wfn.org | Yugoslavia: Bible Society Offices under fire

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

May 1, 1999
Adventist Press Service(APD)
Christian B. Schäffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Schweiz

Yugoslavia: Bible Society Offices under fire

Belgrade, Yugoslavia (APD/ALC) The offices of the 
Bible Society of Yugoslavia (SBY) are close to 
some government offices in Belgrade and NATO 
missiles have exploded nearby said Zvonimir 
Smiljanic, executive secretary of the SBY. 
 
A police building 800 metres away, which also had 
a television broadcasting unit on the top floor, 
was heavily damaged by a NATO cruise missile last
week. Even closer, one missile struck a 
government building barely 100 metres from the 
Bible Society office. 

But of course the Christians are terribly sad and 
concerned. Like Christians in other countries, we 
do not want this confrontation and are praying 
for peace he said.

The Bible Society is planning a special Scripture 
Selection in response to the current crisis. "We 
aim to distribute this Selection after the 
bombing has stopped. Then will be the time to 
remind people of the Bible's message of 
reconciliation, forgiveness and hope for the 
future", Smiljanic reported to the Latin American 
and Caribbean Communication Agency (ALC). 

The Bible Society has an important role to play, 
assisting the churches in these difficult times, 
and offering them appropriate Scriptures. Getting
people to turn to the Bible will benefit 
everyone, said Smiljanic. 

Smiljanic told how he goes to the office every 
other day to see what can be done. But many 
telephones lines are down so it is difficult to 
contact churches and other Christian 
organizations that are our customers.

Fortunately, the Bible Society has a limited 
amount of dinars (local currency) with which to 
pay the telephone bill, otherwise we would have 
been cut off. Our main account, which is in the 
name of the British and Foreign Bible Society
(BFBS),has been frozen, as have all accounts 
related to NATO countries.

It is too dangerous for Vera, the young secretary 
of the Bible Society, to be constantly in the 
office, he said. Sometimes the air-raid sirens 
only go off after the bombing has begun. 

Mr. Smiljanic added: "We are truly grateful that 
we belong to a worldwide fellowship and that we 
can benefit from the prayers of other Christians 
and national Bible Societies through the United
Bible Societies (UBS). We take comfort from the 
fact that we do not stand alone."