[Yugoslavia Memory of a Disaster] 1991, ordinary Yugoslav divorce scene at the Council of Europe

Strasbourg, 18:30 p.m., somewhere in a corner of the Council of Europe, diplomats, deputies and journalists are beating their feet over a coffee or a tea. They await… the arrival of “wrestlers” from
choice, the various representatives of the Yugoslav parliamentary assemblies. Few exclamations but in a low voice an atmosphere hesitating between that of a boxing gym before the fight and that
of a burial chamber before the arrival of the remains.

18:45 p.m., the protagonists arrive. Quiet! We shake hands courteously and everyone takes their place around the round table. The Croatian and the Serb come face to face, chance
alphabetical having done it right. Bogdana, President of the Yugoslav Federal Assembly discusses, with a saddened air, with Zarko, the Croatian, like two spouses who still love each other and
find themselves before the matrimonial judge to record their divorce. The president's gong sounds - a spoon on a glass - the photographers retire, the place is free. Honor to
ladies…

Bogdana, the federal, then begins the long statement of an untenable position “the questioning of borders can only be done inside the federal Parliament”, followed by a
obvious to everyone - except for the Yugoslavs - “any solution, even independent states, will have to bring about coexistence as good neighbors”. And above all a slow nostalgia,
”a short time ago, in this same room, we would have talked about European integration, whereas today…” An angel passes !

Zarko, the Croatian, attacks. “The Serbian objective is the annexation of Croatia and the creation of pure ethnicities” and “the inadequate international response”. He pleads, “Croatia does not threaten
person, respects human rights and minority rights but is determined to get rid of the occupying force and communism”. But Zarko is sorry because… "Croatia
is obliged to maintain its independence since the people have decided so… by more than 75%” ! People, this word comes up all the time. Supreme argument, sword of choice, guillotine of
discussion, even if none of the protagonists claims to be more communist, the dialectical method remains well anchored in people's minds. Nearly 50 years of Marxist education are not erased by
Coué method.

19:30 p.m., short interlude… Asim, the Montenegrin, and Stojan, the Macedonian, one speaks in Serbian, the other in English, words that are too flouted to be real as “the call to dialogue” ou
“any exclusivism can only aggravate the situation”. The room no longer listens to them. Too insignificant… Catherine Lalumière, President of the Council of Europe has also slipped away…
discreetly. Everyone is pawing with impatience to hear the Serb. Let's end...

Aleksandar finally speaks, in French, to soften his audience. In a dry, jerky tone, interspersed with historical reminders to add to the confusion, he states “what we never say (…):
in Serbia, peace reigns”. (…) And - he swears -  ”Serbia is not at war with anyone”. All is said.

And it is not Frank, the Slovenian, who will manage to straighten out this non-dialogue. The new Yugoslav policy, made up of 'sound and fury' broke through in Strasbourg. The text was at
high expectations, incomprehensible…

(article published in La Truffe, September 23, 1991, © NGV)