Statement by Governor Bill Clinton On the Crisis in Bosnia

 

Article 4709 of alt.politics.clinton:

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Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago

Date: Tuesday, 18 Aug 1992 23:13:47 CDT

From: Mary Jacobs <U45301@uicvm.uic.edu>

Message-ID: <92231.231347U45301@uicvm.uic.edu>

Newsgroups: alt.politics.clinton

Subject: CLINTON TEXT: BOSNIA STATEMENT

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Statement by Governor

Bill Clinton On the Crisis in Bosnia

July 26, 1992

     The continuing bloodshed in Bosnia and the former Yugoslavia

demands urgent international action.

     Tens of thousands of innocent civilians have been killed and

countless cities have been destroyed.  Over two million refugees

have fled their homes, with vast numbers flooding into

neighboring countries -- the largest displacement of people in

Europe since World War II.  This human tragedy is not merely a

by-product of war; it is the result of a deliberate effort:  the

Serbian policy of "ethnic cleansing," designed to drive whole

peoples from the lands of their parents and move strangers into

their vacant homes.

     It is time for real leadership to stop the continuing

tragedy in the former Yugoslav republics.  I urge the

Administration to work with the nations of Europe to bring new

urgency to ending the bloodshed and ensuring the delivery of

humanitarian assistance.

     Croatia, Hungary and other neighboring countries face severe

burdens in absorbing the refugees fleeing the violence.  These

innocent victims must not be allowed to languish -- hungry, ill,

impoverished and exposed to the elements.  The international

community, especially the nations of Europe, must assure them

temporary safe-haven, with adequate food and shelter.  And the

Bush Administration must help them shoulder this burden and grant

temporary protected status to those stranded in the United

States.

     We must address not only the victims of war, but also the

continuing war itself.  Last week, yet another truce was agreed

to and, yet again, the cease-fire was immediately breached.  If

this latest agreement can be preserved, it could be a turning

point in the conflict as it takes the essential steps of

requiring that heavy weapons be put under U.N. supervision and

that refugees be allowed to return home.  The Serbian leadership

signed that agreement.  It should be held accountable to it.

     While there is time, our government should act to focus the

international community on a series of new actions.  They may not

succeed at this late stage, but at least we must do what we

reasonably can.

     We should make clear that the economic blockade against

Serbia will be tightened, not only on weapons but also on oil and

other supplies that sustain the renegade regime of Slovodan

Milosevic.  European and U.S. naval forces in the Adriatic should

be given authority by the UN to stop and search ships that might

be carrying contraband headed for Serbia and her ally,

Montenegro.  We should make a determined effort to convince

neighboring states that it is not in their interest to violate

the embargo.

     The international community should take steps to charge the

Milosevic regime, and those responsible for the slaughter of

innocent civilians, with crimes against humanity under

international law -- as we should have done long ago in the case

of Iraq.

     The continuing attacks by Serbian elements in Bosnia

threaten the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid,

jeopardize the safety of U.N. personnel and put at risk the lives

of thousands of citizens.  If the Serbs persist in violating the

terms of the current ceasefire agreement, the United States

should take the lead in seeking U.N. Security Council

authorization for air strikes against those who are attacking the

relief effort.  The United States should be prepared to lend

appropriate military support to that operation.  Air and naval

forces adequate to carry out these operations should be visibly

in position.

     I have emphasized the human agony of what has been taking

place on the very steps of modern Europe.  But we must also be

clear about the meaning of these events for our national

interests.  In this crisis, the international community faces the

first post-Cold War test in Europe of the fundamental principle

that international borders will not be changed by violent means

and that minority rights must be respected.  Its outcome will set

the standard for addressing other ethnic conflicts and the

effectiveness of vital international institutions, including the

European Community, the Atlantic Alliance and the United Nations

itself.

     I urge the Administration and the international community to

move forward, to act with the greatest possible urgency before it

is too late.  The people of Bosnia and the world community -- the

dream of a better, more stable world -- cannot afford further

delay.