INITIATIVE TO RETURN FERDINAND MONUMENT REFLECTS SERVILE MENTALITY

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 28 /SRNA/ – The initiative of the Sarajevo City Council to return the monument to Franz Ferdinand is unexpected if interpreted through historical facts, but not when viewed through the lens of political pandering, opportunism, and a servile mentality, historian Borivoje Milošević has stated for SRNA.

Milošević noted that the initiative is not surprising in the context of the fact that post-war authorities in Sarajevo made efforts to erase almost every trace of the Young Bosnia movement from the city.

"On the other hand, the initiative is indeed surprising if we consider it in the context of historical facts. Austro-Hungary was an occupier. Franz Ferdinand is one of the symbols of that occupying regime," said Milošević, a full professor in the Department of History at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Banja Luka.

He emphasized that the initiative is also surprising when considering the historical relations of the Muslim community toward the Austro-Hungarian occupation and presence in BiH.

"In 1878, Muslims mounted very strong armed resistance against the Austro-Hungarian occupier. Between 1881 and 1882, together with Serbs, they participated in the uprising in Herzegovina triggered by the introduction of the 'military law'. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, Muslims waged a ten-year struggle against the Austro-Hungarian regime to protect their previously enjoyed religious and school rights. Under pressure from the occupier, Muslims emigrated from BiH in several waves," Milošević reminded.

He pointed out that now, taking these facts into account, the descendants of those who fought against the occupier have decided to erect a monument to that same occupier.

"If we interpret it purely through historical facts, it is quite surprising. But it is not surprising if we look at it in the context of some daily politics," Milošević stated.

The Sarajevo City Council approved the initiative to return the monument to Franz Ferdinand and his wife near the Latin Bridge, formerly known as Princip`s Bridge.

The monument to Franz Ferdinand and his wife was removed from the Latin Bridge site and destroyed after the end of World War I and the formation of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenians.