To mark the sad death of Frank McCloskey, The Bosnian Institute reproduces here the obituary notice issued by Friends of Bosnia (US), whose sentiments it shares wholeheartedly

Friends of Bosnia was deeply saddened this week by the passing of former Indiana congressman Frank McCloskey. He died last Sunday after a year-long battle with bladder cancer. He was 64. We mourn his loss and send our best wishes to his family and friends.

Rep. McCloskey was a good friend and valuable ally of Friends of Bosnia throughout the Bosnia crisis. He led the fight in the House to pass legislation to lift the U.S. arms embargo on Bosnia, which, against all odds, was passed by in June 1994 under McCloskey's sponsorship. Unfortunately, he was rewarded with losing his re-election bid in the November 1994 Gingrich-led "revolution." Rep. McCloskey never doubted his decision or priorities.

McCloskey, who made several trips to Bosnia during his years in Congress, called in 1992 for selective air strikes against Serb forces if they continued their siege of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He later criticized the Clinton administration's handling of the Bosnian conflict, and called for the resignation of then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher, warning that Serbs were committing genocide in Bosnia.

McCloskey also called for war crime trials for Serb leaders, specifically Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, who was ousted in 2000 and is currently on trial in The Hague, Netherlands.

Much of Rep. McCloskey's career after 1994 was spent trying to bring stability to Bosnia and the Balkans.

Frank McCloskey was an honest politician who tried to do the right thing. He was willing to sacrifice his political career to help people he had no personal connection with. He was a hero to Friends of Bosnia and to all who were fighting for justice in the Balkans.

McCloskey is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Roberta, and their two adult children.

8 November 2003

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