Czech lawmakers ask intl. community to support Serbia

A group of Czech lawmakers today reacted to the announced unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence. They sent a letter, signed among others by the country's former prime minister, Milos Zeman, and former chief of diplomacy, Jan Kavran, addressed to international institutions and the world public opinion, with an appeal that they should show solidarity with Serbia's efforts to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty. Czech lawmakers ask intl. community to support Serbia The letter stresses that international law and the rule of law, although imperfect, "are the only wall standing between us and the rule of evil, the only wall capable of diminishing the rules of jungle in international relations." The current Kosovo status crisis is seen as an example of a breach of both these basic elements of civilization. They remind that the valid UN SC Resolution 1244, adopted in 1999, defines Kosovo as an autonomous territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, SRJ, and thus guaranties its successor-state, Serbia, territorial integrity. "Obviously, the U.S. and Europe are using two different yardsticks: one for Serbia, another for Kosovo, Croatia, where the Serb population was exiled from their homes in Slavonia and Krajina, and Turkey, with its fight against 'Kurdish separatism'," the letter continued. The Czech lawmakers and former statesmen believe that Serbia's offer of a broad autonomy is the only possible solution within the known principles of morality and law. "A violent, internationally legitimized secession of this historic province from the Republic of Serbia would make a dangerous precedent for small states in Europe and beyond," the appeal concluded. The letter also contains attached the latest resolution passed by the Czech lower house of parliament, where an overwhelming majority of lawmakers asked the Czech government to address the Kosovo status issue in line with international law. The Czech members of parliament said that Resolution 1244 can be changed only with consent from both sides in the dispute, and that the final solution for Kosovo must be in line with the Final Helsinki Act, adopted in 1975.

Czech lawmakers ask intl. community to support Serbia

The letter stresses that international law and the rule of law, although imperfect, "are the only wall standing between us and the rule of evil, the only wall capable of diminishing the rules of jungle in international relations."

The current Kosovo status crisis is seen as an example of a breach of both these basic elements of civilization.

They remind that the valid UN SC Resolution 1244, adopted in 1999, defines Kosovo as an autonomous territory of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, SRJ, and thus guaranties its successor-state, Serbia, territorial integrity.

"Obviously, the U.S. and Europe are using two different yardsticks: one for Serbia, another for Kosovo, Croatia, where the Serb population was exiled from their homes in Slavonia and Krajina, and Turkey, with its fight against 'Kurdish separatism'," the letter continued.

The Czech lawmakers and former statesmen believe that Serbia's offer of a broad autonomy is the only possible solution within the known principles of morality and law.

"A violent, internationally legitimized secession of this historic province from the Republic of Serbia would make a dangerous precedent for small states in Europe and beyond," the appeal concluded.

The letter also contains attached the latest resolution passed by the Czech lower house of parliament, where an overwhelming majority of lawmakers asked the Czech government to address the Kosovo status issue in line with international law.

The Czech members of parliament said that Resolution 1244 can be changed only with consent from both sides in the dispute, and that the final solution for Kosovo must be in line with the Final Helsinki Act, adopted in 1975.