THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 29, 1995 TAG: 9509290011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
More than once the executive branch of our government has informed us that it intends to place U.S. soldiers in the Balkans immediately following a signed accord between the warring parties. Months ago the number of troops needed to ensure the peace was given as 15,000, with an expected stay of one year. Now 25,000 troops are needed. Silence regarding the length of how long these troops might stay loudly implies more than a year.
Granted our air-power brinkmanship seems to have hurt the Serbs, but do not think for one minute that there is no fight left in them. Remember, bombing is ineffective in obtaining the submission of people. Review ``The Battle of Britain.''
The presence of U.S. soldiers, even for a year, is too long. Our presence, I fear, will change the open warfare to that such as Northern Ireland had for decades, and that it will embroil U.S. troops.
Warren Christopher has reportedly said, ``In the battlefield situations, I'm a `let's-wait-and-see' man.''
Mr. Christopher works at what is called ``Foggy Bottom,'' appropriately named, for he must be in a fog to think he can ``wait and see'' while American soldiers become targets. It's pure folly to, once again, have diplomats get us in a ``peacekeeping'' war.
HOWARD McDONALD
Virginia Beach, Sept. 21, 1995 by CNB