OF THE many horrors of the Yugoslav wars, the wanton destruction of the Croatian town of Vukovar by Serb artillery, as well as the expulsion or massacre of much of its population in 1991, was one of the worst. Europe was impotent to stop the bloodshed, despite the vainglorious claim by Jacques Poos, Luxembourg’s then foreign minister, that “the hour of Europe has dawned”. In the end, the wars were halted only by American-led military action and diplomacy.
Since then many, but not all, former residents have returned to Vukovar. Most buildings have been rebuilt, though the cratered water tower has been left as a reminder. These days sandbags are used only to hold back the waters of the swollen Danube. And Croatia’s hour has arrived: on July 1st it will become the 28th member of the European Union. The hour may even be approaching for the rest of the western Balkans. Serbia and Kosovo have struck a deal on the status of the Serb minority in the breakaway territory, and Serbia has been given a firm commitment that membership talks will start by next January. Kosovo will open talks on a “stabilisation and association agreement”, a first step. “Wow!” exclaims the European commissioner for enlargement, Stefan Fule. “Who would have thought this would be possible?”
There is no such elation in Vukovar. Membership offers some vindication: Croatia is now seen as part of Europe whereas, on the far bank of the Danube, Serbia remains in the Balkans. But there is much apprehension, even suspicion, about the change. Having won independence from centuries of rule by Bec (Serbo-Croat for Vienna), Budapest and Belgrade, nationalists do not now want to have to answer to Brussels.
'via Blog this'
No comments:
Post a Comment