Open Letter on the Closing of the Macedonian Border

Reply-To: [email protected]
Sender: [email protected]
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 10:00:15 +0200 (EET)
Message-Id: <[email protected]>
Subject: Open Letter on the Closing of the Macedonian Border

From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>

Original sender: International Helsinki Federation <[email protected]>

Open Letter on the Closing of the Macedonian Border


OPEN LETTER
 
RE: Closing of the Macedonian Border with Kosovo
 
H.E. Kiro Gligorov
President of Macedonia
via facsimile                +389-91-112 147
 
H.E. Ljupcho Gaorgievski
Prime Minister               +389-91-112-561
 
H.E. Savo Klimovski
President of the Parliament  +389-91-113-643
 
Vienna, 24 March 1999
 
Dear Sirs:
 
I am writing on behalf of the International Helsinki Federation for
Human Rights (IHF), and with the strong support of the Helsinki
Committee of the Republic of Macedonia, to express our concern about
your government�s decision to close Macedonia�s border with Kosovo. 
As it stands, civilians from Kosovo seeking safety from the escalating
war are allowed to cross out of the FRY border by Serbian authorities,
but are denied entry into Macedonia by your government's authorities.
 
Under the present circumstances the decision effectively traps Kosovo
Albanian civilians whose lives are gravely threatened, making it
impossible for them to flee temporarily to the safety of your
country.  Political considerations ought to be put aside in view of
the moral and humanitarian imperative to allow their escape and
protect them from harm.
 
We are confident of your commitment to adhere to the highest ethical
standards and that your government will provide the needed temporary
refuge or a humanitarian corridor to neighboring countries.  We are
confident that international governmental organizations will provide
the assistance you will need, to meet your responsibilities.
 
We are most grateful for your consideration.

Sincerely,
 
Aaron Rhodes

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