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Byline: Julian Thompson Just before midnight on June 2 1940, the Channel ferry St Helier slipped from the mole at Dunkirk, and headed for England with the last of the [...]

From Mr Julian Ogilvie Thompson. Sir, Your article on the impact of HIV/Aids in southern Africa (July 1-2) made sombre reading. It is to be welcomed if it focuses attention, [...]

There is civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Economic sanctions are failing to stop the conflict and some argue that there should be military intervention from the West but this would require very careful consideration. Evidence is emerging of atrocities committed by Serbs pursuing a policy of 'ethnic cleansing' against Muslims. Serbia is permitting visits by journalists to the detention camps they have set up for Muslims. Those who have been released from camps attest to brutality and appalling conditions.

Britain must define its interests and then decide on the type of armed forces it needs. The modern army needs to be able to react quickly and be mobile. This may be best achieved by backing regular forces with easily-mobilised volunteers. Light, fast vehicles, helicopters and amphibious ships are most useful. State-of-the-art technology, and training to make the best use of it, is vital. Training with possible military partners would be good preparation for likely missions. Funding these priorities could be achieved by reducing numbers of senior and administrative manpower.

There are no easy military options for stopping the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Military action to stop the fighting requires deciding on territorial demarcation lines and deciding the type of military action to be used. To force the Serbs from Bosnia would require about 100,000 troops with full military equipment. It would also cause many casualties. A quarter of US casualties in the Gulf War were from friendly fire; the conditions in Bosnia are more difficult than those of the desert. The establishment of safe havens for Bosnian Muslims is a more practical option.