wfn.org | NCCUSA Backs Serbian Orthodox Call for Milosevic Resignation

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Contact: (212) 870-2227
Email: news@ncccusa.org  Web:  www.ncccusa.org

NCC PRAISES SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH CALL FOR MILOSEVIC 
RESIGNATION

The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell
General Secretary, National Council of Churches

June 16,1999

Our colleagues in the Serbian Orthodox Church in Yugoslavia, 
Patriarch Pavle and the Holy Synod, have taken the brave and risky 
step of calling for the resignation of Slobodan Milosevic "in the 
interest of the people and their salvation."  These faith partners 
need our strongest support in these difficult times.  Their concern 
is religious and humanitarian rather than political, just as was our 
recent U.S. religious mission to Belgrade.

We believe it is imperative that we stand with our associates in 
support of their concern for all of God's children.  Our U.S. and 
worldwide religious communities already are doing this.  We will 
call upon President Clinton to join us in this advocacy.  The U.S. 
government holds the key to enabling the Serbian Orthodox Church to 
gain strength in promoting a climate where a just and lasting peace 
can be created.  There are some tangible ways in which President 
Clinton could be helpful:

- US forces can give special attention to protecting Bishop Artemije 
of Kosovo and the many priests and nuns who have fled from their 
churches and monasteries to his Episcopal Headquarters in Prizren.  
In February, it was Bishop Artemije who called on Mr. Milosevic to 
introduce democracy in Serbia.  Bishop Artemije now says that his 
residence is surrounded by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).  All 
there fear for their lives.

- Our U.S. government can be forthright in expressing appreciation 
for the position statement of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

- Critical attention should be given to protecting the Serbian 
Orthodox Church personnel as well as the art treasures, holy places 
and sacred spaces in Kosovo.  The church is concerned that these 
holy sites, especially the ancient seat of the Serbian church in the 
town of Pec, will be vandalized now that Yugoslav troops are 
withdrawing.

- The peacekeeping forces can ensure that all are protected in 
Kosovo-ethnic Albanians and Serbs alike.

- The Serbian residents of Kosovo must be encouraged to remain and 
not to flee.  The Serbian Orthodox Church statement urges Kosovo's 
Serbs to "remain on their ancient homesteads and not abandon their 
shrines, conviced of the trust in Christ's words: `Salvation shall 
come to the steadfast.'"  Our U.S. government can do all it can to 
ensure that a massive exodus of Serbs from Kosovo does not happen.

When our U.S. interfaith delegation went to Belgrade to meet with 
our Yugoslav counterparts, our intention was to honor their bold 
stand in denouncing the violence being experienced by all people in 
their region.  Over the years Patriarch Pavle has clearly and 
unequivocally spoken out for democracy in his country and, more 
recently, pronounced what has been happening in Kosovo as evil.  
Indeed, on many occasions the Patriarch, who formerly was the Bishop 
of Kosovo, has gone personally to inspect sites of reported 
atrocities and has spoken bluntly about the need to stop the tragic 
violence. 

These same religious leaders provided crucial assistance in gaining 
the release of the three American soldiers at the beginning of May.  
The clear call of the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities was 
pivotal in the success of our religious mission to Belgrade.  We 
know the Yugoslav religious communities help to shape the attitudes 
of their society.  Support for the Serbian Orthodox Church call  for 
the resignation of  Slobodan Milosevic will strengthen them and, 
ultimately, help to build a just and lasting peace.

We are urging the religious community around the world to rally 
behind the bold Serbian Orthodox Church, just as happened when 
Archbishop Tutu was supported in his struggle against the evil 
effects of apartheid.  These brave partners have put their very 
safety on the line for the right cause.  We are stepping forward to 
offer our support to them and we pray that our U.S. government will 
join us.

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