The recent events in Bosnia, in addition to being a particularly despicable example of man’s seemingly endless search for any excuse for intolerance toward his fellow man, represents a failure of United States foreign policy. Like it or not, as the only remaining global superpower, we do have the ability to influence to some degree the action of other independent states; and, in fact, as a nation whose foundation rests on constitutional, democratic and ethical principles, we have an obligation to be awre of, to speak out, and in some cases act forcefully in international affairs.

This is not unnecessary meddling; if justified, it is decent and humane. Despite the valid recognition of the limits of our power and our opinions, it remains incumbent upon us to do what we can when we can to try to support justice, relieve suffering and encourage human rights.

Certainly the affairs of the Balkan states are geographically and historically complex, and at the same time religously and ethnically intense; but can there be any doubt about the implications and implementation of “ethnic cleansing”? And what about the recent imposition of tolls for the movement of United Nations convoys of humanitarian aid for the Bosnians?

The Reagan and Bush administrations remain culpable for not recognizing and better influencing the events in Yugoslavia prior to its dissolution, as well as for not acting early and forcefully against the initiation of military conflict. The Clinton administration so far has lacked the sophistication, confidence, and resolve to intervene without the consent and support of the Europeans. Yet we need not look to European governments for advice or consent. Their indifference to current events on their own doorsteps in the former Yugoslavia is not better than were their actions in the two world wars and the Holocaust.

We should enforce to whatever degree we can a full blockade on Croatia and Serbia. We should life the arms embargo from Bosnia. We should actively interdict the transport of military materials by the Croatians and the Serbians. And we should consider moving our military bases (and thereby the economic benefit that goes with them) from Germany and elsewhere in Europe to Bosnia and Macedonia if those states reequest such.

Today, it is said of us that 50 years ago we knew what was happening in the Nazi concentration camps yet failed to act. Let it not be said of us 50 years from now that we knew what was happening in Bosnia and yet again turned our face the other way. Sidney R. Block, M.D. Bangor