Carter Backs Clinton Critic on Bosnia

WASHINGTON — Former President Jimmy Carter, in a personal note written in the margin of a correspondent’s letter, has agreed with a highly critical assessment of President Clinton’s policy on Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The letter writer had identified Clinton as an “obstacle” to peace negotiations and a partisan supporter of Muslim interests.

Robert A. Malloy of Kenmore, N.Y., wrote Carter last month commending him for declaring it essential for leaders of the Muslim-led but secular Bosnian government and those of the Bosnian Serbs to be included in Balkan peace talks. In a scathing critique of Clinton’s policy, Malloy declared: “The obstacle to such meetings is in the Oval Office!”

Carter returned the letter to Malloy with this handwritten marginal notation: “I agree with you completely and continue my efforts to influence leaders toward a peaceful option--Jimmy C.”

Asked about his note, Carter said that concerns Malloy raised in his letter are the same as he has expressed in public statements and in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee. But Carter noted he was not offering “an endorsement of a campaign against the Administration.”

Malloy, a retired railroad employee, later wrote Clinton, declaring that Carter “agrees completely that you are the obstacle to a peaceful, negotiated settlement in Bosnia.” Malloy sent a copy of the earlier letter with Carter’s notation.

The White House declined to comment.