Following is my nomination for the Best Post of the week. It was posted on Johnson's Russian List #3273 of May 7, 199 ==================================================== From: Wayne Merry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: 3271-Cohen/Yugoslavia, Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 Stephen F. Cohen has performed a great service in his brief opinion piece in "The Nation" by drawing attention to the profound moral failures of United States policy in Yugoslavia. Mr. Cohen is right on the mark in condemning the use of bombardment of Serbian civil society as an instrument of American policy, an instrument we condemn as barbaric when employed by others. Mr. Cohen is also correct when he states that our military actions have greatly increased the scale of suffering of the Kosovar Albanians without preparation to assist them. I will add only that the logical, and moral, consequence of our complicity in this humanitarian disaster is to accept national responsibility for the displaced victims on a large scale, either in this country or in the Balkans (recognizing that the likelihood of their return to Kosovo anytime soon is near zero). We cannot undo our mistakes, but this country certainly can recognize failure, change course, and undertake to compensate the innocent human "collateral damage" from our misuse of our great power. Again, thanks to Mr. Cohen for his perception and courage of expression. Wayne Merry, Director Program on European Societies in Transition The Atlantic Council of the United States Washington, DC ========================================================
