In the twentieth century Serbia was destroyed in three wars, but never fully compensated. The issue of reparations is not fully completed even after the world wars, and even though we were on the side of winners. Serbia did not come out as a winner after the 1999 bombing, but it was not a loser either. Many people see in this fact the argument that the state, 16 years after the war, again initiate the question of payment of damage resulting from the demolition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. 

The theory that Serbia should remind the international public on that barbaric destruction is supported by the revived issue of war reparations, which in recent months is repeatedly circling the Europe. In that regard Greece has gone the furthest, requesting from Germany compensation for Nazi occupation during World War II, amounting 162 billion euros. 

Although Berlin refused even to discuss this issue, the move of Greek Prime Minister woke up a bit asleep thinking of more European states on the final reckoning of the past. In this group is certainly Serbia, which has never done final calculation of destructions and paid war reparations from the past. This applies particularly to the never paid damage, caused by the barbaric bombardment that lasted 72 days in 1999. 

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic reminded us last year that this question is still imposed. He then publicly said that Serbia expects compensation for damages suffered in 1999. Thus he became the first head of state in recent times, which said loud and clear that this issue is not closed for Serbia. The reason for this position of Serbia was recognition of NATO officials that Serbia was bombed without UN Security Council approval. 

Chances that it actually happens in the near future are perhaps best illustrated by the comment of the US Ambassador in Belgrade, Michael Kirby: “We will not pay war reparations for the bombing. From 2000 Serbia received a lot of support, and only in cash it amounts to billions of dollars. We will continue to help you, but you should concentrate on the future, not the past.” 

This attitude of the US ambassador perhaps best reflects the attitude of the West towards the misdeeds committed in 1999. And they are not small. In addition to human casualties, which are priceless, that was several months’ long systematic destruction of civilian infrastructure and commercial facilities. Regardless of the fact it seems impossible, Serbia should not permanently give up the compensation for the destructions. This is supported by the fact that the action was carried out without UN Security Council decision, which classifies this action as a violation of international law, and such acts do not have a limitation. 

In April 1999, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia initiated proceeding before the International Court of Justice, UN body, for compensation of war damages. The court declined jurisdiction because Yugoslavia at that time was not a UN member. The European Court of Human Rights decided the same way based on the requests for reparations of the victims of bombing and their relatives. The attempts for initiation of proceedings before the national courts of the states involved in the bombing were not successful either, while procedures before our courts are not possible. 

The former ambassador of Yugoslavia to the UN, Vladislav Jovanovic, believes that it is necessary to open a broad dialogue on the issue, but also recalls the historical truth that war damage is usually paid by the defeated. He recalls that in the 1999 war, we were not winners, but that we did not lose the war. “After the Kumanovo agreement, we have launched judicial claim for reparation of the damage caused by the bombing. The new government after 2000 started from the premise that the war is finished by the capitulation of Serbia and gave up claims. Compensation for war damages is a question which West disapproves, because the oblivion much better suit them. This is the only way to get rid of the burden that they got by their unlawful operation against Yugoslavia, and subsequent recognition of the independence of Kosovo. To them it is important to get rid of the stigma that they were the aggressors and that their action was violence against international law,” said Jovanovic. 

Although Serbia at the beginning of the millennium gave up claims on reparations, there is a possibility to reopen this issue claims Jovanovic: “State certainly cannot do it, but it is possible in the case of a group of aggrieved citizens, who can find a way to seek compensation. One of the possibilities is to obtain some kind of revolving credit, as it was the agreement between Tito and Willy Brandt. This type of loan is not refundable and is a good way for this kind of "set-off" between the states. The government in Serbia does not leave the impression that it could strongly enter into this process, especially since that is a painful topic for the West.” 

The destruction of Serbia in 1999

-100 billion dollars- official estimation of the damage
-25,000 destroyed or totally ruined residential facilities
-470 km of the roads destroyed
-600 km of the railways unusable 
-44 bridges destroyed 
-40 hospitals and health centres were destroyed
-120 power plants were bombed
-118 radio and TV transmitters were destroyed