kosovo 09. april 1999

RNN EXCLUSIVE :
Situation on Balkan-Macedonian crisis and the Roma problems

Kumanovo / MACEDONIA ( RNN Correspondent ), May the 20th, 1999

The bombings are continuing in Yugoslavia. The number of the victims is increasing, there are Albanians, Serbs, Roma among them. The people of Yugoslavia is facing many difficulties,absence of electric power because of the bombing with cluster bombs, which break the electric system.Many cities have lost their outlook completely.Most information about the situation of Roma from Yugoslavia are coming from the journalist-Dragoljub Ackovic. In Belgrade,Nis, Vranje, Kraljevo, Smederevo,Pristina, Vitina, Urosevac, Prizren, the situation of Roma is very bad.The health situation of the ill persons(with heart problems, diabetes,asthma) is getting worse as well as from back of medicines ad also from psychological stresses. Most of the families from Presevo and Bujanovac are not longer going in the shelters but after 17.00h there is no walking on the streets of these cities.But in the evening hours people can see the NATO bombings and the defensive mechanisms of Serbia. One witness from Macedonia who went to see his sister in Bujanovac said:"It's unbelievable even when you're looking that, I trougth this could be seen only on films, like Star Wars. You can feel cold fever, your heart is trembling, terrified you're asking yourself what if NATO start dropping bombs here. I was looking for help and I am still looking.God please help us, this crazy war must stop.The number of the refugees is not increasing within the Roma population. Right in this moment there are 2500 registrated Roma refugees accommodated throughout the families and relatives but there are unofficial information about another 3500 Roma who are placed in camps and they have declared as Albanians so they could leave more quickly to some foreign country, families from Serbia who don't want to be evidenced, because they are frightened. There are 1700 refugees in Skopje, 650 in Tetovo, smaller number in Gostivar,Kicevo Prilep all together in these three cities-130. In Kumanovo, city in the Eastern Macedonia are placed 175, but with serious signs for reduce of the refugee number because the living conditions in the families where they are accommodated are very bad, the refugees have only one room for stay, and they can't be registrated as refugees for humanitarian help according to the moment regulations of the Macedonian government. One registrated refugee from Kosovo, Rom has decided to go to the camp "Stenkovec" with intention to leave in some foreign country. He met there his neighbor from their native city who has signet down as Albanian, and said that he is sorry for it because only the people with money can leave the country. Plus if you say that you are Rom wont receive help and care as the Albanians do. After that conversation the refugee got back to his relative and said that his only hope is the end of this crazy war and return to his home. Macedonian crisis and the Roma problems In Macedonia live 80 000 Roma people, 90% are unemployed and social cases.the first written statements about Roma in Macedonia date from the 13th and 14th century. You can read there that Roma came to Macedonia from India over the Arabian countries: Egypt, Turkey. They were craftsmen-Hammersmith's-musicians etc. Many Roma in times began to leave the old way of living-travelling and living on open-nomad way of life. They accepted the way of living of the Balkan people .
They started to educate themselves, to live on one place, to show and cultivate their culture all for one purpose: the young generations never to forget their identity. During the First and Second World War many Roma were executed by the Nazi's.
In the former SFRJ Roma from Macedonia worked as common workers, day-pay workers. Since 1978 the way of littering have started, there were many generations of Roma who finished Secondary school, they got educated, proved their intelligence, became good masters: mechanics, wall-painters, builders etc. Larger part of them didn't have the chance for permanent working agreement, and therefore they left the country where they live as good masters and businessmen.
>From 1980 to 1989 there was rise in the developement of Roma people as well as on educative plan and on economic,too. Many Roma students graduated. But with the fall of Former Yugoslavia in 1990 started the stagnation of the Roma people.
The war in Bosnia produced whole wave of refugees in the West European countries.
Many young generations of Roma left the school and went abroad with their parents to the European countries looking for better living. That period is called asylum without possibility and future. In 1994 Roma families started to come back to Macedonia more intensively. They were given guaranties for help on employing by the authorities of the countries where they came from, improved homes with aim of creating better conditions for life of Roma people in Macedonia. Large finances were sent, many projects made but the promised vision for better life remained fantasy. Day bay day Roma people were getting social cases and now they are in very bad position. Macedonia has over 2 million citizens, and in these moments no matter how much the state wants to help to its citizens of any religion, gender or nationality it is impossible Macedonia is facing economic catastrophe.Beside the Roma people other ethnic groups are in trouble too Macedonia and Roma people don't need help for one or two months, but whole ways for getting out of the situation, for longer-continuing period. Roma from Macedonia live in every city, but mostly in Skopje within the Roma Comm une-Suto Orizari with Rom mayor-Nezdet Mustafa, In Prilep, Kumanovo, Tetovo, Stip…Roma in the parliament of the only one-Amdi Bajram. Life is hard for the most of Roma. Though they are organized and are pushing every day they are not employedt hey work for private landlords as a day- pay workers, if there is work they live in ghetto without infrastructure. Roma children are going in school but most of them are forced to leave the school because of the bad living conditions of their family, the children are becoming tramps and beggars, shoe-cleaners.It's not a problem of the state only but of their parents too, but they are saying: "I don't have money, on the other hand what if my child finish the school when none wants to give him a job." There are young educated Roma who are waiting for years to get a job. Roma people are very frightened-from the God's punishments, and therefore they celebrate their solemnities in good and joyous atmosphere. They are peaceful people. They have never started war, they don't want anything more or less than what they need: roof upon their heads and work. Roma people consider Macedonia as their native country and respect their president. But their loyalty is not always respected and pricet. Roma are scarcely mentioned and they are more scarcely discussed or put on programs and projects for improvement of their plight.
Today Roma are in very deep crisis.The war is pressing its sign. There are whole families starving. The revolt of the citizens and the Roma too, is getting bigger everyday, the situation is very critical. According to its possibilities the state is providing social help of 100 DM to 150 DM per month for one family.
That is small amount and according to the statistical information the needed sum for one family per month is 500 DM. Maybe somebody won't believe but it is the bare truth. In the newest situation for the war, Roma refugees are not mentioning in the statements, it is like they do not exist. Some organizations are helloing like TOOM-Skopje, Karitas Esen, but it is small help. There are foundations offering help for 100 Roma social cases but impossible to be delivered. Before the war the social situation of Roma was bad now it's worse. The Macedonian Red Cross and the Center for social care are sending the Roma to the Roma non-government organizations to ask for help but these organizations are reveiving slight humanitarian help. Some non-governmental donors are acting in Macedonia but they employ Macedonians and Albanians. The biggest part is for the Albanian refugees,the Roma people from Kosovo and Serbia must satisfy with the rest. Roma in Macedonia are unemployed. They can't pay for medicines and treatments.
They live in ghettoes with bad living standards. Their problems are scarcely actualized.(The Roma solemnities, music and life are actual, most film directors are taking good money from it, but they present the Roma culture, life and situation very badly). Roma people are object of manipulation.
They are hardly believed and many non-Roma want to work on the Roma problemacy. Roma from Macedonia are trying to educate themselves. They accept the modern changes in life, it is the very important condition for prosperity but some people are delaying it with such statements:
" Give food and music to the Roma."
This is the truth. Life goes on, the troubles are coming every day and I am asking until when?
p.s.The citizens of Kumanovo had rare chance to see the air fights of the NATO and Yugoslav Army planes in the evening hours(around 19.20 ). You can not claim who is running whom but one thing is certain, Macedonian sky is used for air strikes. None can negate it the citizens could see the air fights for 20 or 25 minutes. It was very obvious.
Today explode bomb in Skopje. Two people are Harding-victims.

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

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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