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| Howard Dean letter to President Clinton |
| 2004-01-14 |
| Below is the text of Howard Dean’s letter to President Clinton on the conflict in Bosnia, dated July 19, 1995. The Honorable William J. Clinton President of the United States The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: After long and careful thought, and after several years of watching the gross atrocities committed by the Bosnian Serbs, I have reluctantly concluded that the efforts of the United Nations and NATO in Bosnia are a complete failure. Blasphemy! I think your policy up to this date has been absolutely correct. We must give, and have given, this policy with our allies and with the United Nations every opportunity to work. It is evident, however, that the cost in human lives in allowing this policy to continue is too great. In addition, and perhaps more importantly for the United States, we are now in a position of ignoring, as many did in the 1940s, one of the worst crimes committed in history. If we ignore these behaviors, no matter where they occur, our moral fiber as a people becomes weakened. As the Catholic Church and others lost credibility during the Holocaust for not speaking out, so will the United States lose credibility and our people lose confidence in themselves as moral beings if the United States does not take action. How many mass graves did we find in Iraq compared to Bosnia? Since it is clearly no longer possible to take action in conjunction with NATO and the United Nations, I have reluctantly concluded that we must take unilateral action. Howard used the "U" word. While I completely agree with you that no ground troops should be committed for other than humanitarian purposes in Bosnia, I would ask that you take the following steps in Bosnia. First, lift the arms embargo as it applies to the Bosnian government. Second, enforce a full embargo of the sort that is now in effect in Iraq on the Bosnian Serbs and upon Yugoslavia. Yeah, that worked real well, didn’t it? Third, break off diplomatic relations with Yugoslavia. Fourth, commit American air power to support the Bosnian government until the situation is stabilized and the civilian murders and atrocities by the Bosnian Serbs have been stopped. And what about the civilian murders and atrocities by the Iraqi Ba-ath Party, Dr. Dean? I understand the risks of this policy and their implications for the NATO Alliance and the future success of the United Nations. Surely, however, as you watch and read about the huge amount of unwarranted human suffering, particularly of children, you would agree that our current course must now be changed. I urge you to make these changes as soon as possible, and I look forward to supporting your policy fully to the best of my ability. Sincerely, Howard Dean, M.D. Governor No wonder Howard had all his Vermont governor files sealed. Say, you don’t suppose this letter was made public on the eve of the Iowa caucus by Clinton, do you? Nah, why would |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #8 First, you need to get yourself a t-shirt "Member of the VRWC." |
| Posted by: Anonymous2U 2004-1-14 9:46:50 PM |
| #7 #4 This is all part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy! I know I am a member! Where do I sign up? |
| Posted by: Charles 2004-1-14 4:25:20 PM |
| #6 I also feel that if you have a pinata head, you should not go to Dodger's Stadium on bat day. Impersonating a Pinata was a felony in California, just ask the Motorist Rodney King. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-1-14 4:01:56 PM |
| #5 I feel that the release of this letter is politically motivated. I also feel that if you have a pinata head, you should not go to Dodger's Stadium on bat day. That't just me, though; do what you want. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2004-1-14 1:19:28 PM |
| #4 This is all part of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy! I know I am a member! |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2004-1-14 12:55:03 PM |
| #3 Yep. A few thousand Bosnian lives warrant unilateral action. Several hundred thousand Iraqi lives? Nope. Nope. Nope. But it does touch my heart that he's so concerned with the suffering of children--Bosnian children, anyway. He may be a hypocrite, but he's a hypocrite for the children, dammit! |
| Posted by: Dar 2004-1-14 12:25:16 PM |
| #2 This is classic Clinton ass-kissing by a Dem pol with national ambitions. "I totally agree with your policy, but here's why you should change it." I think Dean's previously well-deserved reputation for speaking his mind will continue to suffer as more of his previous positions that contradict his current positions come to light. This guy is definitely not ready for prime time. |
| Posted by: Tibor 2004-1-14 11:53:58 AM |
| #1 what a freakin' statesman! 'dis is da guy who wants ta negotiate with Hamas soldiers |
| Posted by: PlanetDan 2004-1-14 11:41:54 AM |