Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 20, 1994 TAG: 9402200070
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From The Washington Post and the Boston Globe
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
Clinton's stern words, and statements by senior advisers that Serbian compliance is "ambiguous," contrasted with a more optimistic portrayal by United Nations commanders on the ground.
Clinton used his regular Saturday radio address to reinforce the message that the allies remain "prepared to act," and to prepare the American people for the possibility of airstrikes by outlining the reasons for U.S. involvement and the goal of military action.
"Our actions will be determined by one thing - the facts on the ground," Clinton said.
A senior administration official said the immediate evidence from Sarajevo was mixed. Columns of Serb troops were moving away from Sarajevo, but there was "evidence that some weapons systems remain in place."
The Bosnian Muslim government angrily charged Saturday that Serb weapons could easily fire on Sarajevo from the U.N. collection sites, which are in populated areas that NATO planes would be unable to hit with precision.
Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic called for NATO to appoint an independent commission to oversee the city's demilitarization. "I had hoped this was a first step," Ganic said. "Now I am disappointed."
Similar fears echoed throughout Sarajevo as Bosnians voiced concern that a U.N.-brokered temporary cease-fire may lead to the permanent division of their capital. Bosnians noted that the city remains under siege, its roads blockaded and its infrastructure in tatters. U.N. troops, reminiscent of forces in Cyprus, man positions on the lines dividing the city. And the withdrawal of Bosnian Serb guns only means the guns may be used elsewhere.
"We are fully aware this does not put an end to the war, and does not mean an end to the siege of Sarajevo," said Brig. Gen. Jovan Divjak, the Bosnian army's second-in-command.
"I am very much afraid we will be living in a safer city, but one in the last stages of ethnic cleansing under U.N. sponsorship," said Gordana Knesevic, deputy editor of Oslobodenje, Sarajevo's newspaper.
Clinton, who has faced criticism from some observers for failing to explain the purpose of U.S. involvement in Bosnia or to explain the goals of military action, used his radio address to do exactly that.
He said that while "Europe must bear most of the responsibility for solving this problem," the lesson of the 20th century is that "America cannot afford to ignore conflicts in Europe."
He repeated that he will not commit U.S. ground troops unless and until the warring parties in Bosnia - Serbs, Muslims and Croats - agree to a settlement, but said the United States has an interest in preventing a broader European conflict and a destabilizing flood of refugees, and also in demonstrating the continuing credibility of the NATO alliance. He also cited the clear "humanitarian interest in helping to stop the strangulation of Sarajevo and the continuing slaughter of innocents in Bosnia."
"Our military goal will be straightforward," Clinton said: "to exact a heavy price on those who refuse to comply with the ultimatum."
by CNB