A former United Nations commander in Bosnia has told a Dutch parliamentary inquiry into the Srebrenica massacre that it was clear to him that Dutch authorities would not sacrifice its soldiers for the enclave. Srebrenica was the worst single atrocity in Europe since World War II. About 7,000 Muslim men were killed after Serb forces took over Srebrenica in 1995, which was under the protection of Dutch peacekeepers. Retired British General Rupert Smith was speaking during the last day of hearings in the inquiry at The Hague. He said the impression he had received from Dutch authorities before the massacre was: "It is not worth dying for this."
Christ almighty! I hope to hell I'm never anyplace defended by Dutch troops. I'm too old and fat to be massacred...
If the inquiry's report shows that a lack of information between the Dutch army and the government could have prevented the slaughter, it may pave the way for claims for damages against the Netherlands. |