Citissime nachts - Die deutsche Außenpolitik und der Zerfall Jugoslawiens 1991
Citissime at Night - German Foreign Policy and the Dissolution of Yugoslavia 1991

Summary/Abstract: Even after more than three decades, the legend persists that Germany initiated or even caused the dissolution of Yugoslavia through the “premature” or “hasty” recognition of Slovenia and Croatia in 1991. Some even claim Germany thus triggered the war in Bosnia-Hercegovina, insinuating it would not have occurred had Slovenia and Croatia not been recognized. While a more differentiated picture evolved in recent years, the legend lives on. However, friends and foes of “German-bashing” so far had one thing in common: They could not base their opinion on a crucial source, namely the political archive of the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin, as the respective documents were classified until 2022. Based on the material now available, this essay analyzes how, when and why Bonn changed course in 1991. Initially being a staunch supporter of the preservation of Yugoslavia, it became the leading proponent of Slovenian and Croatian independence by the end of the year. At the same time the German government was the driving force behind extensive legislation for the protection of the Serb minority in Croatia.

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