I agree with below.  Not to mention the fact that the US back channel
threatened the use of Nukes over 100 times against various empire
dissidents, this fact certainly was not lost on the Yugoslavs.
wcm
>
> <And it's an undisputed fact that the NATO bombing entrenched his grip
> on power.>
> Alister
>
> What makes you say this, Alister?      I rather think that NATO's
> terrorism is WHY Milosevic lost the election.     The US bribed the
> electorate with its promise to stop the economic sanctions if they
> abandoned Milosevic.     You and Chomsky want to act as if this was
> inconsequential!
>
> Not to mention the threat of a new hot war.     Chomsky's analysis is
> ridiculous, and begins with a bombardment of capitalist press quotes
> that Chomsky states agreement with..... Kostunica might be independent
> to some degree???, or that the NATO bloc supported Milosevic by bombing
> Yugoslavia!
>
> Chomsky.....
> <These comments, I think, are on target. What happened was a very
> impressive demonstration of popular mobilization and courage. The
> removal of the brutal and corrupt regimes of Serbia and Croatia
> (Milosevic and Tudjman were partners in crime throughout) is an
> important step forward for the region, and the mass movements in Serbia
> -- miners, students, innumerable others -- merit great admiration, and
> provide an inspiring example of what united and dedicated people can
> achieve. Right now workers' committees are taking control of many
> companies and state institutions, "revolting against their Milosevic-era
> managers and taking over the directors' suites," as "workers took full
> advantage of Yugoslav's social ownership traditions." "With Milosevic's
> rule crumbling, the workers have taken the communist rhetoric literally
> and taken charge of their enterprises," instituting various forms of
> "worker management" (London Financial Times, Oct. 11). What has taken
> place, and where it will go, is in the hands of the people of Serbia,
> though as always, international solidarity and support -- not least in
> the US -- can make a substantial difference.>
>
> Dear, Chomsky.... is this really your take on the situation?      The
> people of Serbia (notice Chomsky's refusal to say Yugoslavia) are in the
> driver's seat?!    Taking over industry!... establishing dual power?!
>
> What happened to NATO?    Is the London Financial Times really shaking
> with fear as you imply, Noam?       This isn't an anarchist position on
> these events.     This is Chomsky standing in for Ralph Nader.
>
> I find Chomsky's call for US Left activist solidarity with Yugoslavia at
> this point, particularly repulsive.    Like he's done so much to build a
> protest movement against NATO militarism in The Balkans!     Is this
> what he's calling for now?      I rather think not.      Chomsky has
> done next to nothing through the years, to try to organizationally build
> an antiwar alliance.
>
> Tony Abdo
>