The NATO aggression and continuous attacks against the FR of Yugoslavia have been going on for 44 days now. Hundreds of thousands of Kosovo Albanians have been forced to leave their homes. Under the tonnes of high-tech bombs and missiles the land is being converted to cinders, and the losses of human life grow daily. The infrastructure of the already impoverished Yugoslav society has been nearly completely destroyed, while destruction of the principal bridges and roads makes impossible communication between different parts of the country and is progressively cutting us off from the world.
These are facts to which one must not close one's eyes and deceive people with unrealistic optimistic promises. Non-governmental organisations, have sharply condemned the NATO aggression against our country. But the organs of state must assume political responsibility, realistically estimate the magnitude of losses and damages so far, and on that basis take rational decisions on further steps.
That is why non-governmental organisations are asking the governments of the FRY, Serbia and Montenegro and their parliaments to move from generalised declarations about a diplomatic and peaceful solution to the Kosovo problem and the war being waged in the territory of Yugoslavia to concrete and responsible planning for solution of the present crisis, based on necessary compromises in order to bring closer the positions of all sides in the conflict. We are at war with an enemy who is many times stronger, and are not in a situation to set down conditions without concessions and compromises. It must not be allowed that a whole nation and a whole society should perish in the name of an alleged national interest.
The Yugoslav authorities should take into serious consideration the latest initiatives of the foreign ministers of the G7 countries and Russia. Extreme positions and radicalisation of the conflict will only lead to more suffering. It is high time that from the vantage of political realism and wisdom solutions be found which would make possible a European future for Yugoslav society and its peoples. That is Serbia's only national interest.
Association of Citizens for Democracy, Social Justice and Support to Trade UnionsIn Belgrade, May 10, 1999.