Crime and Punishment
Saturday, January 01, 2000
We Kosovo "allies" are waging a public relations war as vigorously as a bombing war. But in doing so, we have painted ourselves into a corner. Daily coverage of atrocities is entering lounge rooms the world over. The problem is that while most people are disgusted by the tribal bloodbath, there are hard-core minorities in many countries who are keen to behave likewise. Their only moral restraint is what they can get away with.
These types admire the rapists and pillagers, they are envious of the media "glory", and they are waiting with bated breath to see if the crimes are punished. It is all to do with perception. It is about how the story ends.
If the stories of mayhem are not followed by equally convincing stories of redress and restoration, we will have succeeded only in encouraging the beasts of our race.
Philip O'Carroll