Let's be honest to ourselves -- is there real peace in Bosnia? The answer: maybe. The truth is that warring parties were forced into a "peace agreement" by the U.S.; the reason that the U.S. was playing hard-ball isn't entirely clear. The statement out of the White House is, essentially, "we want the killing to stop." But from a political aspect it makes the U.S. look bad if the warring parties spend months at the bargaining table to no avail. But on the other hand months of discussion and reconciliation is what they need to form a lasting peace agreement. Several days after "leaders decide on peace agreement", there were grumblings from the warring parties in Dayton and the many militants that were not included in the peace talks. And where does the United States stand now? They are in the middle of deploying approximately 24,000 troops into the Bosnia region which has a peace agreement that no one but NATO is happy with (the extra 4,000 normally not mentioned are for logistical support). How does this tie in with political action? During this Wednesday's assembly the P.A.C. club stood up and told the entire student body that there was total peace in Bosnia, everyone would stop fighting, and the birds would come out and sing their little song. If everything was O.K. then why are an approximate total of 64,000 troops being sent to "impose" peace? Is it possible to impose peace on people who have hated each other in their hearts and minds for centuries? P.A.C.'s relief efforts are to be supported, but they are also giving Menlo a false (and quite naive) hope about the situation in Bosnia. Furthermore, is it the role of P.A.C. to give relief or aid? The definition of the title implies that they will make some kind of political statement or raise proper awareness in the Menlo community. Relief efforts, then, do not fall under that category. What has P.A.C. succeeded at? A book drive, and a petition stating that "we at Menlo don't support budget cuts." If this is all it has done in the last two years P.A.C. should reevaluate its objective at Menlo School.
Anonymous