Date: April 15, 1993
Author: Valentina Krčmar, Mothers for Peace – Bedem Ljubavi (Toronto Chapter)
Addressed to: Baroness Margaret Thatcher, House of Lords, London, United Kingdom
View the Original Letter: krcmar book 2_Part91-1.pdf
About This Letter
In this powerful and deeply emotional letter dated April 15, 1993, Valentina Krčmar, writing on behalf of Mothers for Peace (Bedem Ljubavi), reaches out to Baroness Margaret Thatcher to thank her for her outspoken condemnation of Western inaction during the Bosnian genocide. Krčmar’s tone is one of gratitude intertwined with desperation — admiration for Thatcher’s courage, and an urgent plea for her continued advocacy.
Krčmar praises the former British Prime Minister for her “firm moral standing” and willingness to “put the world and its leaders to shame.” She contrasts Thatcher’s clarity with the weakness of contemporary leaders — John Major, Bill Clinton, François Mitterrand, Brian Mulroney, and Boutros Boutros-Ghali — accusing them of cowardice and moral failure.
“The world leaders, Mr. Major, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Mitterand, Mr. Mulroney, and certainly Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali appear to be leading the world to disaster. Every little warlord is getting away with horror because the leaders are spineless.”
Her words cut to the heart of international hypocrisy, calling humanitarian aid a hollow act when unaccompanied by real intervention.
“Feeding people and providing humanitarian help for those who are going to be slaughtered anyway is a cruel joke. Or is it a way to clean the conscience?”
She mourns the massacre of children in Srebrenica, calling it “the lowest point for Mr. Clinton, Mr. Major, Mr. Mulroney, and the U.N.” Her writing transforms from condemnation to supplication, pleading for Thatcher’s continued protest and her help in giving Croatia and Bosnia the right to defend themselves.
“Please, do go on protesting the situation and asking that our people get the right to defend themselves. Croatia’s and Bosnia’s women and children, old and young, are left defenseless. The Serbs have no mercy.”
The letter takes a personal turn as Krčmar recalls prior correspondence with Thatcher, reminding her of documents previously sent about the atrocities in Croatia. She invites Thatcher to Canada to speak at a Mothers for Peace charity event, believing her presence could inspire hope and draw attention to the suffering of women and children across the Balkans.
“The person of your stature and position would bring many people to our event. Please, would you consider coming to Canada and giving a speech? We need you.”
Krčmar closes by affirming Thatcher as a rare ally — a global figure who, unlike so many others, dared to speak truth in the face of horror.
“You are stating the same facts as we are, except no one listens to us. Perhaps somebody will listen to us too, if we get some support from a person like you.”
This letter captures the essence of Mothers for Peace: relentless, heartfelt, and courageous — driven by the conviction that moral leadership, not political diplomacy, is what saves lives.
