Austrian politician orders Balkan countries: You Must Face the Past

After the end of The Hague Tribunal, Balkan countries are next in line to face the past, Wolfgang Petritsch thinks.

I'm shocked for Slobodan Pralyak's suicide, and mistakes in security measures are unforgivable” WHI-in Willgang Petritsch, former senior representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. But according to him, despite this, The Hague tribunal has done a good job of whiteling war crimes in the former Yugoslavia. Now it must start reconciliation in the region and the initiative for this should be taken by people and politics, the Austrian Social Democrat politician stresses.

According to Wolfgang Petritsch after the international court's work is completed, it must be strengthened at the national level by law and courts. Their task is known to be not only fighting corruption, but they must also continue war crimes processes. Civil society must also be strengthened, which in Serbia is strong and should become more active in other countries of the region. Facing the past should be made by all, says Willfng Petritsch, whether they see themselves in the role of the victim or are considered criminals.

As for the insistence of some politicians on nationalist and ethnic events, or the claim of Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, to question the existing borders, Willfgang Petritsch says putting borders into question will cause new tragedies. “The ethno-nationalist factor is one of the factors, but not crucial for peace in the region. European integration makes it clear that in a large space joints, both economically and culturally”, Petritsch says.

According to him, co-operation with Europe should be especially for Serbs absolute priority, “because only in a united Europe can Serbs be united. A union in a multiethnic or multinational creature like the former Yugoslavia can no longer be created. The positive effects can only be achieved in a larger Europe, and this vision should be rooted deeper in people's hearts and minds”, Petritsch says.

Austrian diplomat Wolfgang Petritsch was from 1999 to 2002 High representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this position he directed implementation of the 14th Dayton Agreement. December 1995, which signed former Presidents Slobodan Milosevic, Franjo Tudjman (Croatia) and the chairman of the Bosnian-Hellenzeum Alija Izetbegovic.