I find it significant that the main reason NATO bombed Kosovo refugees is that after several passes the pilot determined that it was the occupants of those vehicles who were setting the villages on fire.
This claim was made by various officials after NATO pilots were criticized for mistaking tractors for tanks. "Remember," the officials said, replaying the tape of the pilot's narrative, "that this was the reason why the pilot choose to bomb the vehicles." The pilot told how he observed the vehicles moving from village to village setting houses on fire. It was in this context where he confused tractors for tanks.
Somebody ought to tell the Kosovars (the KLA) that while burning their villages to frustrate Yugoslav police may have propaganda value, it also puts them at risk for NATO attack. Not only do KLA actions kill and injure Kosovars, they also allow the Yugoslavs to depict NATO as blundering terrorists. In the long-term, this is not good for NATO's mission. Obviously, NATO and the KLA need better coordination.
Another example of the disorganization of the events in Yugoslavia is the refugee crisis. As I noted elsewhere, there was better preparation for Woodstock than for the events being held at the borders of Albania and Macedonia. Of course, the images of this crisis itself has substantial propaganda value. It is what is getting the citizens of the United States behind ground troops. There is reason to suspect that in this instance disorganization is not entirely unintentional.
The most recent justification for bombing Kosovo refugees is testament to the hegemony of a media frame; when propagandists without fear use to justify their actions events that raise serious questions about what is actually happening on the ground in Kosovo you know elites believe they have the masses enthrall.
Andy
--------- End forwarded message ----------
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