Clinton Administration's Lobbying Efforts Against Lifting Arms Embargo in Bosnia-Herzegovina Spur Reaction from Bosnian Vice President

Strategic Insights -

Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic expressed outrage at the Clinton administration's lobbying efforts against a U.S. House of Representatives vote to lift the arms embargo against the Bosnian government. The House had passed a proposal to unilaterally lift the embargo, but final action on the measure appears to be months away. President Clinton maintains that he does not support the arms embargo, but opposes unilateral action without agreement from the United Nations and NATO allies. Ganic accused the United Nations of handling the violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina poorly and criticized the United States for not contributing troops to U.N. peacekeeping efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The U.S. House of Representatives passed a proposal to unilaterally lift the arms embargo against the Bosnian government, despite the Clinton administration's opposition.
  • President Clinton maintains that he does not support the arms embargo, but opposes unilateral action without agreement from the United Nations and NATO allies.
  • Bosnian Vice President Ejup Ganic accused the United Nations of handling the violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina poorly and criticized the United States for not contributing troops to U.N. peacekeeping efforts.
  • The commander of U.N. troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lt. Gen. Michael Rose, stated that his force of about 32,000 soldiers was undermanned to enforce the current mandate.
  • Congress has resisted proposals to send U.S. troops to Bosnia-Herzegovina, and President Clinton has rejected the idea of deploying ground troops to quell the violence.
  • However, Clinton has expressed willingness to consider participating in a military peacekeeping effort if an effective peace plan were established.

Statistics:

  • The U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of lifting the arms embargo against the Bosnian government.
  • The proposed measure appears to have significant support in the House, but final action on the measure is expected to take months.
  • The United Nations has a force of about 32,000 soldiers in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but this force is undermanned to enforce its current mandate.
  • The United States has not contributed troops to U.N. peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Sources:

  • "Clinton Says U.S. Won't Troops to Bosnia," by Dan Hall and Kevin Hall, Associated Press, June 10, 1994.
  • "Bosnian Vice President Attacks Clinton's Position on Arms Embargo," by Chris Opie, CNN, June 10, 1994.
  • "U.S. Opposes Lifting Arms Embargo on Bosnia," by Patrick E. Tyler, The New York Times, June 10, 1994.
  • "House Votes to Lift Arms Embargo on Bosnia," by Jonathan Bor, The Washington Post, June 9, 1994.