Subject: BosNet REPORT - ACSB Hotline: NATO-UN Actions; Diplomatic Efforts From: Nermin Zukic ------------------------------------------------------------------------ B o s N e t - Sept. 1, 1995 ======================================================================== Also available on Usenet as BIT.LISTSERV.BOSNET ________________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe send mail to DOC.IC.AC.UK, WITHOUT the subject: UNSUB BOSNEWS. Default format is set to DIGEST, if you have problems please contact moderator(s). ________________________________________________________________________ ACSB INTERNET HOTLINE Thursday, August 31, 1995 ON THE GROUND IN THE BALKANS: NATO launched widespread air strikes against Bosnian Serb military targets around Sarajevo and other U.N.-declared "safe areas" for the second straight day on Thursday. The U.N. Rapid Reaction force based on Mt. Igman joined in the attack with its artillery. NATO and U.N. forces continued to target Bosnian Serb artillery positions, air defense systems, and communications centers. Spokesmen said the attacks would continue until Bosnian Serb artillery was removed from the heavy weapon exclusion zones around Sarajevo and Gorazde. ON THE DIPLOMATIC FRONT: ACSB fully supports NATO's decision to launch strategic - rather than pinprick - air strikes against Bosnian Serb forces in response to their attacks on Bosnian "safe areas". The air campaign should help to restore some of NATO's lost credibility. At the same time, ACSB believes that the gesture was long overdue. The large-scale bombing campaign proves conclusively that the Bush and Clinton Administrations' arguments against the efficacy of air power in the Balkans were wrong. Credible diplomacy must be backed by credible force. ACSB still believes that military force should be used to effect a just and sustainable settlement rather than a partition plan. Today's campaign is welcome and long overdue. ACSB hopes, however, that the Administration will seize the opportunity that this presents to obtain a just peace settlement. The danger remains that it will continue to rush forward with an initiative that would appease Serbia and only nominally preserve Bosnia's sovereignty. What was true three years ago has been doubly proven this week: Strong U.S. leadership and resolve can change the balance of power in the Balkans and deal a blow to Serbian aggression. It is vital, however, that the Administration direct this resolve to reverse Serbian aggression, not reward it through a de facto carve-up of Bosnia. In the Congress, cosponsors are still prepared to override President Clintons' veto of the Dole-Lieberman bill to terminate the U.S. arms embargo against Bosnia. However, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole, in a statement released on August 30, said that in light of the NATO air campaign over Bosnia, he may reconsider his decision to bring the bill to an early vote. In any case, Congress remains in recess until September 6. The next scheduled update is Friday, September 1. ________________________________________________________________________ Opinions expressed/published on BosNews/BosNet-B do NOT necessarily always reflect the views of (all of the members of) Editorial Board, and/or moderators, nor any of their host institutions. Zeljko Bodulovic Dzevat Omeragic Davor Wagner Nermin Zukic ------------------------------ End of BOSNEWS Digest 384 *************************