Artículo de James Bisset, último embajador canadiense en Yugoslavia
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THE GLOBE AND MAIL, Monday, January 10, 2000
The tragic blunder in Kosovo
We led the way in Suez, so why didn't we know better than to be led into a flagrant violation of international law, asks James Bissett, Canada's former ambassador to Yugoslavia
JAMES BISSETT
The bombing of Yugoslavia in the closing days of the 20th century has raised disturbing and unresolved issues about international security that must be addressed. Hailed as a victory for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the bombing, on closer analysis, can be seen as an unmitigated failure with far-reaching implications for world peace. Canada must demand more of its political leaders before they lead us into another war.
Canada's participation in this undeclared war against a sovereign state was carried out without public awareness or debate in Parliament. The bombing was conducted without the approval of the United Nations Security Council and was a direct violation not only of the UN Charter but also of Article 1 of the NATO Treaty itself, which requires NATO to settle any international dispute by peaceful means and to refrain from the threat or use of force, "in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations." Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy and Defence Minsiter Art Eggleton have assured us this flagrant violation of international law was necessary to stop ethnic cleansing and human-rights violations against the Albanian population of Kosovo.
Six months have passed since the end of the bombing. Now the war is over, it's time for sober analysis about why it was fought. The public has been bombarded with NATO propaganda, not only about the reasons for the intervention but also about its results. I believe we have been subject to duplicity and misleading information. The first casualty of the war in Kosovo has been the truth.
Our political leaders and much of the media have said that the bombing of Yugoslavia was launched to stop ethnic cleansing and atrocities. This is a myth. All the evidence shows that there were approximately 2,000 casualties in Kosovo up to the time of the NATO bombing -- by any standard, not an extraordinary number considering that a civil war had been raging since 1993. By contrast, the number of Yugoslavian civilians killed by the NATO bombing is reckoned to be well above 2,000.
The UN estimated that close to 200,000 ethnic Albanians were displaced before the NATO air strikes -- again, a deplorable figure but not surprising given that these people were driven from their homes as a result of the civil war. After the NATO bombs began to fall, more than 800,000 Kosovars were forced to flee from Serbian retaliation and from NATO bombs. So much for humanitarian intervention.
Following a UN resolution, the Yugoslav government in November, 1998, allowed 1,300 Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) observers into Kosovo in an attempt to monitor and de-escalate the fighting. As far as I know the official OSCE report was never published. Had it been, we could verify the allegations that ethnic cleansing and atrocities were serious enough to warrant military intervention. The failure to publish the report strongly suggests that the alleged repression in Kosovo did not justify intervention.
Moreover, a number of credible OSCE observers have publicly stated that in the weeks leading up to the bombing they witnessed no murders, no deportations and nothing that could be described as systematic persecution. One of these observers, the former Czech foreign minister, Jiri Dienstbier, has further testified that NATO was fully aware that bombing would force the Serbs to expel Kosovar Albanians as a military tactic. Yet our political leaders continue to tell us the bombing was designed to prevent -- not cause -- ethnic cleansing.
The immediate reason for the air strike was the Serbian refusal to sign the infamous Rambouillet Agreement -- a 57-page document that called for a referendum on autonomy in Kosovo and provided access to NATO forces to all of Yugoslavia. No sovereign state could possibly have accepted such conditions. This document was not made public until well after the bombing was under way. The chairman of the French National Assembly's defence committee did not receive a copy until June 3, after the Serbs had already accepted the terms of the ceasefire! I doubt any Canadian member of Parliament has bothered to request a copy. In any case, the Rambouillet document, drafted by the Americans, was clearly designed to ensure a Serb rejection. NATO needed its war.
The bombing began on March 25, 1999. NATO expected Yugoslavia to capitulate in a matter of days. When this did not happen and the bombing was extended to more and more civilian targets, public support in some NATO countries began to wane. The alliance found itself in trouble: None of its objectives had been achieved and the bombing was creating a humanitarian catastrophe and pulverizing a modern European state.
A negotiated settlement was essential. But NATO had to save face. Although it had in effect excluded the Russians through the insulting terms of Rambouillet, the alliance now turned to Moscow to get it out of the jam it found itself in. Former Russian prime minister Victor Chernomydrin persuaded NATO to drop the two most objectionable conditions, the referendum and access for NATO troops to Yugoslavia. NATO made further concessions -- acknowledging Yugoslav sovereignty over Kosovo, putting the occupation of Kosovo under UN auspices, and letting Yugoslav troops guard Serbian holy sites.
The UN approved the terms of this peace agreement; it remains to be seen if NATO will honour them. My guess is, having made a mess of the war, NATO will make a mess of the peace. Already, NATO's supreme commander in Europe, U.S. General Wesley Clark, has warned that NATO will prevent any attempt by Yugoslavia to return troops to Kosovo. One can hardly read this as a sign of NATO's respect for the UN.
The bombing of Yugoslavia was a tragic mistake. There have been dreadful human and financial costs. Ethnic cleansing and murder continue in Kosovo. More seriously, NATO's illegal action has fractured the framework of world security that has existed since the end of the Second World War. It has destabilized the Balkans and alienated the other great nuclear powers, Russia and China. NATO has abandoned the rule of law and lost any moral stature it might have had during the Cold War years. By forsaking diplomacy and resorting to force, NATO has reduced the democratic countries of the West to the level of the dictatorships it was created to oppose.
Canada's foreign minister would have us believe Kosovo marked a turning point in the way the international community is to react in future when human-rights violations take place within the borders of a sovereign state. We are asked to believe that the long-standing principle of state sovereignty can be overruled in the interests of humanitarianism intervention. We are asked to embrace new concepts of "soft power" and "human security." Mr. Axworthy assures us that Canada will always make its own foreign-policy decisions independently.
Yet when great issues were at stake in Kosovo -- issues of life or death, of war or peace, of ignoring the UN Security Council, of violating NATO's own treaty -- Canada's voice was not heard. We eagerly joined the war without question and without consultation with the representatives of the Canadian people.
It didn't have to be this way. Another Canadian foreign minister faced a similar decision back in 1956. In the early days of the Suez crisis, Lester Pearson came out against the bombing of the Suez Canal by Canada's French and British allies and played a key role in getting the UN to halt the invasion.
If Canada is to play an effective role in international affairs it must continue to stand for the rule of law, for the UN charter and for democratic decision-making when its military could become involved in aggressive action against sovereign states. If Mr. Axworthy is serious about pushing a human security agenda, let him demand that NATO reaffirm its adherence to the UN Charter and its commitment not to resolve international disputes by the threat or use of force. This simple reaffirmation would reassure Canadians that as we enter the new millennium we all know that the ground rules have not changed.
James Bissett was Canada's ambassador to Yugoslavia from 1990 until 1992, with responsibility for Albania and Bulgaria.
1
Posted on 01/10/2000 11:03:00 PST by Gael
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To: Gael
Great column, except for the headline. This was no blunder. It was a cold, calculated effort to extend Nato hegemony in the Balkans.
2 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:11:40 PST by dirtboy
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To: Gael
GREAT CATCH!
3 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:14:22 PST by harpu
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To: Gael
i'm very surprise they would publish such an article.
i have written to them on few ocasions during the bombing, but of course they did not publish it.
4 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:15:34 PST by bordello
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To: Gael
It would be more to the point to say "The tragic blunder in Kosovo was belief in William Jefferson Clinton."
5 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:18:47 PST by eFudd
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To: Gael
Ethnic cleansing and murder continue in Kosovo.
What ethnic cleansing?
6 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:19:04 PST by dfwgator
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To: Gael
Wow! Someone with guts waits a several months for Kosovo to become old news before he stands up for the truth. Go back into hybernation you gutless backwards Canuk shmuck!!
7 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:20:27 PST by Bommer
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To: Bommer; bordello
Actually, to be fair to Bissett, he did speak out against the war at the time. It's the Globe & Mail that's at fault for waiting this long to publish a dissenting view. During the bombing, G&M was a rah rah cheerleader, and wouldn't publish any dissenting views (as shown by your experience, bordello). I'm wondering why this was published at all - why are the pro-war media allowing such views to come out now? Regardless of the reason, I am hopeful that we can use the debunking of the Kosovo myths to counter notatAlbright's reported plans to foster civil war in Montenegro and a NATO-Serbia war over that republic. Who knows, maybe the press won't be on kneepads when the next crisis is manufactured. But I'm an optimist.
8 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:30:07 PST by Gael
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To: Gael
The bombing of Yugoslavia was a tragic mistake. There have been dreadful human and financial costs. Ethnic cleansing and murder continue in Kosovo. More seriously, NATO's illegal action has fractured the framework of world security that has existed since the end of the Second World War. It has destabilized the Balkans and alienated the other great nuclear powers, Russia and China. NATO has abandoned the rule of law and lost any moral stature it might have had during the Cold War years. By forsaking diplomacy and resorting to force, NATO has reduced the democratic countries of the West to the level of the dictatorships it was created to oppose.
That is the real story- the one our idiot press and most of our pathetic candidates for President don't even address unless it is to parot the White House line. Kosovo was more than a mistake. I think it was an intentional act done without any thought to the long term damage to the west. The Clinton White House has managed to destroy the credibility and even the stability of the west for whatever idiotic reason was in his brain. And the funny thing is that all the internationalists went along with this brainless and wholly preposterous "war."
The Kosovo "war" will be remembered as a major turning point in world history. It has set us on the path to a new hostile world in which more than boogey man, third rate "rouge nations" barely concern us. Kosovo has set off a realignment in Geo strategic politics itself.
I wonder if the Neo Cons over at the Weekly Standard are still proud of that "Victory" cover they had when we declared the "war" over?
9 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:44:49 PST by Burkeman1
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To: dirtboy
BUMP!!! Couldn't have said it better myself.
10 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:45:13 PST by Jane_N (jane@nybakat.com)
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To: dirtboy
I agree with your sentiments. Definitly a calculated effort on the part of the globalist US/NATO to expand their sphere of control. As one who stood proud with NATO during its past 'containment' policies against communism, I can no longer stand anywhere near NATO after its 'blundering' interventionist policies in Kosovo.
Remember those old graphic cartoons that they used to show where Russian communism was displayed as an aggressive octopus streaching its legs around the globe.
Unfortunately, the roles have now been reversed thanks to the Clinton/Bush/Blair Globalist War Party. US/NATO has now become the aggressive Octopus trying to take control of the planet.
We are about to embark on another cold war. This time against Russia AND China. And this time we could be the ones called 'the evil empire'.
What else can you expect when you allow yourselfs to be governed by immoral law breaking individuals who recognize 'no controlling legal authority'.
Hopefully, the true patriotic americans will recognize that the path to cold war II puts us on the wrong side of history. Also, we cannot win against a combined China and Russian effort. No way, no how. Not even our 'alien space technology in area 51' will help us. Besides, if they got into Los Alamos, they got into Area 51.
The real scary part is that the UN/NATO Globalist probably know that in the long run of a cold war against China and Russia, UN/NATO will be defeated. Therefore, their only choice is for direct confrontation before a united China and Russia become too strong. This may explain the fuss over those oil reserves in the Caucauses Mountain region. Its not really the oil they want. Its the confrontation baby. Its the war !
11 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:46:53 PST by justa-hairyape (aintgonnahappen@Novus.Ordo.Seclorum)
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To: Gael
we could verify the allegations that ethnic cleansing and atrocities were serious enough to warrant military intervention.
I'm sure he's not refering to it, but that is precisely why Yugoslavia sent additional forces into its Kosovo province, to halt ethnic cleansing and atrocities by the UCK (KLA).
And yes Mr. Bissett's column is late, but better late than never. Because the ethnic cleansing and atrocities by the UCK continue!
12 Posted on 01/10/2000 11:48:21 PST by F-117A (NATO
"leaders" are War Criminals)
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To: Burkeman1
Kosovo established the United States as the most powerful TERRORIST nation in the world!!!!!!
13 Posted on 01/10/2000 12:38:08 PST by Chapita
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To: Burkeman1
Kosovo established the United States as the most powerful TERRORIST nation in the world!!!!!!
14 Posted on 01/10/2000 12:45:08 PST by Chapita
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To: Gael
It's significant that this article appears in the Globe & Mail, which is a self-satisfied liberal organ much like the New York Times. Although the writer doesn't quite recognize that this was no blunder but a deliberate war crime, he spends remarkably little time on the usual balancing act--how awful Milosevitch and the Serbs were, how the mistake was understandable, etc., etc.
15 Posted on 01/10/2000 12:55:10 PST by Cicero
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To: dfwgator
**What ethnic cleansing?**
Of all the Serbs, Gypsies, and other Non-Albanians, so that they can get on with their drug-running and selling their own women as prostitutes in Europe.
16 Posted on 01/10/2000 13:15:51 PST by mit
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To: Bommer
Someone with guts waits a several months for Kosovo to become old news before he stands up for the truth.
In fact, James Bisset publicly opposed the bombing right from the start. During the bombing, he had a critical article published in the National Post, among others. He should be praised for having the courage to stand up to his government's criminal behavior.
You may wish to retract your comment.
17 Posted on 01/10/2000 13:57:45 PST by Canuck1
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To: dfwgator
Ethnic cleansing and murder continue in Kosovo.
What ethnic cleansing?
You are certainly forgiven your ignorance to this, since the Western mainstream press has for the most part ignored it. Serbs (and to a lesser extent, Gypsies) are killed or driven out of Kosovo on a daily basis, and KFOR just stands by and watches. There are very few non-Albanian people left in Kosovo. See:
for details.
18 Posted on 01/10/2000 14:19:52 PST by jazzraptor
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To: Burkeman1
The Kosovo "war" will be remembered as a major turning point in world history. It has set us on the path to a new hostile world in which more than boogey man, third rate "rouge nations" barely concern us. Kosovo has set off a realignment in Geo strategic politics itself.
Absloutely true.
19 Posted on 01/10/2000 15:43:07 PST by Leonora
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To: jazzraptor
bump!
20 Posted on 01/10/2000 20:28:22 PST by Pericles
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To: jazzraptor
The point in my saying "What ethnic cleansing?" was the fact that the article states that ethnic cleansing continues in Kosovo. I took that to mean that ethnic cleansing was continuing, but this time it is the Albanians who are guilty. To me this implied that the Serbs before the bombing were guilty of ethnic cleansing themselves, which I do not believe. While I would hesistate to say the Albanians are guilty of such a heinous crime (although I am beginning to question that), I am aware of the persecution of the Serb and Gypsy minorities in Kosovo.
21 Posted on 01/11/2000 07:37:43 PST by dfwgator
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To: Gael
It was no mistake.
It was coldblooded murder.
He is still into euphamism.
22 Posted on 01/12/2000 06:09:51 PST by mgiwer
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To: dfwgator
There's an excellent analysis on the myth of albanian revenge called "Crimes of Fascism, Crimes of LIES" written by George Thompson and Jared Israel with a lot of historical background information (www.emperors-clothes.com).Everyone should know what was going on and is now still going on. What Mussolini,Hitler and Tito started was now finally acomplished by Clinton,Albright,Rubin,Clark and the rest of the NATO leadership. These leaders and their nations can sure be "proud" of it. I mean they succeeded in a place (the former Yougoslavia) where even Hitler got a bloody nose. The times will change. Last time we waited 500 years to kick out the turks. We will wait again. The time will come when the occupation forces will leave again. The serbs have an old saying : "FREEDOM OR DEATH" !
23 Posted on 01/13/2000 07:24:39 PST by holytruth
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To: F-117A
" And yes Mr. Bissett's column is late, but better late than never. Because the ethnic cleansing and atrocities by the UCK continue! "
I can attest to the fact that this brave Mr. Bissette was saying it like it was during the hottest period of the Kosovo campaign. I kept the newspaper clipping and placed in a folder beside the brave russian soldier that defied orders to massacre many civilians in the 1995-96 Chechen campaign. I hope this folder starts getting thicker faster.
Mr. Bissette had described Mr. Milosovic as a sound leader with a keen sense for diplomacy when he had been to official functions with him.
24 Posted on 01/14/2000 00:38:22 PST by Stay'n Alive
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Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
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