PERSPECTIVES

US SECRETARY OF STATE

MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT

The disintegration of Yugoslavia has produced extremely tragic consequences. Thousands of people have been killed, injured, and displaced because of ethnic hatred. Leaders have taken up banners of nationalism and led the Balkan people down a path of death, horrible cruelty, and continuing suffering. The United States is obligated to take actions which will promote a resolution to this conflict.

In addition to our desire to stop the suffering of innocent civilians, the United States has important national interests in the Bosnian conflict. Our primary national security goal in Europe is to support the integrity of the NATO alliance. We are obligated to support the actions of NATO members, like France and Great Britain, who previously attempted to mediate this conflict. As the remaining world superpower, we are the only nation which can provide leadership to promote order amidst chaos in Bosnia and other regions of the former Yugoslavian state..

The US seeks to avoid a wider war in the Balkans which could result from military intervention, however. It was in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, in 1914, that a Serbian nationalist assassinated the Archduke of Austria, starting World War I. The Russians have been historic supporters of Serbia. For this reason, the US has collaborated closely with Russian leaders in the deployment of US troops to the former Yugoslavia.

As members of the international community, we have a moral obligation to stop the genocide and ethnic cleansing which has been taken place in Yugoslavia's civil war. President Bill Clinton acted decisively in ordering US ground troops to the region in late 1995. The United States has saved millions of lives through our continuing relief efforts, and supports the work of a war crimes tribunal which will hopefully try those responsible for the atrocities in Bosnia. We must remain strongly committed to the cause of long-term peace in the Balkans. Our national interests and concern for human rights compel us to remain committed to these goals.

NOTE: This "personal testimony" and others included in this project were written using published sources to provide an accurate depiction of the perspectives of different individuals involved in the conflict in the former-Yugoslavia. Direct quotes were used when possible, and inferences made to complete each perspective.

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