It's the same Mesic, but I seriously doubt that anyone was listening to him. You have to understand that when he took the oath of office (to defend the constitution) he also declared he wanted to be the last president of that Yugoslavia. His party (Franjo Tudjman's HDZ at that time) openly wanted idenpendence, so Mesic violated his own oath, and was unfit to serve or give any orders.
Don't worry. Thirty years ago, no one even remotely believed the USSR would collapse. In fact 30 years ago the USSR was at its peak. The various lackeys who rule in the Blakans think things will forver be this way. Political fortunes fluctuate, but overall trendencies remain predicatble.
There are certain things that are more likely than others. For instance, I would say there is greater likelyhood for Germany to dominate Europe than Lichtenstein, if you know what I mean, and the center of gravity in the Balkans is not Montenegro...so long term planners need look at some gravitational certanties if they plan on long term benefits. :)