AHS-2018-09-25

Interviewer

Cheryl Ann Green

Date of Interview

Spring 9-25-2018

Interview Location

St. Louis, MO

Length of Interview

1900-01-02

Date of Birth

1956

Gender

Male

Religion and/or Ethnicity

Muslim

Description

Born in Trebinje where he attended primary and secondary school, Lived with mother and one brother and sister, Remembers his early life as normal and without problem, Gradated high school and began to work in the city of Trebinje, Married in 1985 and moved out to began life with wife, Marriage produced two sons one in 1985 and one in 1990, Remembers seeing a change in the former Yugoslavia in 1989 when the politics of the country shifted, There was demonstrations on the streets by those living in the Serbian Republic and in general by Serbians in the former Yugoslavia, Attempts were made to change the constitution of Yugoslavia by the Serbian Republic at the federal level in order to create a Greater Serbia, Issues began to arise at the federal court of the former Yugoslavia, Shortages of food began to occur, In order to have enough food traveled to other cities and republics of the former Yugoslavia were required, Company where he was employed began to pay workers only half of their salaries in currency and the other half in coupons, Coupons could also be used in government stores which soon were empty, Coupons became worthless, Sent family away to live in Montenegro with family while staying behind to keep working, There was a sense of war as war already had begun in Croatia, Drafting of civilians by the JNA began which was now run by Serbia, Avoided the being drafted by hiding in house, Could not use electricity or do anything at home at night as soldiers were looking for all Muslims, Marked houses of Muslims, Grenade was thrown into his home via chimney but never reported due to fear of being drafted, In early morning in 1991/Dec traveled to work to find military police at gate, Told he was on a list as someone who was avoided the draft, Told he would be arrested if he did not return in military clothes, Fled via bus to Montenegro to family, Stayed in Montenegro until fleeing to Sarajevo, Stayed in Sarajevo for a time as the city was still normal and not under siege, Left Sarajevo with family to Germany, After arriving in Germany the city of Sarajevo was surrounded by Serbian forces and brother was trapped with family in the city, Lived in a makeshift refugee camp in Germany, Had one room with shared kitchen and bathrooms with other families, Only provided with food and not living wage, Sought employment along with wife, Began to work while sons began to attend school, After Dayton Accords forced to leave Germany, Came to the United States as already had family members living in St. Louis, Life was different and difficult at first, Took language classes at Affton High School during the evenings, Began to live a normal life once again, Gained employment at school as caution, Large amounts of stress and depression built up, Noticed large portions of Bosnian community began to pass away due to stress, Visits home in Trebinje every year but it is destroyed which leaves a deep depression, States that the situation in Bosnia is still terrible with large divisions in the country, Hopes that future generations do not have to know what war is and do not have to experienced being forced to leave their homes due to war.

Keywords

Trebinje, Montenegro, Germany, Affton, Dubrovnik, JNA, Food Shortages, PTSD, Yugoslavian Politics

Pre-War Residence

Trebinje

Wartime Residence

Trebinje, Montenegro, Germany

First Country of Residence

Germany

First US Residence

St. Louis, MO

Document Type

Oral History

Collection

Affton High School

Digital Format

MP4

Digital Publisher

Center for Bosnian Studies

City

St. Louis, MO

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In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.