Reply #65: Sorry to disappoint you, but the latest comes from The Guardian

[IndianaGreen]

and I remember when it actually happened!

Democrats hope for a new Eisenhower

Profile Oliver Burkeman

Thursday September 18, 2003
The Guardian

In a famous clash the British commander Sir Mike Jackson refused Gen Clark's request for troops to prevent the Russians taking control of Pristina airport, reportedly telling him: "I'm not going to start the third world war for you."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,10...

"I'm not going to start Third World War for you," Jackson told Clark.

Behind the scenes battle over Pristina airport between British adn US genereals comes to light

Mark Tran
Monday August 2, 1999

Nato supreme commander General Wesley Clark is not being allowed to fade away quietly. Days after the Clinton administration relieved him of his command two months early, Newsweek is reporting that the victor of Kosovo was blocked from sending paratroopers to Pristina airport to pre-empt an unexpected Russian advance.

Lieutenant-general Sir Michael Jackson overruled General Clark because the British commander did not want to spark a clash with the Russians.

"I'm not going to start Third World War for you," General Jackson told the US commander, according to Newsweek. In the hours that followed General Clark's order, both men sought political backing for their position, but only General Jackson received it.

News of the clash between the British and US commanders comes just days after the US snubbed General Clark by ordering him to step down next year, two months early, to make way for Air Force General Joseph Ralston, vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Kosovo/Story/0,2763,208120,00...

Thursday, 9 March, 2000, 14:14 GMT
Confrontation over Pristina airport


General Jackson: Backed by UK Government

Details of Russia's surprise occupation of Pristina airport at the end of the Kosovo war are revealed in a new BBC documentary on the conflict.

For the first time, the key players in the tense confrontation between Nato and Russian troops talk about the stand-off which jeopardised the entire peacekeeping mission.

<snip>

But General Clark's plan was blocked by General Sir Mike Jackson, K-For's British commander.

"I'm not going to start the Third World War for you," he reportedly told General Clark during one heated exchange.

General Jackson tells the BBC: ''We were (looking at) a possibility....of confrontation with the Russian contingent which seemed to me probably not the right way to start off a relationship with Russians who were going to become part of my command.''

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/671495.stm