ZAP / ARK
GAJEVA 55
10 000 ZAGREB
CROATIA
zap_zg@geocities.com
http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Senate/3707/
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From: Viktor Todoroviæ
Here I am! Some criminal, cloned fascist with a deranged mind has sent
me a
"little" mail bomb, which has costed me 6 days of banishment from the e-mail
community, learning the basics of Unix at an old age (for the technical
service at EUnet is charging their services! It's criminal, for they are
convincingly the most expensive provider in the world), lots of nerves
and
so on. I hope it is not one of the people I bombarded the first days of
the
war, and who now wants revenge, especially I hope it is not someone from
this list ;).
All in all, since the interruption till now so much has hapened as if
nothing hapened at all. Now the statement of one nazi offcial from Budapest
in '44 became clear to me: while the jew masacre was going on, just before
the soviet troups have come to Budapest. It's as follows:"If you kill one
-
it's a crime. If you kill 5 million - that's statistics"
NATO has acomplishe well that the "mistake"in Aleksinac becomes a
statistics - and, it seems they've succeeded. One is shaken by the first
sight of a charred or beheaded corps, and later on it somehow becomes
benumbed - one is indifferent. The Albanians? I am afraid even to think
about it. Not even CNN speaks a lot about them anymore. All in all - it's
a
tragedy. And in the end, when one makes the final account and asks "For
what?", somehow it seems to me that the who should will not be answering
this question. Fuck it! Only at times k+like this one realises the the
value
of a good drink. Luckily we are a country of good beer, solid wine and
an
extraordinary rakija. To all those who are in the rest parts of Yugoslavia
at the moment, one advice: You have to go to caffe's! Pick up sme
good
company and go! It is better than all psychiatrists, shelters, diaries
and
the Internet. There is no better feeling than pissing at some tree and
look
at the stars. And to those who have (un)luckily found themselves in one
of
the ex-Yu states, they should continue to send information about concerts
nad similar hapenings. It is nice to see that things are going with a more
or less natural flow. Hopefully it will dawn here as well at one point
(inspite of the tree and the stars).
Viktor Todoroviæ
***************************************
Well, good morning, people! It's 06:13 am here in Belgrade and few minutes
earlier sirens announced the end of tonight's air-raid. I don't know how
will charming anchors on CNN and BBC present what happened here, but here's
what I experianced...
I was sleeping until around 02:20 am, when ROARING sound of airplane flying
over woke me up! It was just like in the film:
ssssshhhhhiiiiiooooossssshhhhh... [small silence] BOOOOOOOOOM!
That moment I jumped from my bed and felt that whole building was shaking
(like it's at least 5 Richter scale earthquake). After that explosion I
could see only a dense cloud of white smoke growing some 3 kms from my
house. I found out later that I was wrong - it was only about 1 km far
from
my building and guess what was hit?
One whole civilian block of houses on a crossing between Maksima Gorkog
and
Maruliceva street was TOTALLY DEVASTATED! I live in this part of Belgrade
more than 12 years and trust me: THERE ARE NO MILITARY OBJECTS IN A CIRCLE
OF AT LEAST 4 kms FROM THAT PLACE!
There are no reports on casualties yet, but it's hard to believe that there
were no people at the time of strike in the buildings.
Couple minutes later I heard another plane flying over. Again that
shwoosh-boom sound and again and again. This time the Army HQ in Kneza
Milosa street (which is situated in Belgrade's very center) was hit. So
far,
three people were killed on the spot in that attack: one policeman working
as a night guard of the building of Serbian Government (accross the
street)
and two young guys in a car waiting on a semaphore in front Army HQ
building.
BTW, that building was always used for administrative army purposes and
was
completely empty since this war started. In the time of attack, it was
surely not some kind of active command center...
Around 03:10 am both radio and TV Studio B went off the air. Later I heard
a
news that NATO hit the transmitter of this TV, totally independent from
Milosevic's power structure. In fact, that was the only news station
Belgraders could somehow trust. Luckily, Studio B has more than one
transmitter and it's alive again... how long it will last - I don't know...
Just before the dawn, when I thought that party was finally over for
tonight, Belgrade survived GODDAMNED earthquake! No joke! According to
radio
news it was a 5.5 Richter scale earthquake! GODDAMNIT, is there anything
else that can strike on us?!? Maybe a vulcano eruption or tsunami or some
bloody Godzila?!?
So, I while I'm writing this mail by the open window, breathing air smelling
like wood burning, I'm hearing a news on a radio about USA sending here
some
10 more B-52s NOT equipped with cruise missile launching system. That
means - A BLOODY CARPET BOMBING like in WW2 or in Vietnam!
Oh boy, it WILL be a MAY-day soon!
Over and out,
Slobodan Markovic
***************************************
ahoj
I am alive and partly well. To be precise I slightly cracked with brains,
I
don't smile much lately. I am on some psichiatric examinations right now,
so
I won't be going back to Kosovo for a couple of more days. One ic certain
-
I have learned how valuable is human life. All in all, it's very, very
tricky. That's all for now, just wanted to make you happy because I am
still
alive (if that's something to be happy about).
bye Sicko
(Sicko is an anarchist from Kraljevo, who was drafted and sent to Kosovo,
editor.)
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Environmental NGOs Oppose Escalation of Humanitarian and Environmental
Destruction in Balkans
Environmental - Non Governmental Organisations, who are co-operating in
neighboring Balkan countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Federal Republic
of
Yugoslavia and the Republic of Macedonia), alarm European citizens for
the
long term consequences that the war causes not only in Balkans, but in
the
whole Europe as well, and call for actions to stop the violence and cruelty
immediately:
"The humanitarian catastrophe, the refugees generated and the innocent
civilian victims of the ongoing war shock us, as everybody else in the
world. AS CITIZENS AND INHABITANTS OF COUNTRIES OF THE REGION which
is
mainly affected, our members and we, have our own and maybe varied opinions
on the reasons which caused the war in Kosovo/a. It is not our main duty,
and we shall not try to take a position on this important and undoubtedly
crucial question. However, we all OPPOSE BOTH ETHNIC CLEANSING AND BOMBING,
we all
agree on the urgent need to STOP THE WAR IN BALKANS IMMEDIATELY.
We express our deep concerns on the escalation of both humanitarian and
environmental destruction which the ongoing war causes in our homelands
and
our neighborhood. We believe that in order to resolve the recent problems
raised in the Balkans there IS an alternative to violence and cruelty.
AS ENVIRONMENTAL, NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS, who are ACTIVELY WORKING
AND CO-OPERATING on matters related to the conservation of natural resources
and the environment IN THE BALKANS we have the particular duty to
make
everybody aware of the following serious issues:
- The very act of war has major environmental consequences, the destruction
of the natural environment and material infrastructure of Serbia and
Montenegro. At the same time, the hundred thousands of refugees generated
by
the escalation of the war, flows mainly to neighboring countries, which
are
obliged to host and take care of them, bearing the ensuing financial burden.
None of these countries can in the short-term cope with such numbers and,
before long could suffer severe social and political consequences. The
Republic of Macedonia especially is likely to experience an upsurge in
nationalist sentiment, which could bring war to another region. Replacement
of the material infrastructure and restoration of the natural environment
later on, will mean sucking dry all the remaining natural resources of
all
countries which are mostly affected, namely the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia, Albania and the Republic of Macedonia.
- They are very alarming for any citizen, not only in the Balkan states,
the
reports that NATO has been using depleted uranium in its attacks on Serbian
targets, both with its A10 attack aircraft and Tomahawk Cruise missiles.
Depleted uranium is pyrophoric, bursting into an intensified flameup that
releases micron-sized aerosol particles that can be ingested by military
personnel or civilians. NATO is risking prolonged contamination of the
natural vital resources and environment, putting at risk innocent civilians,
especially children, now in the Balkans as well as Iraq. Depleted uranium
has been condemned by the UN Commission on Human Rights, at its
Sub-Commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
Minorities. The Commission requested that the Secretary-General prepare
a
written report on DU and certain other weapons of mass destruction
(Resolution 1997/36). We believe this weaponry is being tested with complete
lack of concern for its effects.
- Furthermore, NATO's airstrike targets are (among others) Serbian chemical
industries and refineries. Their bombing generates toxic gas-clouds, which
are dangerous not only for the civilians in Serbia, but for those in all
other Balkan countries, as well as in other European countries such as
Austria, Hungary and Italy. Given that the area which NATO forces are
bombing is at the centre of a wider geographical region in the Southeast
Europe, and given that the Serbian territory is one of the largest sources
of groundwater in Europe, the danger is really nightmarish. Severe
consequences will last for several decades long after the end of the
military action and will affect many generations of European citizens.
- Last but not least, we wish to remind that wildlife in the area is
suffering the same stress as human beings. Birds and large mammals, seeking
refuge, have been already reported by Environmental Organisations in the
Republic of Macedonia and Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. As co-operating
Environmental Organisations who have experienced the benefits of
fruitful
co-operation between our countries and peoples, we express our concern
for
the new difficulties raised between Balkan peoples, under the given
circumstances.
We are convinced that the policies of dividing Balkan peoples, of
nationalistic discriminations, of racism and cultivation of hate against
any
heterodox and anything different, undermine any effort of prevention of
the
cultural and natural heritage of the Balkans, and deteriorate the current
problems.
We recognise that the ongoing war, the bombing and the ethnic cleansing
make
more difficult any effort to encourage cultivation of the values of peace,
friendship, respect for the uniqueness of nations and minorities and of
the
transborder co-operation in this multinational and sensitive area. At the
same time, we wish to express now, as in the past, our DEFINITE AND COMMON
DECISION TO CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER on the future to prevent the valuable
cultural and natural heritage of the Balkans, one of the most rich and
diverse in the world.
The future of our home, of the Balkan peoples and the Balkan's nature,
DEPENDS MAINLY ON ITS CITIZENS, on their decision to create, participate
and
support active movements, societies and networks of co-operation and
solidarity. Maybe, this is the only way to reverse the process of
humanitarian, cultural and environmental destruction in our region."
This declaration was prepared and is signed by the following organisations,
which are are participating in "BALKAN-NET", the Balkan Network for
Conservation of Large Carnivores. They are also actively co-operating the
last years in the Balkans for other environmental issues:
1) "AQUARIUS" - Working for Sustainable Development (Albania)
2) "ARCTUROS" - Society for Conservation of Wildlife and the Natural
Environment (Greece)
3) "ARKA" (FR Yugoslavia)
4) "ERINA" - Journalists' Legal Environmental Center (Republic of Macedonia)
5) MUSTELA - Wildlife Conservation Society, Ecolibri Bionet Agency (FR
Yugoslavia)
6) DEM - "The Ecologists' Movement of Macedonia" (Republic of Macedonia)
7) SERM - "Society of Ecologists of the Republic of Macedonia" (Republic
of
Macedonia),
8) Wilderness Fund (Bulgaria).
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NATO KILLS CIVILIANS ACCIDENTALLY AND SERBS DO IT INTENTIONALLY
It certainly seems like this from the western point of view. On the other
hand, according to Serbian official media it seems totally different: NATO
is killing civilians intentionally and Serbian military by accident. Is
the
truth only on
one of these sides, or is it somewhere in between?
For example, Serbian officials from the beginning of the conflict have
been
claiming that all they have been taking precausionary measures in order
to
avoid any civilian casualties. In real life, in conflicts with the KLA
(which is operating usually from Albanian villages), Serbian security forces
blow up from a safe distance with grenades the houses from which the KLA
are
defending and most oftenly killing much more civilians, women, children
and
elderly people than the armed KLA soldiers. This is justified by the fact
that the security forces do not want to risk the lives of it's members
by
sending them to fight from house to house.
On the other hand, NATO is claiming that they are bombing only military,
communication and infrastructure targets and that they are undertaking
all
possible means of precaution in order to avoid any civilian casualties.
In
real life, NATO pilots are bombing from high altitude and before the attack
they do not fly low so they could, for example, checked whether the target
on the road is a civilian or military. Or before hitting the rail bridge
to
fly over the railway in order to check to whether a train is not near
crossing the bridge. This is justified by the fact that NATO does not want
to risk the lives of it's pilots, because if they were to fly low the bigger
is risk that the Yugoslav
Army would shoot them down. In both cases a great number of civilians are
wounded. Sometimes, NATO hits only civilian villages by accident, sometimes
not. Sometimes the Serbian forces by accident hit the houses in which only
civilians are, sometimes not.
Serbian authorities claim that they are fighting in Kosovo against the
Albanian terrorists and not against the Albanian citizens, with a
humanitarian cause to secure a peaceful life and to protect the human rights
of all the people who live there. In real life, mostly civilians are wounded
and suffer and the KLA strengthens.
On the other hand, NATO claims to be fighting against the regime of
Milosevic and not against the Serbian people, with a humanitarian cause
which was at first supposed to stop the humanitarian catastrophe and when
the catastrophe happened, to secure the return of the refugees, a
peaceful
life and to protect the human rights of all the people who live there.
In
real life, mostly civilians are the ones being wounded and suffer and the
regime of Milosevic is strengthening.
NATO sometimes admits, as it was the case with the Serbian TV, that they
are
hitting civilian targets on purpose and causing civilian casualties
(technicians, auxiliary staff). That is justified by claim that the
television is propaganda machine and legitimate military target.
When the
question of civilian casualties is raised it is said to be 'a target of
great value', so it is easier to accept civilian casualties.
By targeting strategic, infrastructure and communication targets NATO hits
civilian population in 99% of the attacks. Bridges, railways, tunnels,
factories, electric and water installations are used mainly by the civilians
and seldomly by the army. But, if NATO estimates that something has even
a
slight military significance it becomes a legitimate military target. In
real life, it is not important that the civilians are being wounded and
suffer. In real life NATO is expecting that the sufferings and woundings
of
the civilians come to a dissatisfaction which would result with a pressure
on authorities in Belgrade. That may help the NATO to achieve its military
and political aims. That, is obviously not working.
The authorities are claiming that the kosovar refugees are not running
away
from the Serbian military but only from NATO bombing. But, anyone with
a
reasonable mind can not fall for that story. But, following NATO's logic
of
magnifying its military's significance, the ethnic cleansing can be viewed
from a totally different angle and may gain a positive and even a
humanitarian mean. Every successful military commander who has the aim
to
oppose any ground troops shall, in case the local population is hostile
toward his forces cleans the territory. That was unofficially confirmed
by
many Western experts and commentators but hardly anybody dares to say such
a
'heretic' thought on the leading western media since NATO's strongest
propaganda trump-card is the disaster of the Albanian refugees by which
they
are justifying their attacks on Yugoslavia. In that case, it seems that
the
ethnic cleansing, from the military point of view, is legitimate. So someone
may say (for example Jamie Shea, in case he was the
spokesman of the Yugoslav Army) that the ethnic cleansing besides the
military even has a humanitarian justification since in that way the
population is protected from mass killings in case of the invasion of NATO
ground troops in Kosovo. The fact that the Serbian forces, according to
unofficial sources, kill or rape someone so the other would be in the
refugee convoys, someone could justify by the fact that it is better to
sacrifice some in order to save the majority. In real life, the fact that
the civilians are suffering and being wounded is not so important. The
most
important thing is that there is a military or political justification.
In real life, the Serbian authorities are expecting that the tragedy of
the
kosovar refugees shall bring to a dissatisfaction in western media which
would result with a pressure on the NATO to stop the bombing of Yugoslavia
in order to help the refugees which are still inside of Kosovo and which
are
suffering the most. But obviously this is not succeeding. Nor do the Serbian
authorities nor does NATO care alot for the civilians. In real life, when
things are viewed from an objective point of view, there is not much
difference between NATO forces and the Serbian authorities.
Slobodan,
age 30, university teaching assistant
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YHRF # 11
Arrests in Pristina, 29 April 1999
On 28 April 1999, Albin Kurti was arrested in Pristina, the former leader
of
the Albanian Students Union and spokesman to the former political
representative of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Adem Demaqi. Albins father,
an official with the Kosovo Parliamentary Party, was also arrested at this
time, as well as Albins two brothers, Nazmi Zeka, the owner of the house
where the Kurtis were temporarily residing, and Nazmis son. Witnesses claim
that the arrest was conducted in an extremely brutal manner. Twenty-four
hours later, Albins fifteen-year old brother and Nazmi Zeka were released;
they both had visible signs of beating.
The day before Albin Kurti was arrested, on 27 April 1999, the brother
of a
prominent soccer player Fadil Vokrri, Adil, was arrested. No information
has
been available about the destiny of the arrested persons.
On 25 April 1999, Adem Demaqi was taken in for questioning. According to
his
account, he had been interrogated for two hours in relation to his attitudes
towards the solution to the Kosovo issue.
There are other developments in Pristina, which cause a feeling of
insecurity among the remaining Albanians. The police make rounds visiting
homes and compiling lists of Albanians with permanent residence in Pristina
and refugees staying with them. A number of Serb shopkeepers refuse to
sell
their goods to Albanians. There are only a few Albanians in Pristina whose
telephone lines have not been cut off.
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Dear friends,
Info about Zaginflatch is available on request.
Basically, with this newsletter we want to inform the international
community (this is you) on how antiauthoritarians in Yugoslavia and
ex-Yugoslavia feel in these moments. Also, as people who have experienced
air raids and general alerts, we want to support our friends in Yugoslavia
who are experiencing this today. We don't want to prejudice any political
solutions to Kosovo and other ex-yu problems, we just want to help our
friends, and support them in this way. All opinions published in
Zaginflatch will be just personal ones. There is no joint platform.
Zaginflatch will bring you hardly any news in the way mainstream media
does
it. For this kind of info we suggest you try cnn, bbc or some other
services. They are available to you anyway.. This is meant to come from
inside... Also, if you're into alternative news sources, we suggest you
try
at www.b92.net ...
Zagreb Anarchist Movement (ZAP)
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