The broader context in the Srebrenica report: Backgrounds and causes

The main report Srebrenica, a 'safe area' also gives an analysis of the broader context of the circumstances and events which have led to the fall of Srebrenica. In this connection a mistaken picture is given of the background to the conflict in (former) Yugoslavia by emphasizing nationalism as such as an important causal factor. Since nationalism should rather be considered a 'normal' condition in the region, the real causes should be found elsewhere. In the analysis of these, however, the report is defective. In this respect it is in line with the faulty perceptions of the western policymakers criticized by the report itself. This is especially evident in the way the Second World War is dealt with. In this connection no serious attention is paid to the perceptions of this war by the opposing parties and the influence of these on the conflict, whereas the non-relevant 'reality' of the Second World War is brought up in a 'revisionist' manner.