10 years later

Let me sum up the NATO bombing in one sentence: An intervention with intent to depose a dictator after which both sides declared victory and the dictator stayed on power. 

Since evoking memories of NATO bombing of Serbia seems to be in fashion this March not only on this blog, I've chosen not to keep my two cents for me. Some of the bloggers have even talked about this topic in an almost sentimental manner. So, let me give you my personal account of the events.

In contrast to my then-girlfriend, I feared military police and getting drafted more than tomahawks and cluster bombs. So, I stayed at her place which made us both feel better.

At times bombing resembled a field test of NATO arsenal. One of particularly striking episodes has probably been the night in which a bomb with graphite fibers disrupted the power supply leaving almost the whole country in black out. Other exotic weaponry has allegedly been capable of changing climate locally, in particular causing heavy rainfall and hail.

Ten years later there are still people who believe that Serbia should have been bombed. They support this opinion because we, the people, supported the regime and an intervention has been the only way to bring democracy to Serbia. Well, let me tell you something, there were people who supported the regime and those who opposed it. And there were even those who were against both the regime and the opposition.

The whole affair was an insult to intelligence, as any conflict on the soil of former Yugoslavia has been since 1991 until today. Why? Let me sum up the NATO bombing in one sentence: An intervention with intent to depose a dictator after which both sides declared victory and the dictator stayed on power.

But let's get back to my recollections. The country has been paralyzed and there was nothing to do. Sports and studying turned out to be a pastime that worked for me. Unlike some of my smarter colleagues, I have missed a few exams during the student protests in 1996/97. I thought that ignoring the University was a way of protest, with the only result being a repeated year of studies. This time, however, I didn't want to let go of the opportunity. I've passed three last exams and started working on the diploma thesis.

In spring of 2000 in one European country I've talked to some Serbian friends of mine about these events. They admitted being upset when the bombing started, yet after a few weeks they had to get back to heir lives. The most emotional ones went to Serbia to stay with their families and some of those have even lost their jobs because of the ordeal. The foreigners that participated in our conversation didn't seem to understand what we've been talking about. Besides, there have been other conflicts around the globe to think about.

So, enjoy the discussion about the NATO intervention. There are always new facts and aspects to keep you busy. And don't forget that Serbia will probably join NATO and its forces might in the future be used in an action similar to the bombing of 1999.