Can there be peace in the former Yugoslavia? Can Catholic Croats, Muslim Bosnians and Christian Orthodox Serbs run a government together? Can these three groups of ancient enemies sit together on the various boards, committees and legislatures so necessary to the functioning of any country?

Can the 500-year-old habit of bloody, deadly ethnic bashing be broken so easily? Keep in mind that some of the worst bloodshed had taken place in our century, during the world wars.

Can we expect the legions of die-hard religious fundamentalists in each group to put aside their holy hatreds and the holy books that prop those hatreds up?

Before you answer yes to any of these questions, please consider our late, great gay rights referendum here in Maine. Recall the anger, irritation, hatred and divisiveness caused by this issue. Recall the angry words spoken in our media, churches, schools and on the streets. Recall the “Vote Yes” signs posted on area churches, homes and vehicles. Can you see these folks sitting down with homosexuals and people who believe in constitutional rights to sttle their differences? Or even to debate their differences?

Would 60,000 U.N. troops stationed in Maine be useful in bringing about a reconciliation between these groups? Joe York Easton