by SFOR prevented the escalation of the
conflict. SFOR oversaw a shaky truce with their tanks and helicopters. County
police minister Valentin Zoric introduced a curfew because of the complex
situation. Unavoidable Michael Steiner arrived to Mostar immediately after the
outbreak of the hostilities. While mayor Prskalo talked with Steiner, Croat
suburb Ilici was bombarded, and soon after that it was announced that two
Croat civilians were found dead in Sutina, north from east Mostar. Prskalo
accused SFOR, IPTF and other international organizations and especially
Muslim leadership for the worsening situation in Mostar. He put the blame
squarely on the Muslim leader from east Mostar, Safet Orucevic, who led the
Muslim procession [to west Mostar]. Izetbegovic struck back with accusations
against "war lords from west Mostar" and sent co-president of the Ministerial
council ["unified" Bosnian government] Haris Silajdzic to investigate the
situation. Refusal of the Muslim leadership to attend the talks on the calming
of the situation speaks enough about Silajdzic's "beneficial" influence.
Finally Steiner could only state that "if it turns out that some officials
were involved in the incident, they will have to resign". Then, the Croat side
said that they wouldn't negotiate until arrested Croats were released, stolen
property returned and road blocks removed. According to Coric, a day after
the incidents the situation was calm and those who had been expelled [from their
homes in west Mostar to east Mostar (about 100 Muslims)] out of indignation,
were returned
to their apartments. While the citizens are awaiting with fear another night,
the world media are heating up the situation with their one-sided reporting.
For Mostar Croats, that is more than insulting. Clashes were avoided only
because of their restraint. And some have been trying to provoke the clashes
for a long time.
Translated on 3/14/97
