Recent Romnews postings
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Date: Sat, 15 May 1999 17:27:32 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Recent Romnews postings
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Recent Romnews postings
BALKAN PROBLEMS HEAVY TO BEAR SERBIA
Kumanovo / MACEDONIA (RNN Correspondent) May the 11th, 1999
Ruined cities, victims from different nationalities, reason –
misunderstandings of the politicians for peaceful solution. Yugoslav
citizens are facing very hard moments – reduced electric power, water
and food supplies. The air defense of Yugoslavia is giving strong
resistance to NATO shooting many planes and missiles everyday.
According to the latest news from Roma People in Yugoslavia, this week
was the hardest since the war began. Roma organizations are sending
appeal stop this crazy war, and asking for more humanitarian help.
Five Roma families (17 persons) were ready to leave Kosovo, but when
they heard about the situation with the refugees in Macedonia they
decided to stay there. The plight of all citizens in Yugoslavia no
matter what nationality they are is very difficult. There are reacts
from Albanians against NATO on the Serbian Television. It's very hard
to establish communication with the families in Serbia. Some
unofficial information were about discriminations acts against Roma by
the Albanians and Serbs in the cities where Albanian population is
majority. NATO bombings made the Serbs more revolving and loyal to
their country.
MACEDONIA
Written and electronic media are full with information about the war
crisis in Yugoslavia, but day by day more actual is the question how
will go on the everyday life of the Macedonian citizens. Macedonia
accepted 10 times more refugees then its capacity, and now there are
over 200000, foreign countries gave their promises but the help is not
delivered yet. Macedonia is facing hard days; the trade is reduced,
the economic power of the citizens is weakened. Revolt of the people
is getting stronger everyday. There are more and more refugees. These
in Macedonia are interested in going to some other European country.
People in Macedonia are frightened from the loud explosions of
"accidentally" dropped bombs. Macedonian political top is trying to
work out the problems but they can't do it without the help of the
foreign organizations. The situation generally said is very hard but
life must go on.
ROMA VIEWS
There are over 2000 Roma refugees from Kosovo and Serbia in Macedonia.
Most of them are accommodated in private houses. About their situation
and the problems they are facing with inform the independent Roma TVs:
BTR and SUTEL from Skopje. Roma NGOs are taking care over the
refugees. Medicines are needed but the people can't buy it. In the
camps and most of the foreign NGOs like UNHCR work Macedonians and
Albanians, but there are no Roma. The foreign media don't give any
information about Roma refugees. It seems that Roma are not here and
they do not exist. They didn't start the war so why are they
suffering. The Roma people from Macedonia and the rest of citizens of
R. Macedonia are in very bad position and they do not know whether
this crisis will finish or not. Every war takes victims, material and
financial consequences. Everything that is built, and made to function
is stopped or destroyed.
ROMA FROM KUMANOVO
In Kumanovo live round 6000 Roma, 97% of them are unemployed, young
people live without any vision for better future. They need long term
projects and financial support for getting out of this nightmare. Like
in the past period Roma organizations do not receive financial help
but it is given to the Macedonian foundations and Albanian
organizations and they don't give nothing of it to Roma. They don't
trust the Roma. Those in Kumanovo need help urgently to improve their
living for some time. Therefore Roma people appeal for peace, they
need work not war. Or should they leave to some other countries. Old
people say: the rich does not believe to the hungry and ill. The war
is in Yugoslavia but the innocent victim is Macedonia, the
consequences are here and it seems they gonna stay.
Asmet Elezovski
member of Roma National Congress
e-mail:[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Kumanovo 11.05.1999
In my name and in the name of my colleagues RCC "DROM" I would like to
express great thankfulness to all that contacted us and tried to help
us. If you want to send your help you may contact us on these address
and possible ways:
Stopanska Banka a.d.-Skopje
SWIFT: STOB MK 2X
Ziro smetka (bank account): 40100-623-79
Asmet Elezovski
Ljube Gacev 6
91300 Kumanovo
Makedonija
Tel:++38990127558
---------------------------
Sufferings of the Balkan People
Kumanovo / MACEDONIA ( RNN Correspondent )
Kumanovo 12.05.1999 (21.30 h.)
Yugoslavia – Serbia – Kosovo
This war brought large number of victims, ruined cities, factories,
last dreams, diseases, and still the end of the war can not be seen
yet. The confrontations are continuing, the bombings are of higher
intensity, there
are information about destroyed planes on the both sides: NATO and
Yugoslavia. Many war tactics are involved in the fight, tactics on
political plan too. Many institutions and organizations (associations)
are appealing for cease of fire, for help to the citizens of SRJ no
matter what nationality or religion they take. Yugoslav People are
showing their loyalty to their country with readiness to give their
lives if needed. Many foreign well-known persons-writers, journalists,
singers, ex-activists have visited Belgrade and gave their support to
Serbia through media and Public meetings.
Roma Troubles
Bigger number of Roma People from Kosovo were forced to leave their
homes from the NATO bombings, and to run away in the inner parts of
Serbia. Running from one danger they faced another one - more
bombings, psychological problems - diseases, hunger. These Roma People
are situated mostly in Belgrade, Nis, Vranje, Bujanovac, Zrenjanin,
Smederevo. Very small number of Roma organizations right in this
moment can help to the Roma People in the cities where the
organizations are seated. We receive information from Belgrade
(Dragoljub Ackovic), there are news from Roma People who make contacts
with their families in Macedonia, but there are no information about
Roma from Kosovo, or they are in few versions. There are
representatives of the Albanian nationality and the Serbian too, who
put the blame on the Roma, insult them without showing the truth: Roma
said that they are against war and they want peace, the war is not in
their interest. But it is hardly accepted, Roma should keep their
mouths shut and suffer. The bombings in the cities where Roma People
live (Nis, Surdulica, Vladicki Han, Belgrade, Prizren, Kraljevo,
Pristina) and their houses were hit, their were victims too, are out
of mentioning, they are not considerable. Roma people want peace on
Balkan, mutual coexistence with everybody no matter what nationality
or religion people are. There are foreign Roma associations that are
writing declarations on Roma issues, but declarations without effect
for the Roma
and their future are not needed now. Urgent solutions are needed for
the giant Roma troubles, troubles present even before the war?
Macedonia
Albanian refugees are revolted on the Macedonian care about them. They
want Albanian police officers in the camps, don't want to eat the
Macedonian products because they are made of pork fat. Foreign news
agencies (REUTERS) inform that Macedonia had succeed to persuade the
north neighbor to save her from new refugees. Right in these moments
there are no refugees on the Macedonian border. Everyday in Macedonian
newspapers can be found information about revolt of the Macedonian
workers, they are angry on the foreign foundations who ignore our
products. UNCHR is in front of bankrupt and it means news difficulties
providing help for the refugees. Many countries gave their word to
help Macedonia but the help is not coming yet. Even though in
Macedonia is coming humanitarian help everyday, it won't be enough.
Macedonia gave its best, but received little in return. We received
dead economy, increase of the unemployment ant poor percentage and
possible destabilization of its safety.
The protests against NATO are continuing. Some opposite political
groups from Macedonia (Serbian, Workers', MAAK-Conservative, Roma
parti-Amdi Bajram) in Skopje and Kumanovo organized protests of
peaceful character with many singers from Yugoslavia and Macedonia,
with large crowd of people gathered around. NATO forces in Kumanovo
have been attacked once again. The French forces are situated in hotel
"KUBA", yesterday at midnight some unknown attackers fired a missile
on the French positions but the rocket landed in the nearest trees and
exploded in the river. No casualties.
Roma refugees
Roma refugees are hoping for more quicker ending of the war and
returning home as soon as possible. Most active in the work with the
refugees are the following organizations: KHAM from Tetovo, RC Skopje,
and RCC "DROM" Kumanovo. Up to now Karitas-Essen gave biggest help and
Mr.Ilija is trying to help the Roma refugees and the social cases
firstly. Help is coming from SOROS-Skopje - Elvis Ali – Rom who proves
his ability for effective working and reaching positive results in the
present situation. Roma Regional Program Budapest – Jud Nirenberg,
Sejdo Jasarov, are successfully coordinating work and providing
financial help. Adventist church ADRA from Germany helped us with one
load. All humanitarian sending have improved the difficult situation
of the Roma refugees, but if the help won't be provided for the next
few weeks the situation will be very bad. The Roma refugees receive
less then the Albanians. There are no Roma representatives in the big
foreign donations.
Roma Community Center "DROM"Kumanovo
RCC "DROM" is Roma NGO formed in 1997 by
RPP-Budapest-Soros-Foundation. From its forming and up to now DROM had
realized very important projects for the Roma people. We have contacts
with many organizations Roma and non Roma in the country and outside.
RCC "DROM" is member of the Roma Organization Roma National Congress.
With the beginning of the war in Yugoslavia we took active part in
helping the refugees. Many times the representatives of the
organization contacted with Roma from Yugoslavia in order to obtain
information about the situation in Kosovo and the possible way for
help, presence on the border crossing spot Tabanovce, visit of the
cities where Roma refugees are accommodated: Tetovo, Skopje. We have
everyday contacts, and meetings with donors in Skopje, we've managed
for medicines, medical treat meanest food for the new coming refugees
in the moment of their arriving. For this period the organization
didn't receive any financial help for its acting or engagement of
their members. All the financial costs for the needs of the refugees
are covered by the organization's budget planned for functioning and
acting of our organization for this year. We were forced to urgent
help. Up to now we distributed few loads from the above mentioned
donors, the loads were raised in Skopje. We paid fare, storing and
other necessities from our budget. Although asked for financial help
from the donors hadn't received anything yet. Up to now we got
financial help from Austrian Roma Organization, A. Sebastijan from
England, Claude Agner Cahn from USA, these are not big financial means
but very precious to us. The organization would like to thank them
very much. DROM is sending an appeal for urgent help to the
organization in finding possible donator, personal help or
collectives. In Macedonia live over 80000 Roma, in Kumanovo 6000 Roma
people and 98% from them are social cases.
Our organization need finances for administrative casts and one
vehicle "urgently" that will make possible the overthrowing of the
great problems, and the way of distributing the help and reducing the
financial costs. If we don't get the so needed help we will face the
problem of further acting of our organization. The informing is giving
results, Roma and non Roma people are contacting us every day giving
us big support. We wish the best to all of you. So long.
Asmet Elezovski is Board member of the Roma National Congress
Emails:
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
---------------------------
NEO-NAZI MEETINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA
Buenos Aires / ARGENTINIA (RNN Correspondent) May the 2nd, 1999
A leading figure in the Argentinian Jewish community has warned that
neo-fascists may be planning a rally in Chile next year. Argentina's
300,000-strong Jewish community has been the target of several attacks
in recent year, including two bomb attacks which killed a total of 115
people: it is thought that the blasts were the work of anti-Israeli
terrorists. The comments were made by Mr. Rogelio Chichowolsky at a
memorial ceremony about Holocaust victims in Buenos Aires on May 12th.
---------------------------
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