Letter: Peace in Kosovo

Sir: Whilst acknowledging Mary Kaldor's scepticism regarding the viability of an interim agreement in Kosovo ("We must send in troops to stop the killing in Kosovo" 14 January), the international community must redouble its efforts to resolve the crisis satisfactorily.

As stipulated in international law, all groups with a coherent identity who are situated in a defined area have a right democratically to pursue their own political destiny. Whilst the Serbian regime has constantly denied Kosovo this fundamental right, it is inexcusable for the rest of the world to follow suit.

The sooner the blueprint used in the Russian-Chechen accords and the Northern Ireland Peace Agreement is adopted in Kosovo, the sooner a semblance of normality can return to the lives of the embattled Kosovan population.

PAUL BURTON

Thornton Heath,

Surrey