GOOD WORK!!!! Stella
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/EDITORIAL /98097798 <http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080103/EDITORIA L/98097798&template=nextpage> &template=nextpage The Washington Times 3 January 2008 Letters to the Editor Kosovo In his excellent Commentary column yesterday, "Kosovo train-wreck warnings," retired Adm. James Lyons clearly points out the dangers in recognizing the independence of Kosovo. Indeed, one is left to wonder why the current administration needs to "vindicate a Clinton agenda item" and in the process enable the emergence of an ethnically intolerant Islamic state in the heart of Europe. What's in it for the United States, other than yet another military base on occupied foreign territory? Perhaps that's what it's mostly about. In the process, the war against terrorism makes a u-turn in the Balkans. LIZ MILANOVICH Edmonton, Alberta • Thank you for publishing yesterday's Commentary column "Kosovo train-wreck warnings" by retired Adm. James Lyons. His analysis of the economic and political viability of Kosovo as an independent state is excellent. For a long time, the Bush administration has been following former President Bill Clinton's failed policy in the Balkans. As Adm. Lyons said in his last sentence, "America has much more important business to take care of that we cannot afford to jeopardize over a seemingly minor dispute to vindicate a Clinton agenda item." MIRJANA PETROVIC San Diego • Why is this country seeking another diplomatic quagmire? If Kosovo is planning to declare independence next month, we should stay away from the "train wreck" that's bound to follow. If we recognize this new nation, American taxpayers will be saddled with huge expenses. We will be asked to fund construction projects, provide health care assistance and open our pockets for all other "nation-building" costs. We have an ongoing war in Iraq and a stalemate in Afghanistan; the State Department should sit this one out. There is nothing to be gained by supporting an independent Kosovo and much to lose. The Balkans are a thorny place, and we shouldn't become entangled in that part of the world. ROSALIND ELLIS Baltimore • Finally, someone of retired Adm. James Lyons' stature recognizes how ludicrous our policy in Kosovo is. Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard C. Holbrooke and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are frenziedly manning the controls of a train steamrolling ahead to support the Albanian Muslims in their quest to create another steppingstone country in the radical expansion of Islam across Europe — despite concerned citizens' warnings about red flags the State Department has hardly noticed. There clearly is little regard for national or international consequences and a "we'll worry about the Rubicon when we come to it" mentality. Here's hoping the brakes can be applied in time to avoid the oncoming Pyrrhic derailment. Given more men (and newspapers) with the heart of Adm. Lyons sounding warning bells, we can yet bring this monolithic problem to a successful conclusion. MILANA BIZIC Moon Township, Pa.
