burning

[Ivo Skoric]

With explosions in Madrid dominating the world media, violence 
returned to the Balkans, with ferocity and vengeance that stunned 
international community, who most likely thought that we have calmed 
down already.

Many say that new Spanish prime minister's decision to withdraw 
Spanish troops from Iraq is somehow triggered by explosions. He, 
however, was opposed to sending troops to Iraq from the beginning. It 
is interesting that he won - opposed to war - particularly AFTER the 
bombing. Would majority of citizens in the US react the same way?

The Economist staffers would probably not. They believed Aznar would 
win solely on war rethoric. They were completely wrong.

Macedonian president - the one who wanted peace, disliked both by 
Albanian and by Serbian politicians - died in the plane crash on his 
way to deliver Macedonian application for the EU membership.

Bosnian police started the search a day later - until they agreed 
whose responsibility would it be to do so.

Then suddenly the riots in Kosovo errupted, as it is 1990's all over 
again. Fore years now international community keeps Kosovo citizens 
in limbo by not deciding on its final status. In that athmossphere of 
insecurity isolated incidents can create exaggerated reaction.

With all the KFOR soldiers available, the orthodox church in Obilic 
was burned to the ground. In the "eye for an eye" tradition the last 
remaining two mosques in Serbia were burned to the ground (one in 
Nis, another in Belgrade). Now it is the Kosovar's turn again.

ivo---------------------------------------------------------
Ivo Skoric
19 Baxter Street
Rutland VT 05701
802.775.7257
ivo at balkansnet.org
balkansnet.org