Word: dodik
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...that Bosnia would be split into two largely self-governing regions - the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, made up mostly of Bosnian Muslims and Croats, and the Republika Srpska, made up mostly of Serbs. For years, the current leader of Bosnia's Serbs, Milorad Dodik, has vowed to hold a vote on the future status of the Republika Srpska. Now, as Bosnia lurches toward elections in October, it looks increasingly likely he'll make good on that threat, calling into question the future of a multi-ethnic Bosnia. (See the top 10 news stories...
...toward increased cooperation between the country's three ethnic groups and a greater centralization of powers. But in the run-up to the 2006 elections, the country saw a spike in nationalist rhetoric from both Bosniaks and Serbs - and the tenuous détente was derailed. This was when Dodik, who had previously been considered a moderate by many in the international community, began promising an independence referendum. Since that time, Bosnia has been virtually paralyzed...
...recent interviews with both the Bosnian and Serbian press, Dodik has insisted that any referendum will not call for independence, but will instead address the "unlawful" role of the High Representative, who represents the international community in Bosnia and holds wide powers to overrule or enforce government decisions. But he has also left open the door for a future vote on the status of the Republika Srpska and repeatedly called into question the legitimacy and long-term future of Bosnia. (Read: "E.U. and U.S. Talks Aim to End Bosnia Deadlock...
Meanwhile, insults are flying across the ethnic divide, spurred by tabloid media and populist politicians from both sides. Two weeks ago, Dodik's government decided to remove the adjective "Bosnian" from the names of several towns in the Serbian Republic. Meanwhile, in once multi-ethnic Sarajevo, a decree by Bosniak officials introducing compulsory lessons in the Koran to kindergarteners prompted remaining Serbs and Croats to pull their children out of school. "Instead of showing some statesmanship, Bosnian political leaders are practicing petty politics", complains the current OHR chief, Slovakian diplomat Miroslav Lajcak...
...divisive ethnic vitriol is further fueled by political calculation. Nationalism sells - as Dodik's and Silajdzic's parties learned in recent local elections, when they won the bulk of the vote in their respective constituencies. The politics of ethnocentrism props up the parties that really don't have anything else to offer the populace. The economy has been in deep trouble even before the international financial crisis. Unemployment and corruption are among highest in the region. Basic goods suffer from inflation. According to a recent study, about 70% of Bosnians below the age of 30 have abandoned hope...