Serbian NGos appeal

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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 21:09:44 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Serbian NGos appeal

From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>

Original sender: Greek Helsinki Monitor <[email protected]>

Serbian NGos appeal


TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE FRY, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
 
TO THE PARLIAMENTS OF THE FRY, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
 

The NATO aggression and continuous attacks against the FR Yugoslavia
have been going on for seven weeks.
 
Hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanians and people from the other
etnic groups have been forced to leave their homes. Under the tonnes
of high-tech bombs and missiles the land is being converted to
cinders, and the losses of human life grow daily. The infrastructure
of the already impoverished Yugoslav society has been nearly
completely destroyed, while destruction of the principal bridges and
roads makes impossible communication between different parts of the
country and is progressively cutting us off from the world.
 
These are facts to which one must not close one's eyes and deceive
people with unrealistic optimistic promises. Non-governmental
organisations, have sharply condemned the NATO aggression against our
country. But the organs of state must assume political responsibility,
realistically estimate the magnitude of losses and damages so far, and
on that basis take rational decisions on further steps.
 
That is why non-governmental organisations are asking the governments
of the FRY, Serbia and Montenegro and their parliaments to move from
generalised declarations about a diplomatic and peaceful solution to
the Kosovo problem and the war being waged in the territory of FR
Yugoslavia to concrete and responsible planning for solution of the
present crisis, based on necessary compromises in order to bring
closer the positions of all sides in the conflict. We are at war with
an enemy who is many times stronger, and are not in a situation to set
down conditions without concessions and compromises. It must not be
allowed that a whole population and  society should perish in the name
of an alleged national and state interest.
 
The Yugoslav authorities should take into serious consideration the
latest initiatives of the foreign ministers of the G7 countries and
Russia. Extreme positions and radicalisation of the conflict will only
lead to more suffering. It is high time that, from the vantage of
political realism and wisdom, solutions be found which would make
possible a European future for Yugoslav society and its peoples. That
is the Serbia's only national and state interest, of FR Yugoslavia,
Serbia and Montenegro.
 
In Belgrade, May 10, 1999.
 
Trade Union Confederation - Nezavisnost
 
Alternative Academic Educational Network
 
Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support for
Trade Unions
 
Belgrade Circle
 
Belgrade Women Lobby
 
Belgrade Women Studies Center
 
Center for Policy Studies
 
Center for Transition to Democracy
 
Civic Initiatives
 
Civil Forum  Novi Pazar
 
Committee for Human Rights - Leskovac
 
Humanitarian Fund For Children
 
Society For Truth On Antifascist War 1941-1945
 
Society for Cooperation With Neighbouring Countries
 
ECO Center
 
European Movement in Serbia
 
Foundation for Peace and Crisis Management
 
FOSCODE  NGO Glasnik
 
Forum for Ethnic Relations
 
Group 484
 
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
 
Safe Houses for Women
 
WIN - Weekly Video News
 
Women in Black

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