It seems that Croatia will join the countries which have recognised Kosova following its declaration of independence on 17 February 2008. A colleague from Prishtina recommended this web site where you can catch up with the extent of recognition http://www.kosovothanksyou.com/ . The Serbian party SDSS, a minor but important coalition partner, urged that recognition be postponed until after the Serbian parliamentary elections in May but in the context of a majority (now 16 out of 27) of EU member states on board, the prospect of an imminent invitation to join NATO at the Bucharest summit on 3-4 April, and George Bush's Zagreb visit straight afterwards, this was never a realistic option. Just like HSS over ZERP, it does not appear that SDSS will leave the coalition, but two major disagreements in the first few weeks of the new Government is hardly a good start!
Incidentally, for anyone interested in politics in the region, with a particular emphasis on Serbia, take a look at Eric Gordy's East Ethnia site and blog http://eastethnia.blogspot.com/ which not only shows how insightful he is but also how much better at handling the technology of blogging than I am (I promise to try harder!!!).
Wednesday 19 March 2008
Monday 17 March 2008
Disconnected ramblings of a multiply displaced sociologist
Zagreb 17 March 2008
Safely back in Zagreb after 5 days in stormy, rainy, cold (when isn't it) England. Attended an excellent workshop/conference on 'Emergent Publics' at the Open University (
Catching up with the news:
* Croatian Government has decided to withdraw its Ecological Fisheries Zone against boats from EU member states Slovenia and Italy. So much for unity within the governing coalition which is not yet 6 weeks old! the HSS (Croatian Peasant's Party) voted against but will remain in the Government. Anyway, the zone was of little real use in the absence of adequate patrols but was more a symbol of national pride! Seems EU membership negotiations are more important although these have really slowed as the Government struggles with opening benchmarks which are a new feature of the accession process. I would really no longer bet on completing talks by 2009 and being invited to join in 2010. If these deadlines are missed then there is a new Commission and a new parliament and the delay could be even longer.
* Gotovina trial begins at the ICTY in the Hague. As I read coverage in (quality) English newspapers, I realise the gap between Croatian perceptions and how others see Croatia. I am not arguing, of course, that all Croats support Gotovina but I do think that the vast majority would squirm at the apparent suggestion that his case is like that of Karadzić and Mladić who remain on the run, of course. I suppose I want to hold onto the fact that the military actions in Croatia in 1995 were different in some way from the conduct of the Bosnian Serb leadership from 1992 to 1995.
Safely back in Zagreb after 5 days in stormy, rainy, cold (when isn't it) England. Attended an excellent workshop/conference on 'Emergent Publics' at the Open University (
Catching up with the news:
* Croatian Government has decided to withdraw its Ecological Fisheries Zone against boats from EU member states Slovenia and Italy. So much for unity within the governing coalition which is not yet 6 weeks old! the HSS (Croatian Peasant's Party) voted against but will remain in the Government. Anyway, the zone was of little real use in the absence of adequate patrols but was more a symbol of national pride! Seems EU membership negotiations are more important although these have really slowed as the Government struggles with opening benchmarks which are a new feature of the accession process. I would really no longer bet on completing talks by 2009 and being invited to join in 2010. If these deadlines are missed then there is a new Commission and a new parliament and the delay could be even longer.
* Gotovina trial begins at the ICTY in the Hague. As I read coverage in (quality) English newspapers, I realise the gap between Croatian perceptions and how others see Croatia. I am not arguing, of course, that all Croats support Gotovina but I do think that the vast majority would squirm at the apparent suggestion that his case is like that of Karadzić and Mladić who remain on the run, of course. I suppose I want to hold onto the fact that the military actions in Croatia in 1995 were different in some way from the conduct of the Bosnian Serb leadership from 1992 to 1995.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
