Statement by 17 Belgrade

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 19 Apr 1999 20:52:27 -0400 (EDT)
From: Gunder Frank <agfrank@chass.utoronto.ca>
To: agf <agfrank@chass.utoronto.ca>
Subject: Statement by 17  Belgrade

http://www.dds.nl/~pressnow/extra/ngoappeal.html

BELGRADE 17-NGO APPEAL

Deeply shocked by NATO strikes devastation of our country and
the plight of Kosovo Albanians, we, the representatives of non-
governmental organizations and the Nezavisnost Trade Union
Confederation, energetically demand from those who have created
this tragedy to immediately take all necessary steps to create
conditions for the resumption of peace process.         

Our effort to develop democracy and a civic society in Yugoslavia
and help it restore its membership of all international institutions
have taken place under constant pressure by the Serbian regime.
We, the representatives of civil groups and organizations, have
courageously and consistently fought against every war-mongering
and nationalistic policy, and for the respect of human rights, and
particularly against the repression of Kosovo Albanians.

We have always insisted on the respect of their human rights and
freedoms and on the restoration of autonomy for Kosovo.
Throughout this period, Serb and Albanian civil society groups
were the only ones to retain contacts and cooperation.

The NATO intervention has destroyed everything that has been
achieved so far and the very survival of the civic society in Serbia.
Faced with the current tragic situation, we put up the following
demands in the name of humanity and values and ideas that have
been guiding us in our activities:
  We demand an immediate cessation of bombing and all armed operations;

  We demand the resumption of peace process with international
mediation at the regional (Balkan) and European level, as well as in
the United Nations;

  We demand from the European Union and Russia to take their
charge of responsibility for finding a peaceful solution to the crisis;

  We demand an end to the practice of ethnic cleansing and
repatriation of all refugees;

  We demand support for peace, stability and democratization of
Montenegro and every possible action aimed at helping this republic
alleviate the disastrous consequences of the refugee crisis;

  We demand from Serbian and international media to report
professionally and impartially about current developments ...


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                   ANDRE GUNDER FRANK
250 Kensington Ave - Apt 608     Tel: 1-514-933 2539    
Westmount/Montreal PQ/QC         Fax: 1-514-933 6445 
Canada H3Z 2G8              e-mail:agfrank@chass.utoronto.ca 

My Personal/Professional Home Page> http://www.whc.neu.edu/gunder.html
My NATO/Kosovo Page> http://csf.colorado.edu/archive/agfrank/nato_kosovo/       
My professional/personal conclusion is the same as Pogo's - 
            We have met the enemy, and it is US 
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