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Document 41 of 58.

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May 26, 1999, Wednesday

SECTION: OPINION Pg. B-9:1,7,8; B-11:2,3

LENGTH: 1284 words

BODY:

NATO: wrong tactics, contemptible demands The deployment in Albania of Task Force Hawk, consisting of Apache helicopters, surface-to-surface rockets and long-range artillery, is an anomaly. This force is designed to support infantry and armor units. Yet NATO ruled, at the outset of its bombing campaign, that no ground forces would be used in Kosovo.

Like any helicopters, the Apaches are very vulnerable to ground fire. Hence, they are supposed to operate over territory held by friendly troops, while firing at enemy tanks and other targets with their long-range rockets. In Kosovo, they would require attacking ground forces to flush out concealed Serbian tanks. It would be a mistake to employ our Apaches independently. Col. (Ret.) BRYCE F. DENNO Coronado

Russian and Chinese demands that NATO bombing be stopped while Serbian acts of ethnic genocide and mass expulsion continue are contemptible, serving to underscore their historic contempt for individual liberties. When will we hear them call on Serbia to stop killing Kosovars?

If the United Nations is not able to denounce such atrocities and implement a plan to secure the safety of returning Kosovars by supporting an armed military presence in Kosovo, then perhaps the United Nations Charter is in need of change. There must be no equivocation on the part of NATO, the bellicose objections of Russia and China notwithstanding. K. PAUL RAVER Encinitas

The letters from fellow Americans suggesting that population centers of northern Yugoslavia be systematically destroyed until the Serb Army retreats from Kosovo makes me ashamed to be a citizen of this country.

Yugoslavian civilians are no more responsible for the actions of the Serb Army than Americans are responsible for the murder of 200,000 Guatemalans by a military regime installed and trained by the U.S. government, and paid for by our tax dollars. STEVEN M. KAIR Oceanside

Stop blaming NATO for bombing mistakes

I am fed up with the constant headline replays by the press of so-called NATO errors or mistakes when its bombs occasionally stray off their targets. Even advanced weaponry does not guarantee that every strike will be perfect.

This is, after all, a war, and, despite commendable NATO efforts, civilians cannot expect to be immune from attack.

Unfortunately, under the pressure of certain timid member nation leaders, even NATO spokesmen have succumbed to this mea-culpa syndrome. The only real bombing error was the hit on the Chinese Embassy, due to the inexcusable reliance on an outdated city map.

The most recently headlined "error" of a former Serbian Army camp now occupied by the Kosovo Liberation Army was simply the result of the absence of communication with an essentially guerrilla force.

Let us see an end to this anti-NATO press attitude with its ridiculous expectation that NATO is to blame for unintentional damage inflicted upon Serbian civilians -- without whose continuing support, incidentally, their criminal leader, Slobodan Milosevic, would be unable to pursue his evil ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosovo, as well as expose his own people to ever- increasing danger. FRANK E. MAESTRONE San Diego

United Way's designation issue and high CEO salary

Re: "United Way asking major donors to overcome $307,000 shortfall" (B- section, May 23):

United Way ascribes its $307,000 budget shortfall to an increase in designations and corresponding decline in undesignated contributions which the agency can distribute as it sees fit.

It should be very careful how it handles that issue in future campaigns. Before designation, many employees were reluctant to give to United Way because it supported agencies the employees did not want to support. Designation gave them a way to be sure their contribution went to something they believed in.

To back off the plan would be a mistake resulting in an overall decline in giving.

United Way needs to take a look at those agencies that are not receiving enough from designations. If they can't attract enough support from donors, then perhaps United Way should either drop them from the program or limit their payout to whatever is available. It also would be informative for the public if these agencies were identified. Who knows, maybe the publicity would attract designations. DAVID R. GILLESPIE Bonita

Maybe I should have written this letter several months ago, but your Sunday story about United Way reminded me of a sore point: the $165,000 salary that the charity is paying former San Diego Police Chief Jerry Sanders to be its new CEO. It's an outrageous salary and an insult to those of us who have supported United Way over the years.

There must be many qualified former CEOs and retired military personnel who would gladly take on the job at half the salary. It would be interesting to know what other perks come with the position, and also the total cost of salaries for United Way in San Diego County. R.L. BILODEAU Carlsbad

How about window decals for beginning drivers?

I received my learner's permit a month or so ago at age 18. I'm getting better at my driving, but I still get extremely nervous when people cut me off, tailgate me or are just generally inconsiderate.

It's dangerous because, as a new driver, my reactions are slower than an experienced person's.

I realize that people can be rude everywhere, but I do feel they might have a bit more consideration for me if they realized I was a new driver. Maybe they would give me some space and be a little more understanding when I stall out at a light or drive a little slower.

A possible solution would be for the DMV to issue window decals stating that the person driving the vehicle has but a learner's permit. This would make people aware that if the driver does something a little out of the ordinary, they aren't being rude or under the influence, they're just new. The last thing I need is an obscene gesture when I'm nervous enough just trying to make a difficult turn.

I'm sure that some young people think they're too cool to put such a decal on their cars, but, at the very least, it would be a nice option to offer the new driver. It might even prevent an accident or two. ELIZABETH J. SCHMAUS San Diego

Speed bumps would slow traffic around schools

A simple solution to the problem of kids being run over near schools is the use of speed bumps. While living in Mexico City, I observed them in use at various schools and they worked. They're a sure guarantee to slow down any and all traffic.

But it is unlikely they will be implemented here for years to come, since revenue from speeding tickets is an absolute necessity for both city and state government. STEVE BAGU National City

Thanks for supporting contraceptive coverage

Re: "Make contraceptive coverage part of insurance policies (Letters, May 21):

I'd like to thank Rep. Brian Bilbray and his colleagues in Washington for continuing their efforts to establish insurance equity that would treat contraceptive drugs as any other prescription under basic health care plans.

Bilbray logically states that while the pill may cost $300 per year, an unwanted birth may cost $4,000. And, if you pencil in the staggering taxpayer costs of raising just one unwanted child born in poverty, it adds even more credence to support The Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act.

It's a shame that so many women are denied insurance benefits for contraceptive devices and drugs under their medical plans, while men enjoy insurance benefits for their use of Viagra, ultimately increasing the need for such equitable legislation. CHERI BOGOWITZ University City

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH

LOAD-DATE: June 10, 1999

Document 41 of 58.


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