Between Serb and Albanian: A History of Kosovo, by Miranda Vickers, Columbia Univ. Press, 352 pages, $47.50. A timely book for adding a modicum of depth to understanding the latest "crise du jour," with a clear-eyed approach exhibiting skepticism about both Serb and Alabanian claims. Ms Vickers has no sympathy for the oversimplified "politically correct" western carricature of evil Serbs versus meek and oppressed ethnic Albanians. She provides important descriptions of the Albanian leadership debates between advocates of peaceful accommodation versus those who believe in shooting their way out of Yugoslavia. Interestingly, many of the so-called "Kosovo Liberation Army" guerillas are former Yugoslav army officers who tasted blood killing Serbs in Bosnia, while others were trained in Iran and Pakistan. (The Economist Mar 21-27, p. 97)

Reviewed in AFIO Weekly Intelligence Notes #12-98, 30 March 1998

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