Issue 17 - December 20, 1992

These people will meet again as soon as they stop examining their navels and start looking around them. The meeting will be more pleasant if they find a way to forget Yugoslavia quickly The word Yugoslavia describes nothing at present time. Only a few in Serbia believe that something remotely fitting the name of Yugoslavia can be preserved, but this has more to do with the probate proceedings concerning legal and material inheritance, than with any real allegiance to the idea of Yugoslavia. It is very likely that even Serbia, before it exhausts what is left of Yugoslavia, will give up on that name as well as its intention to use it as a disguise for its considerably thwarted Great Serbia ambitions.

It seems that this time the Serbian authorities are really eager to preserve peace. Not even the recognition of Croatia by the EC provoked a new outburst of anger.

Although Bosnia has been recognized only by Bulgaria, Mr. Alija Izetbegovic was, after his visit to France, beaming with contentment at the outcome of his talks with president Mitterand; he added that he was promised the French support "in the aim of preserving the sovereignty and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina".

Mr. Koljevic ( on of the leaders of Bosnian Serbs) discloses to VREME some unknown details of his secret meeting with Mr. Franjo Tudjman.

One of the leading poets of the 68' generation, a writer who earned wide acclaim after writing scenarios for Kusturica's films ("Do you remember Doli Bel", "When Father was Away on Business"), who was until recently the president of the Writers' Association in Bosnia and Herzegovina Abdulah Sidran (b. Sarajevo 1944) belongs to that rare group of public figures who do not hesitate to comment on the current political situation. We spoke with Sidran in between his journeys to Paris where he is engaged in the concluding talks concerning the realization of the film "The Bridge Over the Drina River", based on Ivo Andric's novel, directed by Emir Kusturica and produced by "Forum" from Sarajevo.

Some in Skoplje think that Serbia, if it really wants to establish its diplomatic and political initiative in this part of the Balkans, would have to recognize the independence and sovereignty of Macedonia as soon as possible

Whatever Milosevic does in the future, the opposition will probably accuse him for, among other things, breaking the vow he made on June 28 1989 in Kosovo when he said that Serbia has, after six long centuries, regained its dignity

"The Serbian Parliament has to pass a decision whereby all the runaway citizens will be allowed to come back to Yugoslavia without any legal repercussions. I think this should be the first step which in this time of war the officials in Serbia will have to take"