Search for Common Ground
AN APPEAL TO ALL PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT PEACE IN MACEDONIA AND THE BALKANS

By Search for Common Ground
Date Posted 21.03.2001

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 nonsense, 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

Search for Common Ground

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