Pubblichiamo il testo dell'intervento della Santa Sede all'incontro del Gruppo di lavoro per le questioni umanitarie dell'Alto Commissariato delle Nazioni Unite per i rifugiati svoltosi a Ginevra martedì 6 aprile:

Madame High Commissioner,

The Delegation of the Holy See wishes to thank you for this initiative of bringing together representatives of governments and humanitarian organizations. We are confident that the end of the day will see positive results for the benefit of all affected by this crisis.

Admiration for the humanitarian groups at work in the crisis

1. I would also like to express the deep admiration of this delegation for the governments and municipalities of countries neighboring Kosovo and for members of so many organizations, who have generously and selflessly responded to this emergency. Few people could have anticipated its extent. Yet with the resources available, they are engaging, often heroically, in clothing, sheltering, nourishing, and healing. Many families in these same countries likewise deserve our deep respect and support, for they have welcomed refugees into their own homes, often at great cost to themselves. People throughout the world have also generously and quickly responded to various appeals made for funds for this emergency. Likewise the offers by several states to receive refugees from Kosovo are very heartening. One senses a great worldwide solidarity to help meet these dramatic needs. This is surely something encouraging at a time when it is easy to loose heart. The Holy See is also very grateful to the networks of Catholic aid organizations for their initiatives in the region even long before the latest crisis. Just last week, Pope John Paul II delegated Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, President of the Pontifical Council 'Cor Unum', the organ of the Holy See entrusted with humanitarian assistance, to visit Albania and assure all refugees there of his closeness and solidarity with them.

Points of concern

2. Protection: Humanitarian action, however, will have little long-lasting effect unless accompanied by protection. This delegation is thus very concerned about the safety of the refugees and even of those remaining in Kosovo. It is further preoccupied by reports on the following questions which, if verified, will require special attention:

- the disappearance of unarmed Kosovo Albanian men;
- the mining of some border areas;
- the confiscation of documents of those leaving Kosovo, with the risk that they will become stateless.

A further protection issue concerns the quality of human life of those protected, which will become evident once the present emergency is more under control. Spiritual and psychological traumas need healing. The handicapped, the aged, and other particularly vulnerable people need special attention. Many families have been deeply wounded with the loss of a spouse and other members. Some semblance of the society, from which the refugees come, needs to be established, including its rhythms of religious and cultural events. The problems of boredom in exile, loss of direction and meaning in life, and the strong desire to return also need to be addressed. This delegation wishes to encourage reflection and planning for this next stage of exile.

Some elements of a solution

3. Regarding solutions, this delegation wishes to propose the following points for the consideration of this meeting:

Humanitarian corridor: Two days ago, on Easter morning, the Holy Father publically appealed to the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to permit the opening of what he called 'a corridor of hope', so that aid can reach the populations amassed along the border of Kosovo. We hope that all governments and organizations involved in the area will heed this plea.

4. International observers: This delegation further urges measures to bring international observers back to Kosovo, both for an eventual peace process and for assuring residents of Kosovo that reliable reporting of events reaches the wider international community.

5. Durable solutions for refugees and exiles: While the offers of several countries to accept quotas of refugees from Kosovo are certainly heartening, it is not clear how many refugees will opt to resettle or find temporary protection in a far-off land. The hope of many for a quick return in freedom, security and dignity needs to be tempered by reports suggesting widespread destruction, insecurity and increasingly strained ethnic relations. This will not change quickly. If exile becomes a long-term fact, then the problem of third country resettlement or local integration into their host country arises. We believe it is worthwhile preparing for this possibility and deliberately involving the refugees themselves in discussions concerning their future, especially when it is a question of being transported elsewhere or where the unity of the family is concerned.

6. Help for the countries hosting the refugees: Regarding the host countries of the Kosovo refugees and exiles, they are in great need of help to carry the burden of so many people entering in such a short period of time. Besides the poverty of these countries, they live with their own delicate ethnic balance, which the influx of large numbers of ethnic Albanians is perceived as disrupting. It is in the interest of all to assure that such a disruption does not happen. The importance at this moment of generous investment in and direct aid to these countries cannot be underestimated.

7. Stability and peace: Regarding the spirit and attitudes required in the long-term search for peace and the contribution of humanitarian organizations to it, I would like to leave you with the words of Pope John Paul II during his audience last week with members of the Parliamentary Assembly of Europe:

I urgently ask that everything be done so that peace can be established in the region and that the civilian populations can live in fraternity on their land. In response to violence, further violence is never a way for the future to exit from a crisis. It is thus fitting to silence arms and acts of vengence in order to engage in negotiations that oblige the parties, with their desire to reach as soon as possible an agreement that will respect the different peoples and diverse cultures, which are called to build a common society respectful of basic liberties. Such a development can then be recorded in history as a new element promoting the construction of Europe.