APPEAL FOR PEACE from the representatives of non-government organizations in the Republic of Macedonia

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Center for Balkan
Development
2 CLOCK TOWER PLACE #510
MAYNARD, MA 01754
Tel: 978-461-0909
Fax: 978-461-2552
info@balkandevelopment.org
www.balkandevelopment.org

MACEDONIA CRISIS INFORMATION

To express your support, write to
Violeta Gligorovska (Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia):
vgligoro@soros.org.mk or osi@soros.org.mk.Skopje, March 16, 2001

APPEAL FOR PEACE
from the representatives of non-government organizations
in the Republic of Macedonia

For the sake of protection of the fundamental principles in a civil society
and its future development in the democratic process, we express our
concerns and condemn the recent aggression that has seriously jeopardized
the security of the country.

We strongly condemn all acts of violence and the call for inter-ethnic
intolerance. The occurrence of forced mobilization, the manipulation of
civilians, particularly that of the young, and the creation of a human wall
to further military goals are unfathomable actions of civilized man. The
outcome of such actions will only serve to break away at the foundation of
a civil society that the Republic of Macedonia has been building on for the
last ten years. The lack of information in the media, its disinformation
and its use of a propaganda war create panic and fear, which in turn,
causes blame to be laid on entire ethnic communities. All this has social
and psychological implications. All citizens of the Republic of Macedonia
are suffering due to the current situation, particularly the poor and those
of the small minority groups. The every day activities of the
non-governmental organizations have begun to deteriorate. Important
projects between domestic and foreign partners have been cancelled. The
vision for a peaceful and stable democratic civil society has entered a
critical phase.

We strongly condemn all actions that lead to the escalation of the current
situation and appeal for:

• the condemnation of the use of terrorism as a means to solve political
problems;
•the discouragement for the call of violence and ethnic intolerance;
•means to prevent both volunteer and forced mobilization of citizens
called for by political parties, organizations and ethnic groups;
•the refrain of organizing public gatherings and protests whose aims are
to make accusations of any ethnic group;
•all information to be made public in a concrete, unbiased and objective
manner;
•the clear support for peace for the benefit of all Macedonian citizens.

1. Foundation Open Society Institute Macedonia
2. Children Theatre Center, Skopje
3. Performing Arts Center "MULTIMEDIA", Skopje
4. "Child Abuse" NGO, Skopje
5. Association for Roma Rights, Stip
6. Center for Contemporary Arts, Skopje
7. "Step by Step" NGO, Skopje
8. Civil Society Resource Center, Skopje
9. Center for Continuing Education Association of Judges of the Republic
of Macedonia
10. "HOPS" NGO, Skopje
11. NGO Support Center, Veles
12. NGO Support Center, Prilep
13. Euro Balkan Institute, Skopje
14. Student Resource Centers in Bitola and Skopje
15. "Economic Education for Youth" NGO, Skopje
16. Youth Education Forum, Skopje
17. Expert Consortium. com, Skopje
18. Roma Community Center "Drom", Kumanovo
19. Forum for Integration of Macedonian Roma, Skopje
20. "Romani Bah" NGO, Veles
21. Association for Roma Language and Literature and Roma Cultural Center
"Darhia", Skopje
22. Roma Center of the City of Skopje, Skopje
23. Roma Association "Cerenja", Stip
24. Roma Humanitarian and Philanthropic Association "Mesecina", Kumanovo
25. Association of Roma Women in Macedonia "Daja", Kumanovo
26. Association for Roma Human Rights "Avutnipe", Skopje
27. Roma Rights Forum "Arka", Kumanovo
28. Ensemble for Folk Instruments and Songs "Stefce Stojkovski", Skopje
29. Family Federation for World Peace and Integration, Skopje
30. Humanitarian Organization "Romi", Vinica
31. Humanitarian Organization "Romano Ilo", Kocani
32. Humanitarian Organization "Asvin", Skopje
33. Roma Center for Cultural and Spiritual Enlightenment and Progress, Skopje
34. Educational, Cultural, Social and Legal Center "Renesansa", Skopje
35. Roma Information Agency RIA, Skopje
36. Roma international Center in Macedonia, Skopje
37. Roma Television BTR
38. Association for Preventive Work with Children, Youth and Their Families
"Grupa Feliks", Bitola
39. Foundation for Development of SME Regional Center, Veles
40. Foundation for Development of SME Regional Center, Strumica
41. Roma Association "Nevo Drum", Prilep
42. Macedonian Artists Association, Skopje
43. Youth Cultural Association, Bitola
44. Association of Valahs Writers and Artists in Macedonia, Skopje
45. Association for Promotion of Treatment, Rehabilitation and
Resocialization of Drug Addicts "Doverba", Skopje
46. Association for Science, Culture and Art "Braka Miladinovci", Struga
47. Youth Ecological Center "Rekanski Biser", Rostuse
48. Association for Promotion of Treatment, Rehabilitation and
Resocialization of Drug Addicts "Izbor", Strumica
49. "Volunteers in Hospitals" NGO, Skopje
50. Embassy for all Children and Youth, Skopje
51. Association for Protection of Human Environment "Srna", Skopje
52. Youth Brigade of Porece "Sidro", Skopje
53. "Healthy and Creative Youth" NGO, Skopje
54. MENSA Macedonia
55. Union of Retired Disabled Persons of Macedonia, Skopje
56. Youth Challenge of Macedonia, Skopje
57. Association for Development and Promotion of Cultural Interests "Nadez
i Zivot", Skopje
58. Macedonian Model of United Nations, Skopje
59. Association of Roma Women "Esma", Skopje
60. Center for Children and Youth, Prilep
61. Multiethnic Women Civic Initiative of NGO Leaders of Macedonia
"Antiko", Skopje
62. Association for Culture IKON, Skopje
63. Macedonian Women Association, Bitola
64. Civil Paths NGO, Bitola
65. Turkish Cultural and Humanitarian Association "Celebita", Bitola
66. Association for Civic Initiative "Via Vita", Bitola
67. Tourist Association "Manastir", Bitola
68. Center for Education, Protection of Environment and Nature "Biosfera",
Bitola
69. Women Association "Eco Women", Bitola
70. University of St. Kliment Ohridski Students Union, Bitola
71. Center for Theater Initiatives, Bitola
72. Children Consulate "Little Consul", Bitola
73. Democracy on Non-government tracks NGO, Bitola
74. "Big Brothers, Big Sisters" NGO, Skopje
75. Union of Macedonian Women Organizations, Skopje
76. Macedonian Dentistry Students Union, Skopje
77. Macedonia Turkish Women Association, Skopje
78. Union of Albanian Women of Macedonia Section Cair, Skopje
79. Organization of Macedonia Women Organizations, Skopje
80. Association for Science, Art and Cultural Initiative, Sveti Nikole
81. Dr. Alison Preece, Professor at the Faculty of Education, University of
Victoria, CanadaDue to March 18, 2001, 10:00 AM