Greece and the Recognition of `Macedonia'

I am distressed by the article "UN Recognition of Macedonia Is Key to Restraining Serbs," Oct. 7. It seems that the American press is falling into a dangerous trend of targeting Greece as an obstacle to conflict resolution in the Balkans. Greece is not arguing against the legitimacy of Skopje's efforts to form an independent state.

Rather, Greece is concerned over whether the Skopjan government is asserting its rights in a manner that will increase hostilities.

To categorize Greece's concern over the use of the name "Macedonia" as absurd reinforces an equally dangerous practice of examining present events within a limited historical context.

Recognizing Skopje under the name "Macedonia" would perpetuate incorrect cultural assumptions, while never resolving the tensions between the two countries. Isn't it time for more preventive measures in this highly volatile area rather than allowing tensions to escalate unchecked? M. T. Vardis, Lakeville, Mass. `Wait-and-see' tactics for Bosnia

The Serbian killing machine in Bosnia-Herzegovina has been rightly described as originating in Serbia and directed by the Serb strongman, Slobodan Milosevic. Yet, Serbian killings in Bosnia and Herzegovina are also the tragic spin off of President Bush's flawed policy in this part of Europe. The Republican administration preached for years the "unity and integrity" of Yugoslavia, even when it became clear that Yugoslavia could survive only as a Serb-supported communist state. Sen. Al Gore was among the f irst who supported self-determination for the people wishing to leave the moribund Yugoslav state.

For years the Republican administration and its chief expert on Yugoslavia, Lawrence Eagleburger, steadfastly held on to the survival of Yugoslavia, as if Yugoslavia could survive by some Republican decree or Mr. Bush's foreign-policy ukase. The years-long insistence by State Department apparatchiks on keeping Yugoslavia together was always welcomed by the powerful Serb-dominated Yugoslav Army, which itched to be unleashed at the first sign of the country's breakup. The naivete of the Republican administ ration gave Mr. Milosevic a sufficient alibi to try to rescue Yugoslavia by military force.

The supreme irony of the Republican administration is that its rhetorical anti-communism often ends up prolonging the military life of many communist tyrants. Similar to his bungled policy toward China or Iraq, Bush's wait-and-see tactics regarding the former Yugoslavia must have emboldened the Serb aggression against Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is therefore wrong to think that Bush has only a poor record in domestic policy. Tomislav Sunic, Huntingdon, Pa. Assistant Professor Political Science, Juniata College German anti-foreigner riots

In the Opinion page article "Germany's Rising Nationalism: Everyone Deserves Some Blame," Oct. 21, the author makes it look like a sin that Germans are protesting the huge numbers of aliens arriving in the country. When, in your own country, you cannot find a job because scores of foreigners hold some of the best positions; when your tax dollars are used to subsidize aliens; when a majority of your citizens live in extreme poverty; or when you lose your cultural identity because of the new culture impose d by the newcomers, you realize the importance of nationalism. The borders of every country must be respected. Wilfredo Torres, New York Director, Committee Against Foreign Migration to Puerto Rico