by Sheri Fink
PAGE 350 There are times when the higher moral duty… Some analysts have called for the creation of “physician-diplomats,” trained in both medicine and international relations.
PAGES 351–352 In the case of Bosnia, however… Military involvement in humanitarian action is itself a controversial subject, and events in Srebrenica illustrate some of its problems as well as its benefits. Dutchbat medical teams became involved in medical assistance to the Srebrenica population out of a genuine desire to help at a time when they had abundant resources and helping the population improved the standing of Dutchbat. However, because provision of humanitarian assistance wasn’t Dutchbat’s main aim, it withdrew that assistance when other priorities took precedence. In the meantime Srebrenicans and even MSF in Srebrenica had become dependent on this medical assistance. In the spring of 2003, the fear of dependence on temporary military medical aid was raised in Iraq when U.S. marines set up temporary field hospitals in parallel with the regular health system as part, according to several of those involved, of a “hearts and minds” campaign to improve their standing with the local population.
PAGE 352 In the spring of 2003… However, it could be argued that the “occupying powers” were trying to meet that responsibility, in part, by funding non-governmental humanitarian aid agencies to do the work in which they, not the military, excel.
PAGE 352 Finally, the shining example of a doctor… This must be said of many of the Srebrenica doctors, too, including Ejub Alić, Fatima Dautbašić, and Nijaz Džanić among others. Eric Dachy, though he held passionate beliefs about the war, consistently acted as a neutral humanitarian, bringing assistance to all who needed it, regardless of their nationality.
PAGE 356 “Srebrenica has only strengthened my resolve and my motivation…” Ins and Outs, November/December 1995, by Malou Nozemann. Volume 9, #7. Interview with Christina Schmitz entitled “We can’t remain silent and just do our medical work.”
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PHOTO CREDITS
The town Srebrenica, Photo Institute for Military History RNLA; The Srebrenica Hospital, Sheri Fink; The main road leading north, Rene Caravielhe/MSF; General Philippe Morillon, Philipp von Recklinghausen; Dr. Eric Dachy, Courtesy of Dr. Eric Dachy; In the pharmacy, Courtesy of Dr. Thierry Pontus; First attempted helicopter medical evacuation , Philipp von Recklinghausen; A young child mortally injured, Philipp von Recklinghausen; In the Srebrenica Hospital “emergency room,” Philipp von Recklinghausen; Srebrenica was flooded with displaced villagers, Philipp von Recklinghausen; Srebrenica’s amputees march through town, Philipp von Recklinghausen; Local soldiers shoot into the air, Philipp von Recklinghausen; Injured patients lie on the floor, Hans Ulens; Dr. Nedret Mujkanović, Suzanne Keating; Because of a severe paper shortage, doctors wrote prescriptions, Samples collected by Sheri Fink; In the Srebrenica Hospital operating theater, Laurence de Barros-Duchêne; MSF party with hospital staff, Courtesy of Dr. Ilijaz Pilav; The “Ljiljanijade” sports competition, Courtesy of Dr. Ilijaz Pilav; Bosnian Serb army physician Boro Lazić, Courtesy of Dr. Boro Lazić.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book owes its greatest debt to two physicians—Dr. Ilijaz Pilav and Dr. Eric Dachy—without whose stories and extensive cooperation it would not exist. I will never underestimate how difficult it was for all of those I interviewed to recall the most trying days of their lives. Dr. Boro Lazić, Dr. Nedret Mujkanović, Dr. Fatima Dautbašić, Dr. Ejub Alić, and nurses Ajka Avdić and Christina Schmitz also bore with me for dozens of hours. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your openness and for learning to laugh knowingly every time I said, “Just one more question.” In addition, I would like to extend my gratitude to all others whose names are listed in the chapter sections under interviews.
Thank you to the very many people who provided information, materials, encouragement, and other forms of support during the research and writing of this book. The most special thanks are due to two of the finest and most brilliant journalists I know, and to whom my work owes its greatest debt. Chuck Sudetic, the gifted author of Blood and Vengeance, was immensely generous and encouraging throughout this project. (And thanks to his parents, Kris and Al, for letting me rummage through their attic!) David Rohde, author of Endgame: The Betrayal and Fall of Srebrenica, was always supportive, and the sterling example he sets of journalistic integrity, hard work, and guts is one of my greatest inspirations. I’d also like to thank Dr. Sead Ahmetagić, Mubina Alić, Dr. Sabi
t Begić, Mayor Selim Bešlagić, Tony Birtley, Sonja Biserko, Urs Boegli, Norbert Both, Rony Brauman, Dr. Smail Čekić, Richard Claude, Dr. Louisa Chan-Boegli, Muriel Cornelis, Dr. Georges Dallemagne, Laurence de Barros-Duchêne, Dr. Martin De Smet, Alain Destexhe, Rex Dudley, Dr. Neak Duong, Muhamed Duraković, Dr. Dževad Džananović, Hadžo and Mensur Gadžo, Dr. Besim Hajdarović, Dr. Mehdin Hadžiselimović, Dr. Avdo Hasanović, Guy Hermet, Glenn Hodgson, Samira Hodžic, Larry Hollingworth, Dr. Ibrahim Huskić, Nedim Jaganjac, Kris Janowski, Laurens Jolles, U.S. Army Captain Omar Jones, Dr. Gerry Kremer, Dr. Benjamin Kulovac, Judith Kumin, Dr. Petar Lončarević, Sanja Lazić, Asim Lučanin, Dr. Jean-Pierre Luxen, Hakija Meholjić, Dr. Milomir Milošević, and the current staff of the Srebrenica and Bratunac Health Centers, Hasan Nuhanović, Azra Mujkanović, Bart Nijples, Daniel O’Brien, Isabel Ollieuz, Fahreta Omić, Dr. Miroslav Oprić, Dr. Irfanka Pašagić, Senad Pečanin, Dr. Radomir Pavlović, Ibrahim Purković, Dr. Božina Radević, David Rieff, Dr. Adi Rifatbegović, Gen. Hazim šadić, Pierre Salignon, Naim Salkić, Nijaz Salkić, Dr. Mirha Saračević, Emira Selimović, Rahima and Damir Tursunović-Ibrahimović, the Ustić family, Gerard van Driessche, Philipp von Recklinghausen, Dr. Piet Willems, and Dr. Wim Wertheim.
This would have been a far less informed book if not for the remarkable openness of the Doctors Without Borders organization. Its leaders’ inclination to look critically at their own work and allow others to do the same is the key, I believe, to the organization’s impressive history of growth and vitality. I have the utmost respect for the group and its members, who approach their work with a rare sense of purpose, integrity, creativity, and intellectual curiosity. For their help in locating archival materials and connecting with former aid workers, thanks to the many staff members of Doctors Without Borders Belgium; to Cecile Guthmann, Anne Fouchard, and others at Doctors Without Borders France; and to the brave and compassionate Kenny Gluck, Malou Nozeman, and others at Doctors Without Borders the Netherlands.