After initially backing NATO strikes, Iran now sides with Russia
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Monday, April 5, 1999
An Iranian daily said on Sunday that the NATO air campaign against
Yugoslavia has only served President Slobodan Milosevic's aims of
tightening his control over the Kosovo province.
"It looks as if all that NATO has accomplished to date in bombing
Kosovo has been to speed up Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's
timetable for depopulating that unfortunate province," the
English-language Iran Daily said.
The skepticism by the newspaper echoes that expressed by Iranian
officials over
the last few days. Analysts said that after initial support Iran has
restrained its advocacy of the NATO campaign as part of efforts to
remain in line with the opposition of Russia. Iran and Russia are
improving ties in issues of military and foreign affairs.
"Considering that the operation was mounted to keep the Kosovars in
place and insure a greater measure of security, the worlds' most
formidable military alliance must now adopt new measures," Iran Daily
said. "Sadly, it appears that the Kosovars themselves, plus impoverished
Albania and Macdonia will be footing most of the bill."
"There is, of course a bit of amazement that the NATO game plan has
been as shortsighted as events are revealing it to be," the newspaper
said. "What was supposed
to be a sharp reining in of Milosevic appears to be a creeping
destabilization of the entire Balkans."
The daily said NATO will continue the air campaign against Yugoslavia
over the next few weeks and might target Milosevic himself. "NATO will
have to consider putting troops on the ground to reverse the refugee
tide and be prepared for those troops to remain in occupation of Kosovo
for long months to come," the newspaper said. "No one seems to have
given this probability the
least consideration when planning the attack."
Iran Daily said in the end the issue of Kosovo autonomy might be
shelved. "Perhaps, we will witness the leveling of Yugoslavia so that
the much vaunted alliance can hold its reputation," the newspaper said.
Monday, April 5, 1999
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