Conflict in the Balkans

I wish to applaud your editorial.

I was born and raised in that country, now in turmoil, and follow with attention the developments there. I also read everything I can get hold of about that sad question--not only as a reader but also as a free-lance journalist in another language. Since I do not belong to any of the main ethnic groups that are in conflict in the Balkans, I think I can be evenhanded in my opinion and judgment, especially after spending a quarter-century in the United States, most of it as an American citizen.

I am terribly sorry that friends and relatives of mine who live in separated parts of what used to be Yugoslavia are now supposed to be enemies. Your editorial says that “a multistate solution is . . . the only viable solution.” Because of the present fighting between Serbs and other ethnic groups, it may be so. But there was fighting between the Serbs and the Croats during World War II, too, and yet they could live side by side after the war--and Serbs, Croats and Muslims (the latter being also either Serbs or Croats by origin) even now live together as neighbors, and sometimes as spouses, in Sarajevo. I still hope that reason will overcome the passions of war. After it is over, they will still have to live if not together, then as neighbors.

ANDRE GVOZDEN

El Segundo