Thirdly, Christopher has recently given hints that the administration is going to try to rewrite the history of the conflict in order to shift the blame to others.

In a recent interview, Christopher pointed to early German recognition of Croatia as a central catalyst for the war. This dubious assertion, which downplays the calculated nature of Serbian aggression, takes some of the burden from American shoulders and dumps it on an ally.

When the Germans protested, Christopher did what was necessary to avoid a major ruckus, but stuck to his claim.

If, as it appears now, the U.S. acquiesces in the takeover of Bosnia, it will go down as a sordid chapter in American foreign policy at a time when the prospects for a real "new world order" seemed so bright.

But it's not yet time to write off Bosnia as history. Much could still be done if the international community, led by the U.S., were to mobilize.

But that would take a measure of leadership and guts that are now nowhere to be seen.

David L. Bosco, who enjoys criticizing his bosses, is working this summer in the State Department press office.