Letter: Europe's no use

NEAL ASCHERSON'S argument (July 5) about Sarajevo and European peace is attractive but flawed. What the Croatians and the Bosnians need is not a 'European armed force' - there is no such thing, and never will be - but effective allies.

Nothing will help them except membership of Nato, or participation in a British-led alliance of free European peoples. Internationalism can no more get rid of nations than socialism can 'cleanse' humanity of individuals. The 'New Order' is as much a fiction as the 'New Man'.

David Marsland

Professor of social sciences

London SW3