Editorials

Bosnians must make peace themselves

THE U.S.-brokered peace agreement for Bosnia is being smashed on the shoals of smoldering ethnic hatred. Although the NATO military effort seems to be succeeding in separating the enemy armies, the civilian efforts to heal the wounds of war and build a multiethnic nation are foundering.

Before Serb-held districts of Sarajevo were transferred to the control of the Muslim-Croat government, roving gangs set dozens of buildings ablaze and looted those still standing. Their intent was to drive the Serb residents out and leave the remaining facilities uninhabitable. The Muslim-Croat government made no real attempt to induce the Serbs to stay.

NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana said the alliance's military mission in Bosnia was on track but expressed concern over the political situation. "In forcing people to leave, the Bosnian Serb authorities have behaved abominably and the actions of the (Bosnian) federation authorities have been far from reassuring," Solana said.

Indeed, none of the three contending groups - Serbs, Croats or Muslims - has shown any interest in creating the multiethnic nation that is the basic assumption of the peace accord signed in Dayton, Ohio. And the international force, although it has taken military control of the country without serious opposition, has been reluctant to use its power to protect civilians, stop the looting and arson, or apprehend war criminals.

Reconstruction has lagged, in part because the U.S. Congress failed to approve $200 million pledged for that work.

Secretary of State Warren Christopher is trying to put the peace process back on track, but the outlook is bleak. If the Clinton administration makes good on its pledge to pull American troops out after one year, the whole process may collapse and the war may resume.

The essential problem is that the will to establish a genuine peace is lacking on all sides. That is not something that can be supplied by other countries. NATO, with U.S. support, has brought an end to the fighting, but it is up to the Bosnians themselves to find ways to live with each other. So far they have made little progress in implementing the agreements signed in Dayton.

But the United States cannot be expected to make peace for them. That was tried in Somalia with abysmal results. No one seriously contends that the abortive Somalian "nation-building" effort should be repeated in Bosnia. Nor can the U.S. military presence be extended without raising fears of a permanent occupation.

Boat inspections

THE taxpayers are getting soaked for rescues of commercial fishing boats, but many of these expensive emergencies could be prevented by requiring inspections.

Body piercing

LEGISLATORS with too much time on their hands are dreaming up a new way to protect people from themselves. A resolution calls for the state Department of Health to determine whether the state should regulate and license a growing fad among young people - body piercing. People have been poking holes in themselves for centuries. The need to impose rules on such conduct is questionable.





Published by Liberty Newspapers Limited Partnership

Rupert E. Phillips,CEO

John M. Flanagan,Editor & Publisher

David Shapiro,Managing Editor

Diane Yukihiro Chang,Senior Editor & Editorial Page Editor

Frank Bridgewater & Michael Rovner,Assistant Managing Editors

A.A. Smyser,Contributing Editor



Text Site Directory: [News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Community] [Information] [Feedback]