[Yugoslavia Memory of a disaster] 1995. When Europe failed in its duty...
(BRUSSELS2) Standardization of relations between Serbia and the European Union is currently blocked by the Dutch (and the Belgians), considering that Mladic has not been handed over to the international tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, or that clear evidence of the collaboration of the Serbia with the Tribunal have not been made.
Sometimes in certain European circles, we curse these "damn" Dutch people who prevent this normalization. And we prefer to talk - to the image of the brand new President of Parliament, the Pole Jerzy Buzek, to whom the journalists put the question on Tuesday - of the need for reconciliation and respect for human rights, in general terms. It must be underlined: the Dutch are right to block this agreement (1)!
One cannot, in fact, ignore history.One of the most sordid and important massacres in the history of modern Europe took place at the age of fourteen. There, thehe international community - and Europe - have failed in their primary duty: to protect the civilian populations placed under their protection.
Let us remember. In mid-July 1995, iThey attack the Bosnian "enclaves", placed however under the protection of the United Nations. Especially in Srebrenica, where the situation was to become dramatic. Taking under fire the Dutch detachment of 450 blue helmets which ensured the protection of the area, taking 30 prisoners among the United Nations soldiers, the Bosnian Serb forces of Mladic arrived in the area on July 11.
Despite the request of Col. Karremans, commanding the detachment, of air support, the international command, provided in particular by General Janvier, refuses this support, for fear of causing other victims, in particular the military hostages. At the Potocari camp, around 20 civilians have taken refuge. They believe they are safe. Error. If the Serbs authorize the evacuation - by bus - of women and children, they retain the men. 000 people - according to the official count - were killed in a few days. On July 8372, the Dutch soldiers are authorized to leave the enclave, gift and glass of friendship as a bonus.
For the record, this eloquent report from the BBC (even if it is to be taken "with a grain of salt" because it is partly based on propaganda images shot by the Serbs themselves). In three parties
(1) Another thing is the visa liberalization for Serbs that the European Commission has just decided today. It is not necessary to punish a people for the misdeeds of their government. More questionable is not giving Bosnians the same treatment (even if it can be justified on other criteria).