It is time now to exercise that leadership as regards Bosnian refugees. Resettling refugees in our country is an important tool of foreign policy. It is a tangible symbol of this country's deep humanitarian tradition of caring for oppressed and persecuted peoples. Private voluntary agencies, churches, synagogues, community groups and local governments have shown the world what America is made of when we have welcomed refugee groups. We know all too well from the 1930s the consequences of inattention to the needs of refugees.
Resettlement also plays a fundamental role in international relations.
First asylum countries like Croatia will continue to welcome refugees such as those now fleeing Srebrenica and Zepa only if they can be assured their stay will be temporary. And there are alarming trends in Europe today, especially in Croatia, as governments begin to close their doors to Bosnian refugees. Some countries are planning to force Bosnians back. There are thousands of Bosnians in precarious exile in Croatia, Austria, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Spain and other European countries. In light of the tragic events of this past week and the likelihood that larger refugee flows will result from continued Serb aggression, European asylum countries will resist accommodating new refugee flows.