International community must share blame for Srebrenica

THE arrest of Ratko Maldic is long overdue and this man certainly has a “case” to answer. Having worked with an international organisation in that region I would like to offer the following comments to your readers:

* Srebrenica was declared a “safe haven” by United Nations and the safety of all there guaranteed.

* While many of the superpowers has military personnel in the area, only a small number of Dutch military were assigned to Srebrenica.

* When it became clear that Bosnian Serb forces were building up in the area, United Nations called on the international community for assistance.

* Despite the fact the United States had military aircraft overflying the area no support was made available.

* While the Bosnian Serbs have a case to answer, the international community (no US national can be brought before the war crimes tribunal at the Hague) should be called to account for their lack of action to protect the unarmed Bosnian Muslim civilians massacred at Srebrenica.

* This in no way reflects on the integrity of the military personnel assigned to the region but on the actions/inactions of politicians.

Michael A Moriarty

Rochestown

Cork