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Subject: KOSOVA - APPEAL BY THE SERBIAN NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
>APPEAL BY THE SERBIAN NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
>
>Deeply disturbed by NATO destruction and the ordeal of Kosovo Albanians,
>we, the representatives of nongovernmental organizations and trade union
>^SNezavisnost" (Independence), strongly demand from all those responsible
>for this tragedy to immediately create ground for the renewal of the peace
>process.
>The most powerful military, political and economic powers of the world are
>for two weeks incessantly killing people and destroying not only military
>but also civilian objects, blowing up bridges and rail tracks, factories
>and heating plants, warehouses and basins... At the same time, in fear of
>the bombing campaign and military actions by the regime and the KLA,
>hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanians are, in an unprecedented exodus,
>forced to leave their devastated homes and look for salvation in the
>tragedy and uncertainty of fleeing.
>It is obvious that this is a road to catastrophe, and the peaceful and fair
>solution to the Kosovo problem through international mediation we have
>supported for years, today seems more distant than ever.
>The past activities of our organizations in the field of democratization,
>development of a civil society and acceptance of FR Yugoslavia into all
>international institutions have been under constant pressure and
>intimidation by the Serbian regime.
>We, as members of civil society associations have courageously and
>rationally fought against war and nationalistic propaganda and in support
>of human rights. We emphasize that we have always raised our voices against
>the repression against Kosovo Albanians and demanded the respect of their
>liberties and guarantees for their rights. We have also requested the
>return of the autonomy of Kosovo. We stress that the only connection and
>cooperation of Serbs and Albanians during all these years has been
>preserved among civil society institutions.
>NATO military intervention has undermined all results we have achieved and
>endangered the very survival of the civil sector in Serbia.
>Faced with the tragic situation we have found ourselves in, and in the name
>of human ideas and values, as well as in accordance with all our past
>activities, we are demanding:
>- immediate stop to the bombing campaign and all armed movements;
>- resuming of the peace process with international mediation at the
>regional Balkan and European level, as well as in the framework of the
>United Nations;
>- share of responsibility between the European Union and Russia and their
>contribution to the peaceful solution of the crisis;
>- end of the ethnic cleansing process and immediate return of all
>refugees;
>- support to the citizens of Montenegro to preserve peace and stability,
>solve serious consequences of the refugee catastrophe and resume with the
>democratic processes that are underway;
>- we demand that the Serbian and international media inform the public in a
>professional manner and not spur media war, incite interethnic hatred,
>create irrational public opinion and glorify force as the ultimate
>accomplishment of the human mind.
>
>We cannot meet these demands by ourselves. We expect from you to support
>our demands and in your initiatives and actions help their implementation.
>In Belgrade, April 6, 1999
>* Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support to
>Trade Unions
>* Belgrade Circle
>* Center for Democracy and Free Elections
>* Center for Transition to Democracy-ToD
>* Civic Initiatives
>* European Movement in Serbia
>* Forum for Ethnic Relations, and Foundation for Peace and Crisis
>Management
>* Group 484
>* Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
>* Student Union of Serbia
>* Union for Truth about Antifascist Resistance
>* United Branch Trade Unions NEZAVISNOST
>* VIN-Weekly Video News
>* Women in Black
>* Yu Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
>* EKO Centar
>* ARGUMENT Agency
>
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