Re: ALLIES, THEN AND NOW

----- Original Message -----
From: <DAWGFACE47@webtv.net>

> and i am not	referring to those  blue beret wearing scarecrows called
> UN peacekeepers either.

You expressed some fine feelings for your allies. Perhaps you could
spare
some of that for UN peacekeepers, too ? They try to do a tough job in
diffcult conditions. Yes, some from poorly-disciplined armies are no
better
than their stay-at home comrades. Others are as well trained and as
dedicated as any soldier. And quite a number of them have been killed.
You
can hardly blame the men on the ground for the often impossible orders
and
rules of engagements they have been given. But the blame for that falls
on
the politicians, especially the permanent members of the security
council,
and on those who put the politicians there (i.e. the voters, for most
countries).

Some interesting books on that topic and the political mess that often
accompanies peace-keeping missions, especially during the last decade:
Lord Owen: "Balkan Oddyssey" (on the negotiations there)
Husum (a Danish peacekeeper) "At War without Weapons" (now that's a
scary
thought, eh ?)
The Osprey Elite on UN forces

Also, ideas for novel scenarios

Greetings