LETTER: Planning peace for Bosnia
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Professor Adrian Hastings
Sir: For the first time since the start of the war in Bosnia in April 1992, the possibility of a lasting peace settlement is emerging. This cannot, however, be based on any re-juggling of previous plans, all of which were inherently unjust, even, to use David Owen's phrase for one of them, "made in hell". The ludicrous 51:49 per cent formula for dividing the country is also quite outdated.
I suggest seven basic principles for a viable settlement:
1. Recognition of the sovereignty and integrity of Bosnia-Herzegovina with its international frontiers unchanged and a single army initially under Nato command.
2. A central government in which the three communities are effectively and not only symbolically represented.
3. Internal decentralisation based on a map of the mix of population as it was in 1991, and not as it is now after "ethnic cleansing".
4. Recognition of the right of the more than a million refugees to return in safety to their homes. No plan which does not include this can bring stability or justice.
5. International guarantees for a free press.
6. Guarantee of massive financial aid from the EU, US and Organisation of Islamic States for the reconstruction of the country.
7. No change of constitution can be agreed more than provisionally without approval through a referendum involving all Bosnians, including the refugees.
Yours faithfully,
Adrian Hastings
Department of Theology
and Religious Studies
University of Leeds
Leeds
7 September
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments