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WASHINGTON REPORTJonathan Clarke Media Consultant Overview My report covers the period of my engagement from June-September 1997. It is divided into four parts: Objectives; Accomplishments; The Way Ahead; Press Release List. Objectives The objective of my engagement can be simply described. It forms part of what SUC President Vojin Joksimovich described as a move to professionalize SUC activities and to take advantage of what appeared in early 1997 to be more favorable opportunities for Serbia and the Serbs. After years of blatant and persistent demonization, the simplistic notion of one-sided Ser- bian responsibility for the Bosnia war appeared to be giving way to a more balanced interpreta- tion. All the partiesCnot just the SerbsCwere seen as being at fault. In Serbia, the Zajedno movement pointed to a brighter, more democratic future from which the communist vestiges would be purged. These opportunities were much enhanced by the visionary decision of the Serbian Unity Congress to adopt a new approach emphasizing democratic transformation and economic reform. My instructions from your President and Directors were to turn this good story into media appreciation and policy influence in Washington. There were several specific areas of concern: the US approach to Serbia, international sanctions and aid, war criminals, Brcko, etc. Accomplishments We have made a solid start. Using a regular stream of press releases, letters, TV appearances, op-ed articles, and personal meetings, we have established the SUC positions as credible and worth listening to. To give a practical example: in the State Department planning for the Holbrooke/Gelbard visit to Serbia in August, the original itinerary did not include any meetings with the opposition. The SUC protested this plan with telephone calls to the State Department and with press release # 7 "The Gelbard Mission to Bosnia: Even-Handedness is the Key." In response to this SUC input, the program was changed to accommodate a meeting with the Serbian opposition. On his return from Serbia, Holbrooke used the word "even-handedness" three times in interview on PBS. The point to note here is that, instead of being dismissed as reactionary and negative, SUC advice is accepted and acted upon. A particular example is that SUC advice on economic reconstruction and overall development in the Republika Srpska and Serbia has been requested. SUC positions have also be accepted for publication in newspapers such as the Washington Times. This increase in influence and acceptability is a giant step forward. In addition, the new emphasis on democracy and market reform has allowed us to reach out to new groups that hitherto were stridently anti-Serb. Such groups include the International Crisis Group. In this way, SUC positions are gaining influence in places that count when policy is being determined. For the SUC, the decision to present itself more forcefully in public has had an interest- ing and positive side-effect. It has crystallized an internal debate about the SUCs positions. This debate has sometimes been controversial, even heated. This is the sign of a healthy organization. Amid the controversy and exchanges of opinion, however, we need to ensure that the debate does not degenerate into disunity. Serbia has plenty of enemies waiting to pounce on disunity. Zajedno is a good example of how internal dissension can open the door to negativism. It is important not to oversell these positive developments. My efforts in Washington remain at a relatively modest level. Against these, the accumulated prejudices built up over the past five years remain a formidable obstacle. Much hard work remains ahead. The encouraging aspect is that the Serbian cause has stopped slipping backward and is now moving forward. The Way Ahead As noted above much hard work remains ahead. The overall strategy is in good shape. The focus will be on promoting an even-handed American approach, removing discriminatory measures against Serbs, furthering economic reconstruction in the Republika Srpska and Serbia. As your consultant in Washington I will continue my efforts for as long as you deem appropriate. Resources permitting, these efforts could be expanded to cover a wider audience, particularly on Capitol Hill. They could be made more intensive. These efforts, however, cannot succeed alone. I will therefore repeat here what I have said in my addresses to SUC chapter meetings and in the Bulletin. THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE SUC MEMBERSHIP IS ALL-IMPORTANT. Policy-makers such as Senators and Congressmen constantly complain that, unlike on taxes, schools, and law enforcement etc., they hardly ever hear from their constituents on Bosnia. These means that the debate is controlled by Washington-based lobby groups who make louder noises than we do. We are making headway in this group, but Serb interests still find themselves in a tiny minority. The time has come for SUC members to take matters into their own hands. The debate is now at a critical stage. Your congressmen must hear from youCearly and often. Your voice is important. A little effort goes a long way. If each SUC member could mail the SUC press re- leases to his or her Congressman and demand that he read and act on it, this would enormously increase our influence. Congressmen respond to constituency pressure. Now is the time to act. Write or call your congressman and tell him to pay attention to Bosnia and Serbia. Press Releases (all are available on the internet)
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