Niko Barattucci

I, a U.S. Journalist, am here in Sarajevo where a siege has been going on for nearly four
years. The Bosnian Serb forces have set up a blockade of the city, causing great turmoil. Tens of
thousands of people have lost their lives during this siege, on top of the hundreds of thousands of
lives lost throughout the entire war, as well as tens of thousands of refugees displaced. This siege
has brought great suffering to the people of Bosnia. I have seen death and despair almost
everywhere I look. Horrible things are happening to many people. Innocent civilians are being
killed and wounded.
People in Bosnia are being sniped, forced to starve, cut off from medicine and other
supplies, which is ultimately leading to many deaths. Thousands upon thousands of people are
being killed and abused, raped, starved and executed. Many people are fleeing their homes in the
hopes of finding safety elsewhere, especially the Muslims. People have begun to protest for
peace. Unfortunately, these protests have failed, and the war continues. People are afraid and
wondering if and when this war will end.
I, myself, fear for my life. There have been several reporters murdered here in Sarajevo. I
fear for my life, but I also feel that it is my duty as an American to relay this important
information and news to my country of the horrifying conditions here in Sarajevo and of the
entire war in Bosnia. This war needs to stop. Innocent people are being killed all because one
group strives for political dominance. In order for this war to end, the Serbs must be stopped. If
they are stopped, proper political power will be restored and peace will be in Bosnia.