L'AMICO AMERICANO / 2: Some reactions to the Resolution 28
[NOTA:
Tempo fa su questa lista abbiamo fatto circolare (vedasi:
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2254) il
testo integrale del progetto di Risoluzione 28 del Congresso USA, del
27/1/2003, con la quale si appoggia ogni azione volta a favorire la
secessione della provincia serba del Kosmet.
In Italia, come al solito, queste manovre all'interno delle
istituzioni USA non vengono analizzate da nessuno. Non fanno eccezione
i media ed i gruppi della sinistra: piuttosto, settori antijugoslavi
(spec. "Reds" e "Notizie-Est") continuano con zelo la loro campagna di
sostegno al progetto statunitense-grandealbanese (vedasi:
http://www.peacelink.it/webgate/balcani/msg01249.html).
Noi tuttavia continuiamo, anche nella indifferenza generale, a
riportare notizie e reazioni alla "Risoluzione 28". Perche' nessuno
abbia poi la faccia tosta di dire: "io non lo sapevo".
Italo Slavo]
===
Subject: [yugoslaviainfo] Some reactions to the [US Congress] House
Resolution 28 supporting independence of "Kosova", part I
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 19:47:39 -0600 (CST)
From: Predrag Tosic
To: yugoslaviainfo <Ova adresa el. pošte je zaštićena od spambotova. Omogućite JavaScript da biste je videli.>
[ The open letter below is from the Office of External Affairs of
Serbian Orthodox Church in North America. ]
[ oea.serbian-church.net ]
OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE USA AND CANADA
WASHINGTON, DC
3 February 2003
The Honorable Henry J. Hyde
Chairman, Committee on International Relations
The United States House of Representatives
2110 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: HRES 28 IH "Independence for Kosova" [sic.]
Dear Chairman Hyde:
I write out of serious concern on behalf of the Office of External
Affairs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada, and as a
dutiful citizen of this honorable Nation, the United States of
America, regarding House Resolution 28 on "Independence for Kosova"
[sic.], as introduced on 27 January 2003 by Mr. Lantos, on his and
your behalf, before the House of Representatives, and referred to the
Committee on International Relations.
Having recently returned from Kosovo, and having engaged in
discussions with UN Administrator Michael Steiner, General Fabio Mini,
and other Internationals, I can attest to the fact that very few, if
any, of the benchmarks established by UNMIK are being met.
Dysfunctional as a civil society, Kosovo has come to resemble a refuse
dump. Non-Albanian populations remain isolated, while the destruction
of 120 Serbian Orthodox churches testifies to xenophobic cultural and
religious eradication [See: Enclosed SCOBA Statement]. Over 200,000
internally displaced persons remain outside of Kosovo. Their returns
are openly discouraged and hampered. According to Mr. Steiner, there
can be no discussion of status without standards. The only ethical and
logical conclusion remains complying with, and fully implementing UN
Resolution 1244. Otherwise, as it stands, HR 28 will consolidate such
blatant abuses by rewarding ethnic intolerance and promoting
criminality.
Further, advocating independence for Kosovo will serve to violate
sovereign borders, and ultimately give rise to a Greater Albania.
Already, this can be witnessed in the proliferation of the flags of
Albania proper flying throughout Kosovo. If accomplished, HR 28 will
help promote the destabilization of Southeast Europe by advancing new
irredentist wars.
Reintegration into Serbia, which is democratic, multicultural and
multi-confessional, is the obvious solution to regional peace,
stability and economic prosperity. This will secure just and equitable
resolution to the question of Kosovo.
Sincerely yours,
Fr. Irinej Dobrijevic
Executive Director
---
OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE USA AND CANADA
WASHINGTON, DC
3 February 2003
The Honorable Tom Lantos
The United States House of Representatives
2217 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0512
Re: HRES 28 IH "Independence for Kosova" [sic.]
Dear Representative Lantos:
I write out of serious concern on behalf of the Office of External
Affairs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada, and as a
dutiful citizen of this honorable Nation, the United States of
America, regarding House Resolution 28 on "Independence for Kosova"
[sic.], as introduced on 27 January 2003 by you on behalf of
Representative Hyde and yourself, before the House of Representatives,
and referred to the Committee on International Relations.
Having recently returned from Kosovo, and having engaged in
discussions with UN Administrator Michael Steiner, General Fabio Mini,
and other Internationals, I can attest to the fact that very few, if
any, of the benchmarks established by UNMIK are being met.
Dysfunctional as a civil society, Kosovo has come to resemble a refuse
dump. Non-Albanian populations remain isolated, while the destruction
of 120 Serbian Orthodox churches testifies to xenophobic cultural and
religious eradication [See: Enclosed SCOBA Statement]. Over 200,000
internally displaced persons remain outside of Kosovo. Their returns
are openly discouraged and hampered. According to Mr. Steiner, there
can be no discussion of status without standards. The only ethical and
logical conclusion remains complying with, and fully implementing UN
Resolution 1244. Otherwise, as it stands, HR 28 will consolidate such
blatant abuses by rewarding ethnic intolerance and promoting
criminality.
Further, advocating independence for Kosovo will serve to violate
sovereign borders, and ultimately give rise to a Greater Albania.
Already, this can be witnessed in the proliferation of the flags of
Albania proper flying throughout Kosovo. If accomplished, HR 28 will
help promote the destabilization of Southeast Europe by advancing new
irredentist wars.
Reintegration into Serbia, which is democratic, multicultural and
multi-confessional, is the obvious solution to regional peace,
stability and economic prosperity. This will secure just and equitable
resolution to the question of Kosovo.
Sincerely yours,
Fr. Irinej Dobrijevic
Executive Director
---
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021
Tel.: (212) 570-3593 _ Fax: (212) 774-0202
Email: scoba@...
R E S O L U T I O N
Of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas
On the Destruction of Spiritual and Cultural Property in Kosovo and
Metohija
Whereas the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas (SCOBA) is committed to religious freedom, filial love,
tolerance, and respect for the religious and cultural heritage and
property of all faiths and peoples;
Whereas SCOBA represents over 6 million Orthodox Christians of diverse
ethnic backgrounds in the United States of America and Canada;
Whereas SCOBA is grieved by the growing incidence of violence
throughout the world against holy sites sacred to Christians, Jews,
Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other faiths;
Whereas the protection of religious shrines and cultural heritage
property against acts of violence, intolerance and eradication is the
responsibility of every civilized society, as confirmed by U.N.
Resolutions A/RES/56/157 and E/CN4/RES2002/40, et al.
Whereas the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, affirm the right of
everyone to manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice,
worship and observance;
Whereas the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property
in the Event of Armed Conflict, in force since 1956, prohibits theft,
pillage, vandalism, or reprisals against cultural property during
periods of armed conflict, and requires governing authorities to take
measures to protect such property;
Whereas UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor on May 5, 1999 called
for those involved in the Kosovo conflict to "respect the museums,
archives, libraries, religious and educational institutions, as well
as monuments and sites that are evidence of the civilization and
history of the Region";
Whereas SCOBA and all Orthodox Christian faithful throughout the world
are deeply grieved over the continuation of acts of vandalism, pillage
and violent destruction that have damaged or destroyed over 120
Orthodox Christian churches, monasteries, and shrines, as well as the
desecration of numerous Orthodox Christian graves, since the war in
Kosovo ended in June 1999;
Whereas the leadership of the World Council of Churches and of the
Conference of European Churches on August 16, 2002 expressed "profound
concern at the continued violence facing members of the Serbian
Orthodox Church and its cultural and spiritual property in Kosovo",
and;
Whereas Reno Harnish, Chief of Mission of the US Office in Pristina
condemned the recent violence in Kosovo on November 18, 2002, stating:
"Any attacks on religious sites of any faith are attacks on the very
heart and soul of society and should be denounced in the strongest
possible terms by all political and religious leaders."
Therefore, be it resolved that the Standing Conference of Canonical
Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA):
1. Deeply deplores the most recent violent attacks on the Serbian
Orthodox Diocese of Raska and Prizren in Kosovo and Metohija on
November 16 and 17, 2002, which caused extensive damage to the Church
of Serbian Saints in Djurakovac and totally destroyed the Church of
Saint Basil of Ostrog the Miracle Worker in Ljubovo;
2. Condemns all acts of vandalism, pillage and violent destruction of
religious and cultural heritage sites sacred to Orthodox Christians,
Roman Catholics, Muslims, Jews or any other religious group in Kosovo;
3. Joins with the United Nations, the World Council of Churches and
the Conference of European Churches, the Serbian Orthodox Church, and
the international community in calling for respect, tolerance and
reconciliation among all religious and ethnic communities in Kosovo;
4. Urgently requests the United Nations authorities and NATO
peacekeeping forces in Kosovo to strengthen measures to protect all
vulnerable religious property and shrines in Kosovo, and not only
those of historical importance, and;
5. Urges the international community, in consultation with the
affected religious communities, to support the restoration and
reconstruction of all religious and cultural heritage property in
Kosovo deliberately vandalized, pillaged, damaged or destroyed by acts
of violence.
December 17, 2002
South Bound Brook, New Jersey
+Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Chairman
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
+Metropolitan PHILIP, Vice Chairman
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
+Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER, Secretary
Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada
+Metropolitan HERMAN
Orthodox Church in America
+Metropolitan CONSTANTINE
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA
+Metropolitan JOSEPH
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church
+Archbishop NICOLAE
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada
+Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos,
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA
+Bishop ILIA of Philomelion
Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America
===
Subject: [yugoslaviainfo] Some reactions to the [US Congress] House
Resolution 28 supporting independence of "Kosova", part II
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 19:49:37 -0600 (CST)
From: Predrag Tosic
To: yugoslaviainfo <Ova adresa el. pošte je zaštićena od spambotova. Omogućite JavaScript da biste je videli.>
31 January 2003
The Honorable Henry J. Hyde
Chairman, Committee on International Relations
The United States House of Representatives
2110 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1306
Re: HRES 28
Dear Chairman Hyde:
On behalf of the Serbian-American Congress, as representatives of the
three most prominent Serbian American organizations in the United
States of America, and as duty bound citizens of this noble country,
we write out of grave concern regarding the aforementioned House
Resolution 28, which has been introduced by Mr. Lantos on both his and
your behalf, dated 27 January 2003, in the House of Representatives
and referred to the Committee on International Relations.
With all due respect, the entire premise of HR28, which is in fact a
revamped and even more extreme version of the previous HR467, Mr.
Lantos has now entered into the document, among else, a decree of 2
January 1944 by the Albanian Fascists of Kosovo favoring the secession
of Kosovo from the then Royal Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
As Americans of Serbian decent, who fought alongside the United States
of America, as Allies, who rescued over 500 American Airmen from Nazi
extermination, the admission of such evidence before the United States
House of Representatives to serve as part of a contemporary argument
for the continued dissolution of Yugoslavia is inconceivable. Our
Serbian-American community numbers approximately 1.2 million persons,
and in the Greater Chicagoland area, there are nearly 300,000
Serbian-Americans, including newly elected Governor Rod Blagojevich.
For that matter, Chicago is considered to be the second Serbian city,
in terms of its population, after Belgrade.
As ardent opponents of dictator Slobodan Milosevic, we must also
inform you that the premise of HR28 on his rise to power predicated on
"anti-Albanian racism" is absolutely false. That which gave rise to
Milosevic in 1987, was the extreme anti-Serbian violence of the
Albanians of Kosovo, which included the pillaging and burning of the
ancient Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate of Pec, and the raping of its
nuns. This exact pattern of domestic terror against the indigenous
Serbian and other non-Albanian populations continues to this day, the
destruction of 120 churches notwithstanding.
Today, none of the benchmarks allocated by the United Nations
Protectorate are being met. Rampant human and property rights
violations continue to occur on a daily basis, and over 200,000
internally displaced persons remain outside of Kosovo. According to UN
Administrator Michael Steiner, there can be no discussion of status
without the meeting of standards. HR28, which is being co-introduced,
on your behalf will only serve to solidify this extreme violence and
reward wanton hostility.
Advocating independence for Kosovo will only serve to violate
sovereign borders, and ultimately give rise to a Greater Albania,
which would destabilize the entire region of Southeast Europe. The
right of self-determination is not envisaged by international law for
ethnic minorities no matter how large they might be. The Albanians are
a minority within Serbia and in Yugoslavia.
As Serbia is the obvious key to regional peace, stability, and
economic prosperity, the only logical and ethical solution remains
complying with and fully implementing UN Resolution 1244. This would
not only guarantee a just and equitable solution to the problem of
Kosovo, but also facilitate its reintegration into Europe through
Serbia. This can and must be accomplished, not in the United States
Congress as recently argued by Representative Curt Weldon, but through
dialogue with the government in Belgrade.
Sincerely yours,
Serb National Federation
Dusan J. Ljubenko, President
Serbian National Defense
Slavko Panovic, President
Serbian Unity Congress
Michael Djordjevic,
President of the Board
Contacts:
Serb National Federation
One Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA
Tel: (412) 642-SERB, Fax: (412) 642-1372
Email: snf@...
Web: http://www.serbnatlfed.org/
Serbian National Defense Council of America
5782 North Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60646-5546, U.S.A.
Tel: (773) 775-7772, Fax: (773) 775-7779
Email: info@...
Web: http://www.snd-us.com/
Serbian Unity Congress
17216 Saticoy St., PMB 352, Van Nuys, CA 91406-2103, USA
Tel: (818) 902-9903, Fax: (818) 902-9891
Email: webmaster@...
Web: http://www.serbianunity.net/
---
31 January 2003
The Honorable Tom Lantos
The United States House of Representatives
2413 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0512
Re: HRES 28
[the same as before]
[NOTA:
Tempo fa su questa lista abbiamo fatto circolare (vedasi:
http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/crj-mailinglist/message/2254) il
testo integrale del progetto di Risoluzione 28 del Congresso USA, del
27/1/2003, con la quale si appoggia ogni azione volta a favorire la
secessione della provincia serba del Kosmet.
In Italia, come al solito, queste manovre all'interno delle
istituzioni USA non vengono analizzate da nessuno. Non fanno eccezione
i media ed i gruppi della sinistra: piuttosto, settori antijugoslavi
(spec. "Reds" e "Notizie-Est") continuano con zelo la loro campagna di
sostegno al progetto statunitense-grandealbanese (vedasi:
http://www.peacelink.it/webgate/balcani/msg01249.html).
Noi tuttavia continuiamo, anche nella indifferenza generale, a
riportare notizie e reazioni alla "Risoluzione 28". Perche' nessuno
abbia poi la faccia tosta di dire: "io non lo sapevo".
Italo Slavo]
===
Subject: [yugoslaviainfo] Some reactions to the [US Congress] House
Resolution 28 supporting independence of "Kosova", part I
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 19:47:39 -0600 (CST)
From: Predrag Tosic
To: yugoslaviainfo <Ova adresa el. pošte je zaštićena od spambotova. Omogućite JavaScript da biste je videli.>
[ The open letter below is from the Office of External Affairs of
Serbian Orthodox Church in North America. ]
[ oea.serbian-church.net ]
OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE USA AND CANADA
WASHINGTON, DC
3 February 2003
The Honorable Henry J. Hyde
Chairman, Committee on International Relations
The United States House of Representatives
2110 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Re: HRES 28 IH "Independence for Kosova" [sic.]
Dear Chairman Hyde:
I write out of serious concern on behalf of the Office of External
Affairs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada, and as a
dutiful citizen of this honorable Nation, the United States of
America, regarding House Resolution 28 on "Independence for Kosova"
[sic.], as introduced on 27 January 2003 by Mr. Lantos, on his and
your behalf, before the House of Representatives, and referred to the
Committee on International Relations.
Having recently returned from Kosovo, and having engaged in
discussions with UN Administrator Michael Steiner, General Fabio Mini,
and other Internationals, I can attest to the fact that very few, if
any, of the benchmarks established by UNMIK are being met.
Dysfunctional as a civil society, Kosovo has come to resemble a refuse
dump. Non-Albanian populations remain isolated, while the destruction
of 120 Serbian Orthodox churches testifies to xenophobic cultural and
religious eradication [See: Enclosed SCOBA Statement]. Over 200,000
internally displaced persons remain outside of Kosovo. Their returns
are openly discouraged and hampered. According to Mr. Steiner, there
can be no discussion of status without standards. The only ethical and
logical conclusion remains complying with, and fully implementing UN
Resolution 1244. Otherwise, as it stands, HR 28 will consolidate such
blatant abuses by rewarding ethnic intolerance and promoting
criminality.
Further, advocating independence for Kosovo will serve to violate
sovereign borders, and ultimately give rise to a Greater Albania.
Already, this can be witnessed in the proliferation of the flags of
Albania proper flying throughout Kosovo. If accomplished, HR 28 will
help promote the destabilization of Southeast Europe by advancing new
irredentist wars.
Reintegration into Serbia, which is democratic, multicultural and
multi-confessional, is the obvious solution to regional peace,
stability and economic prosperity. This will secure just and equitable
resolution to the question of Kosovo.
Sincerely yours,
Fr. Irinej Dobrijevic
Executive Director
---
OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE USA AND CANADA
WASHINGTON, DC
3 February 2003
The Honorable Tom Lantos
The United States House of Representatives
2217 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0512
Re: HRES 28 IH "Independence for Kosova" [sic.]
Dear Representative Lantos:
I write out of serious concern on behalf of the Office of External
Affairs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada, and as a
dutiful citizen of this honorable Nation, the United States of
America, regarding House Resolution 28 on "Independence for Kosova"
[sic.], as introduced on 27 January 2003 by you on behalf of
Representative Hyde and yourself, before the House of Representatives,
and referred to the Committee on International Relations.
Having recently returned from Kosovo, and having engaged in
discussions with UN Administrator Michael Steiner, General Fabio Mini,
and other Internationals, I can attest to the fact that very few, if
any, of the benchmarks established by UNMIK are being met.
Dysfunctional as a civil society, Kosovo has come to resemble a refuse
dump. Non-Albanian populations remain isolated, while the destruction
of 120 Serbian Orthodox churches testifies to xenophobic cultural and
religious eradication [See: Enclosed SCOBA Statement]. Over 200,000
internally displaced persons remain outside of Kosovo. Their returns
are openly discouraged and hampered. According to Mr. Steiner, there
can be no discussion of status without standards. The only ethical and
logical conclusion remains complying with, and fully implementing UN
Resolution 1244. Otherwise, as it stands, HR 28 will consolidate such
blatant abuses by rewarding ethnic intolerance and promoting
criminality.
Further, advocating independence for Kosovo will serve to violate
sovereign borders, and ultimately give rise to a Greater Albania.
Already, this can be witnessed in the proliferation of the flags of
Albania proper flying throughout Kosovo. If accomplished, HR 28 will
help promote the destabilization of Southeast Europe by advancing new
irredentist wars.
Reintegration into Serbia, which is democratic, multicultural and
multi-confessional, is the obvious solution to regional peace,
stability and economic prosperity. This will secure just and equitable
resolution to the question of Kosovo.
Sincerely yours,
Fr. Irinej Dobrijevic
Executive Director
---
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021
Tel.: (212) 570-3593 _ Fax: (212) 774-0202
Email: scoba@...
R E S O L U T I O N
Of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas
On the Destruction of Spiritual and Cultural Property in Kosovo and
Metohija
Whereas the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas (SCOBA) is committed to religious freedom, filial love,
tolerance, and respect for the religious and cultural heritage and
property of all faiths and peoples;
Whereas SCOBA represents over 6 million Orthodox Christians of diverse
ethnic backgrounds in the United States of America and Canada;
Whereas SCOBA is grieved by the growing incidence of violence
throughout the world against holy sites sacred to Christians, Jews,
Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and other faiths;
Whereas the protection of religious shrines and cultural heritage
property against acts of violence, intolerance and eradication is the
responsibility of every civilized society, as confirmed by U.N.
Resolutions A/RES/56/157 and E/CN4/RES2002/40, et al.
Whereas the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, affirm the right of
everyone to manifest their religion or belief in teaching, practice,
worship and observance;
Whereas the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property
in the Event of Armed Conflict, in force since 1956, prohibits theft,
pillage, vandalism, or reprisals against cultural property during
periods of armed conflict, and requires governing authorities to take
measures to protect such property;
Whereas UNESCO Director-General Federico Mayor on May 5, 1999 called
for those involved in the Kosovo conflict to "respect the museums,
archives, libraries, religious and educational institutions, as well
as monuments and sites that are evidence of the civilization and
history of the Region";
Whereas SCOBA and all Orthodox Christian faithful throughout the world
are deeply grieved over the continuation of acts of vandalism, pillage
and violent destruction that have damaged or destroyed over 120
Orthodox Christian churches, monasteries, and shrines, as well as the
desecration of numerous Orthodox Christian graves, since the war in
Kosovo ended in June 1999;
Whereas the leadership of the World Council of Churches and of the
Conference of European Churches on August 16, 2002 expressed "profound
concern at the continued violence facing members of the Serbian
Orthodox Church and its cultural and spiritual property in Kosovo",
and;
Whereas Reno Harnish, Chief of Mission of the US Office in Pristina
condemned the recent violence in Kosovo on November 18, 2002, stating:
"Any attacks on religious sites of any faith are attacks on the very
heart and soul of society and should be denounced in the strongest
possible terms by all political and religious leaders."
Therefore, be it resolved that the Standing Conference of Canonical
Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA):
1. Deeply deplores the most recent violent attacks on the Serbian
Orthodox Diocese of Raska and Prizren in Kosovo and Metohija on
November 16 and 17, 2002, which caused extensive damage to the Church
of Serbian Saints in Djurakovac and totally destroyed the Church of
Saint Basil of Ostrog the Miracle Worker in Ljubovo;
2. Condemns all acts of vandalism, pillage and violent destruction of
religious and cultural heritage sites sacred to Orthodox Christians,
Roman Catholics, Muslims, Jews or any other religious group in Kosovo;
3. Joins with the United Nations, the World Council of Churches and
the Conference of European Churches, the Serbian Orthodox Church, and
the international community in calling for respect, tolerance and
reconciliation among all religious and ethnic communities in Kosovo;
4. Urgently requests the United Nations authorities and NATO
peacekeeping forces in Kosovo to strengthen measures to protect all
vulnerable religious property and shrines in Kosovo, and not only
those of historical importance, and;
5. Urges the international community, in consultation with the
affected religious communities, to support the restoration and
reconstruction of all religious and cultural heritage property in
Kosovo deliberately vandalized, pillaged, damaged or destroyed by acts
of violence.
December 17, 2002
South Bound Brook, New Jersey
+Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Chairman
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
+Metropolitan PHILIP, Vice Chairman
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
+Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER, Secretary
Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada
+Metropolitan HERMAN
Orthodox Church in America
+Metropolitan CONSTANTINE
Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA
+Metropolitan JOSEPH
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church
+Archbishop NICOLAE
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada
+Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos,
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA
+Bishop ILIA of Philomelion
Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America
===
Subject: [yugoslaviainfo] Some reactions to the [US Congress] House
Resolution 28 supporting independence of "Kosova", part II
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 19:49:37 -0600 (CST)
From: Predrag Tosic
To: yugoslaviainfo <Ova adresa el. pošte je zaštićena od spambotova. Omogućite JavaScript da biste je videli.>
31 January 2003
The Honorable Henry J. Hyde
Chairman, Committee on International Relations
The United States House of Representatives
2110 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-1306
Re: HRES 28
Dear Chairman Hyde:
On behalf of the Serbian-American Congress, as representatives of the
three most prominent Serbian American organizations in the United
States of America, and as duty bound citizens of this noble country,
we write out of grave concern regarding the aforementioned House
Resolution 28, which has been introduced by Mr. Lantos on both his and
your behalf, dated 27 January 2003, in the House of Representatives
and referred to the Committee on International Relations.
With all due respect, the entire premise of HR28, which is in fact a
revamped and even more extreme version of the previous HR467, Mr.
Lantos has now entered into the document, among else, a decree of 2
January 1944 by the Albanian Fascists of Kosovo favoring the secession
of Kosovo from the then Royal Kingdom of Yugoslavia.
As Americans of Serbian decent, who fought alongside the United States
of America, as Allies, who rescued over 500 American Airmen from Nazi
extermination, the admission of such evidence before the United States
House of Representatives to serve as part of a contemporary argument
for the continued dissolution of Yugoslavia is inconceivable. Our
Serbian-American community numbers approximately 1.2 million persons,
and in the Greater Chicagoland area, there are nearly 300,000
Serbian-Americans, including newly elected Governor Rod Blagojevich.
For that matter, Chicago is considered to be the second Serbian city,
in terms of its population, after Belgrade.
As ardent opponents of dictator Slobodan Milosevic, we must also
inform you that the premise of HR28 on his rise to power predicated on
"anti-Albanian racism" is absolutely false. That which gave rise to
Milosevic in 1987, was the extreme anti-Serbian violence of the
Albanians of Kosovo, which included the pillaging and burning of the
ancient Serbian Orthodox Patriarchate of Pec, and the raping of its
nuns. This exact pattern of domestic terror against the indigenous
Serbian and other non-Albanian populations continues to this day, the
destruction of 120 churches notwithstanding.
Today, none of the benchmarks allocated by the United Nations
Protectorate are being met. Rampant human and property rights
violations continue to occur on a daily basis, and over 200,000
internally displaced persons remain outside of Kosovo. According to UN
Administrator Michael Steiner, there can be no discussion of status
without the meeting of standards. HR28, which is being co-introduced,
on your behalf will only serve to solidify this extreme violence and
reward wanton hostility.
Advocating independence for Kosovo will only serve to violate
sovereign borders, and ultimately give rise to a Greater Albania,
which would destabilize the entire region of Southeast Europe. The
right of self-determination is not envisaged by international law for
ethnic minorities no matter how large they might be. The Albanians are
a minority within Serbia and in Yugoslavia.
As Serbia is the obvious key to regional peace, stability, and
economic prosperity, the only logical and ethical solution remains
complying with and fully implementing UN Resolution 1244. This would
not only guarantee a just and equitable solution to the problem of
Kosovo, but also facilitate its reintegration into Europe through
Serbia. This can and must be accomplished, not in the United States
Congress as recently argued by Representative Curt Weldon, but through
dialogue with the government in Belgrade.
Sincerely yours,
Serb National Federation
Dusan J. Ljubenko, President
Serbian National Defense
Slavko Panovic, President
Serbian Unity Congress
Michael Djordjevic,
President of the Board
Contacts:
Serb National Federation
One Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 USA
Tel: (412) 642-SERB, Fax: (412) 642-1372
Email: snf@...
Web: http://www.serbnatlfed.org/
Serbian National Defense Council of America
5782 North Elston Ave., Chicago, IL 60646-5546, U.S.A.
Tel: (773) 775-7772, Fax: (773) 775-7779
Email: info@...
Web: http://www.snd-us.com/
Serbian Unity Congress
17216 Saticoy St., PMB 352, Van Nuys, CA 91406-2103, USA
Tel: (818) 902-9903, Fax: (818) 902-9891
Email: webmaster@...
Web: http://www.serbianunity.net/
---
31 January 2003
The Honorable Tom Lantos
The United States House of Representatives
2413 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-0512
Re: HRES 28
[the same as before]