��ѿ��ý

Available for over a year

Good morning. Yesterday, a Dutch district court ruled that its own government was partly liable for the deaths of 300 men and boys who had taken refuge within its compound near Srebrenica in 1995. Dutch battalion was part of the overall UN effort to keep the warring sections of the population apart, but the court concluded that the Dutch forces had not done enough to protect the 300 Bosnian Muslim refugees in their care. The Hindu text, the Bhagavat Purana says that: just as a parent is responsible for all their children; and farmers for all their animals; so a government must offer protection to all its citizens. Although the peace-keeping forces were far from home, NATO on behalf of the UN had undertaken that responsibility. But, in such times of war, siege and bombardment, there are failings and mistakes get made. There were complications of communications, the chain of command and political mandates. I feel none of us know how we might have coped in the circumstances. Or, even what was the right or best thing to do at that moment. But, it seems to me that this episode raises the question: how capable are we of such interventions? Do we have the commitment of resources to offer better guarantee of protection? And, do we have the fortitude needed to oppose determined aggressors? In this case, was the threat from the Bosnian Serbs to the local populace and to fourteen captured Dutch soldiers, part of the reason why the Dutch commanders on the ground allowed 5,000 Bosniaks to be taken. The Ramayan phrases the ideal vow of a military leader in this way: “I may give up my life, but I will never give up the fulfilment of my word to protect those who have taken shelter of me.” Perhaps, that it is too high an ideal for any of us – including a third-party peace-keeping force - to live up to. But, if so, it questions on what terms and with what promise should we get involved in other country’s conflicts. Even so, the Hindu scriptures urge us to be generous with our offers and capability to help others. And, it suggests it’s not even an issue of volunteering such assistance – the need and opportunities arise unsought. This is the Hindu concept of atithi-bhagavan – that God comes to us as the unexpected guest. Often, all that is asked of us is a kind welcome and hospitality. But, for our armed forces in conflict situations, that “unexpected guest” may be thousands of men, women and children fleeing for their lives. These are the big moments, suggests the Hindu texts, when God comes, calling for our benevolence.