GENOCIDE AT OMARSKA

(International Herald Tribune, February 16, 1995)

The Serbian-run Omarska detention camp in Bosnia became notorious in 1992 as the site of mass killing, torture and sexual assault of Muslims with the intent to drive them from northwestern Bosnia. The United Nations and the United States were slow to confirm what their own officials in the field reported, and were loath to call it by its proper name genocide. Now a UN tribunal has brought formal charges of genocide against the camp's commander, Zeljko Meakic, and accused 20 other Serbs of war crimes.

So far only one of the indicted Serbs is in custody. Others remain at large in Serbia or in Serbian-held areas of Bosnia. The United Nations tribunal cannot trythem in absentia, but prosecutors can present evidence against any of the accused who fail to appear and establish a record of their crimes.

The reach of justice should not stop with those accused of these crimes, but should extend to political and military leaders who failed to prevent the violations or to punish those who committed them. That includes Serbian authorities who protect the accused from being brought to trial.

Some officials complain that the tribunal's actions might impede peace in Bosnia. They have to explain how peace is possible without justice.

THE NEW YORK TIMES.