OSTERREICHISCHE GESELLSCHAFT FUR KULTURGUTERSCHUTZ
Palais Palffy Wien I, Josefsplatz 6
07.04.1999
Director-General Federico MAYOR
UNESCO - Paris

 

Your Excellency,

In connection with the escalating militaryactions in former Yugoslavia, the AUSTRIAN SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTIONOF CULTURAL PROPERTY (OGKGS) sees besides the human tragedy also a majordanger for the unique cultural properties in this region, so rich withhistory. The bombed regions are adjacent to the monasteries of STUDENICA and SOPOCANI,both being cultural world heritage.

The monastery of GRACANICA, not toodistant from Pristina, has already been damaged by the attacks. We furthermorewould like to draw your attention to the danger for the Muslim and Orthodoxbuildings and sanctuaries in Pec, Djakovica and Prizren, to name but afew. Sir, the OGKGS asks you urgently to set appropriate initiatives withthe warring factions.

Sincerely yours,

AUSTRIAN SOCIETY FOR THE
PROTECTION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY

Gerhard SLADEK
President

Franz SCHULLER
Secretary-General

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Distributed also to:

    - Embassy of the United States of America;
    - Embassy of the Republic of Yugoslavia;
    - Embassy of the Republic of Albania;
    - Federal Chancellery of Austria;
    - Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria;
    - Federal Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs of Austria;
    - NATO Headquarters, Bruxelles;
    - Austrian Commission for UNESCO;
    - Mme. Prott. /UNESCO Paris;
    - International League of Societies for the Protection of Cultural Property;
    - Presidents of the Societies for the Protection of Cultural Property in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Romania and Portugal;
    - Austrian Press Agency (APA).

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