kosovo 09. april 1999

RNN EXCLUSIVE :
Hard days and stormy nights in MACEDONIA

Kumanovo / MACEDONIA ( RNN Correspondent ) April the 15th,

HARD DAYS AND STORMY NIGHTS
The situation in Kosovo – Yugoslavia
The strikes and bombings are continuing and number of the victims is getting bigger. Making contacts with the Kosovo is still difficult, we establish contacts with the Roma from Yugoslavia and they are very frightened from the war psychosis. After the conversation with my relatives from Belgrade I was told that all the citizens of Yugoslavia are unique and ready to give their lives they have to defend their country.
Roma People are among them. They show their loyalty with that to the country where they live. Still I don't have any contact with the Roma organizations from Yugoslavia. The newest information about Albanian-civilians killed made big revolt at the Yugoslav citizens. They announced that there won't be a victory-side but only victims.

The situation in Macedonia

The situation in Macedonia is better today, in relation to the past days, the citizens are still afraid, everyone is hoping for quick cease of the war in Yugoslavia, but there are revolted People who put the blame on NATO attacks too, from the reason that they have relatives and friends in Yugoslavia. The number of the refugees on border-line in the previous days was reduced and yesterday there was another wave of refugees. The refugees are accepted and accommodated in the refugee centers: Radusa, Stenkovec, Bojane, Cergane. . .
Most of them are Albanians, there are Croats, Serbs and Roma but in smaller number. Most of them say that they are frightened and are running away from the bombings. In the refugee centers evidentation is going on , the life is getting normal, larger number of refugees having wish to go to Germany, Switzerland, Sweden. The number of the refugees is still uncertain, according to some information over 120000. We don't have right information from the refugee centers about the Roma refugees, but we have information that some Roma do not declare themselves as Roma, maybe because they are frightened. According to the evidence of the Roma NGO's there are over 1600 Roma in private places in Macedonia. Up to now the Roma humanitarian sends of food and hygienic means and we delivered to the refugees. We make efforts for taking another help. These days the number of Roma refugees from Yugoslavia is increasing, but together with them occurs the problem of their status, here. They are coming from Vranje, Belgrade, Presevo, Bujanovac, and now they are throughout their relatives.
What will be if the war goes on we do not know?
There are some signs of increase of their number if the NATO attacks continue. All of it will contribute for new difficulties and problems.Macedonia accepted refugees much more then its capacity. The consequences are felt, the Macedonian firms and factories are reducing their production and work, and some of them are almost without work.
The citizens of Macedonia are facing big economic crisis, and it will enlarge the problem of existing, of living. Roma People face the poverty more often, if some of them made their living from begging, now their number will become bigger. The families that accepted refugees are facing with this problem, the Roma organizations make efforts for humanitarian help. The Red Cross from the corny has not delivered any help to these families. There is humanitarian help from abroad but it is not enough. The richer countries accept small number of refugees and what to say about Macedonia which is far away from their trade and economic ability. The accurance of revolt among Macedonian People is obvious because of the fact that beside the shown help to the refugees they will face hard days for existence. In these moments all the citizens are stroked as the refugees are-Roma People, too. Besides the big percentage of unemployment, the war made the situation worse, generations of young People, too. Besides the big percentage of unemployment, and better future.
When Macedonians feel the crisis what to say for the Roma. They are in no-exit-tunnel. Any help to the Roma these days is necessary needed. Today I received an information from the crossing place on the border with Bulgaria that there are some Roma refugees from Yugoslavia who were there before the war and now they cannot anter naither Macedonia not Yugoslavia. Everyday night we can hear loud noise of airplanes and detonations.
Respected Roma and non-Roma I thank you for you contacting, suggestions, and the offered help for the Roma refugees from Kosovo-Yugoslavia and the Roma from Macedonia, I didn't expect such interest, basing on the history that Rom was always misunderstood and nobody believes them. I'm due to inform you a little bit more about my way of informing: Everyday, I'm in contact with Roma organizations, I follow the media informing on Macedonian and Yugoslav TV, BBC,CNN, me and my colleges are with the Roma refugees accommodated in many families, with the Roma from Macedonia, from all received and overtaken information I prepare these reports on situation.
But these days beside your offers for help nice words for the way of my informing I received some uncorrect messages. I understand it, but I inform from the fact that I am Rom and I see the whole situation from that point of view. Because of your support I was determined to go to Belgrade, but after the recommendation of my friends and the Macedonian authorities I didn't do it.
For all your offered help and the help that will arrive I will inform you objectively and in proper time for the way of using the help. War id not the solution for this difficult situation and so we appeal to everyone to make higher efforts for announcing cease of fire. People, please come to mind.

Sincerely
Asmet Elezovski -editor
Oliver-translator
Kumanovo 15.04.1999

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

[Main Page]