Kosovo

Yes you are right. Pro-Europeans are for trying for war crimes. While mostly far right are defending him and are against all tribunal system for war crimes.
And i don't think this is going to make a volatile situation, like it was in 2000.
Yes, political parties will milk this for what its worth. Pro Europeans will use it as an example of Serbia going towards Europeans ways, while right wing nationalists will use it as an example of injustice towards Serbian people. But that's all it is going to be.
The only concern of violence are white group organisations such as Obraz, but i believe its nothing that police cant handle.

You have to remember that most of Serbia isn't really for nationalist politics and isolation. And as such, for them arresting of Karadzic is a good thing.
 
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So then, of all these parties, the ones on the far right are the ones defending Karadzic, while the Pro-European socialisticky (love that word!) democrats are interested in trying him for war crimes? And I'll echo Prime Junta's concerns: is this going to make a volatile political environment even more so?

The pro-Europeans are (with the obvious exception of the Socialists who are moving from commie to social democratic positions) more of centrist/European liberals than socialists. Liberal means a position resembling that of Arnold Schwarzenegger on this side of the Atlantic. The nationalists are a mixture of ultra rightists and old communists. I think that Serbia is developing towards a more normal European political spectrum with three poles (Social democrat, Liberal, and Conservative) that form alliances to build majorities. Kostunica's party seems to be the closest to a normal conservative party but The radical party might eventually mellow into such a movement as well (a lot of European parties have suspect pasts, so I dont think the radicals will be tainted forever).

The recent events have gotten a lot of coverage here since we received more than 100 000 refugees from the Yugoslav wars in the early 90s. My impression seems to be that by every new development the nationalist response is weaker as the population knows that peaceful coexistance and cooperation with their neighbours is the only way forward. Kosovo caused a temporary nationalist surge but that has cooled down a bit now. They do keep electing pro-European internationalist governments in spite of the rethoric.

I really hope the EU will use the soft power we have in the Balkans wisely and somehow both make the countries acknowledge the troubled past and feel welcome into the union, but I wouldnt bet a lot on such wisdom from our politicians... EDIT: Hopefully I'll be able to tourist in Serbia without a passport in ten years or so:)
 
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Thanks very much for the clarification, Z (and lilmagi) The tendency of foreign news here is to be extremely simplified, so often the gist escapes me. It's good to hear that forces for stabilization are at work, especially in such an area of divergent ethnic groups and loyalties.
 
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I was on holiday! :p

As you've already seen, all the stuff about Karadžić has mostly blown over. Yes, there were some clashes, but nothing major (fifteen thousand people does not huge protests make - cf. Kosovo protests). And yes, there was some fighting, but it's just some hooligans who'll take any opportunity to fight. The biggest difference this time was that the police didn't just sit there and take it - they reacted (fairly fast). A change for the better, IMO, but it is different from what they usually do.

As for the arrest itself, there is no denying it is a good thing.
 
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That's a relief. Let's hope this marks the beginning of a better period for Serbia (and the rest of the Balkans, for that matter).
 
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