[E-rundbrief] Info 1341 - Fact finding mission in Ukraine - Declaration

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info 1341 - It’s still time to stop the war - 
Declaration to the Ukrainian and international press from the fact 
finding mission - Erklärung zu den Ukraine-Konflikten.

Bad Ischl, 18.7.2014

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

================================================

It’s still time to stop the war

Declaration to the Ukrainian and international press from the fact 
finding mission on behalf of the European Left, the Prague Spring II 
Network against Right Wing Extremism and Populism, and various 
networks of the world wide Peace Movement which has gathered recently 
at the Peace Event Sarajevo 2014.

July 16 2014.

The big misunderstanding between two different sectors of the 
Ukrainian society is turning into a bloody war of still unknown 
dimensions. With the purpose of stopping this war immediately a 
delegation composed of representatives of the above mentioned 
organizations and initiatives has visited  from July 9th to 16th, 2014 
Kiew, Charkow, and Donezk in the framework of a political fact finding 
mission, coming up with the following surprising conclusions:

1. Dialogue and political negotiations are still possible if the 
moderate parts of both sides of the Ukrainian civil society can impose 
their peace building criteria against the militaristic wings of their 
respective alliances.

2. The international peace movement can assist in this process, if the 
Ukrainian government accepts the following two proposals:
a. Calling for the formation of teams of human rights observers in the 
areas of conflict.

b. The organization of a peace conference of the different sectors of 
Ukrainian civil society (pro-governmental and anti-governmental / 
pro-Maidan and anti-Maidan etc.) to be held in Germany, Italy, or 
Austria in the near future.

3. The governments of the Independent Republics of Donezk and Lugansk 
are willing to participate in direct negotiations with the Ukrainian 
government under the following conditions:

a. The exchange of self-defense fighters and Ukrainian soldiers in prison.

b. The mutual recognition of the Independent Republics of Donezk and 
Lugansk and the Ukrainian State.

c. The establishment of humanitarian corridors in order to avoid the 
constant attacks on refugees and other parts of the civilian population.

d. The acceptance of the OSCE as an international supervision body of 
the natural resources (above all fresh water) and a denunciation 
process of war crimes.

In case that this negotiation process between the two sides of the 
conflict leads to a cease fire the Independent Republics of Donezk and 
Lugansk would submit to these peace proposals and would put their 
proposition for a new constitution to a referendum where the 
population would decide on the specific forms of government in the 
region of Donbass.

Having talked to the victims of the destruction in Slavansk/ Mariynka 
and other small towns in the area of Donbass, the fact finding mission 
calls on the international and Ukrainian civil society as well as 
progressive political parties to take urgent actions in order to press 
the Ukrainian government and the brigades of self-defense in the area 
of Donbass for an immediate cease fire and the beginning of a process 
of negotiation in the above mentioned terms.

Matyias Benek – ATTAC Hungary and coordinating member of the Prague 
Spring II Network against Far Right Extremism and Populism

Leo Gabriel – Director of Institute for Intercultural Research and 
Cooperation in Vienna, Austria, Member of the International Council of 
the World Social Forum

Lucas Wirl – Program Director of the International Network of 
Engineers and Scientists for Global Responsibility, Co-Organizer of 
the Peace Event Sarajevo 2014, Germany

Thomas Zmzly – Co-Organizer of the international peaceinsyria.org – 
Initiative, Member of Anti-Imperialist Camp, Germany

(Veröffentlicht am 17.7.2014 in Wien)

Link to the press-conference at Maidan Press Center, Kiew, Ukraine on 
July 16th 2014:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Spilno.TV+Maidan+Press+Center+

-- 

Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
Wolfgangerstr. 26, A-4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
Impressum in: http://www.begegnungszentrum.at
Spenden-Konto Nr. 0600-970305 (Blz. 20314) Sparkasse Salzkammergut,
Geschäftsstelle Pfandl
IBAN: AT922031400600970305 BIC: SKBIAT21XXX

--

Ausgezeichnet mit dem (österr.) "Journalismus-Preis von unten 2010"

Honoured by the (Austrian) "Journalism-Award from below 2010"