Trying to sort out the Balkans

Re “Bid for Kosovo resolution fails,” Dec. 11

The Times indicates that Serbia’s refusal to compromise arises from Russia’s support of Serbia on Kosovo. Serbia has already compromised, granting the most far-reaching autonomy to Kosovar Albanians short of outright independence. It is Albanian intransigence on Kosovo, and U.S. support for its independence, that have rendered further Serb-Albanian negotiations worthless and no incentive for an Albanian compromise.

Raju G. C. Thomas

Milwaukee

The writer is contributing editor of “Yugoslavia Unraveled,” Lexington Books 2004, and a former U.S. Fulbright professor at the University of Belgrade, 2004-2005.

Re “A sense of Cold War deja vu in Kosovo,” Dec. 6

In the article, this sentence stands out: “On one side, few places on Earth are more pro-United States than Kosovo.” One is left to conclude that a once-proud nation and defender of democracy has lost so much credibility in the world that it is buoyed by the support of Kosovo’s Albanians. The U.S. and Russia could have worked together for a better world, but a weakened U.S. has chosen to cast its lot with extremist Muslims. Apparently, the U.S. is focusing more on a new Cold War with Russia rather than concentrating on the threat of radical Islam in Europe and beyond.

Liz Milanovich

Edmonton, Canada

Re “Balkanization redux?” editorial, Dec. 6

You demand that the United Nations be ready to offer safe passage out of Kosovo for any Serbs who wish to leave. Presumably, any Serb leaving who needs safe passage is, in effect, being driven out. So much for retired Gen. Wesley Clark’s comment during the bombing of Serbia that “there is no place in modern Europe for ethnically pure states. That’s a 19th century idea, and we are trying to transition into the 21st century.”

Yugo Kovach

Twickenham, England

Your editorial shows a lack of knowledge. After the arrival of NATO troops, many Kosovo Jews and Christians were kicked out of their homes and lost everything they had. You suggest using troops to protect Christian holy shrines. Unfortunately, you are too late. You also suggest free passage for any (Christian) Serbs who want to leave. Most are already gone, and it seems as if you would like those few remaining to be gone. If a minority can ethnically cleanse part of a country and declare independence, what will prevent any other minority -- Basques in Spain, Corsicans in France, Kurds in Turkey -- from doing the same?

Branko Piliser

San Diego