<<Sorry, but NATO (U.S.) acting prematurely has only cost the U.S. about 50 billion (when it's all done), caused the stepped up expellation of Kosovo Albanians, killed many civilian Serbs, and destroyed Yugoslavian economic infrastructure. The end result could have been achieved several months earlier with competent negotiators (not Albright) working together with the Russians.
This is why the U.N. treaties are in place to prevent ignorant brutal actions such as the U.S. took against Yugoslavia. As a result of the disrespect of U.N. guidelines you'll see stepped up arms races; especially in Pakistan, India and China>>
A UNSC resolution condemning atrocities against the Kosovar Albanians and demanding a withdrawal and ceasing of hostilities has been in place now for over a year. Time and time again the UN has had to step in and put out fires Milosevich has started. What makes you think that even more negotiating will have solved anything? The Russians themselves helped draw up through the OSCE the very conditions which Ramboulet was based! Milosevich has continued his policies for the past 10 years because there has never been any consequences, and the Russians are contradicting the very conditions they helped draw up because it is politically expedient to do so. If nothing else has been accomplished by this campaign, it has finally made Milosevich feel the consequences of his actions, and hopefully will help the Yugoslavs see the destruction he has wrought in what remains of their country.
As to an increased arms race, I say rubbish. You base that on the assumption that those nations will fear an aggressive projection of power by the US and NATO and hence must prepare for deterrance. On the contrary, this operation has pointed out the *limits* of US and NATO power and will act to *moderate* US policy. You assume that by this action NATO has eroded the legitimacy of the UNSC, which I have argued never existed to begin with. Pakistan, India, and China are already amongst the world's greatest spenders on military buildup for completely independent reasons. There wont be a slippery slope arms race, but there will be a moderation of US policy, and a realignment of power to balance against the US. IMHO. |
