Civic Association
Soldiers against war
Czech  Republik   


D E C L A R A T I O N

regarding efforts to violate territorial integrity of the Republic of Serbia

The Civic Association SOLDIERS AGAINST WAR, acting in accordance with the Statute of the Association and Programme Declaration, confirmed by the Republican Assembly on December 16, 2007, in which it is contained “to inform the CR citizens on a danger of new military conflicts” (not only on the European continent), addresses the public of the Czech Republic, Parliament and constitutional actors of the CR but also citizens of the EU member states, deputies of the European parliament and competent organs of the EU, by this urgent declaration.
Due to wanton intention to ignore and violate the resolution of the UN Security Council No. 1244 of June 10, 1999, that “confirms the commitment of all member states to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia”, an explosive atmosphere arises in this region. This situation can outgrow into an armed conflict between an internationally recognized sovereign state and armed groups having no international legal identity, eventually others participating elements. An imminent danger of a violation of entirety and territorial integrity of a sovereign state – Republic of Serbia, and of detachment of its provinces – Kosovo and Metochia, this even under threat of using armed violence.
It is necessary to recall in this connection that the Republic of Serbia is a succession state of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and that the provinces Kosovo and Metochia were even during the existence of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia parts of the Republic of Serbia. It means that all international legal acts relating to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia pass in full extent to succession state, i.e. Republic of Serbia. It concerns the already mentioned resolution of the UN Security Council containing the commitment to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and thus also of its succession state – Republic of Serbia.
International law must remain being basis for the solution of the situation in Kosovo, as the province is shortly called. The plan to declare independence of Kosovo raises legitimate fears of some powers, of all votaries of international law being afraid of a birth of a chain reaction and a precedent instigating separatists in other states to enforce their demands by force, too, and outside the law. If the international community, the European Union included, succumbs to the pressure of Kosovo separatists that contains terrorist practices, it will be expression of weakness and disunity of the international community. It may become incentive for separatist groups in other European states (Spain, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland and some states of the post-soviet space) for violent actions. Europe may become the most instable continent. This problem has been addressed also in the peace conference of the Turkish Peace Association held under the auspices of the World Peace Council on January 12-13, 2008, with the participation of delegations from 14 European states, in the declaration whose article 20 says:

“The Conference formulates its strong support to Serbia and expresses solidarity with its legitimate efforts to preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty in the matter of autonomous province of Kosovo and Metochia, and to solve this important problem by negotiations on a larger autonomy. If the Kosovo and Metochia province got independence that opposes the resolution of the UN Security Council No. 1244 of 1999 and against basic principles of the UN Charter, it would open way to the era of chaos and injustice in international relations.”

Some member states of the European Union, for example Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Slovakia,  said openly and explicitly that thy will not recognize independence of Kosovo.

The Civic Association Soldiers against War states that until now not all the possibilities of a dialog and diplomatic solution on the basis of the international law have been used up. When solving this problem, the international community has to respect legitimate demands of the Republic of Serbia and fulfil commitments issuing from diplomatic recognition of the Republic of Serbia by the Czech Republic, too.   

The Civic Association Soldiers Against War, having in mind assurance of peaceful development in the region and preventing from the threat of armed conflict, requests

That the House of Deputies of the Parliament of the CR discusses this issue and adopts and publicly declares support to legitimate claims of the Republic of Serbia,  taking into consideration also historical relations of mutual friendship and support with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Serbia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the CR to declare publicly support of the Czech Republic to legitimate demands of the Republic of Serbia and applies this attitude in all international negotiations.

This declaration has been discussed and approved by the Republican Council of the Civic Association Soldiers against War.

February 1, 2008  

Authorized by the Republican Council
Retired Colonel Jiří Bureš
Chairman of the Civic Association