One of the most recent detailed analysis on the matter is presented by Radovan Miljanic of the Podgorica weekly Monitor in the July 18, 1997 issue of that magazine.
Why did Biljana Plavsic change the record ? When Radovan Karadzic was pushed gainst the wall, when he had to retire, in Biljana he recognized a chance to remain president in the shadows, and there he made a big mistake. The professor did not want to be no land John, that is, a president with no power and inuence. Neither Karadzic or Krajisnik counted on that possibility, thinking that the key political national goal was achieved for Biljana when she became some sort of an ornament for the political top in Pale.
But, things turned out otherwise. Plavsic undoubtedly got what she wanted all the time: she got a chance to rule and decide. She got a chance to test in frequent contacts with international dignitaries her political sense concerning real intentions of the mighty of the world towards Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina in general. She quickly came to the conclusion that Karadzics way is leading Serbian people in Bosnia in new and uncharted trials and tribulations. There, Biljana showed a political virtue, that is, the readiness to stick to given promises, and in that manner, to strengthen and protect her function based on the constitution.
But, as soon as she chose contacts with the world and joint life in Bosnia, Pale and ofcial Belgrade stepped on the scene. The Agreement on Special Relations of February of this year was not signed by Biljana Plavsic, because she realized that this agreement is hitting at Dayton, and that it could curtail the promised nancial help to ravaged Republika Srpska. She also saw through hidden motives of the Serbian president for the speed concerning parallel relations. Republika Srpska to which foreign capital would enter would be hard to control. For long term tutorship, clearly, most favorable is run down Republika Srpska. It fell as role to Biljana Plavsic to articulate what many of her disappointed citizens have been muttering to themselves. The aid, which is now crossing the Drina River, in the long run ds not improve living conditions, but is only prolonging the suffering. Plavsic obviously understood well the world leaders, particularly Ms. Madeleine Albright, who told her that the Bosnia and Herzegovina created in Dayton - represents a US national interest. This is where the crux of the problem lies.
Plavsic is under attack from Belgrade and Pale because all Spring long she has been demasking Milosevics insincere relation towards the Dayton agreement, and that he is attempting to execute power solely resorting to his own mind. It is true though, that neither the professor has too much sympathies for Dayton or the post-war reality it brings along, but she gathered enough strength to tell her people that this is its only choice, no matter how traumatic and painful it is.
As things stand now Slobodan Milosevic will no longer have ius vitæ ac necis (the right to determine life and death) over Republika Srpska, since the Serbian iron lady refused to come to his feet to Belgrade. In this manner, she rocked his all-Serbian throne, but she, at the same time, aided the fact that the leaders signature on the Dayton agreement is starting to fade. Milosevics credibility as an important man of the Balkans is unexpectedly starting to melt.
Source: Podgorica weekly Monitor, July 18, 1997
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