Is it just a coincidence that these places have a very low level of white citizenry??
And what does it tell us when people can support this war, and turn a blind eye to the far greater horrors perpetuated on people of color around the planet?
Michael,
Although no policy maker likely wishes to acknowledge the bias, I think there may be some unfortunate truth in the racial aspect of this conflict.
However, I believe what has proven more the focus is the fact that this conflict lies within Europe proper, an economically powerful continent, to whose peacefulness the US has strong national interests.
It is also apparent that that the international press has played up the horrors that have resulted from the break-up of Yugoslavia and Europes inability to deal with Milosevic's mischief making and desire for a "greater Serbia".
Milosevic has played the "card" of Serbian Nationalism in his desperate attempt to maintain political control. Milosevic's reign has resulted in war, the economic collapse of Serbia, caused Serbs to suffer 3rd highest rate of hyper-inflation ever recorded in history, ethnic cleansing, subversion of neighboring states, continued claims against Bosnia (although muted), and increased repression of internal dissent.
His is hardly a freely elected gov't, with reports of widespread fraud and voter intimidation, and consolidation of internal power in the hands of corrupt personal cronies such as Arkan. So while I feel we have thoroughly missed the boat for peacefully or surreptiously dealing with Milosevic and that this bombing was the result of the such lack of proactive action, I do feel that Milosevic has to go, either forcefully or gracefully.
I am certainly not fooled by his down home Jesse Jackson prayer sessions. This man has one desire, that being only to retain power for as long as he can and being remembered as something who was able to rejevenute Serbian nationalist aspirations, to the loss of any attempt at bringing tolerance and peace to the Balkans.
Regards,
Ron |
