Voices from the Drina | Bosnian Genocide Education

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Radoslav and I were discussing the war in Slovenia at school today. R turned round to me: “You Turks should know that these times are not the same as before when you had swords. Now we have the weapons.” I was stunned. I know this is from his parents. This isn’t Radoslav.

I know there’s a lot of talk of war at the moment. But I don’t believe there will be war in Bosnia. I don’t believe our Serb neighbours will attack us.

I’m scared. The Serbs have the Yugoslav People’s Army. Muslims have nothing. It’s going to be impossible for us to stay safe if war breaks.

Muslims are leaving Bratunac in fear of war. Dad keeps telling me any war here won’t last. He says it would be difficult for us to live outside of Bosna, in a strange world. I hope he’s right.

BREAKING: Bijeljina in the NE of Bosnia had been invaded by Serbian paramilitary group, Arkan’s Tigers. They are under the command of local political leader, Mirko Blagojević.

BREAKING: Bosniak police in Bratunac are forced to hand over their firearms to Serb forces.

BREAKING: Bijeljina in NE Bosnia has been surrounded by Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) reservists.

Mirza and I have had a huge argument. I managed to convince her that we should both leave our dorms in Sarajevo and head home. Even if it means being separated. She’s on her way to the Sandžak in Serbia. I’m on my way home to Vlasenica. I don’t know when I’ll see her again.

I’m home. I find myself glued to the news. Mum and Braco won’t talk about what’s going on.

I’ve tried to convince Dad that we should all leave for Sweden. He’s not having it. He won’t leave without paying his workers at the timber yard.