Babic Grows Stronger

Although the number of Western Slavonia refugees in northern Bosnia grew daily (estimates are 14,000) and the population in Eastern Slavonia was evacuated and army positions reinforced, AFP reported that RS prime minister Borislav Mikelic and acting Croatian army chief general Zvonimir Cervenko met. Previously, the RSK army command said there would be no talks with Croatia until Zagreb allows all the Serbs out of Western Slavonia, an unconditional cease-fire takes effect in all sectors and Croatian troops withdraw to previous positions. Some sources said "president Milan Martic is standing firmly behind those demands".

Probably to learn who has the real power in the Krajina, Slobodan Milosevic called the Krajina leaders to Belgrade for a report on the situation. He had a separate meeting with Yasushi Akashi.

As far as we know, there were no specific results of the meeting between Krajina leaders and Akashi. We don't know what Mikelic and Babic are advocating. Only Martic spoke to reporters later but only to repeat what he said all along.

But since RSK-Croatia relations have calmed down somewhat and the burden of defeat and refugee numbers is pressing, we should not expect the existing situation among the RS leaders to stay in place for long. The more so since the Krajina cannot sustain itself alone for long in the way it has survived so far.

RSK parliament speaker Rajko Lezajic has already asked Martic and Mikelic to report on Western Slavonia so that he can set a date for a session. A statement from his cabinet said consultations were underway with all parliamentary groups except the Serb Party of Socialists and added that the analysis of the events would be the focus of the session.

What can we expect at the RS parliament session; Martic will certainly be blamed for the army not being prepared in Western Slavonia and Mikelic will be accused of making too many concessions in negotiations. Mikelic is already being accused of high treason by Seselj who is also demanding his arrest. Milan Babic will mediate as usual and he can be expected to strengthen his power. Mikelic and Milosevic are showing no opposition to that at present.