The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/c/clinspch.zip/CLINBOS.TXT

Text File | 1992-08-24 | 5KB | 112 lines

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 <[e-mail]>
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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.