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Reply-To: Conference "zamir.chat" 
From: PeaceNet Balkans Desk 
Subject: Re: APEL -Forwarded
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The following is the English version of "APEL -Forwarded". The 
original was distributed during a demonstration in Tuzla by the 
Women of Srebrenica on 31 Jan.
 
This statement can be used in letters to government officials on 
behalf of the Srebrenica victims. Also, short notes of support may 
be sent to:

Civic Forum Tuzla 
the Women's Center in Belgrade, 
 
(Note: I'd appreciate notice of any bounces of messages to Zenski
Centar - ed ) 
--------------------------
 
ON THE OCCASION OF OUR PROTEST WE GIVE THIS MESSAGE TO THE WOMEN
OF TUZLA, WOMEN OF BOSNIA, WOMEN OF THE WORLD
 
We address You all in hardest moments in our lives.
You, who loved and who are still loving,
You, who gave birth and who watch over your children,
You, who respect your brothers and your husbands,
 
You should know what is happening to us, and why we are
protesting.
 
We are mothers, wives, daughters, sisters  of over 10,000 
missing, captive boys, men, old men who stayed in Potocari, or
tried to escape through forest in the direction of Tuzla, or
across river Drina to Serbia - from 11th of July 1995, when
Srebrenica happened, over 200 days ago. 
 
Do you know how long is that? Imagine yourself - what would you
done if somebody take your canary or some other pet from you -
wouldn't you seek for it?  We  know, you would. What would you do
if somebody took your child from you? Would you wait or would you
search? 
 
What would you do if you knew that somebody you loved is in
concentration camp over 200 days, or laying dead somewhere, on
some hill on the road of horror from Srebrenica to Tuzla? 
 
What would you feel if somebody from your family is lying with
thousands of others in massive grave, covered like trash? Can you
imagine that? Please try!
 
MAYBE THEN YOU WILL SUPPORT US IN OUR DEMAND TO FIND OUT THE FATE
OF THOSE WE LOVE THE MOST.
 
Are we asking a lot?
 
We are without our towns, homes, material goods. We have become
refugees, we were not guilty. Everything is difficult, everything
hard. But  we can overcome all that. It is not important if we
have, or do not have homes. But WE WANT OUR CHILDREN BACK. We
gave them birth, we watch over them, those are our sons. We have
waited for too long, we hoped that they will be back. But
nothing.
 
That is we are protesting and looking for support of all mothers
and women.
 
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW THE TRUTH.
 
WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEARCH FOR OUR SONS, HUSBANDS, FATHERS,
BROTHERS... AND WE WILL SEARCH FOR THEM, WHILE WE HAVE STRENGTH
IN OUR BODIES. WE WILL GO BY FOOT ON THE ROAD OF DEATH, TO LOOK
FOR THEM, DEAD OR ALIVE, IF NOBODY WOULD DO THAT FOR US. IT IS
NOT IMPORTANT IF THEY KILL US ALL IN THE ROAD, OUR LIVES IN
SITUATION LIKE THIS DO NOT HAVE SENSE.
 
TUZLA, JANUARY 31st 1996.                                       
WOMEN FROM  SREBRENICA