BOSNIA: KRAJINA: SERB CIVILIANS LIVE IN FEAR OF REVENGE ATTACKS скачать в хорошем качестве

BOSNIA: KRAJINA: SERB CIVILIANS LIVE IN FEAR OF REVENGE ATTACKS

(21 Aug 1996) Eng/Serbo-Croat/Nat Civilians living among the ruins of their houses in a former Serb enclave in Croatia are living in fear of attacks from revenge seekers and looters. Human rights workers have accused Croatian authorities of failing to protect the few, and mainly elderly, Serb citizens who refused to flee after the fall of the so-called "Republic of Serb Krajina" last summer. And they say the Croats are dragging their heels on the agreed return of refugees now that the fighting in the former Yugoslavia is over. 83-year-old Draga Drakulic is one of the very few Serbs who have stayed on in their homes in the Krajina. Draga refused to quit her house, partly because of her age and partly because of her unwillingness to accept the catastrophic break-up of the former Yugoslavia. Her brother was named a national hero after being killed by Italian fascists in 1942. Draga continues to believe in the ideals of brotherhood and unity that Yugoslavia was founded on. Now she lives alone in the village that carried her family's name -- Drakulic Rijeka. Her only companions are photographs of long dead members of her family. The Krajina is today as deserted as it was after being overrun by Croatian troops in May of last year. Human rights advocates say Croatian authorities have prevented Serb civilians returning to the land they had occupied for centuries. And they accuse them of failing to protect the handful of Serbs who stayed behind. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Looting is going on, still, as it used to be, even perhaps there has been more of that recently. Old people are left behind, some of them have returned, but they have big difficulties to take care of their property, as cows, pigs, chicken are disappearing all the time from them, and they don't have any young people who should help them." SUPER CAPTION: Elizabeth Rehn, UN special envoy on human rights The occasional aid worker comes to see that Draga is managing to cope on her own. But most of the visits are from looters who have already stripped the other houses in the village and are now turning greedy eyes on hers. Draga says she longs for the onset of winter when her village will be cut off from the outside world by heavy snowdrifts. Only then will she feel safe. SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat) "Recently a man came here, it was late at night, and broke my windows with his fist. I screamed: In Gods name, I am only a poor old woman, there is no one else here. (wider shot) "I have right to kill you - he shouted - I have right to set you on fire, since I have lost three brothers in this war. I said: I did not kill them, and if you wish to kill me, an old lady of 83, you are welcome, but you will not find your revenge by doing that. SUPER CAPTION: Draga Drakulic, Serb widow Despite the danger of staying on in her house, Draga has no regrets. Her only wish is to stay near the graves of her children, shedding the occasional tear for the misfortune of having outlived them. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...