Bruce F. Vento: “the tragic situation in Bosnia demands action by the United States. While I support diplomatic efforts to end the war in…”

“the tragic situation in Bosnia demands action by the United States. While I support diplomatic efforts to end the war in former Yugoslavia permanently, it has become increasingly apparent that diplomacy will prove insufficient in resolving the Balkans conflict, the source of which is deeply rooted and complex. Moreover, achieving consensus with our European allies on the best course of action has been extremely difficult. The time has come for the United States to take a leadership role. The recent Serb capture of U.N. safe areas and subsequent actions against the civilian population demonstrate once again that the U.N. arms embargo has worked only to the advantage of Serbia and the Bosnian Serbs against the Bosnian military and Croatian military and most importantly the civilians. I am outraged at recent reports of rapes, summary executions, and massive looting following the capture of Srebrenica by the Bosnian Serbs. This is a continuation of a pattern of outrageous behavior that is wholly unacceptable. If the Serb aggression continues unchecked and unchallenged, the former Yugoslavia will face an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. The United States should not stand by and permit this carnage and assault against human dignity persist to be endured by essentially unarmed Bosnian Moslems.”