Letter: Someone tell Tony it's over

"ANYONE GOT a better idea?" your headline asks on Kosovo (2 May). How about this?

"Listen, buddy, we're prepared to squander up to $30bn in smashing your country to oblivion and then paying to rebuild it." Or -

"We'll give you that sum, in instalments, on condition you use it to set up institutions and instruments for inter-cultural co-operation and understanding, to integrate all communities into a harmony of equality, and to provide modern infrastructure, education, health, housing and an enhanced life-style to every citizen. Do this, and you may be regarded as the greatest Balkan leader in history."

Could Milosevic refuse this "new" anti-war initiative? Could we at least try it next time - and save lives if not cash?

IAN FLINTOFF

London SW6