MTU speaker to relate work, travel in Balkans   In this photo, taken in May 1998 in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, riot police in Belgrade line the street to prevent students from marching (Photo courtesy Ron Martin). HOUGHTON ’Äì The recent arrest of Slobodan Milosevic and the ongoing fighting in Macedonia by Albanian separatists have once again catapulted the Balkans back to front-page news. Ron Martin, a Ph.D. candidate at Michigan Tech and the guest at Tech Tea Time on Wednesday, April 18, will present a brief background on the Balkans and will show slides from his extensive work and travels in the region. Tech Tea Time is at 4 p.m. in the MTU Memorial Union Alumni Lounge. The event is free and open to all. When Ron first traveled through Yugoslavia in July 1985, he didn't know the difference between a Serb, a Croat or a Muslim. "I just thought everyone was Yugoslavian," he says.   This photo, taken in September 1996 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, shows election campaign material of Tuzla Mayor Selim Beslagic, a strong advocate for a multi-ethnic Bosnia.  (Photo courtesy Ron Martin). He returned to a much-changed Balkans in 1996 to teach environmental engineering at the University of Tuzla in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ron stayed on as an election observer and has since returned ten times to work as an election official in Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Croatia. "I am always anxious to return to the Balkans, and I'm always filled with hope," Ron says. "The land is beautiful with snow-covered mountains above rustic villages, trout-filled rivers running through pine forests, small farms with stone fences and historic cities with ancient forts, mosques, and churches. The Balkan people are friendly and have a wonderful, if somewhat dark, sense of humor." However, he adds, "With each return there is always an underlying fear and dread. Even after extensive reconstruction, it is impossible to ignore the immense destruction. Homes and buildings lie in ruins, and entire villages are in much the same condition as they were when they were first destroyed."   In September 1998, Ron Martin, international supervisor, first row left, poses with other members of the multi-ethnic election team at Makljen Pass, near Gornji Vakuf, Bosnia and Hercegovina. The team was tasked with overseeing voting by disabled voters unable to vote on election day.  (Photo courtesy Ron Martin) Ron considers these problems small compared to the lives that have been lost or devastated. Everybody in the region has been touched by war. The war destroyed once close relationships. Neighbors, friends and even family members found themselves on opposite sides of the bitter conflict. Ron is working on a doctorate in environmental engineering and is enrolled in the Peace Corps Masters International Program. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, he received a B.S. in chemical engineering from The Ohio State University and an M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He has worked as an environmental engineering consultant on an environmental project in Siberia and has also been an election observer in Azerbaijan. He has traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, Latin America and Africa and is an avid windsurfer, climber (ice and rock) and skier. Some Tea Time audience members may remember two previous lively presentations that he gave about his travels to China, Tibet and India. Tech Tea Time is coordinated by the University Cultural Enrichment Department. For further information call 487-2844.   Click here for other Arts and Cultural events this week ...