NATO strikes again

WASHINGTON, MARCH 26: US-led NATO forces began a third day of bombing Serbian targets as protests against the NATO action gathered moment...

WASHINGTON, MARCH 26: US-led NATO forces began a third day of bombing Serbian targets as protests against the NATO action gathered momentum across the world. At home, Americans themselves were divided over the need and justification for US involvement in the Balkan fracas.

US officials here indicated they would progressively increase the attacks on Serbian targets, possibly targeting Serbian troops, after determining the danger it would bring to the insurgent Kosovars. So far, NATO bombers and missiles have avoided targeting Serbian soldiers and barracks, concentrating firepower on the command and control posts, airfields and military industries.

Meanwhile, protests against the NATO action 8212; the first time in its 50-year existence the Atlantic alliance has attacked a sovereign nation 8212; swept across the world despite a concerted effort by Washington to manage public opinion. There was anger not only in Macedonia and Russia, obvious Serbian allies, but also 8212; if television footage is to be believed 8212; inCanada and the United Kingdom, both American allies.

The White House blanketed the American media with its spin, putting out all its heavyweight Cabinet officials to justify the US-led attack. Defence Secretary William Cohen appeared on half a dozen major television shows offering the administration viewpoint while cable networks faithfully telecast the briefings at the Pentagon, State Department and White House explaining the US position.

8220;This administration has been very good about getting all its people on message, whether its bombs or bimbos,8221; Robert Lichter, a media maven at the Center for Media and Public Affairs was quoted as saying in a local paper. The center8217;s studies showed that the administration tactics were working.But only to a degree, it seemed. Despite all the spin management, not all Americans were swayed. A CNN/USA Today poll on Thursday showed 39 per cent of the respondents opposed US involvement in NATO airstrikes against 50 per cent who supported it.

Besides, 32 per centdisapproved of President Clinton8217;s handling of the Kosovo crisis 58 per cent approved, 50 per cent said US did not need to be involved in the conflict to protect its interest 43 per cent said US needed to be involved. Only 44 per cent said the US would accomplish its objectives 40 per cent said it would not.

As if sensing the public mood, Clinton, in a brief encounter with the media on Thursday said he believed many Americans had not thought a lot about the conflict.8220;I hope a lot of them heard my presentation last night8230; I also believe very strongly that this is my responsibility to make this judgment based on what I think is in the long-term interests of the American people.8221;Clinton also began reaching out the Serbian people over the Internet, circumventing the tight controls Milosevic has imposed in Yugoslavia. In a taped message, the US government posted on its site and dispersed widely, Clinton said NATO had no quarrel with them and would like to find a quick resolution to the Kosovo crisis8211; a euphemistic way of calling on them to depose Milosevic.

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While the American media by an large drummed up the administration viewpoint, there was plenty of skepticism and only grudging support in the political arena. Many lawmakers wanted to know if the White House had any exit strategy, a post-bombing policy, If the punitive action failed to cow down President Milosevic.

The exit strategy is what it always is in a military operation: It8217;s when the mission is completed, Clinton said.

But officials clearly fear that if the bombing goes on for too long and the anti-American protests gather pace, the domestic mood could also sour besides straining the alliance. Already, the networks were reporting yesterday that Italy 8211; a significant NATO ally 8212; was having problems.