Valerie Hopkins
BIRN
Washington, D.C.In his speech at a forum (click here) about the Bosnian war on Tuesday, Clinton insisted that foreign policy decisions like the US intervention in Bosnia should not be made on the basis of public opinion, which he said was often apprehensive.
“Oftentimes when a proposed course of action is unpopular, it’s not exactly like the voters are telling you not to do it. It’s basically like a giant, blinking yellow light,” he said at the forum entitled ‘Bosnia, Intelligence, and the Clinton Presidency’ at his presidential library in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Clinton was reflecting on America’s role in stopping the 1992-95 war, and the conflict’s role in shaping his presidency, as he released 343 previously classified intelligence documents.
“Bosnia in some ways became a metaphor for the struggles of the 21st century,” Clinton said of the dilemmas he faced over diplomacy and intervention as the war erupted after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The 2,346 pages of declassified documents show that it was difficult for him to persuade US allies to intervene....
It has to be noted here, that the military action in regard to this directive occurred an hour before guns and bombs were deployed at Columbine High School. I don't think that can be ignored. The young men were at their Bowling Class first thing in the morning and reported by other students as 'their normal.' The announcement is made about the attack and within an hour they are armed and killing their peers. It isn't as though they didn't have a plan, but, having one and carrying it out are two different things. I think there is a connection. These young men grew up with military a part of their daily lives. Coincidence? Not in Littleton, Colorado. Anywhere else in the country it might be a coincidence, but, not with Columbine. To many common denominators for me to dismiss their actions that day.
Within the Dayton Peace Accords.
Article III
Withdrawal of Foreign Forces (click here)
1. All Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina as of the date this Annex enters into force which are not of local origin, whether or not they are legally and militarily subordinated to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, or Republika Srpska, shall be withdrawn together with their equipment from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina within thirty (30) days. Furthermore, all Forces that remain on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina must act consistently with the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In accordance with Article II, paragraph 1, this paragraph does not apply to UNPROFOR, the International Police Task Force referred to in the General Framework Agreement, the IFOR or other elements referred to in Article I, paragraph 1 (c).
2. In particular, all foreign Forces, including individual advisors, freedom fighters, trainers, volunteers, and personnel from neighboring and other States, shall be withdrawn from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina in accordance with Article III, paragraph 1.
