LETTER: Europe's Balkan failure
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AS A regular reader I was surprised at your leader on Bosnia, ("Bloody mark of failure",) and at the confused ramblings of Robert Fisk ("Why we mustn't accept quick-fix solution", both 3 September), neither of which seemed to support Nato air strikes. Fisk wonders: "How many people will be proud to call themselves good Europeans?" in the event of the American Peace Plan going through.
The fact is that Europe has lost all moral authority and credibility in the Balkans, and already there are many who are not too proud of being European. No doubt Bosnian Muslims will ponder long and hard at what it means to be a European Muslim. As for the Americans, they are no saints but at least they have acted. The air strikes may have more to do with a presidential campaign than moral considerations, but this action is better than playing with words which European politicians prefer.
We have been told that "ethnic cleansing" must not be tolerated. Meanwhile the Serbs have taken what land they needed and the Croatians reclaimed the land they needed. The West may not want to get bogged down in the Balkans, but at least Bosnian citizens should have been allowed to arm themselves.
Dr Mohammed Iqbal
Bradford, W. Yorks
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments