WHERE ARE WE ANNE?: DUBROVNIK TO SREBRENO

FRIDAY 16th AUGUST 2013

SREBRENO Cove is a pretty little holiday spot. What was immediately noticeable coming in was the hollow, roofless, war ravaged buildings on prime waterfront tourism real estate that were still sitting there twenty two years later contrasted to all the carefree holiday makers of summer around them. It begged explaining.

The answer came when Anne and I swam ashore and spoke to a stall holder selling holiday stuff. He explained that this area was a Serbian strong hold during the seige of Dubrovnik. When the Serbians retreated they torched and destroyed the buildings as they left. For reasons more due to the stalling effects of politics and corruption since, a lot of buildings have not been repaired despite the obvious loss of valuable tourism income over the last twenty two years. It is only now and indeed in two weeks time that one or two will be demolished and a new hotel built.

There are many, many deserted buildings in Srebreno. The stall holder despaired of the situation in Croatia today, saying that he worked as a builder during winter and a stall holder during summer with his wife and four daughters trying to make ends meet. He was a Croatian soldier in Zagreb during the war because he said freedom and democracy was worth fighting for. Now he despairs at the bleak political situation citing many instances of corruption from Franjo Tudman on. He said he was ashamed to be a soldier because he fought and killed for what? While he loves his Croatia he is saddened that it can't make more food for it's five million people and improve it's economy and tourism industry in obvious ways.

A great insight for us from a passionate articulate bloke.