Wherever the Peoples' Army Passes...

On May 16, 1992, an army unit (for which a joke is already going round that it is "continuing the tradition of the Wermacht in withdrawal") destroyed the air base in Zeljave, near Bihac. At 6:00 AM sharp, a series of earth-shaking explosions took place, so say witnesses. Five runways (2,500-3,500 meters long) were destroyed by deep-laid explosive charges, activated at each 50 meters. Four large tunnels dug in the belly of the Pljesevica mountain, all facilities necessary for the maintenance and combat activity of some hundred jet-planes; all underground personnel quarters; all installations necessary for, perhaps, the most strongly fortified air base in this part of Europe and its defense systems - everything was destroyed within few minutes of hell-raising explosions. The direct damage is estimated at an incredible four to six billion dollars; the indirect - at some 8 billion.

The construction of Zeljave air base began way back in 1958. A new water supply was built; pipelines were made linking enormous fuel tanks (located near Bihac) with the base; the internal isolation material was imported from Switzerland. The tunnels' configuration enabled planes to fly out on assignments and to fly in for re-fueling and re-arming without any delay. There is a radar station on the top of Pljesevica covering half the Balkans, which was surrounded by the most advanced anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems. The base could have, allegedly, resisted a direct nuclear attack. All this was blown to hell within a morning. Of course, the electronic systems and expensive equipment, spare parts and armament, and everything that could be saved was carried away before the demolition began. Nevertheless, the damage is inconceivable.

By pure coincidence - or by malicious intent - on that very same morning, a team of Mr. Martic's militiamen (from the Serbian Republic of Krajina -RSK) found themselves at the Zeljave base entrance. The team, which had come to take over the base and all pertaining facilities (as previously arranged), had the pleasure of witnessing how everything was blown to hell. And only three days ago they were promised that the base would become the property of the RSK. Having in mind the already tense relations between the army and the local Serbs, the latter, as usually, labeled the destruction of Zeljave air base as "treason". It looks as if the JNA, i.e. the Army of Yugoslavia (as this entity is, apparently, called now), had come to the conclusion that the air base in Zeljave was far too serious a thing and that Mr. Martic's militia would not be able to hold on to it in case someone took a liking to it. The base is too close to Croatia (its larger part is located within Croatia's administrative borders), while on the other side, it faces the Cazin Krajina (B&H), where Moslems constitute a majority of the population.

Meanwhile, a military airfield was also destroyed in Zivinice (near Tuzla, B&H) last week. If the course of events is such, a question arises: what will happen to the airfield in Zemunik, near Zadar (despite the fact it has been promised to the UNPROFOR), Udbine and Banja Luka. Something, apparently, happened in the relationship between the army and the newly-established Serbian authorities in the disputed territories.

In an interview, given last Wednesday, General Bozidar Stevanovic, the Air Force Commander, said that the Army must be divided into two parts: one should go to the Serbian Republic of B&H, the other to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. "Among the troops in B&H, there is an air of confusion, and bitterness of the part of some of our men. Mutual mistrust goes so far that even clashes and grave violations of the principles of unity of command and subordination are possible," said Gen. Stevanovic. "This is a consequence of feeling that they have been betrayed... Amongst the ranks in Serbia and Montenegro there is a strong feeling of humiliation because of everything that is now taking place, and even confidence in certain areas of cadre is being lost." He added that the army will not be sorted out by the sacking of some forty or more generals, for "the combat power of any army, i.e. its strength, has always been determined by its middle-ranking cadre". General Stevanovic also mentioned, for the first time since the war began, a long-term strategic line of thought: "the providing of conditions for firm retention of Serbian territories in that part of, we hope, future Yugoslavia" (B&H and Krajinas).

One thing is clear though: from a territorial and political point of view, Serbia has been taken back to the beginning of this century and basic strategic and political theories and national interests ought to be redefined.

The Kosovo problem is obviously being fueled these days. For no apparent reason - elections on the part of the ethnic Albanians aren't much of a reason - but the world's attention is once again focused on the southern province. It seems that the crisis is artificial - as if someone wants to draw Slobodan Milosevic's attention to the fact that Kosovo (where, by the way, it all started) is still there. Anxiety is so great that the elite 63rd Parachute Brigade was transferred from Nis to the province.

In this whole context, Major-General Vuk Obradovic decided to quit the army: he resigned and asked to be dismissed from active military service. This was announced two weeks ago in a promise he gave to angry parents at the Federal Defense Ministry: if your children don't return from B&H by May 19 - I will resign. The withdrawal from Bosnia was not under his control, nor it was his responsibility; so why did he promise his resignation? Serious political analysts point to General Obradovic's ambitions and experience, and to two empty seats in Defense Ministries (the federal and the Serbian). A source which preferred to remain anonymous is sure that General Obradovic will replace General Negovanovic (the former Serbian Defense Minister). His explanation was: "He's not that stupid to become the federal minister".