[PEN-L:6863] (Fwd) LETTER TO ALBANIAN FRIENDS FROM NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATI

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------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date sent:      	Fri, 14 May 1999 15:18:00 -0700
To:             	ccpa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
From:           	Sid Shniad <shniad@xxxxxx>
Subject:        	LETTER TO ALBANIAN FRIENDS FROM NONGOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS

Belgrade, April 30, 1999

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