Western commentary takes a look and expresses alarm.
The voting should be postponed 30 days and more active steps taken by NATO forces and civilian election supervisors to remedy the worst abuses by mid-October. It would not unduly add to the burden or risk of the troops to ask them now to provide security for candidates and voters. There is unlikely to be long-term peace in Bosnia without credible elections. The violence in Mahala and the confrontation in Zvornik came at an especially sensitive time for Bosnia. The country is preparing for nationwide elections on September14 and Western diplomats have warned that ethnic strife could damage the prospects for a smooth vote.