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We Bombed the Wrong Side, Kosovo's Terrorists Continue to Wage War
The Plain Dealer ^ | January 9, 2004 | Tanja Gavrilovic

Posted on 01/11/2004 4:09:44 AM PST by Doctor13

In the midst of conflicts in Southwest Asia and the Middle East, I cannot help but wonder: Whatever happened to the Balkans?

We Americans spent more than a decade listening to and watching CNN and BBC clips of the war-torn region and the countless war crimes that had taken place at the hands of various ethnic groups.

What about Kosovo? A 78-day bombing campaign was undertaken to "liberate Kosovo's ethnic Albanian population" from the hands of "terror-invoking Serbs."

Why was there no media follow- up of the accomplishments of peace-loving and newly liberated Kosovo Albanians? Quite simply, because there are no accomplishments.

Could it be because the international community made a grave mistake and has now found itself in a quagmire with no solution in sight? Is it possible that some of the very people NATO was trying to "protect" have turned out, in fact, to be terrorists? Yes!

After spending a grueling 27 months working in Serbia's Kosovo province, I learned and witnessed far more than I had bargained for. Although I was fully versed in the rich and blood- soaked history of the region, I was not prepared for all that took place.

Albanian rebel offensives resulted in bus explosions of NATO- escorted civilian convoys, brutal murders of civilians tending their fields, random sniper attacks, shootings of children swimming in lakes, night beatings and torture of the elderly, and arson - all against Serbian civilians and all under the watchful eyes of the U.S. and international community.

I once asked a NATO commanding general why ethnic Albanian extremists were not unmasked for what they truly are - bloodthirsty, war-waging terrorists. He looked at me, paused, and replied, "How do you begin to go against the very group you supposedly came to help? We obviously did not know who we were dealing with. We bombed the wrong side."

I stared at him in disbelief while he merely looked down at his freshly shined boots, straightened his shoulders and turned to walk away. Not quite the response I had expected.

Observations in Kosovo recorded chilling acts from the "peacekeepers" as well. Germany's military contingent used bright yellow tape to mark large Xs on Serbian homes throughout their designated area of responsibility. Similar to the 1940s Nazi-style branding of Jews and other minorities deemed unworthy of life.

Strangely enough, I was the only one who questioned this and personally brought it to the attention of a senior member of the U.S. Army Command Group.

But let's focus on something near and dear to all Americans: attacks on U.S. Army and media personnel. While on a border patrol, monitoring Albanian rebel insurgency, the U.S. unit I was working with came under direct mortar fire in a village named Krivenik. An Associated Press journalist, Kerim Lawton, was seriously injured. I administered first aid and attempted to stop the bleeding from the dozens of shrapnel wounds he incurred, to no avail. He died shortly afterward.

How was this incident portrayed to the media? In a noncommittal diplomatic fashion, officials announced that, "An investigation will take place as to the day's chain of events," from all sides, U.S. Army, NATO and U.N.

Does this seem all too familiar? Is this not mere repetition of scenarios that got the United States involved in both Bosnia and Kosovo in the first place - only later to discover that "smoking gun" incidences were staged? It is interesting how concrete evidence has surfaced, that incidences were staged by the very groups claiming to have been wronged.

Perhaps the international community should be more forthcoming as to who the real Balkans' terrorists are and how they are draining our tax dollars, manpower and resources.

The public has a right to know what is happening in the Balkans.

Gavrilovic served as a civilian subcontractor with the U.S. Army in the capacity of assistant project manager, cross-cultural specialist and linguist in Kosovo.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: balkans; kla; kosovo; serbia
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To: Doctor13
You also seem to put the entire blame on Milosevic

I think you posted this to the wrong person.

To steal a quote, I am aware that Milosevic was just another bad guy in a bad neighborhood.

21 posted on 01/11/2004 7:39:12 AM PST by riri
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To: Doctor13
"To admit to our role in the unnecessary deaths of all innocent civilians in a Balkan civil war would land us at The War Crimes Tribunal"

Justice...if we won't turn our citizens over to internat'l courts then WE MUST give them a fair trial in the US. Otherwise, we lose all credibility, possibly forever. The Clinton/KLArk debacle in YU continues to have a direct effect on our soldiers in the ME, as we pay/threaten to reinforce w/allied troops.

What oath of office, obligation of our President to tell the truth to our citizens? Throw the Clinton admin (he hasn't already killed)in a brig...make my day.
22 posted on 01/11/2004 8:34:38 AM PST by getgoing (To any Serb in Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, Bosnia,Croatia: we screwed up, some of us are very sorry.)
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To: Doctor13
This was a disgrace for America and when the Russians pimp slapped General Clark at Pristina I couldn't have been happier!
23 posted on 01/11/2004 8:37:09 AM PST by Nov3
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To: Doctor13
The press had an agenda also.
24 posted on 01/11/2004 8:45:40 AM PST by Nov3
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To: tkathy
The Kosovo Liberation Army was nothing more than the drug smuggling arm of Al Queda. clinton, Clark and Halfbright were all supporters of a terrorist organization and helped give credibility to the Whabbi world. Then Clark claims that he could stop terrorism from ever happening?? Are there any terrorists that Rats don't support??

Pray for W and The Truth

25 posted on 01/11/2004 9:15:44 AM PST by bray (The Wicked Witch of NY and Her 9 Flying Monkeys are Falling!)
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To: bray
It has been reported in the non US Press that Al-Qaeda has been active in both Kosovo and Bosnia and how they are seeking fair skinned Euro-Muslims to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe and possibly the United States, since Arab Muslims are on our radar screen. This story needs to be send to every conservative talk show host around the country.
26 posted on 01/11/2004 9:30:59 AM PST by Trueblackman (It is enough to make you smile and gloat)
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To: Doctor13; Incorrigible; Wraith; DTA; joan; wonders; getoffmylawn; MarMema; ...
The KLA trained by Osama bin Laden? Oh my (to quote Dick Enberg)... Oh my... The folly of what passes for educated discourse in this forum these days...

Within a few short months the fifth anniversary of the Kosovo Liberation Army's stunning triumph versus the Yugoslav totalitarian state will be celebrated by the brave men and women veterans of the UCK. They would disagree with your thesis.

Trained and equipped by the United States of America and directed by the legendary handfull of America's best (the Colonel, the Congressman, the Correspondent and the Hawk) the Kosovo Liberation Army stunned the entire world by crushing Serb resistance following a 78 day air assault by the UCK air force.

These veteran fighters -- descendents of Ancient Illyria -- humbled the jackbooted Serb death squads in fight after fight ranging across Kosovo province. Finally, exhausted and shredded by overwhelming American-style airpower, Belgrade begged for an armistice before UCK forces could overrun the Serb capital.

Now the Empire of Greater Albania prepares to go on the move once more this Summer. Given the green light by Washington, strike elements within Kosovo province and the Tetovo Republic now poised to liberate Albanian swaths of Mali zi and the Presevo Valley.

The KLA benefits from superior American-provided intelligence Osama bin Laden can only dream about. This real-time capability permits Albanian freedom fighters to shrug off the revisionist hegemonism of the outlaw Belgrade regime -- while generating combat revenues through "assisting" American Balkan drug policy as it relates to the pipeline...

Ahhhhh the pipeline. Without it it is indeed possible American conservative elements would not support Greater Albania and Chechen nationalism. But they do so that America may remain strong even as the dollar grows weak. Bravo to these brave Republicans that understand the inherent dnagers of Iran, North Korea and Macedonia. All must be neutralised so that mankind can live in peace.

Yes, it is hard to believe only five short years since the birth of Greater Albania. Bravo to the Kosovo Liberation Army veterans that celebrate this remarkable triumph in 2004. Their stunning victory will never be forgotten as long as free men reject the totalitarianism of the communist past -- and stand shoulder to shoulder for freedom...

The forces of freedom on the move. Europe trembles.

27 posted on 01/11/2004 10:21:40 AM PST by Fusion
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To: Doctor13
Kosovo's terrorists continue to wage war
28 posted on 01/11/2004 10:53:50 AM PST by Destro (Know your enemy! Help fight Islamic terrorism by visiting www.johnathangaltfilms.com)
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To: Fusion; JohnGalt; ninenot; u-89; sittnick; steve50; Hegemony Cricket; Willie Green; Wolfie; ...
Trained and equipped by the United States of America and directed by the legendary handfull of America's best (the Colonel, the Congressman, the Correspondent and the Hawk) the Kosovo Liberation Army stunned the entire world by crushing Serb resistance following a 78 day air assault by the UCK air force.

Serbian Army was not crushed - the mighty NATO managed to destroy between 12 and 14 Serbian tanks while the KLA was put on the run.

Only after Russians ( under Yeltsin/Chernomyrdin ) arranged compromise, the NATO troops were ALLOWED to enter Kosovo.

This that NATO reneged later on the agreement was a factor in the fall of Yeltsin and ascending of Putin.

29 posted on 01/11/2004 10:55:07 AM PST by A. Pole (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain , the hand of free market must be invisible)
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To: Doctor13
While on a border patrol, monitoring Albanian rebel insurgency, the U.S. unit I was working with came under direct mortar fire in a village named Krivenik. An Associated Press journalist, Kerim Lawton, was seriously injured. I administered first aid and attempted to stop the bleeding from the dozens of shrapnel wounds he incurred, to no avail. He died shortly afterward. How was this incident portrayed to the media?

As a "friendly fire"? Heck, the 9/11 could be classified as such :(

30 posted on 01/11/2004 11:02:06 AM PST by A. Pole (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain , the hand of free market must be invisible)
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To: Gaetano
Madelin Albright was on Charlie Rose a few nights ago. Now her emphasis is Kosovo was 'strategically' important.

Despite all the lies of the Clinton administration, Milosevic ran the most democratic country in Europe. The country was and still is a hodgepodge of nationalities living in envitable harmony except for the 'terrorist' anarchists in Kosovo.

31 posted on 01/11/2004 11:20:38 AM PST by duckln
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To: A. Pole
Hey I need someone to review the bidding for me. What was the Neocon/com position on the Kosovo War?
32 posted on 01/11/2004 11:39:47 AM PST by ex-snook (Protectionism is patriotism in the war for American jobs.)
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To: ex-snook
What was the Neocon/com position on the Kosovo War?

It is ugly:

Read about William Kristol call to "crush Serb skulls" and more - Srdja Trifkovic on neocons

33 posted on 01/11/2004 12:11:04 PM PST by A. Pole (pay no attention to the man behind the curtain , the hand of free market must be invisible)
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To: A. Pole
Fusion cheerleader for islamic murderers again? What else is new? He must be bloated.
34 posted on 01/11/2004 4:42:59 PM PST by RussianConservative (Xristos: the Light of the World)
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To: Doctor13
Here's some brave words from Ms. Gavrilovic spoken to the Washington Post in 1999:

Tanja Gavrilovic, 24, of Cleveland, said she is angry NATO is interfering in an internal crisis. "If I were to die, I'd rather die fighting for a noble cause," she said. "For Serbia . . . this is my cause."

She obviously has an agenda that pre-existed her time as a translator in Kosovo. And perhaps its time to update her quote--just substitute the words "write newspaper columns" for "die" and "die fighting".

35 posted on 01/11/2004 8:34:49 PM PST by mark502inf
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To: Doctor13
Germany's military contingent used bright yellow tape to mark large Xs on Serbian homes throughout their designated area of responsibility. Similar to the 1940s Nazi-style branding of Jews and other minorities deemed unworthy of life.

Give me a break. After the NATO bombing campaign, returning Albanian refugees & KLA were taking revenge on the Serbian residents of Kosovo. The Germans' idea was for their patrols to be able to readily identify the Serb homes so as to better protect them from the Albanians. As a translator working for KFOR, Ms.Gavrilovic knows that, but has chosen to deliberately mischaracterize their actions.

36 posted on 01/11/2004 9:49:24 PM PST by mark502inf
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To: Doctor13
...and no thanks to the RP leadership for this mess either.
37 posted on 01/11/2004 9:51:44 PM PST by Stew Padasso (Head down over a saddle.)
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To: Doctor13
While on a border patrol, monitoring Albanian rebel insurgency, the U.S. unit I was working with came under direct mortar fire in a village named Krivenik. An Associated Press journalist, Kerim Lawton, was seriously injured. I administered first aid and attempted to stop the bleeding from the dozens of shrapnel wounds he incurred, to no avail. He died shortly afterward.

Tending to Mr. Lawton must not have left Ms. Gavrilovic the time to administer first aid to any of the 16 Albanians, including two who died, who were also injured in the mortar shelling. But now that she's back safe and sound in America and writing about the incident, you'd think she could at least mention the Albanian casualties. But why ruin a good story?

How was this incident portrayed to the media? In a noncommittal diplomatic fashion, officials announced that, "An investigation will take place as to the day's chain of events," from all sides, U.S. Army, NATO and U.N.

Well, here's what they could have said: There are NLA guerillas to the south of Krivenek along the Kosovo-FYROM border. The NLA is shooting to their south at the Macedonian army. Krivenek is north of the guerillas--behind them. The Macedonian Army is shooting back, i.e. north toward the guerillas and Krivenek. The Macedonian Army has 120 mm mortars firing in support of their troops. The gun-target line from the Macedonian mortar position to the NLA, when extended, goes directly to Krivenik. It is most likely that the mortar rounds came from the Macedonian Army and that they were fired across the border from FYROM into Kosovo. Having said that, when I left they still hadn't figured who fired those mortars--there were actually several incidents that day. KFOR soldiers were doing crater analysis to dtermine approximate back azimuths to gun positions and caliber of the weapons. Don't recall the exact azimuths, but they were to the south and the mortars were definitely 120mm. Most likely the rounds came from the Macedonian Army, either as overshoots--the most common mortar error--or as an effort to hit Krivenik as a presumed source of NLA forces crossing the border into FYROM. The lesser possibility is NLA forces doing the shooting to cause casualties that could be blamed on the Macedonians. The purpose would be an attempt to disrupt the emerging KFOR-Macedonian military cooperation that was recently having better effect on interdicting NLA border crossings. Bottom line, there was an extensive investigation and although we were pretty certain it was the Macedonians, we couldn't figure it out for sure. Again, Ms Gavrilovic knew this and chose not to let those facts get in the way of her story.

38 posted on 01/11/2004 9:55:48 PM PST by mark502inf
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To: A. Pole
Nato might not be so willing to dive in should the region flare up again.

Russia may assist more directly than in the past....*better outcome for the Serbs.

Certainly Russia is not worried about dissing the Persian Gulf prayer bead fondlers....and may look on a tension to mounting crisis situation as an opportunity to reclaim some lost national pride....and weapon sales options.

Russia will tolerate only so much from the Chechnya thingy..and if Islamic death starts to vist the Balkans again..Russia is more likely to contact the Serbs and say.."Now here's what you do"....then swill back some Vodka.

39 posted on 01/11/2004 10:02:49 PM PST by Light Speed
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To: duckln
Milosevic ran the most democratic country in Europe.

Witness Describes Milosevic's Autocratic Rule THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- The last president of federal Yugoslavia took the stand in The Hague on Tuesday (18 November) to describe Slobodan Milosevic as an autocratic ruler whose only preoccupation was to remain in power. Borisav Jovic, the Yugoslav head of state in 1990-1991, also described to the UN war crimes tribunal how the former Serbian president played up nationalist feelings among his fellow countrymen and manipulated other leaders. "Over time, he transformed his political personality from a normal politician ... to an absolutist who more or less did not consult anyone and did not listen to anyone," Jovic said. (AP, AFP, Reuters - 18/11/03)

40 posted on 01/11/2004 10:10:51 PM PST by mark502inf
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