Media must get Yugoslavs' story

The recent media coverage of the conflict in Kosovo has glaringly neglected to report the Yugoslavian viewpoint of the crisis which is happening in their country. The news is full of stories of Serbian atrocities related by Kosovar Albanians, but news coverage, to my knowledge, has yet to interview any Yugoslavs to hear their side of the story. The news slant even goes so far as to include a "first hand" account from an Albanian student (currently in America but from Albania, not Kosovo), who heard it from grandparents (also in Albania), who heard it from refugees (who may or may not have actually been witness to violence).

I would like to share what a Yugoslav friend wrote to me in a recent e-mail. She was, a university student (until economic conditions made that impossible). She also has a younger brother in the Yugoslav military (Yugoslavia has compulsory military service for men) who is now in Kosovo. Here is an excerpt from an e-mail:

"I am pained by what is happening in Yugoslavia. I feel sorry for the people who still don't realize what is happening to them and who is responsible for it. My brother is still in Kosovo and I fear for him. Like you said, I hope that he doesn't do anything which he will regret the rest of his life. I feel sorry for all of the people who have to leave their homes against their own will. I can't blame this all on the Albanians, in fact, it is difficult to only think about one side. Everyone is guilty, the Albanians because of their overambitious ideas, the Serbs because of their brutal methods. It's total confusion."

Brett Smith
Near Eastern studies senior