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Date:         Fri, 18 Dec 1992 16:44:26 -0500
From:         Andrew Allen <E7L8ALL@TOWSONVX.BITNET>
Subject:      Re: Rape After Rape After Rape

>        I've been arguing for intervention since the Serbs invaded Slovenia
>many months ago.

On this list?

>        I hope those who have been arguing that "it's too hard" or "we'll just
>make it worse" are enjoying the harvest of the Muslims and Croats.

I suspect if you are talking about those on this list who have held against
unilateral US military intervention that you are at best misrepresenting
their (and my) arguments. I suspect that noone condones the sort of
awful things that are occurring in x-yugoslavia.

>        We promised "never again".  It appears we meant "...if it's not too
>hard" or "...as long as there aren't non-xians involved".

There have been gaps in our foreign policy for years, we have sat by while
enemies and allies alike have committed unspeakable acts of aggression,
murder and torture; we have continued to arm purveyors of torture and
death and turned a blind eye to the sale of illicit drugs in our own
country in support of dictatorial regimes with unsavory records.

Within our own country, look at the treatment of Native Americans, it
is a national shame, and ethnic cleansing is not an entirely inappropriate
term for the trends of the past 150 years or so toward them.

Does all of this make what is going on in x-yugoslavia right, of course
not. Should the world sit by while this goes on; no again. Should the
US run in with guns blazing and "save the day;" I still don't think so.

We should be providing humanitarian aid; until UN negotiations start
with the combattants our diplomats should be heavily involved in
negotiating cease fires so that aid can get in and refugees can get
out. We should be using our intelligence community to pinpoint
arms, ammunition and other supplies necessary to warmaking and
to provide that information to the appropriate government/agencies
such that these shipments can be interdicted. We should be ready
to send troops to supplement UN peacekeeping troops if needed,
under UN command, into the area to help preserve whatever cease-
fire can be arranged.

It is my feeling that the only way a lasting peace is going to be
arranged in this area is going to be through diplomacy - not through
bloodshed.

It is awful how long this process has dragged out, the loss of
human life, the human tragedies are terrible. To blame these ill
effects upon those who wish to see a lasting, peaceful solution
to the problem is wrong headed though.

Around the world there are any number of situations where there
are long standing conflicts based upon competing claims (often
the claims of all parties have some merit) to land or resources.
Most of the time these claims are historical and the most virulent
ones have religious/racial overtones. At some point the world is
going to have to develop a criteria for considering these claims
and the rights of the claimants, perhaps providing structures/
criteria by which all parties can have the most rights at the
least expense of the other claimants. This situation would
certainly be a good place to start.


>        Sure some of us (Americans and Euros) will die saving the region from
>the Serbs, but I hope people see the price of the alternative.

Undoubtedly, but wouldn't it be better if the peace that they purchased
with their lives would be more than a temporary break in the conflict
that has been passed on for generations? It might be fitting to remember
that today's actions by the Serbs are in reaction to the slaughter that
was inflicted upon them not so long ago.

Let me add lest anyone feel that I am somehow insensitive to the
suffering of the Bosnians and the Croats, that I also personally
am saddened, shocked, horrified and angered as well whenever I
hear reports of these sorts of things occurring. If I thought
that sending the Marines would put an end to these horrible
events, I would not hesitate to advocate sending them. If I
thought that sending the Marines would help create a permanent
solution, even at the cost of a disproportionate number (compared
to the rest of the world's forces) of my fellow countrymen's
lives, I would not hesitatate to send them either. I do, however
object to committing troops and risking their lives without
some real hope that their efforts will obtain a meaningful
end.

>        Merry Christmas.
>Brett'

Peace.

-other Andy
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