Letter: U.S. turned back on Serbs long ago

Their agony over the events in Serbia is gut-wrenching. They love their old country, and they detest Milosevic, whom they regard as a power-hungry animal who has no love for anyone and a lust for power.

Does Mr. Zielke have any grasp on the effects of the U.S. and Britain betraying their only allies at Yalta, during World War II, which were the Serbians? Does he know that Serbia was given to the Communists, and under Tito's reign, they were not favored, as were the Croatians and the Muslims?

Seeds of discontent were planted firmly when he allowed so many Albanians into Kosovo, who overpopulated the region, and forced many Serbians from Kosovo. Tito made life for the Serbians a living nightmare.

My Serbian friend used to comment that if there had been a CNN centuries earlier, the Serb's actions could be understood. A caustic and simplistic comment, but eerily unnerving. I don't condone any of the acts of violence, from one country to another, nor of one human being upon another.

But allow me to differ from Mr. Zielke's opinion. Our country was involved, Serbia was our ally and we allowed Tito to take over a country whose people were affected forever.

The consequences are etched in stone and the blood and tears of history.

JOYCE JEFFRIES JOHNSON

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