URGENT COMMUNICATION REGARDING THE ESCALATION OF SECURITY SITUATION IN KUMANOVO
TO MAYOR OF KUMANOVO, HON. ZORAN DAMJANOVSKI
Honourable Mr. Mayor,
after closely following the escalation of events in your area, the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities has called for a special session of the Executive Board due to the situation in Kumanovo region, of which we learned from the media. The participants of the teleconference agreed that the following statement in support of people of Kumanovo in particular and its citizens, regardless of their ethnical or political affiliation, is to be issued and forwarded to the United Nations, to the government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and as a circular letter to all our member cities.
The International Association of Peace Messenger Cities (IAPMC), strongly condemns the latest events, which occurred in Kumanovo, a Peace Messenger City of the United Nations.
Security and prosperity of citizens is our moral and utmost obligation, therefore we are hereby expressing our full support to Kumanovo City Administration, to Mayor Zoran Damjanovski and to the City Council of Kumanovo, who repeatedly warned the national and international community about the possibility of escalation of tensions, based on ethnical and political differences in this region. The terrorist group has been apprehended, its activity has been halted, however, this is not enough. National Government needs to implement all necessary actions that suchlike events will not occur again.
We can only speculate, what are the true reasons behind this terrorist plot, but whatever they are, it is clear that suchlike activities are aimed towards destabilisation of national security, consequentially provoking further ethnical and political conflicts, possibly resulting in armed conflicts with elements of civil war. We cannot allow the ignorance of international community, therefore we are calling upon all responsible parties, first and foremost upon the Government, to ensure that these events will not happen again.
People of Kumanovo and all the Macedonian citizens need to be safe. We strongly believe that Kumanovo, a once exemplary multi-cultural and multi-ethnical city, will restore the security and safety as well as dialogue and tolerance among its citizens. Rest assured that the situation in your city and country will be closely monitored and followed by our Association and that we are willing to offer you our full support. We would like to hereby express our condolences to all affected families and individuals and we are looking forward to a brisk resolution of the current situation.
In Slovenj Gradec, May 10, 2015.
On behalf of the Executive Board of the International Association of Peace Messenger Cities:
Andrej Čas, Mayor of Slovenj Gradec
Secretary General of the IAPMC