Dear GVCP Member:

NEXT GVCP MEETING: SATURDAY, JUNE 12TH, 2:00 P.M., 2290 Anderson Rd, Linwood. *NOTE SATURDAY DATE* [Anderson Rd runs west of Route 36, south of Route 20. 2290 is 1.7 miles west of Route 36.]

KOSOVO Prof. Helena Waddy presented an excellent overview of the political and social situation in the former Yugoslavia. Some salient points: When people say, "Everyone in the Balkans has been fighting everyone else for centuries," this is an oversimplification. There have been ethnic differences, but these were probably no worse than in most parts of the world.

Also, we must realize that many of the important historical events that shape Serbian identity took place in Kosovo. On the other hand, some countries choose to look forward instead of concentrating on past enmities. Pres. Milosovic chose instead to emphasize Serbia's historical claim on Kosovo.

GVCP members did not reach a position on the bombing of Serbia. We agreed with Hank Stone that if there were an effective world police force, President Milosovic would know that he would have to directly face the consequences of his actions. (Then, of course, so would President Clinton.) What we have now is the U.S. and NATO engaging in what at best is vigilante justice, and what certainly may represent serious injustice. Vigilante bands often are formed when there is a perception that there is no formal effective justice system to turn to. Had the UN or the European Community dealt with the horrible situations in Bosnia and Kosovo, the U.S. would not have had cause or excuse to bomb.

We all know the U.S. history of brutal intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. The U.S. always claims to be on the side of peace and justice, but invariably we have been on the side of what we perceive as our own national interest. Is Kosovo the first truly just intervention? For example, one peace group pointed out that despite the U.S. claim that we are bombing to help the Albanian Kosovars, we have done very little to subsidize humanitarian aid for these people when they become refugees.

Most of the national peace groups have called for a halt to the bombing and for further negotiations among all parties. A pragmatic point--even if the bombing truly was initiated to help the Albanian Kosovars, the Kosovars are probably worse off now than they were before. (So, even if you believe the bombing was morally right, you could call for a halt to the bombing because it's not working.)

Various countries and respected political leaders have offered their services as mediators. The U.S. should enthusiastically welcome these offers. It is particularly important that Russia be involved, because the bombing of Serbia is extremely unpopular in Russia, and the Russian leaders need to find a way to mollify their electorate, without risking armed confrontation with NATO. Serving as a peacemaker is an honorable activity for any nation--let's try to find peacemakers, not discourage them.

My suggestion is to WRITE to President Clinton [The White House, Washington, DC 20500] and tell him your thoughts about the bombing. Then urge that he actively seek ways to find a just and reasonable diplomatic solution to the problem in Kosovo. Ask him to call upon the UN, the Russian and German governments, the European Community, and any other possible peacemakers.

We did reach consensus about one action that we know is a positive one--humanitarian relief aid to the refugees. American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St, Philadelphia PA 19102 will accept checks that will be used to help alleviate the suffering of the refugees.

Peace,

LORI BERENSON--IMPRISONED FOR 41 MONTHS! WRITE TO REPS. HOUGHTON & REYNOLDS. ASK THEM TO SIGN A LETTER ON LORI'S BEHALF WRITTEN BY REP. CAROLYN MALONEY. REPS. LAFALCE & SLAUGHTER HAVE ALREADY SIGNED.. PLEASE WRITE AND THANK THEM. [HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, WASHINGTON, DC 20515] SENATORS MOYNIHAN & SCHUMER HAVE BOTH SIGNED A COMPARABLE LETTER IN THE SENATE. PLEASE WRITE AND THANK THEM. [US SENATE, WASHINGTON, DC 20510]