Fwd: Letter to Albanian friends from Serbian NGOs

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Date: Sat, 8 May 1999 16:49:17 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Fwd: Letter to Albanian friends from Serbian NGOs

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Original sender: Joost van Beek <[email protected]>

Fwd: Letter to Albanian friends from Serbian NGOs


------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Thu, 06 May 1999 16:30:13 PDT
 
LETTER TO ALBANIAN FRIENDS FROM NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS
 
Dear friends,
 
We are writing to you in these difficult moments of our shared
suffering. Convoys of Albanians and other citizens of Kosovo, among
whom many of you, were forced to leave their homes. The killings and
expulsions, homes destroyed and burnt, bridges, roads and industrial
buildings demolished - paint a somber and painful picture of Kosovo,
Serbia and Montenegro, as in indicating that life together is no
longer possible. We, however, believe that it is necessary and
possible.
 
The better future of citizens of Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro, of
Serbs and Albanians, as citizens of one state or closest neighbors,
will not arrive by itself, or over night. But it is something we can
and must work on together, as we have many times in the past, not so
long ago. We know that it will now be very difficult, and sometimes
very painful. The example of the German-French postwar reconciliation
and cooperation could serve as a model and stimulus.
 
In the sake of future life together, the pain of crime has to be
revealed so that it is, with forgiveness, remembered. This tragedy,
yours and ours, personal and collective, is a result of a long series
of erroneous policies of the most radical forces among us and in the
international community. The continuation of these policies will take
both Serbs and Albanians into abyss. Also, the road of collective
guilt is a road of frustration, continuation of hatred and endless
vengeance. That is why this road has to be abandoned.
 
Our first step of distancing from hatred, ethnic conflict and bloody
retaliations is a public expression of our deepest compassion and
sincere condemnation of everything that you and your fellow citizens
are experiencing. As citizens of Serbia, we today suffer destruction
and casualties as a result of NATO bombing, armed conflict in Kosovo
and long lasting economic and social tumbles under the burden of the
dictatorship's deadly policies.
 
Ethnic cleansing, NATO bombing and armed conflict should stop because
they are not contributing to the solution of the Kosovo crisis but are
only making it deepen. There should be no more casualties. All
refugees should be allowed to return safely to their homes and live in
the manner appropriate for free and proud people.
 
We are convinced that together, we will find strength and courage to
step on the road of peace, democracy, respect of human rights, mutual
reconciliation and respect. Dialogue, political negotiations and peace
process have no alternative. For all of us, it is the only way out of
the war conflict. It is the safest way to secure the return of
refugees to their homes, to renew normal life and activities and find
a solution to the status of Kosovo.
 
In order to make this happen, we have to join our efforts to end the
war conflict, revitalize the peace process and reconstruct,
economically and democratically, the development of Kosovo, Serbia and
the entire Balkan region. We are convinced that by joining forces we
can contribute to the reaching of a just and rational political
solution to the status of Kosovo and build confidence and cooperation
between Serbs and Albanians.
 
Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support to
Trade Unions
 
United Branch Trade Unions NEZAVISNOST
 
European Movement in Serbia
 
Civic Initiatives
 
Forum for Ethnic Relations
 
Center for Transition to Democracy-ToD
 
Center for Democracy and Free Elections
 
Distrikt 0230 (Kikinda)
 
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
 
Women in Black
 
Belgrade Center for Human Rights
 
Students Union of Serbia
 
VIN-Weekly Video News
 
Group 484
 
Yu Lawyers Committee for Human Rights
 
Foundation for Peace and Crisis Management
 
Urban Inn (Novi Pazar)
 
Belgrade Circle
 
Union for Truth about Antifascist Resistance
 
Sombor's Peace Group (Sombor)
 
Society for Peace and Tolerance (Backa Palanka)
 
Alternative Academic Educational Network

 
In Belgrade, April 30, 1999

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