Political Quotes

“it has been over 2 years, since the spring of 1992, during which the outside world has stood largely idle as the Republic of Bosnia--a nation of Europe recognized by the United Nations--has been attacked, raped, and dismembered by forces under the control and direction of a neighboring government. Decades from now, historians will reflect on the Bosnian tragedy and wonder what compelled Western leaders to stand inert in the face of a challenge that so clearly threatened Western interests and Western values. Equally mysterious will be the language utilized to obfuscate Western inaction: We are told that the Bosnian crisis is a ``difficult diplomatic problem''--as if any foreign policy challenge were simple. We are told that we are doing all we can ``consistent with our national interest''--an articulation meant to imply that some larger strategic rationale requires us to be morally comatose. We are told that the genocide in Bosnia is a civil war, when it was obvious to all that the government in Belgrade was culpable in instigating the conflict. We have heard the Bosnian Government labeled ``the Moslems''--a choice of words designed to conjure up the frightful image of an Islamic tide sweeping across Europe--when it was well understood that the Sarajevo government was multiethnic in character. We have designated safe areas, which have, until recently, been safe only for Serb gunners.…”