kosovo 09. april 1999

RNN EXCLUSIVE :
Sufferings of the Balkan People

Kumanovo / MACEDONIA ( RNN Correspondent ), May the 13rd, 1999

Yugoslavia – Serbia – Kosovo

This war brought large number of victims, ruined cities, factories, last dreams, diseases, and still the end of the war can not be seen yet. The confrontations are continuing, the bombings are of higher intensity, there are information about destroyed planes on the both sides: NATO and Yugoslavia. Many war tactics are involved in the fight, tactics on political plan too. Many institutions and organizations (associations) are appealing for cease of fire, for help to the citizens of SRJ no matter what nationality or religion they take. Yugoslav People are showing their loyalty to their country with readiness to give their lives if needed. Many foreign well-known persons-writers, journalists, singers, ex-activists have visited Belgrade and gave their support to Serbia through media and Public meetings.

Roma Troubles
Bigger number of Roma People from Kosovo were forced to leave their homes from the NATO bombings, and to run away in the inner parts of Serbia. Running from one danger they faced another one-more bombings, psychological problems-diseases, hunger. These Roma People are situated mostly in Belgrade, Nis, Vranje, Bujanovac, Zrenjanin, Smederevo. Very small number of Roma organizations right in this moment can help to the Roma People in the cities where the organizations are seated. We receive information from Belgrade (Dragoljub Ackovic), there are news from Roma People who make contacts with their families in Macedonia, but there are no information about Roma from Kosovo, or they are in few versions. There are representatives of the Albanian nationality and the Serbian too, who put the blame on the Roma, insult them without showing the truth: Roma said that they are against war and they want peace, the war is not in their interest. But it is hardly accepted, Roma should keep their mouths shut and suffer. The bombings in the cities where Roma People live (Nis, Surdulica, Vladicki Han, Belgrade, Prizren, Kraljevo, Pristina) and their houses were hit, their were victims too, are out of mentioning, they are not considerable. Roma people want peace on Balkan, mutual coexistence with everybody no matter what nationality or religion people are. There are foreign Roma associations that are writing declarations on Roma issues, but declarations on Roma issues, but declarations without effect for the Roma and their future are not needed now. Urgent solutions are needed for the giant Roma troubles, troubles present even before the war?

Macedonia
Albanian refugees are revolted on the Macedonian care about them. They want Albanian police officers in the camps, don't want to eat the Macedonian products because they are made of pork fat. Foreign news agencies (REUTERS) inform that Macedonia had succeed to persuade the north neighbor to save her from new refugees. Right in these moments there are no refugees on the Macedonian border. Everyday in Macedonian newspapers can be found information about revolt of the Macedonian workers, they are angry on the foreign foundations who ignore our products. UNCHR is in front of bankrupt and it means news difficulties providing help for the refugees. Many countries gave their word to help Macedonia but the help is not coming yet. Even though in Macedonia is coming humanitarian help everyday, it won't be enough. Macedonia gave its best, but received little in return. We received dead economy, increase of the unemployment ant poor percentage and possible destabilization of its safety.
The protests against NATO are continuing. Some opposite political groups from Macedonia (Serbian, Workers', MAAK-Conservative, Roma parti-Amdi Bajram) in Skopje and Kumanovo organized protests of peaceful character with many singers from Yugoslavia and Macedonia, with large crowd of people gathered around. NATO forces in Kumanovo have been attacked once again. The French forces are situated in hotel "KUBA", Yesterday at midnight some unknown attackers fired a missile on the French positions but the rocket landed in the nearest trees and exploded in the river. No casualties.

Roma refugees
Roma refugees are hoping for more quicker ending of the war and returning home as soon as possible. Most active in the work with the refugees are the following organizations: KHAM from Tetovo, RC Skopje, and RCC"DROM"Kumanovo. Up to now Karitas-Essen gave biggest help and Mr.Ilija is trying to help the Roma refugees and the social cases firstly. Help is coming from SOROS-Skopje- Elvis Ali –Rom who proves his ability for effective working and reaching positive results in the present situation. Roma Regional Program Budapest –Jud Nirenberg, Sejdo Jasarov, are us successfully coordinating work and providing financial help. Adventist church ADRA from Germany helped us with one load. All humanitarian sending have improved the difficult situation of the Roma refugees, but if the help won't be provided for the next few weeks the situation will be very bad. The Roma refugees receive less then the Albanians. There are no Roma representatives in the big foreign donations.

Roma Community Center "DROM"Kumanovo
RCC"DROM" is Roam NGO formed in 1997 by RPP-Budapest-Soros-Foundation. From its forming and up to now DROM had realized very important projects for the Roma people. We have contacts with many organizations Roma and non Roma in the country and outside.RCC"DROM" is member of the Roma Organization Roma National Congress.With the beginning of the war in Yugoslavia we took active part in helping the refugees. Many times the representatives of the organization contacted with Roma from Yugoslavia in order to obtain information about the situation in Kosovo and the possible way for help, presence on the border crossing spot Tabanovce, visit of the cities where Roma refugees are accommodated:Tetovo, Skopje. We have everyday contacts, and meetings with donors in Skopje, we've managed for medicines, medical treat meanest food for the new coming refugees in the moment of their arriving. For this period the organization didn't receive any financial help for its acting or engagement of their members. All the financial costs for the needs of the refugees are covered by the organization's budget planned for functioning and acting of our organization for this year. We were forced to urgent help. Up to now we distributed few loads from the above mentioned donors, the loads were raised in Skopje.We paid fare, storing and other necessities from our budget. Although asked for financial help from the donors hadn't received anything yet. Up to now we got financial help from Austrian Roma Organization, A. Sebastijan from England, Claude Agner Cahn from USA, these are not big financial means but ovary precious to us . The organization would like to thank them very much. DROM is sending an appeal for urgent help to the organization in finding possible donator, personal help or collectives. In Macedonia live over 80000 Roma, in Kumanovo 6000 Roma people and 98% from them are social cases.
Our organization need finances for administrative casts and one vehicle "urgently" that will make possible the overthrowing of the great problems, and the way of distributing the help and reducing the financial costs. If we don't get the so needed help we will face the problem of further acting of our organization.The informing is giving results,Roam and non Roma people are contacting us every day giving us big support. We wish the best to all of you. So long.

Asmet Elezovski is Board member of the Roma National Congress Emails:
asmet@romanatioanlcongress.org
drom@romanatioanalcongress.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

br> Asmet Elezovski
Ljube Gacev 6
91300 Kumanovo
Makedonija
Tel:++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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