THE REAL SERBIA

This letter was published in the British centre-left newspaper The Independent. It reflects my deep concern at the possibility of the reward of aid and the lifting of sanctions if the Serbian "democratic opposition" takes power in Serbia after the 24 September elections. These rewards are not conditional on handing over indicted war crimes suspects, effectively dropping the whole issue, a point that nobody appears to have realised.

 

The Independent

21 September 2000

 

Dear Sir

The European Union is telling the Serbs that if they vote out Milosovic, they will be rewarded with aid and the lifting of sanctions. ("EU offers inducement to oust Milosovic", Independent, 19 September). This beggars belief. The Serbian "democratic opposition" does not oppose Milosovic because he started four wars, but because he lost them.

Vojislav Kostunica, a "Greater Serbia" proponent, will not be handing over war crimes suspects if he wins. What leverage, then, will the West have on Serbia to hand over war criminals, including Milosovic? This is in hypocritical contrast to Croatia, where sanctions were threatened for slowness in handing over suspects.

And will the EU's help give Serbia the funds to start yet another war in pursuit of "Greater Serbia"? The Serbs need a strong dose of denazification. The Serbian "opposition" will give them the reverse - and at EU taxpayers expense.

Yours sincerely

Brian Gallagher

London