The President’s Bosnia Decision

After the arguments have been made regarding U.S. vital interests in Bosnia and the possible consequences to U.S. credibility if we do not send troops to enforce the peace, there remains the equation in human terms. It is the coefficients in this equation, in combination with projected U.S. casualties, that largely determine the proper U.S. policy. The one remaining element in the human equation--the magnitude of future Bosnian casualties if we do not act to ensure peace--can be estimated from recent history.

How many lives of American soldiers, selected by chance, is it worth sacrificing to save 100,000 Bosnian lives? Each of us has his own answer to this question. In particular, President Clinton must have, consciously or unconsciously, answered the question for himself and found that answer to be smaller than his advisors’ estimate of future U.S. losses.

Since Clinton is our elected president, we have no choice but to accept the human equation as he sees it. The success of his Bosnian policy will ultimately be judged by the condition of Bosnia when our military presence is terminated, and a comparison of actual U.S. losses with the other coefficients in the human equation as seen by each American citizen.

MICHAEL HORSTEIN

Los Angeles

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Even if the presence of American troops in Bosnia prevents the opposing factions from killing each other, it will last only as long as our troops are there. Like the finger in the dike, the flood (of violence) will resume as soon as our intervention ceases. The recollections of horrible atrocities are so searing that generations-deep vendettas are inevitable. These people have lost their homes and families to a barbaric invader. They will not forgive and forget in the 12 months our troops are supposed to be there.

The reality is that our troops must stay in Bosnia for decades or our mission to keep peace is doomed.

If we want to really help resolve the conflict we should lift the arms embargo on the Bosnians and let them defend themselves. Only a balance of power will be a long-lasting deterrent to more hostilities.

JOHN HOPKINS

Northridge

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Many opinions have been expressed in The Times conveying that the U.S. has no business sending troops to Bosnia for peacekeeping. These are the questions:

Are we the leaders of NATO or aren’t we? Since we are, can we just pick and choose where and when to participate when NATO is called to do a job?

Are we a superpower or aren’t we? Are we to watch four years of horror, which the Bush administration could have prevented in 1991, but it sided with and supported Communist Yugoslavia, giving Serbia the green light for aggression, instead of supporting the legal secession of Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia when they chose democracy over communism? Does it not make America morally responsible for the consequences? Few Americans seem willing to see this now.

LINDA SULLIVAN

Yorba Linda

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I’d be more inclined to favor sending a peacekeeping force to Bosnia if it consisted entirely of volunteers. If the troops who risk their lives for Bosnia had each requested that specific assignment because they believed it was a cause worth fighting for, wouldn’t that be palatable to more Americans?

JESSICA SHAVER

Long Beach

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As I write, President Clinton smiles from the TV screen, with intention to persuade my fellow Americans to send our young men to Bosnia (Nov. 27). My father and my father’s brothers served our nation; most of them returned home. Patriotism is traditional in my family. Clinton has never served in our armed forces.

We feel deep empathy for what is on-going in Bosnia; however this is not America’s battle. No thanks, Bill. I won’t allow you to send my sons. You go.

E.S. TUCKER

Lake Forest

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Will those Bosnian Serbs so distressed and frightened in Sarajevo be assured the same level of support and defense as that guaranteed the Bosnian Muslims?

MARILYN DE WITT

Seal Beach

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William Pfaff was right on target in his appraisal of the Bosnian situation (Commentary, Nov. 29). It will be an imperfect peace, but one far superior to continued war and carnage. As he points out so well, the Americans have accomplished in only a few weeks what the Europeans could not accomplish in four years. Clinton has done the right thing and Congress should give him the majority support he deserves.

ARNOLD E. PAROLINE

Montebello

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Our president wants to send our troops to Bosnia to stop all the killings there. What is he doing to stop all the killings right in our own country?

BROTHER URBAN NAAL

Torrance