SARAJEVO, Sept 17 (Hina) - The terrorist attacks on the United States provoked intense concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina that faced with the threat to its security, the U.S. would withdraw its troops from Bosnia, and that the country
would be isolated as a result of the rising anti-Islamic sentiment in the West. The first concern was somewhat relieved by Janet Bogue, deputy assistant to the Secretary of State Collin Powell, who during her three-day visit to Sarajevo last weekend assured the Bosnian government the U.S. interest in the region, or its engagement in Bosnia, would not be diminished. Also discussed was the cooperation in fighting terrorism, which, as Bogue said, was already in place, but would intensify. The unanswered question remains, however, whether the U.S. government believes some of the naturalised Bosniaks might be involved in the attacks on New York and Washington last Tuesday. Speculation on the s
SARAJEVO, Sept 17 (Hina) - The terrorist attacks on the United
States provoked intense concern in Bosnia and Herzegovina that
faced with the threat to its security, the U.S. would withdraw its
troops from Bosnia, and that the country would be isolated as a
result of the rising anti-Islamic sentiment in the West.
The first concern was somewhat relieved by Janet Bogue, deputy
assistant to the Secretary of State Collin Powell, who during her
three-day visit to Sarajevo last weekend assured the Bosnian
government the U.S. interest in the region, or its engagement in
Bosnia, would not be diminished.
Also discussed was the cooperation in fighting terrorism, which, as
Bogue said, was already in place, but would intensify.
The unanswered question remains, however, whether the U.S.
government believes some of the naturalised Bosniaks might be
involved in the attacks on New York and Washington last Tuesday.
Speculation on the subject started when the French Press Agency
(AFP) reported the main suspect for the attack, Osama Bin Laden,
carried a Bosnian passport.
The Bosnian government denied that was true after an investigation
was carried out.
According to available data, around 400 naturalised Arabs live in
Bosnia. Since 1992, 11,000 passports were issued to naturalised
citizens, 90 percent of which have been checked by a special
commission founded after the signing of the Dayton peace accord,
finding no irregularities.
Leading Bosnian politicians and religious dignitaries have been
pointing out for the past few days that it is unacceptable to link
someone to terrorism simply because they were of Islamic faith.
Head of the Islamic community in Bosnia and Herzegovina Mustafa
Ceric stated the U.S. should now show its willingness for
tolerance, which is also the highest form of power.
"Thirst for revenge is the first sign of weakness," Ceric said.
Former chairman of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Alija
Izetbegovic condemned terrorism in a recent public speech,
"because it inevitably hurts the innocent," but also warned against
the "anti-Muslim campaign that is spreading like fire, because it,
too, will have its innocent victims."
Janet Bogue condemned the revenge attacks on Arabs in the United
States, because, as she said, they go against everything America
stands for, and are an insult to the terrorist attack victims.
(hina) js