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Bosnia [Folder 1] [3]
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Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
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WOMEN IN BOSNIA
Women must be included in the process of reconstruction and
reconciliation.
They can help stabilize the region and provide leadership in
their communities. They need to be included in the upcoming
election process and they need access to humanitarian
assistance.
It would be helpful to highlight the need to ensure that
women are an integral part of rebuilding efforts, and that
they are seen as peace-makers, policy makers and business
leaders.
Throughout the war, women worked to maintain their
households, communities and local hospitals, while men were
sent to fight or organize what economic activity could be
sustained. Women became increasingly isolated and invisible
to the international community. Nonetheless, women and
their families sustained more casualties than soldiers, as
they remained vulnerable to shelling and snipers throughout
the war.
Many women, as a result of terrible loss, are now single
heads of household and widows.
Women, who were victims of some of the worst human rights
abuses of the war, continue to suffer from the traumas of
the conflict. As you know, many of these women were
subjected to torture, including rape as a weapon of war.
These women continue to be at risk from the after-affects of
trauma and from the potential threats from civilian and
military forces in the region that have merely traded
military for police uniforms. As peace plans move forward,
protection and rehabilitation resources need to be mobilized
for women.
96
11:19
387 71 659722
J.
007
HALIDA BOJADZI (Bosniak) is a co-founder of the organization
"Women Who Lost Children". Mrs. Bojadzi lost two sons in the
war. 32 members of her extended family died during the war.
MARIJA MALESEVIC (Croat) is a co-founder of "Women Who Lost
Children". She is the mother of nine children, one of whom (a
12-year old son) was killed in the siege of Sarajevo. She is
a kindergarten teacher.
Dr. AMRA SARAC (Bosniak) worked throughout the war as the
chief of Kosovo Hospital's Trauma Ward. Her work included
counseling victims of ethnic cleansing from Eastern Bosnia,
Srebrenica, and Zepa, and in particular, concentration camp
detainees and victims of rape. She is a graduate of the
University of Sarajevo Law School and is a licensed social
worker.
"Zena 21" Interview:
NURDZIHANA DOZIC (Bosniak) is a journalist with degrees from
Sarajevo and Belgrade. She worked for Oslobodjenje from 1981-
1992 when the Oslobodjenje building was destroyed by shelling.
She is a founder of the mental health magazine "Corridor".
She is currently the Editor-in-Chief of "Zena 21", a women's
monthly journal.
She will be accompanied by photographer Mr. Toso Mitasevski
(Macedonian) who has lived and worked in Sarajevo since 1976.
24/03
96
11:18
387 71 659722
006
NADA SALOM (Slovene) was a leading journalist in prewar
Sarajevo. She earned her journalism degree from the
University of Sarajevo. As a reporter with Sarajevo's main
daily "Oslobodjenje", she focused on cultural affairs. At the
beginning of the war she was the editor-in-chief of the
cultural section of Oslobodjenje. She is also a well known
short story writer.
SABIRA HADZOVIC (Bosniak) was elected Mayor of Sarajevo in
March 1996. She serves also as the Dean of the Sarajevo
School of Pharmacy. Ms. Hadzovic is the author of 40
scientific works on pharmaceuticals. She is the president of
a large women's association "Mak Bosanka" which is comprised
of professionals and academics.
JASNA MUFTIC (Bosniak) represented Bosnia at the 1995 Beijing
Women's Conference. She is a professor of philosophy and
sociology. In 1992 she was the President of the Commission
for Human Rights -- a Bosnian human rights organization. In
1995 UNDP contracted her services for a project on women in
Bosnia.
Dr. ESMA ZECEVIC (Bosniak) is a practicing pediatrician who
specializes in infant diseases. She is a full professor at
the University of Sarajevo's Medical School. Throughout the
war she worked at Kosovo Hospital, itself a target of
shelling.
Dr. NERMINA IBLIZIC (Serb) is the sole female neurosurgeon in
Bosnia and Herzegovina. She remained in Sarajevo throughout
the war, working at Kosovo Hospital.
JAKOB FINCI (Jewish) is the most prominent Jewish community
leader in Sarajevo. He is an attorney by profession. He
heads "La Benevolencia", a leading community service
organization with links to NGOs around the world. It provides
meals, shelter, and clothing to thousands of Sarajevans of all
ethnic groups.
24/03
96
11:17
387 71 659722
005
NOTABLES:
CARDINAL VINKO PULJIC (Croat) was named the first Bosnian
Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church in 1995. He is a
popular figure and deeply committed to a multi-ethnic future
for Bosnia and Herzegovina. His midnight Christmas mass was
televised worldwide.
METROPOLITAN NIKOLAJ (Serb) is the leader of the Orthodox
Church in the Serb Republic. His territory also covers part
of the Federation. He was the first Serb Republic Orthodox
priest to conduct services in the Federation since the onset
of the war.
BISHOP FRANJO KOMARICA (Croat) became the Roman Catholic
Bishop of Banja Luka in 1986. Bishop Komarica spent nine
months under house arrest before being released in December
1995. Prior to that, he was a professor of theology in
Sarajevo. Highly regarded for his efforts to protect human
rights and freedoms for all people, Komarica remained in Banja
Luka throughout the war and was a prime point of contact for
information on the expulsions of Croats and Muslims from the
region.
VLADIMIR SREBROV (Serb) is a writer and was a member of the
Bosnian Parliament before the war. He was beaten and
imprisoned by Pale Serbs for 39 months after he appeared in
Ilidza in an attempt to negotiate for free transit in and out
of Sarajevo. He continues to promote a multi-ethnic Bosnia
through the Serb Civic Council (an organization of Serbs who
remained in Sarajevo throughout the war).
KATARINA MANDIC (Croat) was recently named to the nine-member
Federation Constitutional Court. In 1972, she was appointed a
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. During her career in the lower courts and on the
Supreme Court, she worked on a wide range of civil matters.
For a number of years, Ms. Mandic has served as a member of
the Bar Examination Commission of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
24/03 '96 18:29
387 71 659722
5.
002
BOSNIAN PARTICIPANTS IN THE
VISIT OF THE FIRST LADY TO TUZLA
*
Emina Bicakcic, eight-year old poet
*
Nermana Bicakcic, Emina's mother
1. Father Janjic Simo (in Tuzla)
2. Bishop Franjo Komarica
3. Metropolitan Krsta Vijeljac
4. Mufti Husein ef. Kavazovic (in Tuzla)
5. Sabira Hadzovic, Governor of the Sarajevo Canton
6. Katarina Mandic, Federation Judge
7. Dr. Esma Cemerlic Zecevic, pediatrician
8. Dr. Nermina Iblizovic, neurosurgeon
9. Nada Salom, writer
10. Vladimir Srebrov, writer
11. Jasna Muftic, Unija Zar lawyer, women's rights
12. Dr. Amra Sarac, rape trauma counselor
13. Ms. Sabina Piric, Women's Association of Tuzla **
14. Ms. Ljerka Knezicek, Women's Association of Tuzla **
15. Ms. Mira Nastic, Women's Association of Tuzla **
16. Ms. Fatima Ilusejnovic, Women of Srebrenica **
** this group (13 - 17) will reduce in number and combine to
bring the number of participants to 15. Decision pending by
White House Advance in Tuzla.
U.S. Embassy:
Karen Decker
Raz Bazala
Nick Giacobbe
Jasna
Sanja
24/03 '96 11:17
387 71 659722
004
WOMEN'S GROUPS:
"UNIJA ZAR" is the Organization of Women's Associations of
Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the war, 54 women's groups
sprang up throughout Bosnia. Ten are headquartered in
Sarajevo. The Unija Zar is an umbrella organization
encompassing the 54 organizations, all of which have in common
a patriotism to Bosnia and the protection of women's rights.
"WOMEN WHO LOST CHILDREN" is a loose confederation of women
dedicated to the protection of children's rights. The
association formed during the war and was active in the
movement of children, particularly orphans, out of Sarajevo to
places of safety, despite criticism from the government.
"WOMEN OF SREBRENICA" is an organization, based in Tuzla, of
women who have family members killed in or missing after the
Serb assault on Srebrenica. The organization's members often
protest against the government and international organizations
for their failure to resolve quickly the issue of the missing
from Srebrenica.
ATTACHMENT C
Interview with Zena 21 magazine
Ms. Nurdzihana Dozic is the Editor-in-Chief of "Zena 21"
magazine, professional women's magazine which is partially
funded with USG assistance. Ms. Dozic interviewed U.S.
Ambassador to Austria Swanee Hunt when Ambassador Hunt visited
Sarajevo. "Zena 21" was published throughout the war and is
still being distributed free of charge. Its editors believe
each copy is read by at least 10 Bosnians, and in isolated
cities such as Gorazde, its readership soars to 50 readers per
copy.
BIOGRAPHY
NAME:
FATIMA HUSEINOVIC
ADDRESS:
Rudarska 55, Tuzla
I was born in Srebrenica, and I lived there until its fall on July 11, 1995.
I worked as a seller for 28 years before the war. I am the mother of two grown
children. In the Srebrenica tragedy I lost my husband and all related males.
I am President of Women's Association of Srebrenica since May 15, 1992, when
it was formed. Presently, I work on tracing missing Srebrenica men.
Mar. 23 1996 12:42PM P5
PHONE NO. : 387 75 821 073
FROM : USAID/BHR/OTI/TUZLA
BIOGRAPHY
NAME:
ALMA HUSIC
address:
ul. V. Nazora
phone:
237-136/33-282
I was born in Srebrenica, where I lived until 1988. I lived in Bratunac from 1988
until the beginning of the war in 1992. After the war started, I moved with my husband
to Srebrenica. On July 10, 1995 I was wounded, and after six days spent in Bratunac.
When Srebrenica fell on July 18, I was evacuated to Tuzla. My husband and my father
are still missing.
I am employed with Security Service Center in Tuzla. I have been actively
involved with the Women's Association of Srebrenica as a member of the Association
Presidency. Tracing the true about missing people is our top priority and after that
solving of social women and children problems.
Mar. 23 1996 12:41PM P4
PHONE NO. : 387 75 821 073
FROM : USAID/BHR/OTI/TUZLA
BIOGRAPHY
NAME:
LJERKA KNEZICEK
ADDRESS:
G. Lazarevic 172, Tuzla
I was born in Tuzla. I am married and I have two children.
I work in the Tuzla bank in the Currency Department.
I have been a member of the Tuzla Women Association since 1994, and since
1995 I have been a member of the Association Presidency.
Mar. 23 1996 12: 42PM P6
277 811 SL 389 : ON PHONE
FROM : USAID/BHR/OTI/TUZLA
BIOGRAPHY
NAME:
MIRA NASTIC
I work at the Tuzla Foundry as an officer in Automatic data processing
department. I am member of Tuzla Women Association since 1993. I am a
member of the Association's Presidency.
Mar. 23 1996 12:41PM P3
PHONE NO. : 387 75 821 073
FROM : USAID/BHR/OTI/TUZLA
BIOGRAPHY
NAME:
SABINA PIRIC
ADDRESS:
Fride Laufer 12, Tuzla
I was born and live in Tuzla. Before the war, I was President of the Tuzla
Women's Association, i.e., since its founding. After a two-year hiatus, I was re-elected
president of the Association; I still hold this office. I am also President of the Group of
Women pensioners of Tuzla, part of the Tuzla Women's Association
I am retired. I worked for 30 years in the Ministry of the Interior.
Mar. 23 1996 12:43PM P7
PHONE NO. : 387 75 821 073
FROM : USAID/BHR/OTI/TUZLA
file Bosnia
October 19, 1996
LAUNCH OF HUMANITARIAN PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR BOSNIA
DATE:
Monday, October 21st
TIME:
9:30 - 11:00 am
LOCATION: State Floor
FROM:
Nicole Rabner
I.
PURPOSE
To launch two public-private partnerships designed to provide
humanitarian support to the people of Bosnia & Herzogovena.
II. BACKGROUND
Today, you will formally launch two public-private humanitarian
initiatives: a landmine awareness comic book and a hospital
partnership.
Landmine Awareness Comic Book
The comic book, named Deadly Legacy, features Superman teaching
Bosnian children how to avoid the dangers of landmines and stay
safe. It targets children 8-12 years old, who are often in
greatest danger of landmines, and is intended for massive
distribution in Bosnia & Herzogovena.
There have been many partners in the production of this project:
Ambassador Albright provided leadership and counsel; DC Comics, a
unit of Warner Brothers, donated the Superman copyright; the U.S.
Department of Defense provided technical assistance and funding;
and UNICEF and the Mine Action Center provided counsel and will
be responsible for distribution.
An oversized poster of the cover of the comic book will be
formally unveiled during the ceremony. In addition to Carol
Bellamy, Ambassador Albright, and Sandy Reisenbach, the V.P. of
DC Comics, six Bosnian refugee children will join in the
unveiling. The refugee children have promised to send the comic
book to their friends back home.
Landmines in Bosnia & Herzogovena
As you know, landmines and unexploded ordinance present a great
threat to the children of the Balkans. Mines have been used by
all sides of the conflict, often without accurate maps and
records. While mine laying has been concentrated on
confrontation lines, mines have also been found in religious
buildings and schools, which put civilians at risk during normal
activities such as working in fields, gathering firewood,
travelling by car, working around the house, and children
playing.
The single most important lesson in mine awareness is teaching
people how NOT to become landmine victims. The primary lesson is
"do not touch landmines." Mine awareness focuses on teaching
people to identify mines and, since accidents often occur beyond
the range of immediate medical care, to learn basic first aid,
which can significantly reduce permanent injury or death.
U.S. Landmine Policy
As you know, in May, 1996, the President announced the new U.S.
landmine policy, and it is controversial in some quarters by
those who do not think it went far enough, including Senator
Leahy, who will attend the event.
See attached document on U.S. landmine policy.
Buffalo-Tuzla Hospital Partnership
As you know, the Buffalo-Tuzla partnership is a new health care
linkage supported by the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) and managed by the American International
Health Alliance (AIHA). On January 23, 1996, you wrote to Brian
Atwood, Administrator of USAID, to encourage USAID to explore the
feasibility of establishing a hospital partnership to help the
people of Bosnia.
This partnership will join Buffalo General Hospital (BGH) with
the Tuzla Medical Center (TMC). BGH is the largest hospital in
upstate New York; the TMC is a 1,850 bed multi-building medical
center, which serves a multi-ethnic population and is a major
referral center for many parts of Bosnia and Herzogovena. The
hospital partnership builds on an existing relationship between
the two institutions that has existed informally since 1994 with
a medical personnel exchange program.
The Buffalo and Tuzla partners have identified preliminary
priorities for the partnership; they are: health services
management and administration, nursing, pediatrics, and
obstetrics/gynecology.
American International Health Alliance
The American International Health Alliance (AIHA) was established
in 1992 by leading U.S. health care organizations and
associations to be the primary vehicle through which America's
health care organizations could respond to requests for
international technical assistance. Adapting the hospital
"twinning" concept, AIHA provides technical assistance to key
health care institutions in Central and Eastern Europe and the
New Independent States through a largely voluntary, "partnership"
model.
Under cooperative agreements with USAID, AIHA is supporting 41
health care partnerships world-wide: 16 in nine countries of CEE
and 25 in eleven countries of the NIS. The AIHA partnerships are
unique because they rely heavily on the voluntary efforts of many
individuals and from many institutions in the United States.
As you know, you have visited four partnerships around the world:
in Russia, Estonia, Ukraine and Belarus. In June of 1995, you
were joined at the White House by the First Lady of Latvia, Mrs.
Ulmane, to launch a hospital partnership between hospitals in
Riga, Latvia and St. Louis, MO.
III. PARTICIPANTS
Speaking program participants
-HRC
-Ambassador Albright
-Jill Buckley, Assistant Administrator, USAID
-H.E. Sven Alkalaj, Ambassador of Bosnia & Herzogovena to the
United States
Comic Book Unveiling
-HRC
-Amb. Albright
-Carol Bellamy, Exec. Director, UNICEF
-Sandy Reisenbach, V.P., Warner Brothers
-6 Bosnian Refugee children
Hospital Partnership Signing
-Tenfik Tulomovic, Director, Tuzla Clinical Center
-Boris Hrabac, Advisor to the Minister of Health, Bosnia and
Herzogovena
-Selim Beslagic, Mayor of Tuzla
-John Friedlander, President/CEO, Buffalo General Health System
-James Smith, Executive Director, AIHA
-Anthony Masiello, Mayor of Buffalo
Audience
-Approx. 180 people, including the leaders of each of the
initiatives being announced, Buffalo community leaders, and
leaders in the humanitarian relief community.
IV. SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
See attached scenario.
V.
PRESS PLAN
Open Press.
VI. REMARKS
Provided by Lissa Muscatine.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TO:
THE FIRST LADY
WHAT:
BOSNIA HUMANITARIAN EVENT
WHEN:
Monday, October 21, 1996
WHERE:
Greet Program Participants:
Blue Room
Remarks:
East Room
Receiving Line:
Blue Room
Guest Reception:
State Dining Room
NOTE:
Approx. 180 guests/Open Press for remarks
FROM:
Ann Stock, Sarah Farnsworth
(Guest invitation time is 9:00 a.m.)
8:50 a.m.
THE FIRST LADY arrives in the Map Room for event briefing.
9:00 a.m.
THE FIRST LADY proceeds to Diplomatic Reception Room to greet
the SABRE FOUNDATION (Approx. 25 participants).
THE FIRST LADY makes brief informal remarks, takes individual
photos and two group photos.
9:15 a.m.
THE FIRST LADY proceeds to the Blue Room for meet and greet.
Note: Refer to separate list.
9:30 a.m.
THE FIRST LADY, accompanied by Ambassador Albright,
Ambassador Sven Alkalaj of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina to
the US, and Jill Buckley, is announced into the East Room and proceeds
to stage.
Seated on stage:
-
The First Lady
-
Ambassador Albright
-
Jill Buckley, Acting Administrator, USAID
-
Ambassador Sven Alkalaj
SPEAKING PROGRAM:
-
The First Lady makes remarks and introduces Ambassador Albright.
-
Ambassador Albright delivers remarks and invites refugee children,
Sandy Reisenbach, VP of Marketing at Warner Brothers, and Carol
Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF, to come on stage and "unveil"
the Mine Awareness Comic Book.
Unveiling of the Mine Awareness Comic Book:
- The First Lady, Ambassador Albright and Jill Buckley proceed to the
easel where they are joined by the children, Carol Bellamy and Sandy
Reisenbach.
- Ambassador Albright or one of the children will unveil the comic.
- Ms. Bellamy, the children and Ms. Reisenbach return to seats.
-
Jill Buckley proceeds to the podium, delivers remarks and introduces
Ambassador Sven Alkalaj.
-
Ambassador Sven Alkalaj makes brief remarks.
-
Jill Buckley returns to the podim and asks the signing participants to
proceed on stage to the signing table.
Signing of the Buffulo/Tuzla Hospital Parnership
-
Mayor Selim Breslagic, Tenfik Tulomovic, Boris Hrabac, Selim
Breslagic, Mayor Masiello, John Friedlander and James Smith
proceed on stage.
-
Tenfik Tulomovic and John Friedlander are seated first and sign
two documents each.
-
Boris Hrabac and James Smith are seated next and sign two
documents each.
-
Mayor Selim Beslagic of Tuzla and Mayor Anthony Masiello of
Buffulo witness (sign) two documents each.
Note: The First Lady, Ambassador Albright, Ambassador Sven Alkalaj
and Jill Buckley stand to the side to watch the signing.
10:30 a.m.
Upon conclusion of the program, THE FIRST LADY returns to the
lectern to invite guests to State Dining Room for a reception.
THE FIRST LADY proceeds to the Blue Room for receiving line.
NOTE: The receiving line will flow from the State Dining Room through Red
Room into Blue Room and out Green Room.
11:00 a.m.
Following receiving line, THE FIRST LADY departs.
11:30 a.m.
Guests exit East Gate.
OCT-18-96 14:26 FROM:
ID:
PAGE 2
USAID
*******
Jill Buckley
Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs
U.S. Agency for International Development
Jill Buckley was sworn in Feb. 11. 1994,
produced and placed campaign advertising.
as assistant administrator for legislative and
Other clients included the National Educa-
public affairs of the U.S. Agency for Interna-
tion Association. the American Trial Law-
tional Development (USAID). USAID is the
yers Association and the National Clean Air
government agency that administers economic
Coalition.
and humanitarian assistance worldwide.
From 1973 to 1982. she was a founding
Buckley had previously served as
partner in Rothstein/Buckley Inc., one of the
director of external affairs at USAID since
nation's first Democratic political consulting
May 1993.
firms specializing in media. Rothstein/
Before joining USAID. Buckley headed
Buckley served political candidates in 40
her own public affairs/communications
states, including Sens. Don Reigle (D-
consulting firm. Jill Buckley & Associates,
Minn.). Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.). Tom Daschle
which she had re-established in January
(D-S.D.) and many members of the U.S.
1993. Among her clients were The Ameri-
House of Representatives.
can Association of Retired Persons. National
Buckley has frequently conducted
Legal Aid and Defenders Association. and
training sessions for the Democratic party, as
The Jefferson Center.
well as environmental. international and
From 1988 to 1992. Buckley was a
women's groups. In addition, she led ses-
partner in the FMR Group. a full-service
sions in the Czech and Slovak republics.
public affairs firm whose clients included
Romania, South Africa and Northern Ireland
The Sierra Club, National Democratic
for the National Democratic Institute for
Institute for International Affairs, American
International Affairs.
Israel Public Affairs Committee, American
She also has lectured at the University of
Nurses Association, National Association of
Chicago. Yale. Harvard, George Washington
Social Workers and Planned Parenthood
University and The American University.
Federation of America.
Buckley has a bachelor's degree in
Before joining the FMR Group, she
English from the University of Oregon and
headed her own organization, J. Buckley
has done graduate work at the University of
& Associates Inc., from January 1983 to
Denver and Georgetown University. She
November 1988 where she advised over 100
resides in Washington, D.C., and has one
candidates for federal and statewide offices
daughter, Melissa. a graduate of Stanford
on campaign strategy and message and
University.
August 1995
10/17/96 THU 14:58 FAX 202 8332061
EMBASSY OF BOSNIA & HERZ
1
001
Post-it* Fax Note
7671
Date 10/17
# of
pages
1
To NICOLE RABNER
From ESMIR
Co./Dept.
Co. EMBASSY OF
Phone #
Phone #
BOSNIA
Fax 0
Fax #
Embassy of he Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Washington, D'C
Biographical Information
The Ambassador of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
to the United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
H.E. Sven Alkalaj
H.E. Sven Alkalaj is the first Ambassador to the United States of the Republic of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Ambassador Alicalaj was born on November 11, 1948 in Sarajevo. the capital of Bosnia
and Herzegovina.
Ambassador Alkalaj earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, specializing
in Energy, Power and Engineering from the University of Sarajevo in 1974. In 1987, he earned his
Master's Degree from the University of Sarajevo in International Economics.
Ambassador Alkalaj's professional business career has taken him from Europe to the Far East. He
began his career with Petrolinvest, a Bosnian engineering company for the design and construction of
refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants where he was a project engineer, start up engineer and
process design manager.
After earning his Master's Degree, the Ambassador's next step took him to the head office of
Energoinvest in Sarajevo, the largest engineering and exporting company in the former Yugoslavia
which had a turnover exceeding $2 billion (USD) in 1990 and which operated 20 offices world-wide.
He held the position of Regional Manager for the Middle East and Far East regions.
Ambassador Alkalaj became the Managing Director of Energoinvest in its Bangkok, Thailand
branch office in 1988. His responsibilities included the newly emerging economic powers of the Far
East: Laos, Burma, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand. For his work,
Ambassador Alkalaj was awarded a medal in 1990.
In November 1993, Ambassador Alkalaj was appointed Charge d'Affaires, a.i. of the newly
opened Embassy of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Washington, D.C. In June of 1994, he
was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. Ambassador Alkalaj presented his
credentials to President Clinton on June 23, 1994.
Ambassador Alkalaj is fluent in French and English and enjoys tennis and basketball. He is married
and has one child.
1707 1. Street, NW, Suite 760
Washington, DC 20036
Phone (202) 833-3612
Fax (202) 833-2061
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 16, 1996
FACT SHEET
U.S. Announces Anti-Personnel Landmine Policy
People in 64 countries, mostly in the developing world, face a daily threat
of being killed or maimed by the estimated 100 million landmines in place
today. Anti-Personnel Landmines (APL) claim more than 25,000 casualties
each year, obstruct economic development and keep refugees from returning to
their homeland. As more than a million mines are still being laid each year,
they will remain a growing threat to civilian populations for decades unless
action is taken now.
The U.S. initiative sets out a concrete path to a global ban on APL but
ensures that as the United States pursues this ban, essential U.S. military
requirements and commitments to our allies will be protected.
International Ban - The United States will aggressively pursue an international
agreement to ban use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel
landmines with a view to completing the negotiation as soon as possible.
Korea Exception - The United States views the security situation on the Korean
Peninsula as a unique case and in the negotiation of this agreement will protect
our right to use APL there until alternatives become available or the risk of
aggression has been removed.
Ban on Non-Self-Destructing APL - Effective immediately, the United States will
unilaterally undertake not to use, and to place in inactive stockpile status with
intent to demilitarize by the end of 1999, all non-self-destructing APL not
needed to (a) train personnel engaged in demining and countermining
operations, or (b) defend the United States and its allies from armed aggression
across the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Self-Destructing APL - Between now and the time an international agreement
takes effect, the United States will reserve the option to use self-
destructing/self-deactivating APL, subject to the restrictions the United States
has accepted in the Convention on Conventional Weapons, in military
hostilities to safeguard American lives and hasten the end of fighting.
2
Annual Report - Beginning in 1999, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
will submit an annual report to the President and the Secretary of Defense
outlining his assessment of whether there remains a military requirement for
the exceptions noted above.
Program to Eliminate - The President has directed the Secretary of Defense to
undertake a program of research, procurement, and other measures needed to
eliminate the requirement for these exceptions and to permit both the United
States and our allies to end reliance on APL as soon as possible.
Expanding Demining Efforts - The Department of Defense will undertake a
substantial program to develop improved mine detection and clearing
technology and to share this improved technology with the broader
international community. The Department of Defense will also significantly
expand its humanitarian demining program to train and assist other countries
in developing effective demining programs.
###
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 16, 1996
FACT SHEET
U.S. Efforts to Address the Problem of
Anti-Personnel Landmines
The Administration is committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis
caused by the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel landmines (APL). It is
estimated that every year more than 25,000 people are maimed or killed by
these weapons. To this end, the Administration has pursued a broad range of
efforts to control the transfer and use of APL, as well as to protect civilians
from those APL that have already been laid in the ground through mine
awareness and mine clearance programs.
Since 1992, the United States has observed an export moratorium on APL.
The United States has urged other countries to adopt export moratoria as
well. To date, more than 30 nations have joined us.
In 1994, in his UN General Assembly address, President Clinton initiated
the call for the eventual elimination of APL. Since then, the UN General
Assembly has adopted annually by consensus a resolution supporting this
goal.
Also at the UN General Assembly, in 1994, the President proposed an
international agreement to reduce the number and availability of APL. A
first meeting on the program to restrict the production, stockpile and
transfer of APL was held in June, 1995. Consultations on it continue.
The United States pressed for tighter restrictions on APL use in the
Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW). At the conclusion of the CCW
Review Conference on May 3, 1996, a number of important improvements to
the CCW were adopted, including provisions that: all APL must be
detectable, all non-self-destructing APL can only be used in marked and
monitored areas, and self-destructing/self-deactivating APL must have a
lifespan of no more than 120 days with a combined self-destruct/self-
deactivate reliability rate of 99.9%. CCW parties also agreed that the new
rules should be extended to internal armed conflicts.
2
The United States contributes to demining programs around the world. In
fiscal year 1996, the United States government will spend about $32 million
in cash and in-kind contributions to demining programs in fourteen
countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Bosnia, Cambodia, Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Jordan, Laos, Mozambique, Namibia, OAS/IADB regional program in
Central America (Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua) and Rwanda.
-- In Bosnia, the United States has led the effort to establish a Mine
Action Center in Sarajevo, which coordinates mine information,
education, and demining activities there. The United States provided the
initial $8.5 million for the Center.
The Department of Defense is pursuing research and development of
technology specifically designed for the needs of humanitarian demining
operations. The FY97 request for this program is about $7 million.
###
file
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 23, 1996
The Hon. Brian Atwood
Administrator
United States Agency
for International Development
Washington, D.C.
Dear Brian,
By all accounts, the USAID-supported hospital partnerships
between medical institutions in the Newly Independent States and
hospitals in the United States have proven to be highly
effective. I was impressed by my visits to projects in Ukraine,
Russia and Belarus, and I am grateful to USAID for the initiation
of a recent project in Latvia. These partnerships are making
critical and invaluable contributions to improving the delivery
of health care by leveraging relatively small public
contributions from USAID with significant voluntary support from
American medical institutions.
I am interested in the potential of similar partnerships to
help meet the critical health needs of the war-torn Bosnian
people. Establishing hospital partnerships during this period of
hoped for reconciliation, especially while our soldiers are
deployed on the peacekeeping mission, could be an important way
to provide critical humanitarian assistance and to safeguard the
peace. I understand that one such collaboration is already
underway, as New York's Buffalo General Hospital and SUNY have an
existing relationship with medical institutions in Tuzla that
they have maintained during the war. It might prove both
invaluable and cost-effective to build on this relationship and
explore other possible partnerships.
Thank you also for your leadership of the United States
delegation to the Madrid Humanitarian Summit. I look forward to
hearing your report on the meeting. Best wishes for a happy and
healthy New Year.
With warm regards, I am
Sincerely yours,
Hillary Hillary Rodham Clinton
10/17/96 THU 17:15 FAX
+++
FL
003
PATTICK LEAHY
ce: Melanne
COMMITTEE
VERMONT
AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND
FORESTRY
APPROPRIATIONS
United States Senate
JUDICIARY
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-4502
October 12, 1996
Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White House
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Hillary,
You have always opposed the use of anti-personnel landmines and
you deserve great praise for that.
I was particularly pleased to hear of your support for the
efforts of Madeleine Albright and Jenette Kahn, working with DC
Comics to produce the Superman Comic designed to teach children
about the dangers of landmines. I have appreciated working with
them on some of the technical aspects, but they, and you, deserve
all the credit for moving this forward.
I have watched the development of the book, and I think that it
will serve a real need in educating children in places like
Bosnia.
Congratulations to all of you.
Pat LEAHY
VERMONT OFFICES: COUNT HOUSE PLAZA, 180 MAIN STREET, BURLINGTON 002/843-2526
FEDERAL BUILDING. ROOM IM. MONTPELIER 802/228-0689
OR DIAL TOLL FREE 1-800/543-3183
[email protected]
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Judy Collins
October 16, 1996
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington DC 20050
Dear Mrs. Clinton,
I am honored to be able to join you at the White House on Monday,
October 21, 1996.
It was on my visit to Bosnia in 1994, as special representative for UNICEF, that I first
became aware of the devastating number of landmines in the world today and the
vulnerability of children to their random violence. As you may recall, the
drawings I brought back from Bosnia were presented to you and the President, a cry
from these children to all of us.
I was also witness in Dubrovnik to classes of seven and eight years old children
being taught how to protect themselves from landmines. Therefore, when I was
asked by Ambassador Albright and Ambassador Inderfurth if I could help them
make contact with Warner Animation to start the development of a Superman
outreach video, comic book and poster to help educate children about landmines, it
was with a sense of great gratitude that I was able to put the Ambassadors together
with my friend, Jenette Kahn, president of DC Comics.
Jenette is a close friend of Patrick Leahy, who has been speaking out about
landmines for many years and was instrumental in bringing about a ban on exports.
It was UNICEF 's marvelous Landmine Awareness Program Kit for children that
gave the model for the talented DC Comic animators. Jenette Kahn and her group
at DC comics have done a brilliant job! It is our hope that this Superman story will
be translated into many languages and be used in all of the sixty-four countries
around the world where landmines are spreading their destruction.
As a spokesperson for human rights and particularly, children's rights, I am deeply
moved that you will bring this matter to the world on Monday.
I look forward to seeing you.
Best Regards,
Judy Collins
Rocky Mountain Productions, Inc.
P.O. Box 1296, Cathedral Station, New York, New York 10025
212-749-7221, [email protected]
File
Bosnia
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDE
28-Jan-1996 12:42pm
TO:
Brenda B. Costello
TO:
Nicole R. Rabner
FROM:
Sarah Farnsworth
Scheduling and Advance
SUBJECT: SEQUENCE WHICH WENT TO HRC
TO:
THE FIRST LADY
WHAT:
BOSNIA HUMANITARIAN RELIEF EVENT
WHEN:
Monday, January 29, 1996
9:45 a.m.- 11:20 a.m.
WHERE:
Remarks: East Room
Rec. Line:
Blue Room
# of GUESTS:
Approx. 180/Open Press/Business Attire
FROM:
Ann Stock, Sarah Farnsworth
8:45 a.m. East Visitor Gate opens for guest arrival. Guests
proceed to the Grand Foyer for coffee and pastries.
9:45 a.m.
THE FIRST LADY arrives in the Red Room for event
briefing.
Following briefing, THE FIRST LADY proceeds to the
Blue Room to greet the following:
BLUE ROOM PARTICIPANTS: (** On stage)
** -
Brian Atwood, Admin, Agency for International
Development
** -
Arch Bishop Ricard (To confirm), representing the
Catholic Relief Services
** -
Very Reverend Nicholas Triantafilou (TREE - AN - TA -
FEE- LOW), Chancellor of the Orthodox Arch-Diocese,
representing the International Orthodox Christian
Charities (IOCC)
**
-
Julia Taft, President of InterAction
**
-
Tony Lake, National Security Advisor to the President
-
Phyllis Oakley, Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of
Population, Refugee and Migration
-
Members of Congress:
- Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-RI)
- Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)
- Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA)
- Rep. Tony Hall (D-OH)
-
Mayor of Tuzla (to confirm/include name)
-
Ambassador Schifter
10:00 a.m.
PROGRAM BEGINS:
-
Blue Room guests except stage participants
are escorted by Social Aides to their
reserved seats in the East Room.
-
Brian Atwood and Tony Lake are announced and
proceed to seats on stage.
-
Father Ricard (T), Father Triantafilou and
Julia Taft are announced and proceed to seats
on stage.
-
THE FIRST LADY is announced and proceeds to
lectern on stage in the East Room. (Enters
via Cross Hall.)
SPEAKING PROGRAM:
-
THE FIRST LADY makes remarks and introduces
the three speakers who will speak in the
following order:
-
Father Ricard, (NEED TITLE), speaks on
behalf of the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
(3 min.)
I
The Very Reverend Nicholas Triantafilou
(TREE - AN - TA - FEE- LOW), Chancellor of
the Orthodox Arch-Diocese, speaks on behalf
of the International Orthodox Christian
Charities (IOCC). (3 min.)
-
Julia Taft, President of InterAction, speaks
on behalf of the humanitarian aid
organizations working in the region. (3 min.)
-
THE FIRST LADY returns to the lectern to make
closing remarks and invite guests to a
receiving line in the Blue Room.
10:40 a.m.
THE FIRST LADY proceeds to the Blue Room for
a receiving line with the guests. (Approx. 180)
NOTE: Guests attended a coffee in the Grand Foyer
prior to the event. The receiving line will flow from
the Green Room/Cross Hall door through the Blue Room
and out the Red Room into the Grand Foyer. Guests will
begin to exit at this time. The State Dining Room will
be closed in preparation for another event.
11:15 a.m.
(Approx. time) THE FIRST LADY departs.
12
E
+
THE NEW YORK TIMES EDIT
ARTHUR OCHS SULZBERGER JR., Publisher
JOSEPH LELYVELD, Executive Editor
GENE ROBERTS, Managing Editor
Assistant Managing Editors
SOMA GOLDEN BEHR
DAVID R. JONES
GERALD M. BOYD
CAROLYN LEE
The New York Times
WARREN HOGE
JACK ROSENTHAL
ALLAN M. SIEGAL
HOWELL RAINES, Editorial Page Editor
Founded in 1851
PHILIP M. BOFFEY, Deputy Editorial Page Edito
ADOLPH S. OCHS. Publisher 1896-1935
RUSSELL T. LEWIS. President and General Manage
ARTHUR HAYS SULZBERGER, Publisher 1935-1961
JOHN M. O'BRIEN. Executive V.P., Deputy Gen. Mir
ORVIL E. DRYFOOS. Publisher 1961-1963
WILLIAM L POLLAK Recutive V.P., Circulation
ARTHUR OCHS SULZBERGER, Publisher 1963-1992
PENELOPE MUSE ABERNATHY, Senior P.P.,
Planning and Human Resources
RICHARD H. GILMAN, Senior V.P., Operations
JANET L ROBINSON, Senior V.P., Advertising
RAYMOND E. DOUGLAS, V.P., Systems and Technology
DONNA C. MIELE, V.P., Human Resources
CHARLES E SHELTON, V.P., Distribution
DAVID A. THURM, V.P., Production
Rebuilding Bosnia Cannot Wait
Three and a half years of merciless war have
former soldiers now demobilized. Tens of thousand
left Bosnia's economy and society shattered. Two-
of women who lost husbands in the war also mus
thirds of the country's housing lies damaged or
find ways to provide for their families. International
destroyed. Half the prewar hospital beds are gone,
reconstruction aid should be channeled as quickly
along with half the doctors and nurses. Roads and
as possible into job-creating projects rebuilding
bridges are impassable and some four million hid-
housing, roads and bridges.
den mines await potential victims. Gas, electricity
Meanwhile, Bosnia is preparing for elections.
and telephone lines are ruptured and three out of
For these to be conducted fairly, giving moderates a
four adults have lost their livelihoods.
chance to displace the extremists responsible for
So far too little has been done to address these
the war, independent candidates will need access to
crushing problems. The large reconstruction effort
print and broadcast media now dominated by ethnic
promised as part of the Dayton peace agreement
parties and governments. Mr. Frowick, who has
has fallen badly behind schedule.
chief responsibility for supervising the elections,
The delay has potentially severe consequences
has been trying to expand election coverage and set
for sustaining peace in Bosnia. Improvements in the
up new broadcast outlets, but his efforts have not
lives of ordinary Bosnians are the most effective
yet produced acceptable results.
way to reinforce the Dayton settlement. If the re-
The Dayton agreement also assures refugees, a
building of Bosnia's civil society does not begin in
large proportion of Bosnia's population, the right to
earnest immediately, the peace could start to crum-
vote. But some European countries warn that those
ble by the time NATO forces are to depart at the end
who exercise this right could forfeit their refugee
of this year, creating pressure for the troops to
status. Mr. Frowick and Mr. Bildt must make sure
extend their stay. The nearly $2 billion so far pledged
this threat is withdrawn.
in aid must be put to quick and effective use.
For civilians to move freely throughout the
To that end, President Clinton and European
country, they must get past roadblocks manned by
leaders should shift their focus from military to
armed ethnic militias and survive attack from
civilian aspects of the peace settlement and bring a
hostile mobs uncontrolled by local police. Mr.
new sense of urgency to bear on such needs as
Bildt's civilian monitors should insist that local
putting people back to work, assuring free and fair
police secure safe passage for civilians. NATO
conditions for this summer's elections and making
forces, which have begun accompanying refugee
it possible for people to cross ethnic boundaries
convoys, should prod local military units to respect
without fear. They must see to it that the interna-
Dayton's guarantees of free movement.
tional coordinators of civil reconstruction, chiefly
There is still time to save the civil side of the
Carl Bildt of Sweden and Robert Frowick of the
peace effort if Mr Bildt and his team move more
United States, have the determination and re-
swiftly in the next eight months than they have in
sources they need to get the job done.
the last four. The unacceptable price of further
The best insurance against renewed warfare in
delay is likely to be new warfare or the long-term
Bosnia would be finding jobs for some 300,000
commitment of American and European forces
file Bosuca
August 3, 1998
To the Women of Bosnia-Herzegovina:
I want to add my support to those who stand together on "Suada's Bridge" to affirm the
essential role of women in shaping your country's future.
This project, and the special presentation of "Necessary Targets," are so important to
raising awareness about women's rights. I have faith that you will draw strength in remembering
how so many women across Bosnia-Herzegovina persevered in the worst of circumstances. I
hope it will inspire you to make a difference for the future.
You, the women of Bosnia-Herzegovina, are a powerful force for change. Among your
families and neighbors, you can be a voice for reconciliation and cooperation in building a better
life together. In the elections this September, you can cast enough votes to reject the ethnic
tensions of the past in favor of a united, multi-ethnic Bosnia where your families can prosper.
The Dayton Agreement helped end the death and despair in Bosnia-Herzegovina. You
can help lead to a future of peace and promise.
Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Phonetic file Bosnea
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PHOTOCOPY
HRC HANDWRITING
Renaissance Weekend Media Desk
Tel: 803-785-1234#471
12/29/97
10:16
1/3
RUSH TO: Nancy Hernreich, The White House
FAX: 1 (202) 456-6703
FROM: Renaissance Weekend Media Desk
PAGES (INCLUDING THIS COVER):
3
NANCY: I would be most appreciative if you would give the
attached to the First Lady before she departs for Hilton Head.
Many thanks. Happy New Year! Guy Smith (Tel: Hilton Head
Hyatt-Tel: 803-785-1234, Rm 471).
Monday, December 29, 1997
ec: Melanne
29DEC97
MEMORANDUM
TO: The First Lady
FROM: Guy L. Smith
SUBJ: Local Bosnia NGOs Funding
Dear Hillary:
Again. let me say a sincere thank you for including me in the delegation on the Bosnia trip
It was an incredible experience.
Further to our conversation during the trip regarding how to help the local
Sarajevo-based NGOs to get funding for their efforts here are a few thoughts
that are likely to produce some funding.
Identify about 20 major foundations (e.g. Pew, Rockefeller, Ford, Robert Wood Johnson)
and invite them to a meeting at the White House. Also invite two or three reps of the local
NGOs who attended your meeting in Sarajevo.
Hold the meeting in the Map Room, in the evening.
At the meeting you say a few words about what is going on in Bosnia, how local NGOs.
such as those represented there that evening. are making a vital contribution to nation-
building. freedom-building. and economy-building in Bosnia.
Have the Bosnia NGOs speak about what they are trying to do. what they have
accomplished so far, and what challenges they face (including funding).
Then ask the representatives of the foundations to send someone to Bosnia to "assess" the
work of the local NGOs and how they might support such efforts. By asking the
foundations to merely send a representative to assess, rather than asking them to support
and fund, they will have a much harder time saying no.
Probably half of the foundations present at the Map Room meeting will actually send a
representative to Bosnia and about half of those who send someone will actually fund
something--but that will be five or 10 projects that will very likely make a big difference
1
Renaissance Weekend Media Desk
Tel: 803-785-1234 #471
12/29/97
10:18
3/3
Followup the White House meeting hosted by you a month or so later with a "briefing" for
the same foundation representatives. Have people from the NSC, State, and Commerce as
well as your staff, make presentations on how things are going in Bosnia. Your attendance
wouldn't even be necessary. other than maybe a drop-by Such a followup meeting will
keep a subtle pressure on them to fund something.
Anyway, this is just a basic outline of a plan that will bring action-and funding from non-
government sources--to the discussion you had in Sarajevo with the local NGOs on helping
them find funding
If you think it's appropriate, I'd be happy to further discuss the fine points of these
thoughts with your staff.
See you at Renaissance. Maybe we can discuss it further there.
Sincerely,
Guy
2
Bosnin
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
January 23, 1996
The United States continues to work for peace in
Bosnia -- to bring an end to all hostilities and to promote
reconciliation and reconstruction. In addition to the
government's efforts to bring about the peace agreement and
deploy peacekeeping troops, thousands of our nation's
citizens through non-governmental organizations have been
engaged in humanitarian efforts to help the people of
Bosnia.
I would like to invite you to join me at the White
House on January 29, 1996 for a coffee reception and
program. The event will recognize ongoing humanitarian
assistance to the people of Bosnia and will include the
announcement of a new mental health care initiative. The
new project is a joint effort by religious institutions and
is targeted to assist Bosnian women and children. This and
related initiatives will be the subjects of our program on
the 29th.
Please respond to the Office of the Social Secretary
at your earliest convenience by calling 202/456-7787 with
your date of birth and social security number. Plan to
arrive between 9:00 and 9:15 am at the East Visitors Gate
of the White House, located on East Executive Drive,
between the East Wing of the White House and the Department
of the Treasury. Photo identification will be required at
the gate.
I look forward to seeing you on the 29th.
Sincerely yours,
Clinton
PHOTOCOPY
Hillary Rodham Clinton
PRESERVATION
Difile
Bosnee
THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE AND RECOVERY
IN FORMER YUGOSLAVIA:
Move Women From Background to Foreground!
©
UNHCR/A. Hollmann
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children
Delegation Visit to Bosnia and Croatia
April 9 - 16, 1996
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION
1
II. AREAS OF CONCERN
2
1. Widows - The Ignored Victims
2
2. Demobilized Soldiers - Provide Them With Options
3
3. Women's Groups - Sources of Strength and Reconciliation
4
4. Children - The Hope for the Future
4
5. Landmines - Not My Problem
4
6. Information and Communication - Not Happening
5
7. Resentment Toward Returning Refugees
5
8. Returning to Areas Where Neighbors Drove You Out - For Most, Not Likely
5
9. Human Rights - Gender-Related Rights Must be Taken into Account
6
10. War Crimes Tribunal - No Protection of Evidence
6
11. Right of Return - Property and Politics
6
12. SLOW - The Pace at All Levels is Behind
7
III. AREAS OF POSITIVE MOVEMENT
7
IV. SPECIFIC PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS
7
APPENDIX
12
Delegation Members
12
Meetings
13
Glossary of Acronyms
13
The Struggle for Peace and Recovery in Former Yugoslavia:
Move Women from Background to Foreground!
I. Introduction
The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children made its first post-Dayton Peace Accords
visit to Bosnia and Croatia in April 1996. This was the sixth visit of a Women's Commission delegation
to the region since the outbreak of war in Bosnia in 1992. The purpose of the delegation was to assess
the progress of the humanitarian situation since the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords five months
ago.
The delegation focused on refugee repatriation and the return of the internally displaced, with emphasis
on refugee women and children, especially the many widows who will now be responsible for their
families after a war which killed 250,000 people, most of them men.
The Women's Commission visited Sarajevo, Tuzla,
Banja Luka and Zagreb. We drove across much of
UNHCR Guidelines on the Protection
Bosnia-Herzegovina and spoke to people involved in
of Refugee Women: In A Repatriation
all aspects of the situation -- US officials, UN
Situation
officials, government officials, NGO international
staff and local staff. Most especially we talked to the
The United Nations High Commission for
women: lawyers, doctors, judges, executives,
Refugees Guidelines on the Protection of
journalists, writers, teachers, therapists and staff of
Refugee Women include ways to protect
local organizations which had emerged during the
returning refugees by including them in
war. We met with women who are leaders of
program planning.
refugee and displaced groups and we met with
refugees still huddled together in collective centers --
* Institute programs to ensure that women
the elderly, widows, young and old.
have equal access to the procedures for
voluntary repatriation so that those who want
We also spoke with former soldiers, and we spent
to return are able to do so, and that those
time with the people who had suffered through one
fearing return are provided protection against
of the greatest international tragedies of this war --
refoulement.
the people from Srebrenica who, under the watchful
eyes of the UN and the international community,
*Provide information to refugee women as
were forced from their UN Security Council
well as men to help them make informed
guaranteed "safe haven." The women and children
choice about repatriation options.
of Srebrenica were put on buses and sent to Tuzla,
while the men, young and old, were executed. Eight
* Assess the legal standing of refugee women
thousand men remain unaccounted for and many
who have been integrated into local
women live in hope that somehow they will be
communities, with particular attention to legal
found.
provisions that limit the rights of women, e.g.,
property rights.
This four year war has resulted in more than a
1
quarter of a million deaths. Families have been devastated and those who are suffering most are the
widows and children. Some women who have not seen their husbands for years are still clinging to the
desperate hope that their husbands will come back. The widows are among the most tragic of all the
people we met in former Yugoslavia.
Crammed into collective centers, many women are still in shock, unable to do anything except grieve for
all they have lost. They want to return home but don't know when and how and live one day to the next
with little hope and much sadness.
No one throughout the region - local or international aid officials - had any available statistics on the
numbers of women who were now single heads of households. But we know the numbers must be
staggering. Many of the women left without husbands have few skills with which to support themselves
and their children. They came from small villages where they worked in their gardens and did traditional
women's work --cooking, sewing, and caring for the children.
So far, the talk of reconstruction has focused on physical rebuilding. However, reconstruction and
humanitarian aid and social support must go hand in hand. Social reconstruction must also be a priority
and women from all sides of the conflict in former Yugoslavia
are ready, willing and more than able to participate in this
process.
COLLECTIVE CENTERS IN
II. Areas of Concern
TUZLA AND BANJA LUKA
ADD TO MISERY
1. Widows -- The Ignored Victims
The conditions in the four collective
We did not find programming that was taking into account the
centers we visited in these two cities did
specific needs of widows -- those women both in and out of
not meet even the most basic standards of
their homes who will need to reintegrate into the economy to
health and privacy.
support their families. Most surprising was that we did not
meet any UN or international aid official or local official who
Sanitary facilities were inadequate - two
had identified the number of widows in the population with
bathrooms for 70 people, etc. In the
which they were dealing; this after a war which killed 250,000,
center in Tuzla, cooking stoves were
the vast majority of them male.
placed dangerously close to bunk beds.
Plastic garbage bags filled with the meager
Local governments and international aid agencies are not
belongings of the families were stacked
adequately addressing the needs of the women who will now be
around the rooms.
the family's sole bread winner. They are not being integrated
into the new economy. While many women are overburdened
In one large room in a school in Banja
by their loss, e.g., the widows of Srebrenica, others are
Luka, 50 people were sleeping in 12 beds.
desperate to move on with their lives.
One family ** mother, father, five children
including a two week-old baby -- huddled
In the collective centers that we visited, in Tuzla and Banja
together in one bed. One young man,
Luka, we saw displaced women coming together to share their
clearly sick, lay motionless next to a
woeful stories which offered some support at a difficult time.
young girl. There was a total lack of
But there were no mental health facilities or professional
privacy. Here, the Serb refugees
counselors to help the healing process. Some women have been
expressed similar fears about returning to
in these centers for two, three years doing nothing but sewing
their homes.
or knitting to pass the time and it seemed to us a terrible missed
opportunity when these women could have been taught some
2
new skills - simple bookkeeping or typing or a language.
Project Sanja (a US-funded project - a local NGO due to have its funding cut off by US AID was
working in Sarajevo. It was one of the better collective centers we visited. Women met regularly in a
brightly decorated room as their children played in the background. They said they gathered to relax, knit
and smile. But the tears flowed freely when the women started to talk about going home. Mostly
Muslims, they wanted to go, but were very frightened about returning to their villages. "If someone
would guarantee my safety, I would go back," said one woman from Zepa who thinks her husband and
son are in concentration camps. "But I don't believe I can go home."
One mother of five with a three month old baby who left her home in July 1992 said her neighbors turned
against her, pushed out her family and burned her home. She wants to go back to her village but is
terrified. "It was my neighbors who did this to me," she wailed in disbelief. "How can I ever trust them
again?"
The women lamented the life they had left behind. "Before we had houses, plenty of land, gardens. Now
in the town we are lost." Some women said they would be willing to resettle in another village if the
government offered to help them.
They felt strongly that the government should emphasize special programs for women especially widows.
They want workshops, more educational opportunities and skills training. "I have to be the mother and
father to my children. It's very hard to do without money, said one widow. "I feel pain in my heart
because I cannot provide my children with what they need."
Many women said, "Our only hope is that the government would so something for us."
2. Demobilized Soldiers Provide Them with Options
Everywhere we looked the streets and roads were filled with young men, sitting around in cafes with no
jobs and nothing to do. Women told us that domestic violence is on the increase and that alcohol abuse
and family tensions are increasing. Women also say that some men are psychologically unfit for work,
that they are maimed internally and externally.
James Wolfensohn, the World Bank Chief, who visited Sarajevo last week, called for putting the 250,000
soldiers being demobilized in the federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina to work. He noted that, "We can
only achieve enduring peace when they have jobs." Mr. Wolfensohn said in an interview that his plan to
create employment through public works and infrastructure programs should be treated by governments
as "the top priority."
Carl Bildt, the senior civilian administrator in Sarajevo, backed this call for jobs. Mr. Bildt said many jobs
also would be created in the longer term when the rebuilding of roads, rail line, electricity plants and
telecommunications systems got underway. "One quarter of a million men are currently being
demobilized," Mr. Bildt said, "and the armies of soldiers must not turn into the armies of the
unemployed."
Economic development which creates jobs and opportunities is key for demobilized soldiers, but it should
not come at the price of excluding widows and women who head households from participating in the
economic reconstruction. "Men get jobs, women get counseling," has too often been the response in
post-war situations.
3
3. Women's groups -- Sources of Strength and Reconciliation
Throughout Bosnia, the war has brought together strong and able women. They are aware of all the
challenges, and they are willing to work across what they call "ethnic" boundaries. They are coming
together, planning meetings of women to prioritize post war concerns -- but they are doing so without
real support from local government authorities, and without much interest from the major UN and US
representatives in the area. One UN official who attended with us a meeting with women in Banja Luka
called it "splendid" and said he did not know that women's groups were doing this kind of work.
Banja Luka is a city with ancient mosques leveled to the ground, a city where most Muslim families have
been driven out -- their homes occupied by Serbs who proudly identify themselves by placing the Serbian
flag in their windows. It is a city where Serb refugees told us that the mistreatment they receive from
local authorities is like "spitting" on them. One Serb refugee told us she was better treated in Muslim
Zenica than in Banja Luka.
Yet there is an organization of local women, Duga, which states it works with all nationalities and wants
to help all victims. The Daga women had just completed their first post-war meeting with a woman
Muslim leader from Tuzla. They say they want to help build the peace.
4. Children -- The Hope For the Future
The littlest victims of the war must not be forgotten. Children who have witnessed murders and rapes and
lived through bombing and destruction of their villages need special counseling to cope with these
traumas. One program in Sarajevo in need of funds holds puppet shows teaching lessons of tolerance and
peace to refugee children. They would like to have children's centers all over Bosnia with trained
psychologists and social playrooms.
The deplorable living circumstances in Sarajevo during the war - no water, no electricity and extended
periods in damp basements while the city was being shelled - have caused severe health problems for
children - asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and even arthritis. Hospital resources are strained in meeting
these needs.
During the war, thousands of children were separated from their families, but there has been progress on
this front. The director of an orphanage we visited in Tuzla cared for more than 1,000 children, but now
houses about 150, aged five to 18. SOS Kinderhof in Sarajevo said the numbers of children without
parents were reduced significantly to about 400 now, and that those were living with relatives or in foster
homes.
5. Landmines Not My Problem
More children than adults have been killed by landmines or unexploded shells. In Croatia alone, these
weapons have killed 263 children. Everywhere we went, we were told that landmines posed one of the
greatest barriers to safe return of the population. There is no substantial training going on of local people
who will be charged with landmines removal. People are being sent back to front line villages where there
has not been landmine clearance. The US forces are adamant that landmine clearance is not their
problem, except for their own personal safety. They are not doing any training of local officials in
landmine clearance, although they do have experts with them in the US IFOR force.
When one UN official was asked what should our priorities be for helping refugees, he said, "Demining,
4
demining, demining." There are 3 million mines in Croatia (whose population is 4.5 million and three
million more mines throughout the rest of the war area. "The international community is not fully aware
of the problem," said Damir Zoiic, a Croatian official. People need training for landmine removal.
Refugees are fearful of returning to their homes because of nearly daily reports of someone being killed
by a mine. If one family gets hurt upon returning, others are afraid to go back to the village. In a village
near Tuzla, a woman and her two children were killed in her kitchen garden. In another instance, a child
detonated a mine and when the parents ran to help, all three were killed.
Farmers are afraid to plant and till their fields because of mines. One man was spotted rolling a huge tire
in front of him on his field - as if that would protect him from an explosion.
We were told that demining is the sole responsibility of the people who planted the mines. But no one
has any clear idea of where the mines are. There are a few incomplete maps and no one knows for sure
where the enemy planted mines. Local officials complain that they do not have enough trained people or
adequate equipment for demining. In Croatia, we were told that some demining equipment is considered
military and is under embargo.
6. Information and Communication -- Not Happening
A critical problem we encountered everywhere was the total lack of information regarding refugees and
relocation. Displaced men and women had no idea what would be happening to them and felt confused
and lost.
International relief officials may know the terms of the Dayton Accords as they affect refugee and
displaced returnees, the way property issues will be handled and what will happen in the elections. But
the resident and refugee populations do not. People, whether they live in their own homes or not, are very
confused about the finality of the situation and some displaced people seemed to think that they could get
the return of their territory to a new political entity through the elections.
7. Resentment Toward Returning Refugees
There is great resentment towards refugees who left the country, did not suffer the hardships of war, and
who now, many believe, will return with money in their pockets made in Germany or elsewhere to a
country where people's financial and internal resources are depleted.
The region has suffered an enormous brain drain as many of the best and many of the best educated left
the region. The schooling for many others was interrupted by four years of war. We did not find groups
who were thinking through the need to support re-integration of the population into areas where they will
be joining people of common heritage.
8. Returning to Areas where Neighbors Drove You Out -- For Most, Not Likely
While the Dayton Peace Accords provide for the return of minorities to areas from which they were
ethnically cleansed -- and many people we spoke with said they would want to go back to their homes --
all said they would only do so if they felt secure. There is no plan currently in place for any international
body to insure that security. While policy planners say they do not want to ratify ethnic cleansing, they
are unwilling to risk their own personnel in helping people return to areas where they will feel in danger.
5
9. Human Rights -- Gender-Related Rights Must be Taken into Account
There do not appear to be functioning mechanisms for human rights concerns which are gender-specific.
Procedures to improve reporting of physical and sexual protection problems should be implemented.
Civilian forces need special training and focus -- and women should be included in the forces. Property
rights specific to women whose husbands have died need to be understood. Additionally, resources --
humanitarian and economic -- must be made available in a nondiscriminatory way to ensure the full
participation of women in the reconstruction process.
10. War Crimes Tribunal -- No Protection of Evidence
People are living in fear. The War Crimes Tribunal has indicted 57 people, but only a few of those
indicted are in custody. Radovan Karadic and General Mladic, indicted Bosnian Serb leaders, continue to
be free. Official efforts must be made immediately to acknowledge the suffering of victims and to
honestly reckon with the past. Restoring confidence among potential War Crimes Tribunal witnesses,
many of whom are women, is essential. Repatriation without fear, reconciliation, and free and fair
elections are not likely until indicted war criminals are arrested.
The 60,000 IFOR troops currently in Bosnia are not being used to protect sites of mass graves, or areas
of mass execution, once they are identified. The IFOR troops will accompany UN investigators while
they are at the site, but when they leave, so do the troops -- so the site is left unprotected.
The delegation interviewed many women who talked about the importance of the War Crimes Tribunal.
"If you don't punish the war criminals, you have not done anything. All women on all sides think this,"
said the President of the Women's Association of Tuzla.
11. Right of Return -- Property and Politics
There are indications that authorities are using the displaced population to be sent to villages that are on
the front line with the new boundaries of the Dayton Accords. These villages are the ones most likely to
be devastated and empty, because they were in areas of heavy fighting and mined. The UNHCR should
ensure that people know they do not have to return to these areas; they have a choice.
The right to regain your house or the value of your house is a critical aspect of resolving the crisis in the
region. While the international property commission called for in the Dayton Accords has been organized,
there were critical problems brought to our attention:
1. We did not speak to any refugee or displaced person who had any idea at all that the Dayton Accords
dealt with property claims.
2. The funding for compensation has not been identified.
3. Mechanisms to validate the value claims submitted by refugees will be extremely complex given the
level of destruction and the shortage of local personnel.
4. Once again, widows will need full access in every way to the property commission and its benefits.
5. According to a UN official, a good idea would be to have a registration of claims available to the
international community, so if there is a pattern of discrimination, it can be followed up on.
6. Bosnia has passed a law stating that claims to return to houses and apartments that are not privately
owned must have been submitted by January 1996. If this provision is not amended, many refugees and
displaced families will not be able to return to their homes. Many people feel that those who stayed
through the war effort have a higher claim to publicly-owned houses.
6
"There is a law and there is morality," said a woman attorney in Sarajevo. Sorting this out will be one of
the more sensitive and complex issues in the reconstruction.
12. SLOW -- The Pace at All Levels is Behind
Whether it be in getting reconstruction going, mines removed, refugees and displaced persons back to
their homes, election information issues out to the people or the human rights processes on track all is
moving slowly.
While the international newspapers trumpet there is enough money for Bosnia, in Bosnia the post-war
funds are not flowing, and since the "High Representative's" Office does not have the power of the purse,
there appears to be lack of international co-ordination and agreed prioritizing. Major donors are each
doing their own projects based on their priorities.
III. Areas of Positive Movement
1. No Military Hostility - The greatest positive is that hostilities have ceased and it appears that all sides
are abiding by the military requirements of the Dayton Accords.
2. The international community, official and NGO, is present in almost more than sufficient numbers.
3. Locally run NGOs or voluntary associations have emerged during the war. Most are run by women
and provide a source of talent and experience and leadership. They have taken responsibility for their
community in a country which had virtually no history of non-government associations.
IV. Specific Program Recommendations
1. Support to a greater extent than is now being done locally run Women's NGOs
Do not cut off in May 1996, as the US Government currently plans to do, the group of women-run
NGOs operating in Sarajevo (the Umbrella Grant project). Sometimes it appears that US policy is
working against its own stated intentions. While parts of the US government state that an important goal
is to help people emerging from authoritarian regimes learn the techniques of democracy and pluralism, at
the same time, in a very fragile point in the recovery process, this group of US AID women's locally run
programs for Bosnia will be cut off because of a bureaucratic decision which allows the Croatian AID
office to keep that pocket of money in Croatia, while the US AID office in Sarajevo feels no "ownership"
or identity with the project, and is more focused on large scale reconstruction.
We visited many of these Umbrella Grant projects and believe that they offer an excellent source of
trained, motivated and experienced staff who have sufficient outreach and interest in dealing with the next
group of issues confronting Sarajevo -- opportunities to bring refugee returnees together with those who
have remained, opportunities to inform people about the election (they have a radio and television
operation), opportunities to provide support for people dealing with re-integrating soldiers into families
(hot lines, therapy programs) and projects. Once a program is closed the effort to restart it is much more
difficult than providing a bridge for another year. They should be nurtured for this coming year in which
Sarajevo and others will deal with the problems of peace.
7
So many women, of all backgrounds told us that now, in some ways, it was harder than during the war.
Then it was day-to-day survival and everything was focused on that. Now the task of rebuilding and the
enormity of getting back to" normal' life is setting in and it is now that the tears are coming. The
women also told us they are very different than they were before the war. They have kept the city and
the home front running for four years. They have found strength and talent in themselves and they do not
want to be marginalized by the government.
2. The UN agencies, US officials and the High Representative's office involved with reconstruction need
to do a much more pro-active job of doing outreach to the women's community.
At this point," women" tend to be seen as grouped into the vulnerable group section, or seen in task
forces set up by low level UN and international personnel. One senior official of the High Representative's
office said, "Can you give us some names?" Names of women of substance in the community, doctors,
lawyers, judges, therapists, business women and writers as well as people who can speak for those
without homes, are not hard to find. If we met with many of them in a short visit, the UN, the High
Representative and senior US officials should have identified them by now. There must be much more
serious outreach to the women's community in Sarajevo and elsewhere. They should be in task forces
meeting regularly with UN, governmental and international donor officials.
With regard to refugee and displaced persons resettlement, the UNHCR should undertake a more
aggressive "look-see" program to enable voluntary repatriation. Fear is delaying this process and UNHCR
is assumed to be the appropriate facilitator.
3. Set Aside a Portion of the US AID 45 Million Dollar or More Loan Program For Women-Run
Businesses
We asked the US AID staff in Sarajevo if they had decided to allocate a portion of this substantial loan
program to businesses headed by widows and women. The answer: "No." Hillary Rodham Clinton has
continually expressed the support of the US Government for loans targeted to allow women to integrate
into the economic fabric of society.
This is a classic case where a program should not be developed without this being an integral part of the
operation. The US Government should not talk about this as a priority at international UN conferences at
Beijing and elsewhere and then put a program on the ground when, at the outset, this is not included.
While vulnerable widows and young women of promise and initiative should be included, women of all
educational backgrounds and economic levels should be given opportunities. Data should be kept as to
how much of those US loans were allocated toward women-owned and -run operations, so there is
accountability.
Crafts are the easy answer, and indeed, one of the more successful program throughout the former
Yugoslavia have been knitting projects. Women have gathered in refugee and community centers to knit
with wool donated from the US and other countries (15 tons of it from the Women's Commission).
Some women knit just to pass the time and clothe themselves and their children. But others have made
sweaters, etc, to sell, through local NGOs, such as BOSFAM. Women are also weaving rugs,
embroidering lace, and making traditional handicrafts for sale.
But to move into the 21st century and a new post-war, free market economy, the skills of women must be
upgraded. Time and time again, women stressed that education for all women was essential. Women
8
helping each other -- Mira in Banja Luka has a policy of employing ONLY women - 20 female workers in
her accounting and bookkeeping business. Banja Luka has textile and shoe factories - could employ
women. Organizations like the local NGO Duga and other women's NGOs in other cities are creatively
trying to come up with income generating projects that women with children can do at home.
Women who will be returning to agricultural communities need to learn new avenues of support -
whether it is raising chickens or sheep or learning how to use a tractor or starting an herb garden or
women need training.
4. Shelter Projects for Reconstruction Have to do a Better Job of Benefitting, and Involving Women.
While there are programs, some underway, (USAID and UNHCR among others) for reconstructing
homes in the damaged areas of the countryside, again it is a very "top down "operation," with the
underlying assumption that women will benefit, but no specific requirements to insure that women-headed
households receive any adequate percentage.
Some shelter projects (UNHCR) are self-build projects done with sweat equity. This is an excellent way
to use people's energy, but there seemed to be no data at all being kept on whether this 30 million dollar
plus project would specifically allocate a portion of benefits to women who were now single heads of
households. With the US AID shelter project, ($40 million plus) there is a similar lack of consciousness of
insuring that women headed households benefit. Once more, the talk sounds good but in reality,
programs are starting without the critical goals of insuring that the war widows are involved.
Additionally, there appears to have been no thought given to insure that in rebuilding projects, those
women who are interested in learning skills associated with reconstruction (which will be going on for a
long time in the region, and will provide significant employment for years to come) are integrated from
the outset. The US and UN funding agencies should require that all subcontracting agencies provide data
to meet requirements concerning these issues if there is any seriousness about involving women in the
economy. This entire area provides another opportunity to liaise with women's organizations in the
community An opportunity not yet taken.
5. Returning Home - The Widows of Srebrenica and Others Abandoned by the UN and the International
Community -- No Training, No Homes
If the US and the international community are serious about wanting to help families to return to areas
from which they were forcibly ejected, they have to give it more than lip service. There is genuine fear
about what will happen on return, even from families who say they would go back if only they felt safe.
The level of fear was best demonstrated to us when, on two occasions, drivers in UNHCR vehicles told
us they were afraid to go through areas that are now in the Serbska Republika. In both cases we were
required to wait on the road during snowstorms for some time -once so a driver could go in a convoy of
two vehicles, and again so that there would be a transfer to a driver from Banja Luka. If UNHCR drivers
still have genuine fear, then clearly people who saw homes burned, loved ones killed, young women
raped should not be expected to return home without some serious, international security. They believe
they should not be sent back alone to face the local police forces whom they see as associated with their
evictors and murderers of their family members. IFOR is clear in that this is not its responsibility. And
the international police are there to observe the local police, train them in what is right but are not
equipped or mandated to protect the returning populations.
If the international community is not prepared to face their responsibility in this return, then alternative
9
housing situations, agreed to by refugee families, need to be given a higher priority. We spoke to two
men who had been in the forest in Srebrenica and had seen the killings, who told us they knew who killed,
and who had been killed, but that no one was showing interest in their story. One emerged in late August
and the other had been part of the Faca prisoner exchange program. They were furious at the authorities
in Tuzla who wanted to send them and their families back to a "front line" village. They refused to go
because they thought that if hostilities broke out again, they would be the first hit. They did not accept
the government's offer to repopulate what the government might consider a strategic area and
consequently they are in a miserable collective center in Tuzla, with no word on when they will be offered
anything different. Much greater pressure to insure that refugees are making the choice about where their
lives should be lived should be made by the international community if we are to protect existing
international human rights standards as well as the "freedom to remain" inscribed in the Dayton Accords.
There is something particularly reprehensible about taking this traumatized abandoned population from
Srebrenica and once more asking them to be in what could be unsafe surroundings against their wishes,
while once more the international community ignores the situation, or even goes so far as to provide
money to rehabilitate houses which are there for strategic and not humanitarian purposes.
6. Economic Reintegration of the Srebrenica Widows and Other Widows and Single Women-Headed
Households (women with older mothers - and in some cases younger siblings)
Other than weaving and sewing projects, there does not seem to be an international effort to upgrade the
skills level of women who will be providing for their families for the rest of their lives, nor even an
attempt to establish who are likely candidates for high level skills training (primary school teachers, health
workers, computer programs, bookkeeping etc.). Some of the widows are very young girls. We met 17-
and 24-year old widows.
This poses an opportunity to bring the displaced together with the established women's NGOs, which
include women of varying professions, and have them work in overseeing training for the war widows.
Because local groups do not have resources, this would have to be funded through the international
community. This is a priority that is not being met. All local women's groups told us that they feared that
all the economic focus would be an the demobilized soldiers, and that women who needed to support
their families would be last on line. At the moment they are right. This should change and the
international dollars should be used as leverage to insure equity.
7. Giving Women a Role in Finding the Missing
The women of Srebrenica do not believe their own government cares enough about finding out what
happened to any possible survivors. (An estimated 8,000 men and boys are missing - with 22,000 still war
missing). They want to do a survey of their own population and wish that they could be given a computer
and a vehicle so that they could interview their population to get data on who saw what happening where.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reporting requirements on missing people are
considered too strict to fully input all the information that people have about what has happened. There
is also the problem that some believe the local government is receiving money for the victims of
Srebrenica not allocating it for what they believe to be priorities. In fact, the women have not been
consulted at all about their priorities. They should receive support in this self-initiated activity. In relief
situations, hundreds of vehicles are available to the expatriate community who are part of the
international relief and rehabilitation effort, the most affected local population are essentially "grounded"
in their effort to do work they consider important.
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8. Support Women in the Political Process
We spoke to women who were thinking of running for political office, women who were thinking of
forming a women's party, and women who are meeting -- from Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Banja Luka -- to get
together to talk about healing their country. They are planning for this spring both small and large
conferences. They can be the source of the beginning of the rebuilding of trust. Once more these positive
developments have not been given adequate support. They have trouble funding the most rudimentary
equipment (phone lines, fax machines, computers, transport). If we expect the country to be a place
where people live in harmony, local women activists who have begun the process of healing should
receive a higher priority and outreach from donors.
9. Remove Landmines Immediately
The United States clearly has the expertise to train local engineers and others in mine removal techniques.
We strongly urge that the best use be made of our troops now stationed in former Yugoslavia and
demining experts be deployed to help the local populace.
10. Involve Women and Children in Media Projects
The lack of independent media continues to be a problem throughout the area. Independent newspapers
should be supported. They do stories that poke holes in the official statements of the other press (e.g., the
major Zagreb paper actually led a front page story with Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown about his
hopes and plans for the Croatian economy after his death. Feral Tribune reprinted it with a big picture of
Mr. Brown, alive and well, headlined "Conversation with a Ghost.") Clearly, like many controlled news
items, the Zagreb paper's story was written before, published just after the crash, to say what they want
the people to think.
This is true of the airwaves too. Although supposedly uncensored, the control is political. Marie Stopes
and others have created radio programs, including interactive shows and call-in discussions. These
efforts to bring people in different areas together are critical. Individuals who are cut off from their
friends, family members, and information sources in the homes they left are afraid to return; such radio
programs could greatly lessen their fear of repatriation, make resettling a more informed operation. TV is
too expensive and much TV equipment has been destroyed, but a program to distribute small radios and
have a variety of well-chosen issues of local interest to listen to - lured in perhaps by music, by women's
problems, by children's voices, all apolitical - would go a long way to lessen the traumas of isolation.
Youth needs a boost. One member discussed with Peggy Charren of Children's TV in Boston that a way
for children to learn English (which many mothers feel is important) and other basics would be to try
Sesame Street, etc., on the central TV that still exists.
11. Support Initiatives for Children and Youth
In Bosnia, many youngsters are traumatized, withdrawn, confused or with little hope for the future (after
seeing their mothers raped, their fathers taken away and disappeared, or returned from forced labor
missing limbs from the ever-exploding mines - or injured themselves, orphaned, displaced). Marie Stopes,
Project Selina, Corridor, and others are implementing high quality programs and have good ideas for
additional programs. They all desperately need funding.
11
Delegation Members
Jurate Kazickas, a member of the advisory council of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women
and Children, was a refugee herself, fleeing Lithuania from the Soviet invasion in 1943. a former
Associated Press writer, she has covered wars in Vietnam and the Middle East. She has written
extensively on women's issues, and is a contributing editor for Good Housekeeping magazine.
Catherine O'Neill is an award winning editorial writer, whose work has appeared in The Los Angeles
Times, The Washington Post, and on ABC Nightline, CNN, National Public Radio and elsewhere. She is
a member of the boards of directors of the International Rescue Committee, the League of Women
Voters and is a co-founder of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children.
Nancy Rubin has worked in the field of international economic development for over ten years. She has
served in the Carter and Clinton White House. She has represented the NGO community at the Economic
and Social Council of the UN and other official bodies. She is a member of the Bretton Woods
Committee, the Women's Foreign Policy Group, the Overseas Development Council Board, the Red
Cross and also serves on a number of human rights and national women's organization boards. She is past
chair of the National Coalition for Women in International Development and is a member of the Council
on Foreign Relations.
Rose Styron is a writer, poet and human rights activist. she has been a board member of Amnesty
International USA and the P.E.N. American Center and currently is on the boards of Human Rights
Watch, the Lawyer's Committee for Human Rights, Equality Now, the Reebok Human Rights Foundation
and the RFK Memorial/Chair Human Rights Awards. She has spent many years investigating human
rights violations. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and an overseer for New
York University. She has written articles for The New York Review of Books, The Nation, New
Republic, Chicago Sun-Times, Ms. magazine and The New York Times. She has participated in
investigative missions for various human rights organizations around the world.
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Meetings
The delegation met with staff from the following organizations:
UNHCR
Marie Stopes International
US Ambassadors/Embassy staff, Zagreb and
PEN Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Unija Zar
US State Department
Puppet Theater
USAID
UNICEF
Croatian Office for Displaced Persons and
Bosfam
Refugees
Bospo
IRC Umbrella Subgrantees: Corridor, Project
Women's Association of Podrinje
Sanya
Norwegian People's Association
Office of Security and Cooperation in Europe
SIDA
International Crisis Group
Women of the Warm Hand
Office of Carl Bildt
Wool Project
World Bank
IRC
Office for Refugees, Bosnia
ICRC
TV- Bosnia-Herzegovina
START Project
CARE
Representatives of local NGOs in Zagreb
Special thanks to:
Elizabeth Walker, delegation coordinator, New York
Viet Lazarus, delegation coordinator, Croatia/Bosnia
Anne Willem Bijleveld, UNHCR Washington Liaison
Vesna Vlastelica, UNHCR Zagreb
International Rescue Committee staff in Zagreb and Sarajevo, Tuzla and Banja Luka
UNHCR for ground transportation and IFOR for air transportation.
Ambassador Brunson McKinley, Bosnia Humanitarian Coordinator, State Department, Washington, DC
Acronyms
BOSFAM - Bosnian women-run NGO, founded under the auspices of Oxfam
ICRC - International Committee of the Red Cross
IFOR - NATO-led Implementation Force
NGO - Nongovernmental Organization
UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
US AID - United States Agency for International Development
13
For more information on the Women's Commission,
please contact:
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children
122 East 42nd Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10168-1289
Tel: (212) 551 3086 Fax: (212) 551 3186
e-mail: [email protected]
5479
NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL
Bosnie
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20504
July 31, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR MELANNE VERVEER
Assistant to the President and
Chief of Staff to the First Lady
SUBJECT:
Letter to the Women of Bosnia-Herzegovina
We support the proposal of a letter from the First Lady to the
women of Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of the events in Sarajevo on
August 8. This letter can help raise awareness of women's
rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina and underscore the important role
women can play in shaping a united and multiethnic country.
A suggested draft of the letter is at Tab A. Please let me know
if I can be of further assistance.
RECICE
Glyn Davies
Executive Secretary
Attachment
Tab A
Letter to the Women of Sarajevo
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
A
Divider Title:
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
To the Women of Bosnia-Herzegovina:
I want to add my support to those who stand together on "Suada's
Bridge" to affirm the essential role of women in shaping your
country's future.
This project, and the special presentation of "Necessary
Targets," are so important to raising awareness about women's
rights. I hope you will draw strength in remembering how so
many women across Bosnia-Herzegovina persevered in the worst of
circumstances. I hope it will inspire you to make a difference
for the future.
You, the women of Bosnia-Herzegovina, are a powerful force for
change. Among your families and neighbors, you can be a voice
for reconciliation and cooperation in building a better life
together. In the elections this September, you can cast enough
votes to reject the ethnic tensions of the past in favor of a
united, multi-ethnic Bosnia where your families can prosper.
The Dayton Agreement helped end the death and despair in Bosnia-
Herzegovina. You can help lead to a future of peace and
promise.
Sincerely,
JUL 31 '98 10:24 FR FIRST HOSPITAL CORP
2029444121 TO 4569412
P.02/04
07/21/98 12:26 FAX 9734030054
MAURA-OLDKNOW
I
02
WILLA SHALIT
20 July 1998
Dear Mrs. Clinton,
I am writing at the request of Beth Dozoretz to give you additional
information about the Suada's Bridge Project to raise awareness and
mobilize resources for women's rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Necessary
Targets, a poignant play about Bosnian women and war, will be presented at
the National Theater in Sarajevo on August 8th, 1998 starring leading
Bosnian actresses and renowned Americans Glenn Close and Marisa Tomei. Beth
will be a member of our delegation.
Women's associations representing multi-ethnic groups throughout the region
will attend this event, which will launch a major women and civil society
initiative.
We would be pleased if you could provide a written message to the women of
Bosnia-Herzegovina. Your letter will be printed in the program for the
event, and will be shared with the local women's groups taking part in the
project.
Enclosed is additional information regarding the Suada's Bridge Bosnia
Project.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Will short
Willa Shalit
Project Producer
R: 7 Box 124WD Santa Fe New Mexico 87505
Icl 505 983 2599
Fax 505 983 7272
Email [email protected]
JUL 31 '98 10:24 FR FIRST HOSPITAL CORP
2029444121 TO 4569412
P.03/04
07/21/98 12:26 FAX 9734030054
MAURA-ULDKNUW
us
Suada's Bridge Project:
Promoting Women's Rights and Reconciliation in former Yugoslavia
The Suada's Bridge Project is an initiative to raise awareness about
women's rights, particularly sexual violence against women. It also seeks
to mobilize resources for women war victims in Bosmia-Herzegovina and other
parts of former Yugoslavia. The project will be launched in Sarajevo on
August 8-9, 1998.
Necessary Targets will be presented at the National Theater (August 8)
produced by David L. Phillips and Willa Shalit Eve Ensler's play is a
stirring account of women traumatized by the war. Leading actors from the
region will perform the Bosnian roles and will be joined by the renowned
actors Glenn Close and Marisa Tomei. Prime Minister Haris Silajdzic will
host a reception following the performance
That day, women will gather in Sarajevo at Suada's Bridge, the site of the
conflict's first victim. Bosniaks, Serbs, and Croats will participate in a
ceremony commemorating the many women who died and celebrating those who
survived. U.S., UN and other representatives from the international
community will attend. In light of the pending emergency in Kosovo, it is
significant that ethnic Albanians will also participate.
Columbia University's International Conflict Resolution Program will host a
roundtable with representatives from leading multi-ethnic women's
organizations. The forum will explore the role of women in the development
of democracy as well as the participation of women in Bosnia's
reconstruction and social rehabilitation. The establishment of a cabinet
position devoted to women's issues including a mandate to end sexual
violence will be explored. Prime Minister Silajdzic is invited to
participate.
Strategic media outreach will ensure broad print and television coverage.
Film footage will document the project. A live website will provide
information and links to other web sites; digital photos of all events
will report on events as they occur. The participation of Glenn Close and
Marisa Tomei will help sensitize a large worldwide audience to the plight
of women in former Yugoslavia
JUL 31 '98 10:24 FR FIRST HOSPITAL CORP
2029444121 TO 4569412
P.04/04
07/21/98 12:26 FAX 9734030054
MAURA-OLDKNOW
04
The events in Sarajevo will provide occasion for UNIFEM to announce its
entry into the region and the establishment of a trust fund to support
projects which assist women in former Yugoslavia.
The Suada's Bridge Project is being organized by women's associations,
from the former Yugoslavia, including the Center for Women War Victims
and Woman to Woman. In addition to UNIFEM, assistance is provided by the
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children and Columbia University's
International Conflict Resolution Program.
APR-10-1996 08:44
DASD (PSFE)
703 614 9303 P.001/004
THE OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
ARE
STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-4000
file Bornia
Force Management Policy
Facsimile Cover Sheet
To: melanne Uerver
Office:
Phone:
Fax: 202 4566244
From: Susan Roberts
Office: Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Personnel Support, Families & Education),
4000 Defense Pentagon, Rm 3A280
Washington, DC 20301-4000
Phone: 703-697-7220/DSN 227-7220
Fax: 703-614-9303
Date: april 10
No. Pages with Cover:
4
Comments:
MA Beaut wanted you to have this.
Susan
'APR-10-1996 08:44
DASD(PSFE)
703 614 9303
P.002/004
OF OREGON
THE
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
50
4000 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20301-4000
AMERICA
or
FORCE MANAGEMENT
POLICY
April 2, 1996
MEMORANDUM FOR ASD (FMP)
SUBJECT: Trip Report: Baumholder. Germany: Bosnia-Herzegovina; and
Aviano AFB, Italy, March 23-27, 1996
The following is a report on my trip with the First Lady to visit military families in
Baumholder, Germany and troops in Bosnia-Herzegovina. After leaving the First Lady's
entourage at Aviano AFB, I spent the following day meeting with Aviano AFB officials.
1. On March 24, the First Lady and Chelsea were met at Ramstein AFB by Secretary and
Mrs. Togo West, General and Mrs. William Crouch, and General and Mrs. Richard
Hawley. Her entourage then traveled to Baumholder to attend church services followed
by a luncheon in a mess hall with families, troops about to deploy, and rear detachment
personnel. The First Lady's remarks, praising the strength of military families, were very
well received. Grammy Award winner Sheryl Crow entertained the crowd with a medley
of her songs.
In the afternoon, Mrs. Clinton attended a performance of two plays, one presented by the
second grade class of Neubruecke Elementary School and the other by a seventh grade
class from Baumholder High School. The seventh grade performance consisted of
readings from student journals regarding their feelings about the deployment along with
readings from letters received by this class from 7th grade students in Tuzla, Bosnia. The
presentation was very moving and received positive press coverage. Sheryl Crow and
comedian, Sinbad, entertained the children.
While in Baumholder Mrs. Clinton also met with prominent officials from the local
German community.
2. We traveled to Bosnia aboard a C-17 loaded with the following: AT&T phone
equipment and 5000 prepaid phone cards for the troops; 500 video tapes for distribution
to base camps; school supplies collected by the Baumholder community for their sister
school in Tuzla; and, toys donated by FAO Schwartz for the children in Tuzla. Admiral
"Snuffy" Smith, MG Bill Nash, and the members of the 7th grade class from the sister
school met the plane. Mrs. Clinton proceeded with her itinerary that included briefings
on the IFOR mission, meetings with prominent Bosnian leaders and representatives of
NGO's, and tours of several base camps. Her day ended with a concert at Tuzla West for
approximately 500 people. Sheryl Crow and Sinbad performed along with local
entertainment. Mrs. Clinton's remarks to the crowd were very favorably received.
APR-10-1996 08:44
DASD (PSFE)
703 614 9303 P.003/004
Under the mantle of the USO, with arrangements coordinated by our AFPEO office,
Sheryl Crow and Sinbad spent the day traveling to base camps to entertain troops
stationed there. I traveled with Ms. Crow to four base camps: Russian Multi-National
Battalion (MNB). Kime, Linda and Demi. Russian MNB, Kime and Linda are still in a
fairly primitive state. Apart from a portable dining facility at Kime and Linda, the
remainder of the camp consists of Army tents. Phone service is not yet available. The
troops at Demi, on the other hand, live in air conditioned portables and have MWR
facilities and phone banks.
I spoke with commanders and troops at each base camp. Morale appears to be good.
Announcements of the R&R policy and news of the impending arrival of phone
equipment were positively received. At each camp, except for Russian MNB, contractors
were working to upgrade living conditions with showers, dining facilities, board
walkways, framing for tents, etc. Surrounding the camps, the ravages of the 4 year war
were apparent with heavily damaged villages, demolished churches, and marked mine
fields. The local infrastructure (electricity, phone lines) has yet to be restored in parts of
the country.
3. We next flew to Aviano AFB where we were met by LTG Mike Ryan, Ambassador
Reginald Bartholomew, and Mrs. Lamberto Dini, spouse of the Prime Minister of Italy.
Mrs. Clinton addressed an enthusiastic crowd of approximately 1000 military personnel
and their families. Following the departure of the First Lady, the USO performers
entertained the crowd.
4. On Tuesday, March 26, I met with base officials, received a command mission
briefing and a community briefing, toured facilities, had lunch with Marines at the new
addition to tent city, received a briefing on JROTC, and met with DoDDS school
personnel.
Aviano AFB population has doubled in the past few years and the base is struggling with
overcrowded facilities, housing and dormitory shortages, and demanding operational
tempo. Family advocacy officials indicated that stress levels on the base were very high
as evidenced by increasing caseloads. The number of children diagnosed with Attention
Deficit Disorder has risen dramatically in a year, from 4 to 28. Base officials also
reported that the caseload for financial assistance, as reported by the Air Force Aid
Society, consists primarily of Army personnel assigned to the base. (An explanation
could be that the Air Force is the only service that begins training in financial planning
during basic training, followed by additional training at the first duty station. Financial
training for young servicemembers is currently being addressed by the financial training
initiative recently approved by the Executive Committee.)
Aviano has a comprehensive plan, Aviano 2000, to build and realign community facilities
to meet the needs of their expanded population. The base has recently acquired
additional land from the Italian government for the expansion and a significant financial
commitment from NATO to implement the plan. There are construction and renovation
APR-10-1996 08:45
DASD (PSFE)
703 614 9303 P. 004/004
projects everywhere, including 2 new dorms, 2 new child development centers, dining
facility renovations, and a new teen center. Major projects in the future include a new
high school (dependent on NATO funds) and a request for a new commissary/BX
complex. The current schools. commissary and BX are seriously undersized for the
present population. DoDEA, DeCA and AAFES officials are working with the command
to address these needs.
In closing, it is evident that the planning by EUCOM and USAREUR for family support,
prior to the deployment, has paid great dividends. Over 90% of families have remained
in Europe and camaraderie appears to be high. Morale of servicemembers living in
Bosnia was good, with soldiers evidencing great pride in the accomplishments of their
mission. At each location I met with leaders who where dedicated to improving
conditions for servicemembers and their families.
Caralyn Secuga
Carolyn H. Becraft
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Personnel Support, Families and Education)
TOTAL P.004
P.2
Speaker- As Pregred
Bosnic
Julia Taft, President and CEO of InterAction
White House -- January 29, 1996
I am delighted to be here today. I want personally to thank Mrs. Clinton for the
great interest she has shown in humanitarian relief and development work around the
world and her willingness to host this event today to highlight the efforts of U.S. private
voluntary organizations in the former Yugoslavia
To be honest, Mrs. Clinton, we could use your help. The American people
strongly support your view, so eloquently expressed in your new book, "It Takes a
Village to Raise a Child," that every child is important and that America's compassion
for children knows no borders.
But our own humanitarian work in the former Yugoslavia -- our efforts to help
thousands of children and their families recover from the worst European war in half a
century -- have largely gone unnoticed. So we welcome this opportunity you have given
us this morning to let the American people know about our work and to tell the media
about our Bosnia helpline, a new toll-free number that people can call to find out more
about what relief agencies are doing. That number is 1-800-841-5872.
As president of InterAction. I represent a coalition of over 150 private voluntary
agencies. We are the largest association of relief, development and refugee-assistance
agencies in the United States. More than 35 of our members are now on the ground and
hard at work in the former Yugoslavia trying to make peace a reality at the grassroots
level.
Our agencies are working to help families and children recover from four years of
bloodshed that has left over 200,000 dead and forced more than 2 million people from
their homes. We are involved in scores of new projects, which are highlighted in a guide
that the White House has included in your media packets.
Besides providing the basic necessities of life -- food, clothing, seeds, medical
supplies -- our agencies are also putting people back to work by creating innovative
programs that rely on local people to get the job done.
We are training pre-school teachers on how to deal with impressionable four and
New
L
five year-olds traumatized by war. We are assisting senior citizens in winterizing their
homes and apartments. We are operating mobile clinics that deliver medical services out
New
of vans and we are providing small loans to local businesses to get them back on their
feet. Everywhere, throughout the former Yugoslavia, we are deeply involved in
reconstruction and reconciliation efforts.
Kempinski
file Bosnia
Hotel Zografski
SOFIA
Dear Ners. Hillary Jodham Clinton,
J all a member of the citizen's Association "Woruce to wouce" and the
My name is Varja Durovic and J couse from Sarajevo, Borna and Hercegonina.
Coalition for the deture
J have had the becour to attend the International conference Women in the
21st century sofia, Octoba 10th-12th 1998., and J have especially enjoyed
the Opening Session which your Ineseuce has truly glaced.
J feel free to turne to you personally for encouragement of the Projectof
the Coalition for the determ which is a project of the refuges and
returness of Boonia sued Heregonine, people who want to reterm to their
hences under the motto: 'J just want to go herve".
There are about 200 various citizen's organizations involved in the Coalition,
orjanizations of the refugees mougovernmental organizations from the
whole Forwer Yugoslavia territory Cratia, Federation and the Republic of
Sysho (entities of the Bitt) and other countries, Que of organizations
involved is the citizen's Association Wouch to Women", of whom J are a
member.
on the governments, and males rure that they will fullfill the obligations
The main objective of the Coalition for the return is to excert pressure
they have undertable with the signing of the Auex 7 of the Dayton
Peace Treaty, as well as the Sarajevo Declaration and Dary aluke
Declaration.
This project has the backing of the office of the High Representative
for Baud H, ambassador Carlos Westendorp.
your personal encouragement for the project of the Coalition for the Return
would be of imense value for bringing our objectives to reality
J have taben the liberty to ask us. Leui Fischer to give you this letter
together with the concize description of our project, and two publications.
with greatest gratitude and the very best of wishes,
Sincerely yours,
Naija Juron'c
Coalition for Return
6ᵗʰ General Assembly
Sarajevo, 13th-14th 1997
Proposed speaking points:
since its founding in October 1996, the Coalition for Return grew from a small
group of enthusiasts into a large movement of refugees and displaced persons
by now, the CfR unites members of over 200 different refugee and DP
associations as well as national and international NGOs and individuals from all
over Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Croatia and
the host countries
the Coalition for Return unites people - regardless, to what ethnic group they
belong - in their common wish to return to their pre-war homes, is it Mostar,
Banja Luka, Jajce, Sarajevo, Drvar, Bosanski Petrovac or other places throughout
Bosnia and Herzegovina
the Coalition for Return shows, that the Dayton Agreement and Annex 7 in
particular must be fully implemented, because it is the wish of the people of this
country to return to their pre-war homes, to live together again a life in peace and
security
the Office of the High Representative will continue to support the Coalition for
Return in all its efforts and activities
you all know, that the OHR and the authorities of the Central Bosnia Canton tried
hard during the last weeks to set up a plan for return to this canton
150 villages and settlements were identified, where return can take place
immediately
we need your support in order to promote this return plan as widely as possible, to
make sure that it reaches those, who it was created for
you all know, that starting the return-process in one area, it will affect the return
process in other places and areas as well
when return to Central Bosnia will take place, the day of return to Drvar will come
closer
some of the points on CB you mentioned during the Donors meeting December 5ᵗʰ
remarks on the results of the PIC, Bonn
COALITION FOR RETURN
The Coalition for Return is a movement of displaced persons and refugees from all
parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It seeks to create an environment in which voluntary
return will be possible. United under the Coalition those most affected by the war and
manipulated by the authorities are becoming a significant political force at the grass-
roots level.
The need for a common approach was highlighted in the autumn of 1996 after the
destruction of houses in areas to which displaced persons wished to return. As a result
the Coalition for Return was established in Sarajevo on October 30 during a meeting
in the Office of the High Representative. At this meeting representatives of displaced
persons and refugees from all over the country discussed ways to further their
common goal of return. They concluded that they would support each other and invite
others to join the Coalition.
The aims and priorities of the Coalition were defined in further meetings in Mostar,
Banja Luka, Tuzla, Travnik and Sarajevo. In a declaration written in Mostar the
Coalition recognized that return of an individual or community can only be realized
through helping others to return. They committed themselves to supporting the return
of all those forced to leave their homes under any circumstances.
Through further meetings and visits to several communities throughout Bosnia and
Herzegovina the Coalition began a dialogue with local officials and displaced persons.
Often breaking through a wall of misinformation these meetings have led to further
contacts between displaced communities and those living in the area from which they
were displaced. This has given people the confidence to improve their own situation.
In villages where people from different communities have expressed a wish to return
and live together again, the Coalition has supported the rehabilitation of houses
through its roof project.
The Coalition has grown to include individuals and associations from all over Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as well as host
countries outside of the region. In Germany, an own branch of the Coalition for
Return was founded in spring 1997. Through this expanding network of contacts the
Coalition can provide information on the situation of refugees and displaced persons
and also create links to donors to help implement reconstruction projects in the right
places.
Four information centers - in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Bihac and Zenica - were opened,
which provide links to contact persons in other municipalities. In this centers refugees
and displaced persons as well as returnees can get legal advice from the Coalitions
lawyers. A regular bulletin, "Putokaz" disseminates all relevant information about the
conditions for return.
Contact: Vera Gündel, OHR Sarajevo, tel (071) 447 275, fax (071) 447 420.
COALITION FOR RETURN
The Coalition for Return is a movement of displaced persons and refugees from all
parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It seeks to create an environment in which voluntary
return will be possible. United under the Coalition those most affected by the war and
manipulated by the authorities are becoming a significant political force at the grass-
roots level.
The need for a common approach was highlighted in the autumn of 1996 after the
destruction of houses in areas to which displaced persons wished to return. As a result
the Coalition for Return was established in Sarajevo on October 30 during a meeting
in the Office of the High Representative. At this meeting representatives of displaced
persons and refugees from all over the country discussed ways to further their
common goal of return. They concluded that they would support each other and invite
others to join the Coalition.
The aims and priorities of the Coalition were defined in further meetings in Mostar,
Banja Luka, Tuzla, Travnik and Sarajevo. In a declaration written in Mostar the
Coalition recognized that return of an individual or community can only be realized
through helping others to return. They committed themselves to supporting the return
of all those forced to leave their homes under any circumstances.
Through further meetings and visits to several communities throughout Bosnia and
Herzegovina the Coalition began a dialogue with local officials and displaced persons.
Often breaking through a wall of misinformation these meetings have led to further
contacts between displaced communities and those living in the area from which they
were displaced. This has given people the confidence to improve their own situation.
In villages where people from different communities have expressed a wish to return
and live together again, the Coalition has supported the rehabilitation of houses
through its roof project.
The Coalition has grown to include individuals and associations from all over Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as well as host
countries outside of the region. In Germany, an own branch of the Coalition for
Return was founded in spring 1997. Through this expanding network of contacts the
Coalition can provide information on the situation of refugees and displaced persons
and also create links to donors to help implement reconstruction projects in the right
places.
Four information centers - in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Bihac and Zenica - were opened,
which provide links to contact persons in other municipalities. In this centers refugees
and displaced persons as well as returnees can get legal advice from the Coalitions
lawyers. A regular bulletin, "Putokaz" disseminates all relevant information about the
conditions for return.
Contact: Vera Gündel, OHR Sarajevo, tel (071) 447 275, fax (071) 447 420.
Report on the Work of the
Coalition for Return
Information Centers
Reporting period July 1998
1. Strengthening of the Coalition for Return
network
Members of the Coalition for Return participated
during the whole July in several seminars and
round-table discussions, in which most of the
time the re-claiming of property and tenancy
rights were discussed; this discussions took
place in Lukavica, Sokolac, Brcko and Visegrad.
Members of the Coalition for Return participated
in the mediation visit of mediator for BiH, Mr.
Schwarz-Schilling
2. Activities for the forthcoming BiH-wide
elections
As concluded during a meeting of the Working
body, the Coalition for Return started in July
its activities regarding the forthcoming BiH-
wide elections. The working body gathered in the
beginning of July, in order to discuss a initial
political platform. As a guest and friend,
Christopher Bennett, deputy chief of office of
the International Crisis Group, gave his
suggestions about possible involvement of the
Coalition for Return in the election campaign.
After this meeting, a press-conference was held,
which was attended by a big number of
journalists. In its press-release, the working
body of the Coalition for Return said, that in
the forthcoming weeks, the Coalition would seek
meetings with the candidates for the presidency
and with political parties in order to learn
about their vision and program concerning
refugee return. Meetings were held so far with
Senka Nozica, Kresimir Zubak, Sejfudin Tokic and
representatives of the HSS. At the end of
August, the Coalition for Return will give
suggestions to the members of their respective
associations, for which candidates to vote.
Activities in this field will be continued
during the next weeks.
3. Coalition for Return Roof Project
The Coalition for Return continues its roof
project, almost 2,000 roofs all over Bosnia and
Hercegovina were built so far. As one of the
critical problems, the issue of double or
multiple occupancy remains. Therefor, members of
the Coalition for Return Information Centers
went to the field to places, where a number of
people had received roofing material, and
checked, whether this people had moved back or
not. In a number of places though, people are
still not inhabiting their pre-war houses. Some
of them due to objective reasons, some of them
not. The Coalition for Return will in the next
weeks evident this cases and try to put pressure
on the responsible authorities to conduct
evictions for those, who are occupying more than
one housing unit and could free space for
minority returnees. For those, who cannot return
so far, since more reconstruction work has to be
done on their house, the Coalition for Return
lobbies at Humanitarian Agencies to provide
additional help "under" the Coalition's roofs.
3. Monthly bulletin PUTOKAZ and media activities
The 13th issue of the PUTOKAZ was printed in July
and distributed accordingly.
Press statements were issued after the meeting
of the Coalition's Working Body and the first
meetings with the local politicians as well as
after a new attempt to obstruct refugee return
in Bugojno, where for the second time a house
was set on fire.
4. Legal advice service
The legal advice service continued to take place
in all four centers, though the situation in the
Republika Srpska continues to be in stagnation,
and it is expected that the adoption of the law
on abandoned property will enable the lawyers to
offer more detailed help to potential returnees
to the RS.
21/03 96 16:31
177365
SPOKESMAN
001
21403 '96 THU 15:09 FAX 1568049
PUBLIC INFORMATION TUZLA
001
Bosnin
1A
ZASTITU
CENTAR
ZENA
CENTAR ZA ZASTITU ZENA. ZRTAVA ZLOCINA RATA
ZRTAVA ZLOCINA RATA
CENTER FOR PROTECTING THE WOMEN WAR SACRIFICES
75000 TUZLA, UI. Bratstva jedinstva 18
Tel. 075/211-598. 211-862
?
Broj:
Datum:
LETTER BY FAX
Mrs. Hilary Rodham Clinton
THE WHITE HOUSE
Washington, District of Columbia
United States of America
202-456-6244
TUZLA VISIT
Dear Mrs. Clinton:
The sympathies and goodwill of the people of Tuzla increased
substantially following your husband's visit: 13 January, when he was kind
enough to meet with many of our local representatives at the Air Base.
So, when it was recently announced you would visit the Air
Base at Tuzla on 25 March, our hearts were lifted - especially those of the
women in the Centre, because of your expressed wish to visit the Centre as
reported on CNN some six weeks ago.
The Centre was formed as a public institution in 1993, with
the task of giving support to raped and abused women and their children.
Please find attached an english version of our brochure. The only
institution of its kind in the country, we are independent and not
associated with any political party or government department. Our women
and children receive psychological and health aid from our six medical
specialists, but minimal material or monetary assistance, except for the
funds we are able to raise ourselves. These medical specialists help our
people recover psychologically, but the unending challenge we face is
training them for returning to their families and a productive life, when
they will be able to be self sufficient.
1/2
21/03 '96 16:32
177365
SPOKESMAN
1
002
21/03 '96 THU 15:10 FAX 1568049
PUBLIC INFORMATION TUZLA
002
It would be a special honour and recognition if you could find
the time to visit the Zastita Zena Centre in downtown Tuzla, to see first
hand, the efforts we are making to cope with the tragic consequences our
people have experienced.
As a wife, mother and lawyer we think your visit will be
genuinely significant - directly and indirectly. In this way, we believe you
will contribute substantially to the ability of our women and children to
find their place, once more, in a normal life.
Respectfully yours,
dr
Dr. Emira Muminhodzic
Director
P.S. If it would help in the planning, a large, open-field sports
stadium is only 1.5 minutes from our building. I am told it is an excellent
landing area for helicopters.
2/2
003
are not
Dear friend
003
the lasting scars of Bosnia's war
always
The Tuzla Centre for the Protection of
Women (Centar Za Zastitu Zena) has won
visible
international acclaim for its work.
We have achieved much. But we are in
danger of being overwhelmed.
Za Zastitu Zena is run by the Bosnian
health authority, with support from the
Seven-year-old Klelija
Islamic Relief Agency, the Methodist
Church and the ODA.
has been beaten and raped
SPOKESMAN
PUBLIC INFORMATION TUZLA
But we urgently need more resources.
by soldiers. She urgently
We have the skills and commitment to
needs counselling.
provide a experately needed service to
Mumira has lost her family,
women and children in Tuzla. Please help
us by making a donation.
her home, her land.
The money you give will come straight to
She says her life is over.
us here in Tuzla, via the Islamic Relief
Agency, a registered charity which has
The Tuzla Centre
supported us from the beginning.
for the Protection
A sincere thank you for your support.
of Women
₱177365
(Centar Za Zastitu Zena)
21/03 '96 16:33
21/03 '96 THU 15:10 FAX 1568049
has an international
Dr Elmira Muminhodzic
reputation for its work
Director, Za Zastitu Zena
helping women and children
like Klelija and Mumira.
The Tuzia Centre for the Protection of Women (Centar Za
Zastitu Zena) is supported by the Methodist Church's Relief
Now it needs
and Development Fund, The Islamic Relief Agency and the
Overseas Development Administration (the aid wing of the
your help too.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office).
004
a unique
"Yes... I want to help women
1 004
haven
and children in Bosnia"
Centar Za
£10 will help to equip our occupational therapy unit.
Zastitu Zena
£15 will pay for basic counselling for one woman
is a unique haven
Did you know that
an appeal
or child - the first steps towards healing the
for women and
four out of five
mental scars caused by rape and violence.
children caught
war victims in
Tuzla are women
up in Bosnia's
to you
£25 will pay for initial medical care for one refugee.
and children?
brutal war.
Skilled.counsellors
A donation to Za Zastitu
I enclose a donation for:
Please help
help us reach
helptrebujla
Zena will be used to:
£5
£10
£25
£50
£100
us to help
more women
livesitom anart
PUBLIC INFORMATION TUZLA
them.
Buy extra medical
and children
Other
by rape, violence
supplies (medicine is in
and devastation
desperately short supply)
Cheques can be made payable to either
The Islamic Relief Agency or The Methodist Relief.
Experts agree.
Extend medical and
Za Zastitu Zena is
and Development Fund
SPOKESMAN
that without
counselling services in
currently supporting
counselling many
the refugee centres
more than 1,000
will nevel recovers
Name
where women live
women.
from the trauma
Create a new
of wars
But with nearly
Address
occupational therapy
100,000 refugees in
Run entirely by
and skills training unit
Tuzla the centre is
Bosnian doctors,
to provide instruction
desperately over-
Za Zastitu
in computing,
stretched.
Postcode
also OF
secretarial, language
desperately
and domestic skills
Please send me a quarterly bulletin with latest
5177365
needed medical
That's why we
news on the work of Za Zastitu Zena.
Set aside quiet areas
care including.
where we can begin
need your help
(For administrative reasons we can only do this if you are able to
21/03 '96 THU 15:13 FAX 1568049
donate £25 or more). First issue March 1995.
gynae
the long process of
treatment not
counselling and support
Please send this coupon, together with
readily avaiable
to victims of rape and
your cheque, to either:
elsewhere
21/03 '96 16:34
violence
Za Zastitu Zena Appeal, Islamic Relief Agency
helping people
PO Box 1301, Camp Hill, Birmingham B11 1QP
recover from
or
the trauma
Once hostilities end the trauma of war will not go
Za Zastitu Zena Appeal
of war
away. Unless we reach women and children now, It
Methodist Relief & Development Fund
will carry its poison into the next generation too.
1 Central Buildings, London SW1H 9NH
3-21-1996 1 08PM
FROM LAEL AND RON STEGALL 1 202 543 5567
P.2
Bosnia
LAEL STEGALL
SOCIAL CHANGE INTERNATIONAL
DETERMINED TO BE AN
FAX to 456-6244. 3 pages
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
Personal and Confidential
INITIALS: Ry DATE: 6/3/2015
2013-0534-5
TO:
Melanne Verveer, Office of the First Lady
FROM:
Lael Stegall
DATE:
March 19, 1996
RE:
Hillary Clinton Trip to Bosnia
ESP works! I was so pleased to get your call last night about the
First Lady's planned visit to Tuzla. Her mission to meet with US
troops is SO important. Knowing you and her interests, I fully
believe an hour or two with indigenous community groups --
especially some of the remarkable new independent women's groups
set-up to deal with trauma, reconstruction AND the future --
would be an important addition to the agenda. Furthermore, her
interest could give dramatic, positive attention to the
constructive work being led by Bosnian women who are working with
all nationalities in their communities.
Let me be frank to say that the NGO/women's initiatives deserve
some recognition in a time when traditional players in the USAID
and reconstruction community are giving primary focus to "hard"
development activities. bridges, buildings, factories etc.
Indeed, the current USAID director, Craig Buck, is alleged to
dislike NGOs, "touchy feely" projects (this means
humanitarian/women/democracy) etc. I have to believe he just
hasn't had good exposure to ones that work, like STAR! Your visit
can help "educate" him and others whose vision is fairly
traditional.
I know that many Americans are SO anxious to hear the voices of
real people who are forces for democracy and pluralism in their
communities. I enclose the list of groups with local contact
numbers. I will FAX to you one more listing when I get it:
BOSFAM, a very special group in Tuzla. A little anecdotal
information about some of these groups:
1. Medica Zenica is the premier residential care center for women
and children who experienced some of the worst violence. The
staff of 70 (the program began 3 years ago with two women and a
German gynecologist who drove her van through the front lines)
manage three warm, caring women-centered houses, an exceptional
clinic, counseling center, and health outreach programs to women
in villages. The STAR project has funded a communications/media
center which just recently published its first health bulletin.
Mirjana Sanjac, Duska Ruzic, Selma, Meliha, Nuna, Rada and others
712 East Capitol Street, NE
Washington, DC 20003
Telephone (202) 544-5111
Facsimile (202) 543-5567
3-21-1996 1 :09PM
FROM LAEL AND RON STEGALL 1 202 543 5567
P.3
would be exceptional women to include in a briefing.
2. ZENE 21 in Sarajevo is a women's magazine/newspaper that has
been published throughout the war under the most unimaginable
conditions. Nurdzihana Djozic is the editor - a quiet, dignified
powerful leader who brought together women to write profiles in
courage, articles dealing with stress and violence, coping skills
for parents with young children - all interspersed with some
humor, astrology, recipes and other symbols of ordinary life. The
staff is multi-ethnic and up until recently has worked entirely
as volunteers. Approximately 7,500 copies are now printed, each
read by an estimated 30 people. STAR has given a $40,000 grant to
underwrite staff costs and reporting on women's health.
ZENE 21 would be the perfect outlet for an interview of HRC. You
all would be inspired by Nurdzihana and her team. These are new
players who will host a women's conference in Sarajevo late June:
Women Transforming Themselves and Society; Women and Families;
Women in Politics; Women and Employment; Women and the Law; Women
and the Media. STAR and private US money will give support to
this historic gathering. Also, Ambassador William Frowick and
Bill Stuebner of OSCE/elections coordination see this gathering
as an important building block in mobilizing women for the late
summer elections.
These two projects represent the best of local women's
leadership. And, I am very proud that our modest STAR funds,
technical assistance and encouragement has gone to these groups.
Our project manager, Claudia Crawford was pleased to have talked
with the First Lady about STAR at the January White House
reception. Now, you will see, first hand, the inspiration for our
work.
I know you will call me if I can be of further assistance as you
advance the Bosnia trip. Your timing is excellent. My hope is
that your trip will prompt greater awareness about brave, bold
women and men who are working for peace in their communities.
Best wishes.
2
3-21-1996 1:09PM
FROM LAEL AND RON STEGALL 1 202 543 5567
P.4
FROM DELPHI INTERNATIONAL
03.19.1996 10:19
P.02
BOSNIA
Delphi/STAR: Identified Women's Independent NGOs
ANNOTATED LIST OF LOCAL, NON-NATIONALIST, ADVOCACY-ORIENTED WOMEN'S
NGOs in the Yugoslav Successor states (Identified as of January 1996)
BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA
Medica Zenica
Contact: Duska Andric Ruzic
Meokusnice 10
72000 Zenica
Tel: 387-72-37-104 Fax: 387-72-412-733
Email:[email protected]
The Women's Therapy Center "Medica" in Zenica, Central Bosnia, is an independent non-governmental
women's organization that began its work caring for war traumatized women and girls in April 1993.
Zena 21, Sarajevo
of
Contact: Nurdzihana Djozic
Ferhadija 31
71000 Sarajevo
Tel: 387-71-441-908 Fax: 387-71-472-515
Email: [email protected]
Sarajevo-based women's magazine and club of professionals and activists. Monthly magazine spotlights
profiles of individual women and advice from medical, legal and psychological experts. Currently prints
5,000 copies, with a much greater demand than availability.
Vive Zene, Tuzla
(Center for traumatized Women and Children)
Miladje bb
75000 Tuzla
Tazla
Tel/Fax: 387-75-213-836
Email: [email protected]
Tuzla organization providing self-help groups for traumatized women, similar to Medica Zenica.
NPA Center for Women, Zenica
Cakana Mulalica 5
72000 Zenica
Tel: 387-72-418-436 Fax: 387-72-415-358
Norwegian People's Aid psychosocial center for traumatized women.
ZAR, Sarajevo
Tel: 387-72-471-189
Union of thirty-eight women's associations of the Republic of Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Marie Stopes, Mostar
Local women's health NGO formed with support of British NGO, Marie Stopes International.
3-21-1996 1:07PM
FROM LAEL AND RON STEGALL 1 202 543 5567
P. 1
Bosnit
LAEL STEGALL
SOCIAL CHANGE INTERNATIONAL
FAX to 456-6244
TO:
Melanne Verveer, Office of the First Lady
FROM:
Lael Stegall
DATE:
March 21, 1996
RE:
Bosnia Trip: Local NGOs and Women
Just a quick follow-up to say that the women in Bosnia are very
anxious to meet with you and the First Lady in Tuzla. I assume
you have my memo of the other day which details the key groups in
Tuzla, Zenica and Sarajevo. I had a chance encounter with Nancy
Rubin who will soon be going to Bosnia. I was pleased to learn
that she has sent you a similar letter urging contact with women
leaders.
I understand that there may be a round-table on Sunday in which
you will meet with NGOs. You will be very inspired by the
competence and strength of these women leaders. I hope our STAR
colleagues from MEDICA ZENICA, Vive Zene in Tuzla, Bosfam in
Tuzla and ZENE 21 in Sarajevo will be there. An interview with
ZENE 21 would reach thousands of women for whom Hillary Clinton
is a symbol of compassionate, competent independence and
leadership.
Do call if I can offer further counsel. Have a wonderful trip.
Best wishes. Lael Stegall
712 East Capitol Street, NE
Washington; DC 20003
Telephone (202) 544-5111
Facsimile (202) 543-5567
01-06-98 10:49 INTL RESCUE COMMTTEE
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file Bosuna
BARBARA SMITH, 10:49 AM 12/29/97, Bwd: Clinton visit report
Return-Path: <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 10:49:42 -0500
From: BARBARA SMITH <BARBSGintrescom.org>
To: [email protected], [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Clinton visit report
Sheppie, I f you do not choke on the part about Swanee, I think this is a good summary of what
Mrs. Clinton heard from HRC.
Happy New Year and we will talk about the follow-up.
Sue is one of the great all time all stars. You know how psychosocial people are
Barbara
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
Organization: AOL (http://www.aol.com)
X-Mailer: Inet Mail Out (IMOV11)
Date: Sun, 28 Dec 1997 16:42:33 -0500
From: Dee7779284 <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
subject: Clinton visit report
Dear Barbara,
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!
Here is a report on my meeting with Hillary Clinton.
In the meeting there were three international NGO leaders, four national NGO
leaders, Hillary Clinton and Swannee Hunt. There were observers from the US
Embassy, USAID and the White House. We met from 8:45 to 10:15 Monday morning.
Mrs. Clinton began the meeting by saying she didn't come to give a speech, but
to here from us of the progress made in BiH in the last two years. We each
were given a few minutes to introduce ourselves and describe our work. The
she opened up the meeting for an open dialogue.
In my introduction I described the NGO Development Projects work and expressed
the importance of her visit. I told her though Dayton's implementation has
been slow and democratic practices dismal, the BiH independent sector is
multi-ethnic, working across the IEBL, promoting and advocating for civil
society and moving at lightening speed. I explained that the independent
sector is making great progress, but unfortunately this is not what makes it
into the press. I stated that there are great things happening on the ground
in BiH, but they are raraly recognized or acknowleged. Mrs. Clinton then
spoke and agreed that it is unfortunate the progress of independent sector
does not make it into the press, when it plays a critical role in the future
of BiH.
I also explained that unlike the political situation, the BiH NGO independent
sector has great indigenous momentum and is internally driven. I explained to
her that the inherent problems within BiH won't be solved through the
political and econmic systems, but through the independent sector.
Others in the group spoke about micro-credit for women, the role of women in
BiH, legal needs of the independent sector.
After the initial round, a general dialogue began and I told Mrs. Clinton that
it was very unfortunate that none of our R.S. independent sector colleagues
were attending the meeting. I told her the R.S. independent sector is in a
much more nascent stage of development in comparison to the Federation, due to
lack of funding and capacity building assistance. (I again stated that the
inherent problems in R.S. will be addressed by the independent sector not the
Printed for Sheppie Abramowitz <ircgoviigc.apc.org>
1
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BARBARA SMITH, 10:49 AM 12/29/97, Fwd: Clinton visit report
politicians or business leaders.) She asked why this was and I explained it
was due to donors response to the political situation. I explained that in
the past, USAID's policy did not permit us to support NGOs in R.S. and there
was still lack of resources available to the independent sector in R.S. She
asked if we (IRC) had done any work in R.S. with the independent sector and I
told her it was difficult being a U.S. based NGO trying to raise funds for
this cause, but that we "begged, borrowed and stole" and have been able to
implement extremely effective civil society programs, primarily through the
assistance of the Dutch. I told her that due to the bad politics in R.S.,
support for any civil society activities is extremely important and critical
for change in R.S.
At this point, Mrs. Clinton asked for questions from us for her OI others
present in the room. I asked the following, "since the seminal event for the
independent sector was the war, the primary donors have been relief and
humanitarian agencies. Many of these NGOs are downsizing, operating with much
smaller budgets and are no longer able to support the sector on the scale that
is needed. I told her that I called some of the traditional donors for the
independent sector in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, i.e. Ford,
Rockefeller, to assess their interest in BiH, and was told their intention was
to move further east, not: south. I told her the lack of funding for LNGOs is
inhibiting the development of the sector and asked her what the US
government's intention regarding support of the independent sector beyond June
of 1998, when most of its current grants end."
Mrs. Clinton asked why there is a lack of donor interest for the independent
sector in BiH from these donors. I explained it was due to the perception
(reality) that the region is still not stable. She asked how they could help
in changing this perception or encouraging new donor involvement. I told her
that Swannee Hunt had brought in the President of C.S. Mott Foundation last
year and after visiting the region and meeting IRC representatives IRC was
able to secure funds from them for the independent sector. Swanee Hunt then
spoke about the visit, the assistance IRC provided and the importance of
having potential new donors visit the region.
In response to further US support of the independent sector, an Embassy
represenative stated they were committed to continued support of the sector.
Mrs. Clinton asked more generally what we would like from the US regarding
support. One of the national NGO leaders stated a need for equipment. Mrs.
Clinton asked specifically what kind of equipment. As a list was developed I
spoke up again and explained that equipment purchases need to be done in
partnership with capacity building. I stated that it is easy to buy NGOs
computers, but it takes capacity building assistance to make them useful. I
told her I have visited NGOs with beautiful new computers that go unused. (I
didn't tell her the majority have been provided by USAID's OTI.) The US
Embassy representatives were nodding in agreeement to this.
Mrs. Clinton asked about Europe's support for the sector. I briefly told her
about the EU's Phare program, but explained they were not playing a leading
role in the development of the sector.
In my final comment, I spoke about the need for the US to support the
successes of BiH, the independent sector. It is not enough to concentrate on
the problems, but the US needs to build on the successes, especially the
indigenous successes, not: just internationally driven ones.
It was a great meeting Barbara. Mrs. Clinton was informed and thoughtful.
She asked many questions, took many notes and appeared very engaged in the
discussion. I also felt I was able to effectively advocate for the BiH
independent sector and promote IRC's work. I was suprised by how much time we
were given. I had told colleagues, "I just want 5 minutes to express my
thoughts. Just five minutes." They laughed and said, "That is good, because
you are certainly not going to get more than 5 minutes." To end up having an
hour and a half and a substantive discussion was great.
Printed for Sheppie Abramowitz <[email protected]>
2
: Melanne
Bosnea file
29DEC97
MEMORANDUM
TO: The First Lady
FROM: Guy L. Smith
SUBJ: Local Bosnia NGOs Funding
Dear Hillary:
Again. let me say a sincere thank you for including me in the delegation on the Bosnia trip.
It was an incredible experience.
Further to our conversation during the trip regarding how to help the local
Sarajevo-based NGOs to get funding for their efforts here are a few thoughts
that are likely to produce some funding.
Identify about 20 major foundations (e.g. Pew, Rockefeller, Ford, Robert Wood Johnson)
and invite them to a meeting at the White House. Also invite two or three reps of the local
NGOs who attended your meeting in Sarajevo.
Hold the meeting in the Map Room, in the evening.
At the meeting you say a few words about what is going on in Bosnia, how local NGOs,
such as those represented there that everting, are making a vital contribution to nation-
building. freedom-building and economy-building in Bosnia.
Have the Bosnia NGOs speak about what they are trying to do, what they have
accomplished so far, and what challenges they face (including funding).
Then ask the representatives of the foundations to send someone to Bosnia to "assess" the
work of the local NGOs and how they might support such efforts. By asking the
foundations to merely send a representative to assess, rather than asking them to support
and fund, they will have a much harder time saying no.
Probably half of the foundations present at the Map Room meeting will actually send a
representative to Bosnia and about half of those who send someone will actually fund
something--but that will be five or 10 projects that will very likely make a big difference
1
Desk
Tel: 803-785-1234 #471
12/29/97
10:18
3/3
Followup the White House meeting hosted by you a month or so later with a "briefing" for
the same foundation representatives. Have people from the NSC, State. and Commerce as
well as your staff. make presentations on how things are going in Bosnia. Your attendance
wouldn't even be necessary, other than maybe a drop-by. Such a followup meeting will
keep a subtle pressure on them to fund something.
Anyway, this is just a basic outline of a plan that will bring action--and funding from non-
government sources--to the discussion you had in Sarajevo with the local NGOs on helping
them find funding.
If you think it's appropriate, I'd be happy to further discuss the fine points of these
thoughts with your staff.
See you at Renaissance. Maybe we can discuss it further there.
Sincerely,
Guy
2