🚀 go-pugleaf

AN APPEAL TO ALL PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT PEACE IN MACEDONIA AND THE BALKANS:

We in Macedonia are not facing not an imminent civil war but rather the
possibility that irresponsible international media may incite more violence
than the people with guns.

The international press has been extremely provocative and irresponsible in
this very sensitive situation. CNN has reported that Tetovo has "been taken
by the 'rebels' who are advancing on Skopje." The BBC has also been
broadcasting alarmist and unconfirmed reports. This is utter nonesense, and
incredibly dangerous.  It is also in direct contrast to the local media that
is behaving with restraint and a sense of responsibility.

An urgent call must be made to all international media to stop escalating
the situation by putting out inflammatory and unfounded reports that will
provoke people here to believe that their only resort is to join the
violence.   We are asking everyone to take a constructive role in this
effort.  Contact the editors of your influential media and demand that they
consider what they say and how they say it:  Stop fuelling the conflict!

Thanks for your concern and support.

Together we can have an immediate and invaluable impact on the future of
Macedonia.

In peace,


Eran Fraenkel, Executive Director
Search for Common Ground in Macedonia

Orce Nikolov 63
1000 Skopje
Republic of Macedonia

tel:  (389-02) 118-572
fax: (389-02) 118-322