c. 1997 Religion News Service

(Dale Hanson Bourke is author of “Turn Toward the Wind” and publisher of Religion News Service. She is the mother of two boys.)

UNDATED _”Peace on Earth, good will toward men”is the traditional sentiment for this time of year. And for the people of Bosnia _ both Muslim and Christian _ the phrase holds new meaning now that President Clinton has removed the threat of withdrawing U.S. troops this spring.

Clinton’s Christmastide timing couldn’t have been better for such a decision: He pre-empted congressional debate, avoiding a rancorous feud that surely would have started soon after the new year. He never gave opposing forces in Bosnia time to position themselves and spared the Bosnian people the angst that would have grown as the withdrawal deadline approached.

And he gave a present of peace to people of the three religions celebrating holy days _ Christmas (Roman Catholic and Orthodox) and Ramadan (Muslim) _ in the weeks ahead.

The people of Sarajevo greeted the U.S. commander in chief with a fitting response during his recent visit: They cheered and they cried. Children waved American flags and offered flowers.

The U.S. presence in Bosnia means a great deal to the average citizen, and they are willing to express their love for America at any opportunity.

The last time I was in Sarajevo was more than a year ago, but I still remember the deep gratitude of everyone I met when they discovered I was from the United States.”Go back and thank your people,”one woman said as she clasped my hand and cried.”Your soldiers bring us peace.” I was surprised that while expressing their gratitude, no one offered the corollary: We could have brought peace so much sooner. Had the United States become involved earlier, thousands of lives might have been saved and the once beautiful city of Sarajevo might have been spared the ghastly wounds that mark every block.

But the gracious Bosnians never spoke of the past. They simply thanked me and all Americans for sending our soldiers and for stopping the war.

We didn’t do much, really. Even now we have a contingent of less than 10,000 soldiers who are mostly confined to one camp near Tuzla. They don’t spend much time interacting with Bosnians and are forbidden from seizing the war criminals who roam freely.

Even with their limited contact, however, our troops understand their very presence means much to the Bosnian people.

Being stationed in Bosnia isn’t pleasant. The winters are cold and muddy. But no one can spend time there and feel sorry for themselves after seeing what the people have endured.

And now soldiers stationed in Bosnia have the experience of seeing a country torn apart beginning to rebuild thanks largely to their peacekeeping efforts. “This is why I enlisted,”one soldier told me when I asked him how he felt about being in Bosnia.”We are helping people. We make a difference by being here.” It is good for the Bosnians that the Americans are there and it is good for American soldiers to serve in a place they are appreciated. Even the soldiers interviewed during Clinton’s visit and asked such pointed questions as,”Wouldn’t you rather be home for Christmas?”responded with a sense of purpose for their mission.”Sure I’d like to be home,”said one young man.”But most of these people have nothing left. I’m glad we can help them.” For that soldier, and many of the others, the true spirit of Christmas is about bringing some semblance of peace to this battle-scarred corner of the world.

And thanks to Clinton, good will came just in time _ without political entanglements or lengthy debate. Veseo Bozic (Merry Christmas), Bosnia.

END BOURKE.