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I appreciate Brad Blitz's writing (THES, September 1) that the Yugoslav National Army went into Croatia and Bosnia "before the international community recognised Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina". This is my point exactly: the YNA acted within Yugoslavia's territory. The Yugoslav government was using the YNA to prevent the break-up of the country. The secessions, sponsored by outside powers, broke up Yugoslavia.

I would like to ask Mr Blitz two questions. If the southern states of the United States were to secede from the United States, would Mr Blitz back them against the national government? And if European powers supported these states and bombed allies of the government, would Mr Blitz back those powers?

Countries have the right to settle their own problems, including those of civil war and attempted secession, without foreign interference. Foreign forces have no right to invade a country, as US, German, French and British forces are now doing.

WILL PODMORE

Wilton Way London E8