AMERICANS' CONCEPT OF CROATS, SERBS `WRONG'

Ethnic individuals at IU use peaceful caucus to say they don't hate each other.

Bogdon Uzelac and Marina Kovacevic come from different regions of Yugoslavia. Uzelac is Serbian and Kovacevic is Croatian.

Both of them now live in Bloomington, Ind., and are affected by the war between Serbia and Croatia. Both have relatives and friends still living in these regions.

Kovacevic is a visiting Fulbright professor of Serbo-Croatian languages, teaching at Indiana University. Uzelac is an IU student.

George Raic and Marija Popovic are of Serbian descent and also IU students. Jeff Pennington is an IU student of Eastern European studies and has friends in Croatia and Slovenia.

Despite reports of widespread bloodshed in Yugoslavia, to say that all Serbians and Croatians hate each other is untrue. And while their ethnic differences may have caused tension, the five were willing to get together for a peaceful conversation with Children's Express.

"Some of the folks that I speak to, they're both Serbian and Croatian," says Raic, " . . . I think pretty much we all feel that there should be a peaceful solution, and we don't hold any kind of grudges against each other for what's happening many, many miles away."

For Uzelac, a person's ethnic heritage doesn't matter.

"We're not that different a people. In fact, everyone is not that different at all."

Kovacevic thinks politics distorts the truth.

"It is politics which makes this issue, a national issue, very obscure. I think Americans get the wrong concept about us Croatians and Serbians . . . hating each other and killing each other," she says.

The public was shocked to see gruesome pictures from Yugoslavia as evidence of the war's cruelty. The pictures of helpless and homeless people added to the horrors of this civil dispute.

This past summer, 40,000 ethnic Serbs fled across the Croatian border.

"There were refugees from Croatia and Serbia. There were 700,000 Croatian refugees as well. It always makes us feel terrible. People losing their homes regardless of their nationality," says Kovacevic.

The civil wars in Yugoslavia have deeply affected the people living there. Even though Popovic is thousands of miles away from the turmoil in her homeland, the war still affects her.

"It's affected me a little bit because it was a little uncomfortable with some of my Croatian friends in the beginning. We weren't sure how our parents would react to us still spending time together," Popovic explains. "I mean we are still good friends. In the long run it has not affected our friendships at all, but in the beginning it was a little strange."

Even though distance separates the students from their homeland, there is a feeling of danger for their compatriots.

Kovacevic, who is here with her two children, will return to her country when her fellowship concludes. "I'm glad my children are away from all that is happening there. In another way I feel cut off from things that are happening to people who are close to me."

There have been many speculations about the causes of the war _ conflict between the different religions and rebellion against the federal government.

Kovacevic has her own suspicions. She said she thinks the main reason is the collapse of the communist regime _ a regime that desires power at any cost. At stake for these people is their land, religion and nationality.

Another member of the group said these problems have long been in existence, but hidden.

"I think with the collapse of the communist regime that these feelings and beliefs (have) actually been allowed to escape and be known," explains Raic. "Because they've had these feelings all along. And under communism, as you well know, you're sort of forced to live and do whatever the government at that time wishes. And since it has collapsed, these feelings come out."

Now, it is not possible to talk about Yugoslavia as a whole country, but the references must be to regions. In 1991, free elections took place in Slovenia and Croatia. Macedonia and Bosnia-Hercegovina have declared their independence this year. Only Serbia and Montenegro are trying to preserve a united Yugoslavia.

"Actually, the democratic process grew unevenly in various parts of Yugoslavia. For instance, the free elections took place in Slovenia," says Kovacevic. " . . . There are six republics. They seem to have their own futures now."

These Eastern Europeans all want the fighting to be resolved by diplomatic approach.

Similar to what happened in the Soviet Union, Kovacevic believes that each republic should become a country and then be recognized individually and equally. That's when she feels the real discussion and negotiations will begin.

Fighting is destroying major cities, and the nation is now in need of repair. The economy and unity of the country are uncertain.

"I think what's going to happen or what's going to need to be done is aid will have to be received from the West to help rebuild certain areas . . . I see a lot of this aid coming from the European community and United Nations," says Pennington.

Writing to a congressman or the president is one way individuals can help.

Human lives have been sacrificed because of the war.

"I think just starting a civil war, everyone has lost. There is no winner when so many people are dead," Raic says.

"But every individual can contribute to a peaceful solution, to talking, to negotiations. I believe that is the way out. . . . Nothing is going to be resolved on the front. Just people losing lives," Kovacevic said.