The Fellowship of Reconciliation, the oldest and largest interfaith peace and
justice organization in the US, is morally outraged by the the widespread
pillage, wanton destruction of housing and livestock, and the senseless killing
of Kosovar civilians which has resulted from the occupation of Kosova by the
Serbian military and Special Police. The FOR calls for the withdrawal of all
troops and Special Police, the return of civil and political rights to all of
the citizens of Kosova, and the immediate involvement of the UN War Crimes
Tribunal in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for war
crimes and crimes against humanity in Kosova.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation opposes NATO air strikes in Kosova and
Serbia. Air strikes would only increase hostilities, further frustrating the
possibility of peace in the region. Air strikes also would not necessarily serve
the stated goal of protecting civilians, since Kosovars who have been forced
from their homes and villages could be further isolated from relief efforts or
harmed directly by air strikes. The FOR is concerned also for the safety of Serb
soldiers, NATO pilots facing Serb anti-aircraft weapons and civilians in Kosova
and in Serbia. Bombing would strengthen extremists in Serbia and Kosova and
greatly weaken the forces of moderation in Albanian and Serbian communities in
Kosova, and the democratic opposition within Serbia.
The FOR believes that it is past time for the UN War Crimes Tribunal to deal
directly with President Slobodan Milosevic. The arrest of Slobodan Milosevic
would do far more to protect the civilians of Kosova and to secure lasting peace
in the region than air strikes, which will likely be counterproductive to
achieve those goals.
The Fellowship of Reconciliation urges the US and other nations to encourage
the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague to immediately indict and
issue a warrant for the arrest of Slobodan Milosevic and all others responsible
for the slaughter of Kosovar civilians; to advocate strongly against NATO air
strikes; and to pursue other creative nonviolent, long term solutions to the
crisis.
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