Ontelly

The Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia: The Story of Tito - Episode 2

Logo for The Rise and Fall of Yugoslavia: The Story of Tito - Episode 2

Martin Bell traces the story of Tito, the fall of Yugoslavia and the crisis in Bosnia. 15 years after the international community stepped in to end the war in Bosnia, Martin Bell heads to Sarajevo to find out whether the old arguments that made talks between communities break down in 1990 are rearing their heads two decades later. Nationalist arguments, playing on ethnic identities and old fears, have returned in a country that is more separated and segregated than ever. Examining the Dayton Peace Agreement Martin asks whether it was successful in rebuilding post-war Bosnia or whether it remains part of the reason Bosnia is still struggling. He explores whether foreign interference, in enforcing a share of power amongst multiple agencies has stalled any meaningful progress, and what can be done to stop Bosnia collapsing back into a state of civil war, as some fear. Should the international community step away and risk creating a black hole in Europe or do they continue to intervene to ensure violence is abated and peace remains, even if it is manufactured by outsiders? Returning to Sarajevo, the place where he was shot and injured, Martin explores what has changed and what has remained the same since the war in the early nineties, talking with Bosnian Serb, Muslim and Croats about their hopes and fears for Bosnia's future. Martin also meets with Bosnia's current High Representative, and its most famous former High Representative, Paddy Ashdown, to find out what role the International Community can play in securing a safer future for Bosnia and for all of the Balkans. The producer is Gemma Newby. This is an All Out production for BBC Radio 4.