kosovo 09. april 1999

RNN EXCLUSIVE :
First confirmed Roma victim

First confirmed Roma victim
Kumanovo / MACEDONIA ( RNN Correspondent ) April the 10th,

There are no sign of ending of the war. The citizen of Belgrade are standing on the bridge's every night in order to protect them with their lives. There are still refugees on the border line but they are not allowed to get in Macedonia. There are such People who quit and go back to their homes. The organization of Red Cross is managing to give them food.
Among the refugees on the Tabanovce border-line toward Kumanovo there are Roma People, too. They are running away from the bombing, they are frightened, tired and ill. Today, unofficially, we are said that one Rom on middle age was in very bad condition, he returned to Belgrade but after the medical care it was too late for him, he died. His daughter in too late for him, he died. His daughter in Kumanovo was informed by her relatives in Belgrade.
She said that heard from the psychological fear of the bombing. If we get the official information we'll let you know.Two days ago the Roma People in Belgrade had a meeting and they loyalty to Serbia, saying that they are born there and they will stay with the other. Some cities of Serbia are not bombed yet (Presevo, Bujanovac, Leskovac, Pirot).
In Macedonia the situation with the refugees is getting better. The coordination of Roma organizations roved humanitarian help by some foreign organizations. This help is food delivered to many cities. One problem occurs with the Roma refugees from SR Yugoslavia and they don't have a right for status of refugee. Many of them do not passes driving license. The anyway Roma organizations are accepting them. May be the number of refugees from SR Yugoslavia will increase because of the more often attacks. The refugees need medicines, blankets, and clothes. The Roma organizations besides the help to the refugees have big need for help to Roma families from Macedonia. There is no war in Macedonia but the poverty of Roma People is big. The humanitarian catastrophe in Macedonia Will make their situation even worse.

Thank you, once again, for your interest in the situation of Roma people, and I will try to inform you further on. My colleagues from RCC"DROM" and most of the other Roma organizations from Macedonia are contacting more often all for the purpose of objective and on time informing and considering the situation. Besides your support I receive some political messages for finding the right and the guilt side.

We are informing considering the situation and the problems of the Roma, we are not getting into political viewing of the war conflict. We don't want to interfere in it.

The Roma People didn't start any war in the countries where they live, they are loyal citizens. Their appeal is:

"PEACE ALL OVER THE WORLD"

Asmet Elezovski Board Member of the Roma National Congress, 10.04.1999

Your help is welcomed our contact address and bank account:

Roma Community Center "DROM"Kumanovo
Lokalitet Serava zgrada 106, objekt 5, prizemje 7a
91300 Kumanovo,
tel.fax:++38990127558
Drom@RomaNationalCongress.org
Asmet@RomaNationalCongress.org

Donation Bank Account
Stopanska Banka a.d.Skopje
Broj na smetka:40100-620-42 – 20625
ZPP-Kumanovo- 40900-678-6121
Roma Community Center "DROM"Kumanovo
Lokalitet serava prizemje 7a, 91300 Kumanovo
Tel.fax:++38990127558

Note from the editorial office:
Germany's Hotline on Kosovo Refugees in Germany, they said they will provide help in finding family members.
Telephone: + 49 911 943 77 77

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