[kcc-news] KosovaTaskForce - Let Kosovars Cross the River

[Kosova Task Force, USA]

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Kosova Task Force, USA
Alert 8/9/99


Ethnic Partition Unacceptable

Kosovar refugees tried to return to their homes on Saturday, but were forcefully
turned back by French troops.

The heavily armed French troops guard a bridge over the Ibar River which runs
through Kosovska Mitrovica, a town in northern Kosova. Before the ethnic
cleansing campaign by Serbia, this was home to a Kosovar majority which lived
peacefully wih the Serb minority. The Serb aggression forced the Kosovar
majority to leave their homes in order to save their lives. Under NATO's promise
of peace, the Kosovar refugees have returned only to find their town has been
divided. They are now only allowed to remain on one side of the river while
Serbs occupy the other side.

Many Kosovars have tried to cross the river to return to their homes only to be
forced back by the Serbs.  Meanwhile, Serbs freely cross the bridge and freely
mingle on the Kosovar side. Frustrated with the de facto partition of their
town, over one thousand Kosovars held a demonstration at the bridge. Serbs
gathered on the other side of the bridge and began to taunt and jeer at the
Kosovars demanding to be allowed back into their homes.

When some Kosovars tried to cross the bridge to return home, French troops
stepped in and a shoving match ensued. French troops handcuffed several Kosovars
to lamp posts.

Kosovars have complained that it is not only the Serbs who are preventing them
from returning home, but the French troops as well.

The Kosova Task Force, USA, demands that the Kosovar refugees be allowed back to
their homes. 

ACTION REQUESTED:
Please participate in the media discussion and raise the following points:

€ It is unacceptable to deny the Kosovars their right to return to their homes,
thereby creating an ethnically partitioned Kosova.
€ An investigation must be conducted into the actions of the French troops
preventing the Kosovars from returning to their homes. 
€ The only solution to this situation is an independent Kosova.

Call the French embassy to express your feelings.  Be polite and firm.

Talking points:
€ French troops should be helping Kosovars return to their homes
€ French troops should not be used to partition Kosova thereby rewarding ethnic
cleansing

French Embassy  202-944-6000


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