Sir, - Mr D. O'Malley, TD, (May 8th), argues that high moral principles in respect to human rights must come before any self interest. This principle, if applied across the board, would make all of us worthy citizens of the world. Regrettably, in the world of real politik, government, party political and even personal interests (be they trade, power, political influence, etc) always did, and will continue to take precedence over any moral or idealistic considerations. The doctrine of the New World Order introduced by George Bush, and continued by Bill Clinton, was supposed to instal the principles of democracy and the respect for human rights across the whole world. In practice, it has shown itself to be but an instrument of the US foreign policy, designed to establish political and economic dominance by the US.
However, I must take issue with Mr O'Malley regarding his references to Bosnia (Bosnia Herzegovina, Mr O'Malley). Referring to Bosnian people. he bemoans the possible permanency of ethnic cleansing, the loss of so much of their country, and the lack of any military support for refugees wishing to return home. Which Bosnian people is he referring to? He must be aware that Muslims, Croats and Serbs lived in that territory, and all have been ethnically cleansed to a greater or lesser degree. Is he referring to the Muslims, or is he including Croats and Serbs in that definition? Even assuming the latter, the idea that all these people can return in their previous homes, and continue to live among their old neighbours, as if nothing had happened, is utopian in the extreme. Too much blood has been spilled, too many lives have been destroyed. I would love to visit my ancestral home in Mostar again, but, as a Serb, I know that that is but an impossible dream.
Destruction of Yugoslavia meant a certain destruction, of Bosnia Herzegovina as a political entity. The civil war in Bosnia Herzegovina had its genesis in the inter ethnic war which raged there during the second World War. Communist dictatorship papered over the second World War cracks for 45 years. Only another dictatorship, this time externally imposed, could paper over the cracks of this war. But dictatorships are unacceptable in today's world, apart from the fact that military involvement abroad is prohibitively expensive, and papering over the cracks is not a long term solution. Partition, even if relatively short term, is the only practical answer.
As for the War Crimes Tribunal, it is unlikely that the indicted Serb leaders will be delivered to the Hague. Whether they are guilty or not is almost irrelevant.
What is important is that their testimony could well implicate president Milosevic of Serbia. Despite some recent loss of, prestige, he is, together with Tudjman (Croatia) and Izetbegovic (Bosnia Herzegovina), both as guilty as the rest, still regarded as a key politician in the implementation of the international (read USA/German) policies in the region. Thus the Tribunal will continue to occupy itself with the small fry such as Dusan Tadic. Real politik reigns supreme. - Yours, etc.,
Serbian Information Bureau,
Hermitage Lawn,
Grange Road,
Dublin 16.