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ERP KIM Newsletter 17-07-04 Bishop Artemije in U.S.: Arsonists must not be rewarded True problems of Kosovo society are not in UNMIK or Serbs, or unresolved Kosovo status, but in overwhelming corruption, organized crime and complete lack of will to create a truly multiethnic society. International community should not accept a blackmail and leave its competences into the hands of former KLA leaders, but rather strengthen its authority and take more decisive measures against organizers and perpetrators of ethnic crimes ERP KIM Info-service
"The goal of my visit is to bear witness of the present situation in Kosovo and Metohija. After March pogrom and destruction of 30 churches in only 2 days the life of Kosovo Serbs has not improved", said the Bishop upon his arrival to the Dulles International Airport. "Ethnic discrimination continues in all spheres of life while Albanian political leaders painstakingly make efforts to paint reality in rosy colors and give impression that Kosovo goes towards better future", he said. "In fact reality is rather bleak and my people live in constant fear of ethnic violence and new terrorist attacks", The Bishop concluded. "UNMIK and KFOR undoubtedly bear responsibility because they failed to prevent repression and ethnic violence against Serbs in the last 5 years. However, the main responsibility lies on Kosovo Albanian political leaders who systematically fan ethnic hatred and accuse UNMIK and Serbs for all Kosovo's failures. We could see very well what was Kosovo Government and the so called Parliament when hordes of rioters turned into ashes medieval churches and homes of 4000 Serbs in March. March pogrom was carefully planned in order to undermine international authority in the province and create a false presumption that the only way out is ceding more power to Kosovo Albanians. If international community accepted this logic it would be the same as giving a reward to arsonists with hope that they would not set fire again. Giving more competences to Kosovo Government which serves only the interest of ethnic Albanians would strengthen ethnic repression and force Serbs and other non-Albanians out of the Province. At the same time forcing the status issue despite complete failure in standards is a wrong message which encourages violence and aggression. True problems of Kosovo society are not in UNMIK or Serbs, or even unresolved Kosovo status, but in overwhelming corruption, organized crime and complete lack of will to create a truly multiethnic society. As long as Kosovo Albanian leaders teach their people that only ethnically clean Kosovo without a single church will bring them prosperity and better future Kosovo will remain a black hole on the map of the Balkans and Europe. The international community should not accept a blackmail and leave its competences into the hands of former KLA leaders, but rather strengthen its authority and take more decisive measures against organizers and perpetrators of ethnic crimes", said Bishop Artemije in his comment on Kosovo situation. Bishop Artemije will also present video materials to the U.S. officials, particularly acts of vandalism against Orthodox churches and cultural sites. "I will clearly tell them that neither of our churches destroyed in 5 years has been restored and that the religious rights of Christians in Kosovo are worse than in most repressive countries in the world", said Bishop Artemije for the ERP KIM Info-service.
Our Newsletters in html format are available on the Web at: http://www.kosovo.net ERP KIM Info-Service is the official Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska and Prizren and works with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Artemije. Additional information on our Diocese and the life of the Kosovo Serb Community may be found at: http://www.kosovo.com If you want to unsubscribe go to the page: http://www.kosovo.com/erpkiminfo.html |
Bishop Artemije arrived in United States yesterday together with Fr. Mihajlo Tosic, the Abbot of Sopocani Monastery. In the following days His Grace will attend the annual convention of the Serb National Federation in Pittsburgh. On his return to Washington D.C. Bishop Artemije will have several important meetings with representatives of the U.S. Congress and Administration.
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