On Kosovo and Chechnya, and the Double Standard.
I think you are all missing what I see as the basic point in the Kosovo situation. Let me repost something I posted several days ago, before the latest brouhaha over civilian massacres in Kosovo. (And let me stress that I am a Democrat.)
Do you know what I can't forgive Clinton for? I will tell you, in brief. I was in
Chechnya in December, 1994, when the Russian troops entered, and for the next two
years I did my share of dodging Russian bombs and bullets. Here was a little
territory,which was seeking its independence, with a population originally of about a
one million people (it's half that now). The Russians, insisting Chechnya was still an
"integral part of Russia," bombed the bejeezus out of it, killing tens of thousands of
unarmed civilians. A fine way to treat citizens of your own country!
And what does Clinton say, when he comes to Moscow to visit? He compares the
Russian-Chechen War to the American Civil War!!! And Yeltsin to Lincoln!!! I
couldn't believe my ears....
Note that the Clinton Administration takes a different tack on Kosovo -- even though
the Serbs have a better historic claim to Kosovo, which after all WAS the cradle of
the Serbian state, than the Russians do to Chechnya, which they conquered and
annexed only 150 years ago. Nobody's comparing Milosevich to Lincoln -- oh, no.
How many of you knew about the massacres of civilians in Chechnya? The latest massacre of civilians in Kosovo, deplorable as it is, pales in comparison. And of those of you who knew, who demanded that the American government take some sort of stand about it?
Why the double standard? I find it outrageous. Why are U.S. officials (and U.S. citizens)now prepared to bomb Serbia over the Albanians of Kosovo, when they were unwilling to say boo to Russia over the Chechens??
Sorry for getting so emotional, but this issue for me comes very close to home...
jbe
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