From: zukicn@wl.aecl.ca
Subject: Canada, Quebec, ex-YU, Bosnia-Hercegovina
Organization: AECL RESEARCH
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 14:05:16 GMT

I would like to make few points, from a point of Bosnian-born Canadian view,
regarding current events:

1) I believe people should work to resolve their differences, and NOT
   necessarily through the politicians,

2) Quebec should have a right to protect itself from "northamericanization",
   "cocacolazation", and other great "traditions" of US/Canada.

3) All countries are artificially created to some extent (ex-YU, Canada,
   Germany). What makes them great are the people. What can make them go bad
   are stupid, greedy, insensitive, dum... politicians. Don't let that happen
   to Canada, for your own sake, for your children sake and for the sake of
   this stinking world we are living in. If world perceives that Canada can
   not survive as a country, than which country could.

SOLUTIONS:

1) Just when you think you had enough of talks and constitution and all other
   crap, what do you do - sit down and talk. Talk till you're blue in face,
   and then after that too. Until hopefully one day we understand one another.

2) Many of you think you are so far from being Bosnia-Hercegovina. Just think
   of Oka and possible outcomes. I'll go public to say that ex-Yugoslavia
   was a good place, where people cared very much about one another. It
   probably would (and could) be together now and in peace if it was not for
   the politicians and generals. Don't let Parizeau's, Manning's, Buchard's
   make of this country another Argentina economically, and another Serbia
   politically.

B&H

For those who care:
1) I am afraid that, if there is no military support for the defenders, war
   in B&H could escalate further... into Serbia. Targets could become civilians
   in Serbia, and whole situation would get a different perspective. In our
   laws an individual is protected against violence, and there are instances
   (police, etc) to achieve that. Yet, so many times we see abuse of the
   nations, in Africa, B&H, elsewhere. In my opinion, we should redefine the
   role of the UN, NATO and establish global POLICING force (similir setup to
   the UN peacekeepers - multinational). If situation in a region warrants,
   say 0.1% of the civilian population was killed, the NEW force COULD have
   a right to "achieve a healthy balance of powers, by use of military techn."
   Even if one was to say that there are 100,000 Serbs and 100,000 Muslims
   fighting, that's still only <5% of total poluation of B&H. My numbers are
   smaller. THAT MEANS THAT 2% OF PEOPLE "ADEQUATELY" EQUIPPED CAN TERORIZE
   THE REST, AND DO AS THEY PLEASE!?

ACTION

1) Write/talk to your MP, to redefine Canada's position and role in this new ]
   set of world circumstances. If B&H does not stop, what is next: Kosovo,
   Macedonia, Moldova, rest of ex-USSR... and we are all paying the price for
   it, through aid, immigration regulations...May as well work on achieving
   solution before there is a disaster.

2) Write to Hon. Valcourt, Minister of Immigration, to make changes to the
   current status of B&H refugees. As it is, in Canadian law, there is no
   such a thing as refugee from B&H. If person from B&H goes to say Italy, and
   than somehow comes to Canada (to seek asylum), they are DEPORTED BACK to
   Italy - "not our problem any more, they are out of B&H" attitude. And
   Canadian Embassy will not issue tourist visas to anyone from that region.
   I am NOT asking for financial assistance, but I would be willing to accept
   financial responsibility for some friends who are in  difficult situation,
   BUT THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO (FOR THEM). THEY ALMOST WAIT TO BE SLAUGHTERED
   LIKE A CATTLE - and "funny" thing is phone lines sometimes work, so some
   of us know about it.

Peace

Nermin Zukic