April, 1992

WeSerbs, Moslems and Croats, and taking into account our historical experience and the current state of affairs between us, must separate justly in order to remove the reasons for which we hate and kill each other in order that there might be fewer obstacles tomorrow, for our unification in all that is mutually reasonable and beneficial...

We do not wish to create a state inhabited only by Serbs, because such a state would not be a democratic one. We want a state which will ensure, for all time, the freedom of existence and creation; we wish to create a state which people of all nationalities and faiths will look upon as their own...'' Yugoslav President Dobrica Cosic, Belgrade, March 26, 1992 (Excerpt from a letter by Dobrica Cosic to the Congress of Serb Intellectuals in Bosnia-Hezegovina)

``There are few here who can honorably claim to be Serb ``intellectuals'' in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The majority of such intellectuals, citizens of BH, are not present at this meeting... they are part of the non parliamentarian opposition, and they do not wish to participate in the Serbs' slaughter of local Moslems and Croats, a crime they are being pushed into by mafia groups led by Radovan Karadzic, Momcilo Krajisnik, Velibor Ostojic...

Our history shows that such men have never been trusted to carry water, let alone be leaders...

They, and their associates, must know that a time will come when they will sit in Nuremberg and face charges for war crimes against the Serbian people, and the citizens of BH...''

Vladimir Srebrov (Vladimir Srebrov was one of the founders of the Serbian Democratic Party for BH (SDS for BH). He was asked to leave the meeting of Serb intellectuals and was not allowed to read his speech.)

``The army no longer has any reason to wait. It must go into battle against all members of the Croat-Ustashi army, and Muslim mujahedin who have recently organized themselves and are a threat to the Serbian population.

We will soon send SRS volunteers to these areas to help the Serbs defend their hearths.'' Serbian Radical Party (SRS) leader Vojislav Seselj's statement in Trebinje, Herzegovina (March 27, 1992)

``When the shooting started I was putting some firewood into the kitchen range, and some plaster fell on me. I threw myself on the floor and crawled to the hall, grabbed my rifle and fired 1520 bullets, just to let them know I was there.'' Trebinje municipality and Independent Autonomous Region of Hezegovina President Bozidar Vucurevic (April 2, 1992)

``It would be disastrous if the European Community recognized BH before all national groups reached an agreement at negotiations. On April 6, 1941, Hitler's Germany carried out an air strike against Belgrade and started the war against Yugoslavia. April 6, marks the end of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan. Serbs would regard the recognition on this Muslim holiday as a gift to the Muslims and that would lead to a spreading of enmities in BH. If that happens, then we, as the political leadership will no longer be able to control Serb fighters.''

Member of the BH Presidency Nikola Koljevic (Statement to the ``Frankfurter Rundschau,'' April 2, 1992)

``Democracy will win. Democracy in itself is the greatest force. It is like the people, and the people cannot lose out.''

BH President Alija Izetbegovic on returning from Brussels where he had spoken of a definition of spheres of interest in BH, on April 2, 1992

``The Serbs, Muslims and Croats will preserve the peace and their lives if they drive away all paramilitary and private armed formations from their settlements, and if they remove extremists and all those sowing hatred and insanity, in organs of authority. Let each silence and thwart his lunatics and not seek the causes of death and misery among one's neighbors.'' Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) leader Vuk Draskovic (April 6, 1992)

``To the SDA for BH, the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) for BH, all citizens and democratic forces which fought for a sovereign and independent BH, we wish happiness in a sovereign and independent BH. We send our greetings to all Muslims outside BH because they finally have an independent and sovereign fatherland in which Communism will never again be present.'' Party of Democratic Action (SDA) in Serbia President, Sulejman Ugljanin (April 6, 1992)

``All our darkest fears are coming true. Mr. Izetbegovic promised two things, and he has fulfilled both promises. He first said that he would sacrifice peace for sovereignty, and he has done so. And, secondly, after the first barricades, he said that he personally would ensure 200,000300,000 Muslims to fight against Serbs.''

SDS President Radovan Karadzic (April 8, 1992)

``Things are out of control.'' BH Presidency member Fikret Abdic (April 8, 1992)

``Mr. Izetbegovic, the loss of one life is too high a price for the realization of anyone's political ambitions, including your own. That is why I call on you to stop the aggression and bloodshed and create conditions for political negotiations and the reaching of an agreement on the fate of BH, an agreement acceptable to all three nations.''

Federal Defence Minister Blagoje Adzic (April 8, 1992)

``The main problem in the city are paramilitary forces and those who are no longer under control. We know there are a lot of snipers in the city. The citizens should know this too.''

Commander of the 2nd army district Milutin Kukanjac (April 7, 1992)

``The Army in BH is behaving in an unusual manner. It is absolutely clear here that one side is attacking and that the other is defending itself. We thought that in such cases the army was on the side of the victim. This however, is not the case. In Herzegovina the army is conducting shelling actions which are unjustified even from the military point of view.'' BH Presidency President Alija Izetbegovic (April 10, 1992)