----- Original Message ----- From: "Baardwijk, J. van DTO/SLWPD/RZO/BOZO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:57 AM Subject: RE: Report on the massacre in Srebrenica
> > -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- > > Van: Dan Minette [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > > Verzonden: dinsdag 16 april 2002 1:31 > > Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Onderwerp: Re: Report on the massacre in Srebrenica > > > > The report was published on April 10 and is still a major topic in > > > the Dutch media. (It was considered so important that the > > > presentation of the report to the government was aired live on TV.) I > > > think the major reason for it fading from view in the media has to do > > > with the Number One Topic: the Middle East. > > > > Well, > > Well... what? Well, it is curious that a report on actions that resulted in many thousands of deaths, more deaths than the total number of deaths in the Middle East conflict came and went in one news cycle. Yet, the story of the US not shading its statements about the turmoil in Venezuela correctly has been in the media for about weeks worth of news cycles. Or, compare the response to the furor over the treatment of the AQ detainees by the US. Clearly, there is a double standard here. But, I think the double standard insults the Dutch more than the US. Its as thought the Dutch are so unimportant, they can be partially responsible for the massacre of thousands and that's considered less important than Arti Fleisher's body language. I'll give the Dutch government credit on how they are handling this. They are not dismissing it as readily as the European and American press are. But, its still very curious that it took so long for an investigation to report on the problem. And, as it stands, the attitude of Europe towards this whole thing is quite disappointing. > > Before judging Dutchbat, you should read the information available > on-line at the official website http://www.srebenica.nl/en/index.htm > (particularly the Summary for the Press and the Epilogue). I read it. Let me give you my conclusions. The basic policy appeared to be based on denial of reality. The reality was that the Serbs were conducting an active campaign of genocide. Little or nothing would stop them. The fantasy was that there were two sides who just couldn't get along, but that the presence of light blue helmets would be enough to remind them of the need to be good boys and girls. At the time, there was sufficient information to determine, to first order, the reality of the situation. Yet, there was no real effort to understand the reality. Promises were made without any thought of whether they could be kept. And, when push came to shove, both the UN the Dutch soldiers let the Serbs murder those under their protection. And, when it became clear that this policy wouldn't work, the US was told to come in and straighten things out. Like it or not, the US was told it was its job to be the world's policeman. IMHO, the peacekeepers in the former Yugoslavia didn't even break a sweat trying. Dan M.
