yugoslavias implosion

completely and which played a leading role in ethnic cleansing. He
once told Ćosić, “You have the Army, I have the police. I’m stronger.”
287 All federal institutions, including the federal State Security
Service and the federal Interior Ministry, were marginalized. 288
The ypa’s withdrawal from Slovenia and Croatia to Bosnia-Herzegovina
in 1991 amounted to a quiet occupation of that republic.
For Yugoslavia, Bosnia was of “inestimable significance on account
of the huge military potential located there: the factories that produced
various equipment and weapons, the most up-to-date airfield
[at Bihać], the countless barracks, missile units, aircraft.” 289 Sarajevo
was surrounded by artillery in late 1991. The war itself was incited by
outside paramilitary groups.
In October 1991, while the war in Croatia was still raging, Alija
Izetbegović proclaimed the neutrality of Bosnia-Herzegovina: “Bosnia
and Herzegovina does not want to participate in this war; this is
not our war. … We can do nothing to prevent the war spilling over
to Bosnia.” The sds, (Srpska demokratska stranka or Serbian Democratic
Party) the Serbian national party in Bosnia, reacted vehemently
to this statement. The spokesman of the sds said: “Bosnia
must be an active factor in the cleansing of Yugoslavia, the Balkans
and Europe of the fascist ideology and terror of poglavnik [headman]
290 Tuđman and so-called ndh [the Independent State of Croatia]
Ustasha ideology. By inviting neutrality in such a situation,
Izetbegović has openly assumed the position of the first Ustasha deputy
of Tuđman and the Ustasha state.” 291
287 Slavoljub Đukic, Lovljenje vetra, p . 229
288 In 1993, Stanisic took over the federal State Security Service
building and all the documents kept there .
289 Interview with A . Vasiljević, NIN June 12, 1992 .
290 Poglavnik was a term coined by the Ustaše, and it was originally used as the title for
the leader of the movement . It was at all times held by Ante Pavelić and became
synonymous with him . The more literal translation of the word is “head-man,” but the
fascist titles “Führer” or “Duce” come closer to the meaning .
291 Politika ekspres, October 10, 1991 .
181
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