U.S. Policy in Yugoslavia

Benjamin Schwarz’s analysis of the crisis in Bosnia-Herzegovina was disturbing (“Leave the Little Wars Alone,” Commentary, June 8). His recommendation to wait passively while innocent children are executed and houses of worship are vandalized only serves to deteriorate America’s moral status in the international arena.

Two fatal errors in U.S. policy-making contributed to the horrifying developments in the former Yugoslavia: 1) last year, Washington failed to immediately recognize the sovereignty of Slovenia and Croatia, thereby according Serbia the false sense that invading these counties was legitimated by the remaining superpower; and 2) last month, the State Department laid partial blame for the violence on indigenous Bosnians who were defending themselves against pro-communist aggressors, projecting an image that ethnic strife was the source of the crisis and not Serbian aggression.

The failure of Europe and the U.S. to deter the persecution of Bosnian civilians has only been surpassed by the callousness of rulers who claim to represent Muslims but could not recognize the independence of Bosnia-Herzegovina until recognition became irrelevant.

Clarifications of religious and ethnic alliances in Bosnia-Herzegovina are important for any positive actions to take effect. The nation of Bosnia-Herzegovina embraces a distinct culture, and does not merely mark temporary meeting grounds for Croats and Serbs between whom Muslims are sandwiched. The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Christians in Bosnia-Herzegovina are not Croats and Serbs, respectively, inhabiting a foreign land, but are predominantly Bosnian. The events in Bosnia can be described as a genocide as opposed to ethnic unrest.

Schwarz’s opposition to dealing with this genocide adds to the injustice levied against Bosnia-Herzegovina. In addition to the sanctions imposed on Serbia, the U.S. should lead the effort to: 1) fortify fledgling anti-war groups in Serbia: and 2) end the bloodshed in Bosnia-Herzegovina by deploying a significant number of U.N. or NATO peacekeeping forces.

SALAM AL-MARAYATI

Director, Muslim Public Affairs Council

Los Angeles