But the outbreak of moderation remains far from pandemic. And nowhere are the strains of nationalism and mistrust more stubborn than in Bosnia. Voters last week dealt the latest setback to the prospects for reconciliation in that divided land, handing decisive victories to nationalists in the Muslim-Croat federation and the Serb Republic, the two semiautonomous entities that make up Bosnia. The results dampened any levity that might have accompanied the fifth anniversary of the Dayton peace agreement, which ended three and a half years of warfare among Muslims, Croats and Serbs. That goal now appears even more distant.
Democracy never produces big breakthroughs.
There wasn't much to smile about last week. The unexpected strength of Muslim nationalists owed much to the renewed partisan vigor among Bosnia's two other ethnic groups. When election observers responded by disqualifying 13 HDZ candidates, party leader Ante Jelavic said he would refuse to join in the formation of a new government. But Bosnians need more help than ever. But there's a silver lining.