Sir, - During the civil war in former Yugoslavia, I crossed swords with Kevin Myers on a number of occasions. Therefore, I am delighted to see that he recognises the Hague Tribunal for what it is, as well as acknowledging the horrendous suffering of Krajina Serbs (An Irishman's Diary, September 4th).
He rightly states that Franjo Tudjman was a US client in the region, but I would point out that, at the time of conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slobodan Milosevic was one as well. And, while Milosevic was happy to sit back and let the Serbs of Slavonia and Krajina be expelled and massacred during the operations "Lightning" and "Storm", and while he was prepared to sell out Bosnian Serbs at Dayton, there was no talk of him being indicted for any war crimes. It was only when he refused to accept the US dictat on Kosovo, and stood up to NATO aggression, that The Hague became a factor.
As to whether he should face a court at all, yes, he should - the one in Belgrade, where he was already accused of "abuse of power". This can become a wide-ranging charge, covering anything from corruption and nepotism right up to high treason, which still carries a death penalty under the current Yugoslav constitution. He should answer to the Serbian people for what he did to them - in Krajina, in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in Kosovo and in Serbia proper.
As for The Hague, current and recent leaders of a number of democratic countries could face charges similar to those facing Milosevic: the US over Vietnam, Chile and Nicaragua; the US and UK over the bombing of Iraq (previously their client state); leaders of NATO countries over the bombing of Yugoslavia, etc.
Needless to say, none of this is going to happen. History has shown that the victors become judge, jury and executioner. - Yours, etc.,
Zivko Jaksic, Serbian Information Bureau, Grange Road, Dublin 16.