Is there a law that permits killing?

I have read with great interest several articles in The Jakarta Post of April 29 and April 30 on the legal aspect of NATO's intervention in Yugoslavia. As all of us who are at least trying to stay objective in this issue already know, and have said so, these articles show that this intervention is not based on international law in any way and is therefore an illegal, criminal act. People who have authorized this criminal act are, therefore, criminals. These people are directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds upon hundreds of innocent civilians, many of them children. This mass murder is going on daily without an end in sight.

I do admit that every time NATO kills more than 20 civilians in one place they politely say they are sorry, but I don't think this is of any legal significance. People who kill other people are murderers, however polite they may be.

My questions for your readers are: Is there a rule in international law that allows NATO generals to kill people? If there is, how many people are they authorized to kill before they become legally responsible? Is there an established quota, or do NATO member states get to vote on that as necessary, in a democratic manner? Is there an open season on Yugoslav civilians and when does it end? (Even ducks in America and foxes in England enjoy higher levels of protection). Please bear in mind that NATO is not at war with Yugoslavia. They have said so repeatedly.

I would appreciate an article on the individual and collective responsibility of NATO politicians and generals for murdering civilians. Is there a chance that we are going to see at least some of them in the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague? It would make it far easier for others in former Yugoslavia to prosecute their own criminals.

BRANIMIR SALEVIC

Jakarta