Slobodan Milosevic
* I applaud Susan Blaustein’s vote to “Encourage, Reward Milosevic’s Foes” (Opinion, Feb. 28). However, I was disappointed to read that she advocates that Western-imposed economic sanctions remain in place on Yugoslavia.
The Serbian people feel victimized and bullied. From years of economic sanctions to threats of NATO airstrikes, they have become isolated from the rest of Europe. The state-run propaganda tells them that they can trust only one man--Slobodan Milosevic.
Western governments hope that the perpetual punishment of sanctions will propel the people into some sort of putsch or coup d’etat. Instead, at an average monthly salary of 80 U.S. dollars, the Serbs are more concerned with feeding their families than with democracy. On a recent trip to Yugoslavia, I observed one of my relatives debating the merits of a new toothbrush, knowing full well that such a purchase constitutes three days’ pay. Only when sanctions are lifted and the masses have some measure of financial security will they instead debate the merits of democracy. When will the West realize that sanctions do not work? While the masses struggle for bread, the dictators of Cuba, Libya, Iraq and now Serbia sit secure.
DENIS BENGIN
Huntington Beach
*
* President Clinton has attempted to justify the intervention of American NATO troops in the Balkans as being in our “national interest.” The administration tells us that intervention is necessary to prevent a “humanitarian crisis.” While a humanitarian crisis already exists, it is in effect a tragic power struggle between the Maoist terrorists of the Kosovo Liberation Army and the central regime of long-time Communist and Soviet/Russian ally, Milosevic. In short, there are no “good guys” in this struggle. Military intervention on the part of outsiders from the West is not only unlikely to bring peace, it will certainly add to both military and civilian casualties.
No national emergency exists; U.S. lives and property are not threatened, and Congress has not declared war.
FRANK HAMANN
Garden Grove
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