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For information. RC ________________________________________ 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 > %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%