UPDATE: Resolution on Kosovo - June 1999

April 15, 1999

CRISIS IN KOSOVO

The JCPA Committee on World Jewry and International Human Rights convened today via conference call, moderated by committee co-chairs Arthur Stern and Fred Frank, to discuss the field's response to the crisis in Kosovo.

Policy Position: There was overwhelming agreement that the JCPA should issue another statement reaffirming its support of the military operation in the Balkans and calling for the use of all means deemed necessary by U.S. and NATO officials to successfully complete the mission. The conference call participants were split as to whether specific reference should be made to the possible use of ground troops. Based on the conference call discussion, the JCPA issued the statement below, which you are encouraged to distribute or utilize in the development of your own statements, letters and op-ed pieces on this issue. If you would like to receive copies of previous JCPA statements on Kosovo, call Nava Edelman at the JCPA office (extension 200).

Congressional Activity: Representatives Eliot Engel and Joseph Hoeffel drafted a letter to President Clinton urging him to leave all options open, and not to preclude the use of U.S. ground troops as part of the NATO mission if the airstrikes prove to be inadequate. JCPA member agencies are encouraged to seek support for this initiative by asking members of the House to sign on to the letter by contacting Jason Steinbaum in Engel's office (202-225-2464) or Josh Shapiro in Hoeffel's office (202-225-6111).

The Congressional delegation (including Senators John McCain, Carl Levin and Joseph Lieberman) that last week accompanied Defense Secretary Cohen to NATO headquarters in Brussels and to two air force bases, already sent a letter to President Clinton conveying similar sentiments.

Humanitarian Crisis: The conference call participants stressed that it is particularly important to draw attention to the efforts of the Jewish community and Israel to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo. Many Jewish organizations, including a number of JCPA member agencies, have launched fundraising drives to support the work of those relief agencies operating on the ground. These agencies have indicated that they are not seeking food, clothing or other items for the refugees because of the difficulty of shipping them to the area. Hadassah has sent medicine and medical supplies to the Israel Defense Forces' field hospital in Macedonia. Women's American ORT reports that the World ORT Union is helping to document human rights violations for the International Court of Justice at The Hague. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) is organizing a broad coalition of Jewish groups to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the community's involvement in the humanitarian effort. For more information and updates, refer to the following web-site: www.jdc.org. Materials prepared by United Jewish Communities describing the efforts of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the JDC are available. If you wish to receive these call Nava Edelman.

Unilateral and Coalition Efforts: It was agreed that JCPA member agencies should try to develop coalitions in support of the field's policy positions on Kosovo and the humanitarian effort. A number of CRC representatives reported on joint activities or at least tentative contacts with their local Albanian communities and Muslim groups, but they also expressed concern that some pressure was being directed at them to endorse Kosovo's independence. The conference call participants acknowledged the importance of not going beyond the field's agreed upon policy position in order to accommodate these potential coalition partners.

There was broad agreement that, whether or not coalition efforts were feasible, the Jewish community should take the lead in shaping the public's perceptions of the Kosovo crisis. Thus, JCPA member agencies are encouraged to place op-ed pieces and letters-to-the-editor (see attached letter from Indianapolis), disseminate statements and other materials to local decision-makers and opinion-molders and convene, in cooperation with federations and synagogues, religious services and other events addressing the crisis in Kosovo.

Please continue to share materials you develop on this issue, newspaper editorials and op-ed pieces by local leaders as well as reactions from members of the Jewish and general communities. As always, feel free to consult with the JCPA if you have any questions or suggestions.

Statement by JCPA Chair Steven Schwarz on the Crisis in Kosovo

The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) reaffirms its strong support of the U.S. and NATO military operation in Kosovo and Serbia. We have been horrified by the atrocities -- including mass murder, systematic rape and widespread expulsions -- committed by Serb forces against the civilian population of Kosovo. We support the use by the U.S. and NATO coalition of all means deemed necessary to end "ethnic cleansing," return the refugees safely to their homes and restore stability to that area.

The JCPA also supports the efforts of the international war crimes tribunal in The Hague. Those individuals who have ordered or committed war crimes or crimes against humanity must be brought to justice.

We are deeply concerned about the plight of the hundreds of thousands of Kosovar refugees. The rapid response of the international community to meet the needs of this population is heartening. We are particularly proud of the role Israeli doctors have played in providing vital medical assistance. The JCPA will continue to work for the intensification and expansion of the humanitarian effort.

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The Jewish Council for Public Affairs is the coordinating and planning body for the 13 national and 122 local agencies comprising the field of Jewish community relations.