Morning everyone
The appended text was sent to the US archives listserv yesterday - apologies
to those of you who have already seen it, also for the lack of punctuation
therein.
It led to various responses on that list - some sarcastic, some earnest -
along the lines of 'why are SAA [the Society of American Archivists]
bothering their heads about the archives while people are being killed?'
Recalling our discussions on this list a few years ago over holding ICA
meetings in China, I wonder a) how the UK archives community feels about the
systematic destruction by the Serbs/Yugoslavs of personal and other records
relating to Kosovar Albanians, and b) if we should look to produce a similar
statement at the SoA AGM next week.  I am copying in the Hon Secretary of
the Society, Jan Smith, on this message in case she would like to respond.
yours, never afraid to get a thread going, Sarah

+++++++++


Date:    Wed, 14 Apr 1999 11:35:00 -0500
From:    [log in to unmask]
Subject: SAA Resolution on Destruction of Archives in Kosovo and Yugoslavia

Please excuse the cross-postings=2E


On April 14, 1999 the SAA Council voted to approve the following
resolution on the destruction of archives in Kosovo and Yugoslavia:

The Society of American Archivists notes with grave concern reports
of the systematic destruction of archives in Kosovo and war-caused
devastation to archives throughout Yugoslavia

Archives hold the valuable records of the accomplishments of a nation,
of a government's actions, and of its people's lives  Destruction of the
archives eliminates a vital link in a nation's connection to its past and
destroys a people's ability to learn about themselves and to defend
their rights and interests

Although felt most deeply by those directly affected, the loss of
archives anywhere in the world is an irreparable tragedy for all humankind
Once destroyed, archives cannot be recreated, and the cultural
patrimony of the world is permanently diminished

With these considerations in mind, the Society of American Archivists
deplores the loss of archives that has taken place to date in the
Yugoslav conflict and urges all military forces to recognize the
significance and sanctity of archives and to take all actions necessary
to protect them to the greatest extent possible wherever they may be
found


******

Sarah J A Flynn
Archivist (Historical Records)
Information Management and Analysis
Glaxo Wellcome Research and Development
Greenford Road
Greenford
Middlesex UB6 0HE

Direct line: 711 2395 / 0181 966 2395
Fax: 711 2240 / 0181 966 2240
Email: [log in to unmask]

******




%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%