dave : The Balkans are very difficult to understand, particularly for those of us who are not from there. And even for those who are. Political (democratic v nationalist), religious and ethnic lines run through the region and not necessarily along the present geographic borders.
At the outbreak of WWII Serbia was pro-Germany. Then the Allies organised a coup and installed a pro-Western government. But Germany overran Serbia in days with blitzkrieg. The 'chetniks' were pro German but the partisans were not. So guerilla fighting continued throughout the war with executions and reprisals taking place against anyone who was not pro-German. After war, under a socialist regime but separate from the USSR, Tito was able to unite all the various states into a federation (Yugoslavia) and maintain peace between the various factions for some years. After he died, however, old wounds opened up and conflicts (nationalist/ethnic/religious) started again.
Even today, very many Serbs are not in favor of Milosevic but have united behind him as result of the NATO "aggression". The region is, in truth, a "Gordian Knot" which defies untying. But Albright & Co believed they could just walk right in and cut it and impose their own solution. Indeed, a case of "fools rush in ....."
With all due respect, the answer to the problem does not lie in the imposition of US values by force. Values which you, personally, may cherish but not necessarily other people in other lands. |
