This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------FF22A1AD620F5C4FA99AD073 Here is an opinion piece from Bulgaria on the NATO bombing. Cheers, Ken Hanly --------------FF22A1AD620F5C4FA99AD073 <html> <head> <title>NATO's Bombing Campaign Seen from Eastern Europe</title> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 3.0"> </head> <body> <p><strong><font face="Arial">NATO’S BOMBING CAMPAIGN SEEN FROM EASTERN EUROPE<br> </font></strong><br> Something is just not right, something is beginning to smell in the last two weeks press coverage of the Kosovo crisis, it leaves you very short of believing that the so called free press in the West is forming part of the NATO apparatus, heavily engaged in galvanizing public opinion.<br> <br> However, some justice must be given to the US press. A lot of Americans were obviously very upset in the beginning of this conflict, voicing their criticism as to; what the heck are we doing over there; who got us into this mess; what are the objectives. The Clinton administration’s credibility is long gone, but now we are facing a situation where US credibility may be on the line, and criticism is overshadowed by the overall priority, victory at all cost, under all circumstance.<br> <br> Both US and the European NATO member countries are aware of what is at stake. A defeat or loss of face in this campaign will pave the end of US’ world influence and NATO’s dream of world order and its vision of itself as world police force. The survival of the alliance itself may even be at risk.<br> <br> For years now we have seen the development of arrogance in Washington and Brussels as to the rest of the world. Why is this happening? Is it that in spite of all technical developments and social progress the human factor has not changed? Does the history still has to repeat itself on the eve of the new millenium? Has the open window of enormous opportunity given to the world by the colapse of the wall in Berlin only 10 years ago already been closed? Did the cold war serve a purpose of keeping powers in balance?<br> <br> Religion has again entered the battlefield, giving its consent to the war, calling it a good war, thus casting old shadows on today’s theater; God is with us.<br> <br> For the first time, the leaders of nations like US, UK, Germany, Spain, etc, are all representing the baby-boomers, a generation that basically has made a mockery of the proverb “there is no such thing as a free lunch”. Many of the baby-boomers have been riding on free lunches all their life.<br> <br> New weaponry has deluded people, and especially leaders holding them, into believing that war is not so bad. It is sort of a clean video- game type of thing, weapons of pinpoint accuracy, a risk free or a minimum risk scenario with no or only a few casualties, thus bringing the threshold of war to a very dangerous low level. The “at gun point” diplomacy, so embraced and often implemented by the Clinton administration and its European brother in arms, the Blair administration, can only be explained by this fact. It is so convenient, just to push a button and all it takes is some budget considerations. <br> <br> You do as we say or we bomb you a little. This was fine and it used to bring about instantaneous results, instant was coherent with our time.<br> <br> At the outset NATO threatened several times to bomb. In the end they were cornered and had to bomb for their own credibility. They had cried wolf once too often.<br> <br> Thus NATO committed the biggest mistake in its 50 years of existence, in complete disregard of it’s own charter, converting the organization from defense to offence; in complete disrespect of international law, bombing a sovereign State; without paying any attention to UN Security Counsel consensus, knowing they would have been vetoed, leaving UN merely as a spectator.<br> <br> But this theater is not Iraq, or Haiti, or Panama. This is Serbia, a State in the Balkans, a sovereign State in Europe. This is not about a despotic leader, even though it is paramount to NATO to advocate that opinion for their own purposes. Whatever Milosevic is, his people, all 10 million of them are fully behind him. This is about heart, about pride and deep-rooted feelings, topped with centuries of history.<br> <br> This war can not be won with bombs unless NATO is willing to level all of Serbia, to initiate civilian bombing and burn out cities. This is an enormous price to pay, an enormous responsibility on NATO’s shoulders. Destroying one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Belgrade. The people attending rock-concerts and the people standing on bridges with bulls-eyes attached to their chests and foreheads complete a total surrealistic picture. Is this really happening in 1999? <br> <br> NATO tries to give the impression that they are saving the Serb population from its dictator Milosevic. Again and again you hear that they have nothing against the Serbs, only against Milosevic. NATO must be surrounded by impenetrable armor or they must be completely deaf, being so totally incapable of receiving inputs from Serbia. All the 10 million Serbs are cemented behind Milosevic in outrage of the bombing campaign. NATO is the enemy, not the savior. <br> <br> What was NATO’s objective starting this air campaign? If it was to avoid a refugee crisis and to get Milosevic to yield to their demands and to stabilize the region, they have certainly failed on all three counts.<br> <br> Whatever the outcome of this crisis, NATO has seriously damaged its credibility, and will probably never again be able to play good guy in any other world theater. US and NATO are not prepared for any kind of ugly war, just look at all the attention the 3 US POW’s are getting.<br> <br> Could this air campaign, could passing the threshold of war have been avoided? Most certainly it could, with good old fashion diplomacy. Calling on the Russians to take more responsibility for their fellow Serbs, bringing in mainly Russian or CIS troops, under UN supervision and consensus, a blue helmet operation funded by the West considering Russia’s current economical situation.<br> <br> But this did not cohere with NATO policy. True, they did let Russia in with a negotiator in Rambouillet, but NATO never lost track of its own overall importance, a fact clearly reflected in the Rambouillet document (See appendix 1).<br> <br> The Clinton administration and NATO has during this crisis treated Russia with a sort of a benign contempt. True, some eyes were opened upon the latest rattling in Moscow, that the missiles were redirected. They should not forget that Russia is a sleeping bear with dangerous claws and that Russia may represent the only backdoor for NATO.<br> <br> Senator John Mc. Cain, a former POW in the Vietnam War and a presidential candidate, takes the prize by saying: “Russia is a basket case and they are not capable”. <br> <br> In addition he openly elaborates that US is calling the cards regarding the IMF loan. He has now visited Europe, the “war-zone” (Aviano airforce base), with Secretary Cohen and has seen the light. He is strongly advocating an intensification and expansion of the bombing campaign, whatever that means, to bomb Serbia back to the Middle Ages. In his view NATO must do whatever it takes to win, if necessary deploy ground troops.<br> <br> He may be a nice guy but God help us if he becomes the next President of the US.<br> <br> To say that the bombing has nothing to do with the refugee situation is insane. Only the most gullible may be deceived by this. To quote an American general: We gave him (Milosevic) both the incentive and the opportunity. <br> <br> Today NATO is being heralded for helping out with the refugee crisis, a situation it at least indirectly is responsible for.<br> <br> The refugee situation is terrible and shocking for all people viewing it, both in the West and in Eastern Europe. In brings back memories in Europe, but to call it a new holocaust is outrageous, the refugees are not ending up in ovens. Somebody has to put some cold water into something. Passion is good for people and help-organizations, but it must never be allowed to take front seat in politics.<br> <br> Evidently the Serb paramilitary groups in Kosovo must have applied some inhumane and barbaric methods in their last operations in Kosovo, causing such a tremendous exodus of people, even though final opinion as to atrocities must rest until more information is available. But they are fighting a guerilla warfare against the KLA. This is not a defense of their actions, only a mere attempt to clarify with head and not with feelings. From a strict military point of view it may even be said that their operation has been effective. <br> <br> A guerilla warfare is normally a no win situation for any country involved, for the simple reason that a Government can not lower its moral standards to the level called for to win, as the very sense of guerilla means the fighters mingle with the normal population. In this sense paramilitary groups present an ugly solution. We see the same in several other theaters around the world, in South America, and until recently very close to US mainland, in Guatemala. <br> <br> It is easy to be biased, to perceive that atrocities have taken place in Kosovo given the track record of the Serb paramilitary groups. But we must not forget that a conflict has two sides. KLA has certainly done their share of bad things. Again, it is guerilla warfare, it is ugly, and it is not something you show in people’s living rooms.<br> <br> There has been some change of vocabulary during the last two weeks. The Clinton administration and NATO has done everything possible to demonstrate their own infallibility. The exodus would have happened regardless of the bombing. They tried for a long time to play confident that the refugee situation was as expected. Not until it reached a level beyond anyone’s wildest imagination did they admit they were taken by surprise.<br> <br> The KLA has conveniently been transformed from terrorist organization to freedom fighters.<br> <br> The word genocide is frequently used. Genocide means killings, a lot of killings like in Rwanda, you don’t deport people, you kill them. Genocide is a “last word”. It provokes strong feelings aimed to galvanize support for NATO, justify the bombs so to say. Reading between the lines you are left with the opinion that neither the Clinton administration nor NATO know what they are doing, as they need to be comforted by the public opinion. <br> <br> You don’t have to be a chess-player to figure out that NATO was convinced that Milosevic would fold in maximum two days. Given this scenario both NATO and the Clinton administration are caught with their pants down, in spite of their impressive show of confidence. We can only imagine that behind the scene they are now pointing fingers at each other trying to figure out who is responsible for the mess.<br> <br> The million-dollar question now is, how far is NATO willing to go to save face. They have already radioactively infected Kosovo with DU- ammunition (See appendix 2). Will they arm KLA, this will in case mean BIG destabilization of the region, triggering immediately a lot of regional reactions. <br> <br> It is tempting to train and arm KLA and sending them in to do the dirty work, thus avoiding NATO casualties. You already hear people voicing this argument in the US, among them Steve Forbes, another presidential candidate. <br> <br> Will NATO escalate this conflict risking starting a fire no one can extinguish. In spite of what Senator Mc. Cain believes Russia is not a basket case, their possible involvement will not depend on IMF funds. If it should happen it would be because they had to, if NATO sends in ground troops the feelings in Russia would rise to a national outcry leaving the Government with no other option. The IMF funds would be the least of their concerns.<br> <br> Some signals don’t seem to be perceived in the West, it is like we are on different pages.<br> <br> Complexity is not easily presentable in the West. The world is simple, divided between good and bad. In this sense it is convenient to present Milosevic as evil, as the Devil himself. It gives peace of mind to have a good guy, bad guy scenario. <br> <br> But anyone who seriously aims to find a long lasting solution for the Balkan region cannot address it in such a simplistic manner. <br> <br> The feelings in Eastern Europe to the NATO bombing can best be expressed by an anecdote. An Italian went to Germany to work during the 60s. He got so tired of being called names, of being treated as a secondary citizen that he decided to color his hair and take on a German posture. One evening in a bar a game of soccer was on the TV, between Italy and Germany. Then Germany scored he got up with the rest of the Germans saluting the goal, but in his heart he felt different.<br> <br> The people in Eastern Europe tend to salute the NATO operation for obvious motives outside of this scope, but in their heart they feel with the Serbs.<br> <br> It is due time to stop this insanity, to stop using propaganda or passionate words or the refugee situation to escalate this beyond the point of no return, to put head before heart. <br> <br> The bombing must stop now. Due to its strong bonds to Belgrade, Russia must be brought in to take responsibility together with the UN. A face saving end to NATO’s involvement must be found, at least it was initiated with good intentions. When it is time to call it the day it is time, it takes greatness to admit. <br> <br> A safe return for the Kosovo-Albanians must be secured immediately, a long term involvement by a UN led peace keeping force will be necessary to establish normal life in Kosovo. How and when we must leave up to the UN and it’s elected diplomats. Steps should also be taken to find solution for the 400 000 Serb refugees from Bosnia now living in different camps all over Serbia.<br> <br> UN’s credibility and powers must be fully reinstalled. The world will face immense problems without a strong UN. <br> <br> US are the world’s sole superpower and a great nation, admired by people all over the world, but I think it is time it acknowledges its limitation to run the world. This is not a Macho event. People advocating an escalation of the conflict to get victory at any cost should not be allowed to prevail. US credibility is not at risk. Sofia April 10, 1999<br> <br> <br> APPENDIX-1<br> THE RAMBOUILLET-AGREEMENT AND THE SERB'S REFUSAL TO SIGN<br> <br> <br> Some views on the above subject.<br> <br> <br> The Kosovar Albanians accepted the RA and signed in second round of negotiations.<br> <br> The Americans told the Serb delegation upon arrival in Rambouillet for the second round; “You are not here to negotiate, you are here to sign”. The RA was a fait accompli, not to be further negotiated or altered.<br> <br> Why didn’t the Serbs sign? Is it something in the RA itself that makes it totally unacceptable to them?<br> <br> The RA in its entirety is available on Internet at: http://www.decani.yunet.com/agreement.rtf<br> <br> In reviewing the RA the following points surface as being candidates to controversy. <br> <br> The RA is not limited to Kosovo, it extends to the FRY itself. Some may say it can be interpreted as a de facto Occupation Agreement.<br> <br> NATO has made an agreement giving them complete authority in Kosovo. Chapter 2 / article 9 reads: -The Chief of the Implementation Mission (CIM) is the final authority regarding interpretation of this Chapter and his decision is binding on all Parties and persons. <br> <br> In Framework Article 2 / point 9: -The Implementation Mission (IM) shall have its own broadcast frequencies for radio and television programming in Kosovo.<br> <br> The autonomous Kosovo may influence the politics in FRY. The federal Government in Belgrade will not be able to influence on any political decision in Kosovo.<br> <br> Chapter 1 / article 2 / point 9: -The Assembly shall be responsible for enacting laws of Kosovo, including in political, security, economic, social, educational, scientific and cultural areas as set out below and elsewhere in this Agreement. The Constitution and the laws of the Kosovo Assembly shall not be subject to change or modification by authorities of the FRY.<br> <br> Chapter 4 covers economical issues. Article 1 / point 1: -The economy in Kosovo shall function in accordance with free market principles. Article 1 / point 4: -The FRY shall be responsible for the collection of all customs duties at international borders in Kosovo. There shall be no impediments to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and capital to and from Kosovo.<br> <br> In Chapter 7 / article 1b, NATO is to establish and deploy the implementation force, hereinafter called KFOR.<br> <br> Chapter 7 / article 1c: -It is agreed that other States may assist in implementing this Chapter. The Parties agree that the modalities of those States’ participation will be the subject of agreement between such participation States and NATO. Neither Kosovo nor FRY will have any saying on this matter.<br> <br> Chapter 7 / article 1a. Some may say this point shows NATO’s arrogance; and that UN is reduced to a spectator, a sideliner; and that this is not a “blue helmet” operation. The UN Security Council is “invited” to pass a resolution endorsing and adopting the arrangements set forth in this Chapter.<br> <br> And again, the CIM is the final authority in theater regarding interpretation of the references in this Chapter.<br> <br> Some may be prompted to say that NATO knew beforehand that the Serbs could not sign the RA due to the context in Appendix B and in Chapter 8 to follow.<br> <br> Appendix B / Point 8. -NATO personnel shall enjoy, together with their vehicles, vessels, aircraft and equipment, free and unrestricted passage and unimpeded access throughout the FRY, included associated airspace and territorial waters.<br> <br> Point 11. -NATO is granted the use of airports, roads, rails, and ports without payment of fees, duties, dues, tolls, or charges occasioned by mere use.<br> <br> Point 15. -The Parties shall, upon simple request, grant all telecommunications services, including broadcast services, needed for the operation, as determined by NATO.<br> <br> Chapter 8 / article 1 / point 3. The future settlement of Kosovo’s status shall be placed into the hands of an international conference in three years, taking the peoples will into account.<br> <br> This spells independence for both sides. This is why the Kosovo- Albanians signed and the Serbs did not. Milosevic could not sign on this point, no Serb politician could. It is doubtful that any Serb citizen would willingly sign on this condition. <br> <br> Sofia, April 2 1999<br> <br> <br> APPENDIX-2<br> NATO ADMITS USING DU-AMMUNITION IN KOSOVO<br> <br> <br> DU stands for Depleted Uranium<br> <br> <br> Depleted Uranium is one of the heaviest elements occurring naturally on earth, about 70% heavier than lead. DU-ammunition has a high penetration power and is very effective against armor. Upon impact highly toxic and radioactive particles are dispersed into the air.<br> <br> DU-ammunition production is an example of a highly successful collaboration between the military and the nuclear waste industry. After the isotope 235 is extracted from the natural ore the waste, mostly isotope 238 is given to the military. In this way the nuclear industry avoids paying big money storing it. <br> <br> Approximately 14 000 DU grenades were used in the Gulf war. About half used in prewar exercises, 3 000 burned in Doha, Saudi Arabia, and about 4 000 was actually used in the battlefield. The Gulf war was the first opportunity the US and the British forces had to test their DU weapons in combat action. <br> <br> In this way the Gulf war became the first “hidden” or “depleted” nuclear war, a fact withheld at the time from the soldiers and the press.<br> <br> The strategy of employing the DU ammunition in the Gulf war, was part of the overall strategy to minimize American casualties.<br> <br> The armament system of the A-10 Warthog includes a high rate of fire seven-barrel 30 mm Gatling gun, using DU ammunition to take out ground armor. The British Euro-fighter uses DU-ammunition and as well does the Apache helicopter. <br> <br> The A-10 Warthog and the British Euro-fighter is already in action, the Apache is imminent. NATO is now transforming Kosovo into a radioactive battlefield.<br> <br> Unlike the barren desert or half desert terrain in Iraq, Kosovo is fertile soil with rivers and streams. Extensive use of DU ammunition by NATO will cause dispersed radioactive particles into the soil and ground water, making Kosovo an “unfriendly” territory for decades or generations.<br> <br> The “Gulf war syndrome” and recent health statistics from Iraq speak volume.<br> <br> After the Gulf war it has come into light that several NATO member countries are producing DU grenades and ammunition, everything from tank grenades to ammunition for automatic hand weapons. Belgium is producing and UK and France are producing their own types. “Standard” DU ammunition from US fits American Abrams- as well as German Leopard tanks which will be deployed in an eventual NATO ground force engagement.<br> <br> A lot of information regarding DU is available on Internet. Please try the following addresses:<br> <br> http://www.newdawnmagazine.com.au/Resources/arts/34a.html<br> http://www.rama-usa.org/du01.htm<br> http://antenna.nl/wise/uranium/dedg.html<br> <br> Sofia April 03, 1999<br> <br> Best regards<br> Evlogi Kochev <br> <a href="mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]">[EMAIL PROTECTED]</a> </p> </body> </html> --------------FF22A1AD620F5C4FA99AD073--
