The "Fist" Amendment

Since then, physical violence against political opponents has been constantly present in Serbia as a way of settling scores and sending messages. The younger generations are familiar with this method from films about the Thirties in Europe and from family stories about the postwar introduction of "the people's regime" in these parts. All are familiar with the consequences of this method of conducting politics. So none can later say: "I didn't know."

Last Friday, a third attack was carried out in the quarters of the Civic Alliance of Serbia (GSS). It was carried out according to a proven recipe: rush in, beat up, break up and run. However, there are some details that differ from earlier attacks.

During the 1992 "premiere", the attackers did their job peacefully, systematically and without any hurry, choosing who and how long they would beat, and what they would break. All similarity with the fate of Sarajevo, of which only the Civic Alliance of all of the political parties has reported since then, is "purely coincidental". The message was meant for the public at large, and apart from threats against all who raised their voices against the war, it showed that the thugs were not afraid of the authorities with whom they had close and cordial relations. The second attack was disguised as a "robbery". Everything of value was taken away, including all computer disks - all except the empty ones. I must admit that I was impressed by the subtlety of the message, because it was conveyed by that which was left and not by all that which was taken. (On the occasion of the regime's surprise "peace turnabout", a cynical friend said: "It looks like they've found your disks".)

The entire affair took place during the summer of 1993 when the first cracks appeared in the previously firm alliance of creators of "new, great states".

It is very interesting that only two parties were subject to physical attacks, the Serbian Renewal Movement (SPO) and the GSS. If we agree that the showdown with the SPO belongs in the "heavy" category, it would be a good thing to see why the GSS, which all talk of as a small party, is a constant target of aggression. The nationalist option has not freed itself of forty years of life under one system and is more unscrupulous in its battle against modern thinking than the former regime. The call for lynching "enemies" is always followed with speeches about leaders who call themselves democrats. When they talk of the GSS as a party whose lips "drip blood", they must be aware that they are accepting responsibility for all of the tragic consequences that such rhetoric invites. The second reason is that those guilty of the tragedy suffered by Serbia view the GSS not just as a "witness for the prosecution", but also as a moral judge. The third possible reason are the links that the GSS has with the rest of the world, from America to Russia via Europe, because they contradict the basic thesis that "joint life is impossible and that Serbia must remain alone". The fourth reason for aggression is the presumed greatness of the GSS. Arrogance is always vented on those who are weaker and those who you know will not retaliate in the same way. I believe that the latest attack passed without greater consequences because of the presence of a large number of young people, which surprised the attackers and forced them to run. They were prepared to face a mouse and ran into an elephant.

This latest attack on the GSS took place during a dramatic moment for Serbia. On the one hand, all those who profited in some way from the war and do not want PEACE have banded together, because peace will inevitably result in the questioning of their responsibility for the war and its results. On the other hand, the regime has managed to push its responsibility into the background through skillful maneuvering, and to try to save its skin through a series of enforced moves. Circumstances are forcing both sides to make radical moves, and the showdown seems to be taking place on the ground occupied by the democratic opposition. Thus, the first went to Pale (Bosnian Serb political center) to see their new leader, received instructions, and instead of delivering the message to the right address they came to the GSS and beat up the little ones in order to threaten the big ones. That the message was received with due seriousness is borne out by the fact that literally not one single party reacted to this act of political violence. It remains to be seen whether silence signifies approval or fear. The shortsightedness of this political silence lies in the hope that it guarantees exemption from "physical education" classes. No way! In a game whose rules they made, everybody learns the lesson sooner or late