Refugee Crisis - Croatia closes borders for Serbs, Serbia does the same for Croats

Discussion in 'Politics Discussion' started by Chello, Sep 25, 2015.

  1. Chello

    Chello Member

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    Okay, so I think that everyone is aware of the big refugee crisis that's currently happening in Europe. If you've been living under a rock, here's a quick summary, but you'll have to excuse my writing - I'm no writer or journalist.


    • For the past few years, a big civil war is going on in Syria. There's a lot of death and suffering, so people from those regions are immigrating their countries.
    • Germany invited all refugees to come to their country, stating that they can handle them all.
    • After 2 days of "handling", Angela Merkel (German counselor) announces that Germany isn't so welcoming for refugees no more.
    • Refugees, fueled by the false hopes and dreams of European countries, are massively moving towards Germany, UK, Sweden, etc.
    • A bunch of stuff goes down in the Balkans (building fences, smuggling refugees, sending refugees to neighbor countries...)
    • Serbia and Croatia (among others) have a face-off that results in both borders closing (hurting both economies)

    So there you have it in the shortest possible way, if you're looking for more just look at any major news site.

    Anyways, I'm from Croatia, so I'm interested how do other countries perceive these events? Who do you find "guilty"? What do you think about the whole crisis?

    Looking forward to your replies!
     
  2. Sunflogun

    Sunflogun Well-Known Member

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    I think that in the 21st century it's pretty shameful for the whole world that situations like this happen. Wars and refugees should be things from the past.
     
  3. kgord

    kgord Senior Investor

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    It is really awful that is happening. I wonder where will it ever end? It seems like the same sorts of things were happening during the Serbia Croatian War and people form Kosovo were displaced. I just can't imagine what it would be liked if you were forced to leave your country with just the clothes on your back and the few possessions you had. Those poor people are to be pitied. Maybe some of them can return if things in Syria are ever resolved.
     
  4. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    The way I see it? Close the borders, leave them to sort out their mess. It's unbelievable that thousands of men who are perfectly fit to fight leave and come to Europe. If they don't want to fight for their own country, why should we? It's even less believable that we "accept" anyone coming from there... not just Syria but pretty much any place. Anyone claiming to be "a refugee" gets in.
     
  5. Rosyrain

    Rosyrain Senior Investor

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    I was just watching this on the news the other night and was saddened to hear that we only allowed 18 of them into the US last year. The US is working to allow more of them into the country now and I hope that there is more we can do. The US is viewed as a place of sanctuary where people can get a chance to start over.
     
  6. SteakTartare

    SteakTartare Senior Investor

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    ^ This. While I understand the plight of those who's country is so bad they have to leave (and Syria is such a mess, it is hardly surprising), when do those countries problem's become, you know, their problem? No, instead they need to offload their woes on Europe, America, Canada, etc. Sure, the folks who are in dire straights need to be treated humanely and with dignity, but enough already with trying to fix everyone else's problems.

    P.S. I thought the UN was supposed to help with these kinds of things. What a shock they are shown to be completely and utterly worthless yet again. :rolleyes:
     
  7. Rainman

    Rainman Senior Investor

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    In any crisis there will be people who'll try to profit from it. I heard that some of the "Syrian refugees" were Nigerians. Since most of the so-called refugees are people who just want a better life elsewhere, the U.N should set up refugee camps in Turkey for example so the refugees can be closer to their homes. The fighting won't last forever after all . . .
     
  8. pwarbi

    pwarbi Senior Investor

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    I have conflicting opinions on this and while I think other countries should do what they can to help genuine refugees, that is the key word...GENUINE.

    Fleeing your country for fear of war and persecution is entirely different to wanting to leave for a better life. Many of these so called refugees are male, aged between 21 and 45 and I'm sure you've seen the pictures on the news, they look far from penniless and starving.

    Even one of the presidents of a European country said that the refugees that are passing through are better clothed and fed than the people that actually live in his own country.
     
  9. Chello

    Chello Member

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    I wholeheartedly agree with that. Unfortunately, it looks like that situation simply isn't possible in the modern world. World politics and all that jazz is simply horrifyingly large and that produces these kinds of situations.

    Since the war happened fairly recently, it's still a regular topic around here. And people who have experienced the things you've described, are still haunted by it. And it's rather sad.

    But also, ever since the war ended, there's been a tension between our two countries (Serbia and Croatia), as a result of the war. And I believe that happens after every war and such events.

    So this situation could have catastrophic consequences, because many countries are involved in the whole crisis. Whether it's the war itself, or the refugee migration.

    Tensions are currently rising not only between Serbia and Croatia, but also between other Slavic and Balkan countries.

    What are you talking about? Their homes are getting DESTROYED. If they stayed there's not even a slight chance of them defending their country, or for that matter, surviving. That's the way I see it.

    That's like asking a 4-year old girl to stand up to world heavyweight champion.

    On the other hand, I agree that this isn't the solution and that many immigrants aren't true immigrants. But asking them to stay, is even worse.

    My opinion.

    I believe that the States have recently agreed to allow many, many more because of the crisis. I can't currently find the source though, so I can't comment much.



    Only 20% of "Syrian refugees" are actually Syrians. Turkey doesn't care really much, from what I can tell, because it's not a part of the European Union.

    Fighting won't last forever, but sanitizing the damage might.

    Well if you were forced to evacuate your country right now, what would you take with you? Your phone, surely. Gotta stay connected, read the news, GPS... Laptop perhaps? Quality clothes to help you get through the trip?

    While I agree that all immigrants aren't in the same situation, I believe that we shouldn't judge them by what they are wearing. Why would refugees have to wear rags?
     
  10. crimsonghost747

    crimsonghost747 Senior Investor

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    Why couldn't they stand and defend their country? Give me one reason that makes these people unable to fight for their own country. Refugees are estimated at 9 million (quick google, could be inaccurate info).. with over 4 million confirmed by the UN. So yeah, the reality is somewhere between those. Lets assume about 50% of those are men of fighting age (say 18-60 years old)... which is a low estimate, in reality it's probably higher than that. Even at the lowest refugee estimate using a very low 50%, we would end up at 2 million guys who could (should!) fight.

    ISIS, on the other hand, has been estimated to have between 20 thousand (CIA low estimate) and 100 thousand (their own claim) fighters. (again quick google search). Military training and skills... I'd say that should be about equal since ISIS is basically just civilians with weapons, just like these refugees would be.

    That is, using the worst possible estimates for the refugees, 20 to 1 advantage. Add the air support from Saudis, Jordans, USA, France etc. and mentoring by western military advisors (and ex-military civilians)... looks to me that the refugees would be the heavy weight champion and ISIS would be the 4 year old girl that you used in your comparison. But yeah, if the heavyweight champion wants to run away from the girl... of course the European population should pay for it.
     

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