LETTERS: LETTERS FROM YUGOSLAVIA SEEK PEACE

To the editor:

Since the beginning of the war, I have been in touch with various contacts within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

The following two letters have been sent via e-mail. One of my letters to the editor was published in the daily political newspaper, Politika, in Belgrade. It was quite an honor.

MIKE BALLOU

Cape Girardeau

... Since March 24, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia has been exposed to the severe cruise-missile assaults and bombing by NATO forces. Permanent attacks have caused many deaths and large-scale material destruction. The whole population of Yugoslavia is being targeted by NATO forces. From the first moment of aggression, the civilians and civilian properties have been targets as well.

Besides carrying out genocide, the aggressor's targets are medieval cultural and historical monuments of the Serbian people. It is obvious that by destroying numerous monuments, some of which are on the World Heritage List, the aggressor intends to destroy the traces of the Serbian people living in Kosovo and Metohia for centuries, and in other parts of Yugoslavia as well. There has been vast destruction throughout Yugoslavia. Schools, hospitals, houses, economic and infrastructure facilities have been badly damaged. Even the natural resources are not being spared.

By these attacks, NATO member states have violated principles of international law, i.e., agreement on providing environmental protection during armed conflicts and particularly the convention for the protection of cultural heritage during armed conflicts.

By bombing chemical-industry plants in inhabited areas, particularly in urban centers, NATO forces have exposed our people to massive destruction. Bearing in mind that big chemical plants are NATO targets, possibilities of trans-border accidents with unforeseeable consequences cannot be excluded.

Regarding the possibility of catastrophic consequences of unprovoked attacks of NATO forces on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, I appeal to all benevolent people throughout the world to engage in opposing the vandal activities of NATO forces and immediately stopping genocide and destruction of cultural and natural heritage.

JAGOS ZELENOVIC, Federal Minister for Development, Science and Environment

Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

Belgrade

... In this address to all women of the world, mothers and future mothers, I would like to appeal to your maternal instincts to raise your voices in defense of innocent children, whose who already toddle on this earth and those who expect to see the light of day, to be loved, to grow in happiness and love and to enjoy the benefits of modern civilization. You should know that the civilian victims are not only the dead, disabled and wounded, but also the Serbian and other children exposed to psychological stress with no guilt of their own. While you are watching the live broadcast of your modern armies bombing the Yugoslav targets, the children and mothers spend night after night in their shelters. Can you imagine the severity of stress experienced by these innocent creatures when they hear the ominous wailing of sirens announcing your rockets and bombers? Do you ever think of their sleepless nights in the dark, freezing-cold shelters? Do you ever think of the long-term consequences of the prolonged stress? Can mothers live with the stress of their loved ones, of those they endowed with life?

It has been evidenced that the psychological state of pregnant women influences the development of their children. About 150,000 children are born each year in Yugoslavia. It means that several hundred thousand human beings will be psychologically burdened and prone to numerous psychosomatic diseases. Is the aim to destroy the whole generation? In spite of all that, those who have dug up the hatchet keep on repeating that they love the Serbian people and that there will be no civilian victims.

Do you ever wonder if this computerized technology of war may someday be directed against you and your children? It is still not too late. Raise your voices and be heard. Stir the consciences of your husbands, brothers and sons. Let the war bugle be replaced with music of love.

DR. MILOS CVETKOVIC, Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Belgrade