Letter: Lord Owen's near-impossible task
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Having spent three years (1943-6) as a soldier and diplomat mainly in Bosnia and Serbia, and kept in touch since, I can claim to be an old hand in the former Yugoslavia. Too old - perhaps, for it was long ago, but the instincts and characters of its peoples hardly seem to have changed.
I want warmly to support the conclusion of your leading article today ('Owen, as he will be judged', 12 August). Lord Owen has shown remarkable fortitude and courage in persevering in a nearly impossible task. He and his UN partners have done everything possible - in the face of evasion, broken promises, and even direct lies - to find a basis for negotiating an end to the fighting - the only possible way to a solution - and have nearly succeeded in getting all parties to the table.
Like many people, I have been ashamed that the West has been unwilling to take or to follow up threats of firm action, and that the Serbs have been able at once to resume their offensive. No negotiation can now yield the result Lord Owen earlier hoped for, but his patience in the face of criticism is not only brave, but keeps open the narrow path to a negotiation that could end the fighting. For this, he deserves thanks and admiration.
Yours faithfully,
HENNIKER
Eye,
Suffolk
12 August
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments