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The US and other powers favored an independence referendum in Bosnia & Hercegovina even though signs were evident that such a vote would likely lead to civil war. Why was no constitution demanded, protecting the rights of all groups, but primarily the minorities? The same thing in Croatia: Why no constitution to protect everyone's rights? In Kosovo, the US once again pushed for an independence referendum, knowing that the demographics would lead to eventual breakup. The "Great Powers" do influence these matters, much to the detriment of the Balkans, as history so clearly reveals.

And if the Power that Be don't allow for an independence referendum then they're denying self-determination, are they not? Most Muslims wanted to break away and Serbs didn't. A clash was inevitable. A constitution with guaranteed rights (which I agree should have been insisted upon) would still have left Serbs living in countries they wanted no part of. The fires of nationalism was stoked since the death of Tito and so some sort of partition was going to happen.

And in Kosovo, the two sides again held irreconsible positions, which was addressed in 1999 by a proposed referendum in three years to buy some time. If the demographics would lead to eventual breakup then what is everyone supposed to do? Deny the majority what they want?