The Bosnia Work Group of the Northampton Friends Meeting has been meeting since January to consider and act on responses to the terrible situation in the former Yugoslavia, particularly in Bosnia-Hercegovina. At this time, we are writing to you and several other religious communities in this area to let you know of an immediate fund-raising effort we are undertaking.
Several months ago, we met with Jasminka Udovicki after she spoke at a teach-in about former Yugoslavia, held at Smith College. We have maintained contact with her and come to rely on her good judgment and extensive connections in determining some of our own activities. Jasminka is a Serbian women now living in Boston. She and her husband founded an organization, Committee for Peace in Former Yugoslavia, which is currently based in Austin, Texas, where her husband teaches at the University of Texas.
Jasminka is going to Serbia at the end of July. She has spoken to us several times about the many groups in Serbia mobilizing for peace and opposing the war against the Bosnian Muslims. Unfortunately, these groups have gotten very little media coverage and support outside their country. Jasminka's sister is a peace activist in Belgrade and well connected to several peace groups. Our Bosnia Work Group has decided to raise funds to give Jasminka to bring with her to support one or more groups working for peace. It is difficult to assure that funds get to where they are intended; one of the best means is for them to be carried in and delivered personally. Of particular interest to our group is the need of an independent radio and television station for a transmitter to extend their broadcast area. Jasminka believes that had the independent media had more powerful equipment last year that Slobodan Milosevic may not have won the election.
In giving funds to Jasminka, we will let her know that our current priority is to donate the money towards a transmitter for the independent radio and television station. However, since the situation is very fluid, we feel it necessary to give her the latitude to contribute the funds to another effort towards peace if that is her judgment upon arriving in Belgrade. We have no hesitation about entrusting money to Jasminka.
If you or members of your religious community would like to participate in this fund-raising effort, please make checks out to Northampton Friends Meeting (tax-deductible), add a notation ``Bosnia Work Group'' and mail to Bruce Hawkins, Clerk, Northampton Friends Meeting, 61 Henshaw Ave., Northampton, MA 01060. If your name and address are included, we will let you know, upon Jasminka's return at the end of August, how the funds were distributed. Checks need to be received by July 20 in order to be included.
With much appreciation for your help,