Letters

Kosovo's Myths

THANK you for printing John Laughland's commentary outlining the true extent of Yugoslavian atrocities committed in Kosovo (The Final Death Toll In Kosovo? Nov. 4).

Its contents should be cause for sober reflection for anyone thinking themselves, or their country, too sophisticated to be manipulated by propaganda. The column's contents are especially chilling because they challenge beliefs widely held in this country a scant seven months ago, when Canada, without benefit of parliamentary debate, waged war against a sovereign state.

The justifications at the time revolved around "mass graves" and upwards of 100,000 Albanians killed by Yugoslav forces. Mr. Laughland's piece makes clear the victims may have actually numbered in the hundreds.

Without even touching upon the dangerous precedent set in international law, the tacit support given to a revolutionary army, or the dubious outcome as reflected in current day Kosovo, our active participation in this conflict should shame us all.

As November 11th draws near perhaps we should all take a moment to remind ourselves that our debt to those who have died in war is twofold. We must honour a great and grave sacrifice made selflessly, but equally, we must pledge never to enter such conflicts lightly, undemocratically, or ignorantly.

Charles E. Anderson, Montreal.