"Yours Is Not To Wonder Why"

Sir, reference is made to The Financial Times' page one article, "West tells Russia to keep out of Ukraine," August 28, 2008. Mr. David Miliband, UK foreign secretary posited, "There can be no going back on fundamental principles of territorial integrity, democratic governance and international law."

Then, how does he explain NATO's 1999 military campaign against Serbia in Kosovo? He says that it's not the same. Still, the claims by NATO and the western media of "genocide" and "crimes against humanity" were false. Moreover, the war was carried out without U.N. sanction. The Americans and Europeans via NATO made a political decision backed by its military might at the time. The U.N. Resolution (1244) negotiated to end the war, guaranteed Serbian interests and sovereignty in Kosovo. Yet, in February 2008, Mr. Milibrand supported the Albanian Kosovars' declaration of Independence from Serbia -- a clear violation of international law, a UN Resolution, and the principle of national sovereignty forged out of the horror of World War II.

So, would George Bush, Condoleezza Rice, David Miliband, et al, please shut up! As leaders of western democracies "theirs is not to wonder why"-- theirs is to know. The crisis in Georgia was a direct result of American and European actions in Kosovo (Serbia). You are not right. And today, more importantly, you are not might.

Therefore, I pose to you this question: Did you really like the first Crimean War? Do we really need a sequel? So honor the Light Brigade and remember, "Some one had blunder'd...Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred."

In the last analysis, we do not need another war masked by pretense.

World Cup Diplomacy for Zimbabwe

Sir, With reference to The Financial Times' June 24th editorial on Zimbabwe, "it is time for Africa to ostracize Mugabe's regime," I clearly concur, yet I would proceed on.  The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa may be the carrot and solution to end the troubles in Zimbabwe.

Mr. Mugabe's thuggish despotic regime could not be in power with out the tacit support of other African nations -- in particular South Africa.  Gideon Rachman has rightfully pointed out that 'South Africa has more power over Zimbabwe than any other country in the world' ("Paths out of Zimbabwe's dead end," June 24).  Mr. Mbeki, the President of South Africa, has had no solution thus far for his neighbor's horrific and dehumanizing mess.  Rather, Mr. Mbeki has enabled Mr. Mugabe to stay in power, and hence South Africa has become part of the problem.

If apartheid was unacceptable -- and it was -- then so too is a Mugabe government in Zimbabwe today.  The world needs to have Mr. Mbeki and South Africa understand this as well.  Only an outside force like South Africa can depose the ill that infects Zimbabwe.  Perhaps if South Africa fully appreciates that the troubles in Zimbabwe have destabilized herself as a proper venue for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, she will take action to end the Mugabe rule of Zimbabwe and save the games.

"I Am Of Ireland"

Published : June 21 2008 03:00 The Financial Times Limited 2008

Sir, With reference to the FT's analysis of the Irish No Vote on the Lisbon Treaty: I would proffer that the only reason for incredulity is that the European Union let a democratic vote happen. 

A constitution, even one called a "treaty," is a document of principle -- it is a pearl. It is not a document of subsidies and superfluous special privileges for the elite. It is not pork.

I believe that it would be naive to think that the ruling elite and their stakeholders have not always used government for their own interests. Yet, in today's complex global society, there is now a price to be paid. Given a choice, as were the Danes in 1992, the French and Dutch in 2005, and now the Irish in 2008, an intelligent and informed populace will reject this folly, aka the Treaty of Lisbon. It is not that they know not what they do -- it is precisely that they do know what this treaty represents.

A blow for freedom has been struck. A blow in opposition to supercilious bureaucrats. A blow for the good sense of the common man -- he knows better than to give pearls to pigs. So, today, take a drink and say: "I am of Ireland."

Kosovo: There Will Be Blood

I am not a Serb. I am not an Albanian. I am an American. I have lived in the homes of Serbs in Bosnia, and Albanians in Kosovo. I can count both as my friends. In April of 2007, I wrote that Kosovo Independence is folly, and by extension, that George Bush and Condoleezza Rice are fools. I stand by that analysis.

Recognition of the Albanian Kosovars' Independence proclamation by the US, UK, France, and Germany, is catastrophic foreign policy. It is the worst foreign policy decision since Munich.

Martin Gilbert and Richard Gott wrote this in their brilliant book, The Appeasers, "They sought to ignore the lessons of the past ... and were prepared to sacrifice common sense for the sake of their desire." This desire to recognize an injustice that never took place will engender grave consequences around the world.

There will be blood. I can easily predict what will happen next and where. The lamentable little wars of independence will sprout like spring poppies on the Kosovo polije.

Yet, there may be a way out of this. The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has yet to weigh in on this event. He could declare the proclamation a violation of UN Resolution 1244. And, call an emergency meeting of the Security Council, which in effect, could turn back the clock and bring some sanity to the state of international order.