(33) Bosnia twenty years later the story of a father sent to Omarska

(Omarska)

1) Do you remember where were you when you realized the war was imminent?

I was in the former JNA when a war broke out in Croatia. A leading officer (A Serb from Serbia, told me in August 1991, the war will go into Bosnia and the blood will flow up to the knees. Shortly afterwards, I ran away from the army and left for Germany)

2) Do you remember where you were when the war broke out?

I was in Germany.

3) Where were you when the war came to your town?

Essen, NRW, Deutschland

4) The most memorable event of the war for you was?

I received a call from my uncle in July 1992 informing me that my father was in a concentration camp. Two days later I saw reports about Omarska camp on TV, that was were my father was.

5) What made you hopeless during the war?

Nothing

6) What gave you hope during the war?

We Bosnians believe in the good of the people in general. The bad things come and go or bad people become history soon.

7) Did you lose anyone close to you during the war?

I lost two of my best school friends, my cousin and a number of other friends.

8) Were you wounded during the war? Where were you wounded?

No

9) Your biggest loss during the war was?

The biggest loss was of my homeland with the creation of Genocidal Rep. Srpska.

10) What was the hardest part about the war?

The fact UN, EU, Britain assisted Serbs in their slaughter for 3 1/2h years.

11) Did you leave the country during the war?

yes

12) 20 years later, what do you think of what happened?

The war was a repeat of history, with a Grand Serbian plan, the one to force out, kill or convert all non-orthodox population from Bosnia or at least from most of Bosnia. Serbia has a parliamentary programme since XIX century to do so in Serbia. They have moved this into Bosnia with the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, and after they forced out most of Bosniaks out of territory belonging to Serbia today. Croatians later saw an opportunity to get parts of Bosnia they wanted for themselves so they turned against Bosnia as well. Both countries actively encouraged local BOSNIAN Catholics and Orthodox christians to become Croats and Serbs, although until the end of XIX century and with arrival of Austria/Hungary, all or most population of Bosnia, were Bosniaks, regardless of religion (Jews, Moslems, Catholics etc.) At the same time they demonized moslem population as being either Turks or those who don't belong in Bosnia, yet Bosniaks of all religion are a distinguished people who don't speak Turkish and who lived here before Croat and Serbian tribes came burning, killing and raping everyone in VII century.

13) Are things better or worse than what you expected 20 years later?

It’s worse than what I expected. The ''Croats'' and ''Serbs'' are only interested in joining Greater Serbia and Greater Croatia and are therefore working to destroy Bosnian Institutions or stop the development of new ones.

14) Do you think war will return to BiH?

Probably war will return, especially if Serbia gains strength and military power

Bosnians will not start it, Croats are too coward to do so, they would join in tearing apart Bosnia if Serbia is to start the new war.

15) What do you think the future of BiH will be?

The only future for Bosnia is raising the profile and image of Bosnia and Bosniaks. Bosniaks are not only moslems, they are also catholics, orthodox, jews, budhists etc. By raising the image of Bosnia and Bosniaks of all religions, the negative, imperialistic influence of Serbia and Croatia would diminish and this would allow Bosniaks to organise themselves and their country the way they always wanted. Education of the local population is also the key here.

The likely future will be determined by EU/EEC where both Serbia and Croatia have got stronger influence. This will lead to Bosnia remaining isolated, third choice country in Europe.