ABSTRACT
The guns in and around Sarajevo are silent; violent death is now a consequence of a traffic accident or criminal activity rather than war and genocide. UNPROFOR, the United Nations Protection Force, has gone, replaced by NATO in the form of IFOR (the Implementation Force) and then SFOR (the Stabilisation Force). Elections have been held and a joint presidency formed; democracy is making a faltering start. Living conditions are slowly improving; cafés and bars now operate above ground, and even, during the warmer weather, on the pavements of that once vibrant, cosmopolitan city. The building and glass trades cannot meet demand and the people are no longer fearful of entering the Markala market-place, although most continue to harbour much of the hatred and suspicion bred by over three years of war. There remains at least one daily Sarajevo activity which is a legacy from those bitter days of conflict: the daily press briefing, back now where it started in 1992 at the Holiday Inn on what was once Sniper’s Alley. The organisation is slick, professional and expensive. The US Army major with a master’s degree in journalism who runs the place is proud to show anyone around; he almost seems to have time on his hands. NATO has learned from the UN’s mistakes, as, in this day and age, media relations are vital business for the military on operations, especially those of a peacekeeping nature.
