Spring 1992- Bosnian Conflict
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By Spring 1992, the stage was set over for the American political battleground. For the Democrats, most of the support was thrown behind the incumbent President Askew and Vice President Chisholm regarding their reelection. However, perhaps out of a sense of competition or for spreading the name, a serious challenger went up against Askew, that of Bill Clinton, Governor of Arkansas. Being over on the rightwing side of the Democrats and a member of the small faction of neoliberals, he ran over and relied on being a fresh face along with something new. It was a remark over on the relative quiet of the Askew administration regarding the domestic front and that it was time for a change of pace with the end of the Cold War. While he did go and give a somewhat serious shot at the debate, many speculated that he was more focused on guaging public attention and direction for a potential presidential run afterwards. While he did win his home state of Arkansas and a few others, President Askew was able to easily win over reelection to become the candidate of the Democratic Party. Interestingly enough, one final question asked was thoughts on the Unizens and Bill Clinton spoke positively on them and noted the importance of growing options in the American democracy. Meanwhile, the Republicans were also quite the keen eye to watch over with what is coming with them. Namely with them finally being treated as a potentially serious contender. North Dakotan Senator Mark Andrews would become the Republican Party candidate for the presidential race of 1992. After standing out among his contemporaries for his experience(and as some joked, for
not being a New Englander), he would choose his running mate in none other than Arlen Specter, Senator of Pennsylvania. Arlen initally considered a run, but declined due to thinking it was a bit of a crowded field. However, he would still become rather popular and thus increase the prestige. Lastly, there was the Unizens, would be announcing a run though the focus would likely be more over on the legislative side. Nonetheless, there would still be the appearance of founder of the United Citizens Party with Ross Perot and his running mate over with Pat Choate. While they were still trying to find their political footing, they were still accepting various facets and ideas from other parties, including a few from the Libretarians, who were undergoing their own hemorrhaging as a result of polticial in-fighting, namely over lack of popularity of economic issues and accusations of corruption.
Meanwhile, the Bosnian War was starting, causing some of the various UN members to consider further reinforcing their peacekeeping forces there in the area. It all started when the
Bosnian independence referendum would be held at the beginning of the month. Most of the
Bosniak peoples along with the
Bosnian Croat communities, would vote for for
Bosnia-Herzegovina's independence. However, the whole referendum would be boycotted by
the Bosnian Serbs. A month later, as the Assembly of
Bosnia and Herzegovina proclaims independence from Yugoslavia, it would be done without the presence of
Serb political delegates. Following this, Serb troops would be part of a mass rebellion of Bosnian Serbs, being against the declaraton of independence and they would begin by sieging the city of
Sarajevo. This quickly prompted a meeting needed over what should be done, especially with the peacekeeping. The ethnic maps were showing there would be more than some difficulty in dividing up the region into potential sections. And well, while the two remaining constituent republics of the former
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia –
Serbia and
Montenegro – would form the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, it was not much of comfort. It was pretty much the end of Tito's Yugoslavia, torn apart by the ethno-nationalist sentiments that have been flared up over the past several years or so. While the US and Europe would go to acknowledge the independence of the nations, the SUSR has remained absent for the most part over with Yugoslavia, being more focused on domestic affairs though would send be open to discussions from the Security Council regarding further peacekeeping. Meanwhile, while NATO and the SUSR have been focusing on potential issues regarding the new Yugoslavia, including plans for economic sanctions to try and weaken them and stop the issues, other conflicts continue to rage on.
[1] The war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh continues on and with an Azerbaijani election coming up, the hope was new leadership could bring in a chance for peace. However, it did not seem likely and Iran would be especially cautious. Namely since the popular candidate, Abulfaz Elchibey, have expressed irredentist ideals toward Iran along with a pan-Turkist ideology, which could lead to further Turkish support in the war. With Iran and Turkey's relations already near rock-bottom due to the latter's treatment of the Kurds along with general power struggle, it could escalate into greater hostilities.
Yet despite all of these tensions and problems, there was still some positives left to be enjoyed over in the world. The People's Republic of China would ratifiy the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while also continuing their plans for not just economic reforms, but political reforms as well, especially with the increased sight of young people and activists focusing more efforts on the local level.
White South Africans would
vote in favour of political reforms to go and end the apartheid regime, all with the upcoming elections over with the African National Congress now permitted to run and many expecting to win. In a large celeberation, especially for SATMIN+ folk, t
he Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, would be held at
Wembley Stadium, London. Being televised live to over one billion people in the world, it would help in raising millions of dollars for
AIDS research along with support for SATMIN+ folk across the world. Additionally, the biggest news would come out of Europe. After delays regarding the economic policies, including extensive changes to the so-called "Maastricht criteria" due to its original monetarist policies, disagreements coming from there and the rewrites for a more Keynesian approach along with more safeguards and protections for people, the paperwork would be finished and thus would be the signing of the Maastricht Treaty. With this done by the various twelve nations, the founding of the European Union would be announced to the world.
[1] A political and economic union of twelve European nations starting out, it would be done to further bring peace and prosperity to the continent. While some were concerned about the sovereignty and the like with the nations, the extra time did allow for some reforms to be able to adjust these rules as needed, especially as more members come in and they continue to develop this. Unsurprisingly, this would have some pretty fascinating developments politically. Such as in the British, the discussions over the European Union would let Geoffrey Howe win reelection with his coalition with the LibDems though the changing of the zeitgeist meat they may lose that. Meanwhile, the Labour Party was also undergoing their own chances. Roy Hattersley maintained a hold along Kinnock, especially as Peter Shore found himself sidelined by the EU developments and his autarkic stances clashing against it while the Bennites were seemingly rising once more.
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[1]- Information and phrasing from here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992