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Brad's last letter from Skopje:
Tuesday the 6th of July.
Tuesday, July 6, 1999
Notes received from Leigh Barth today, including a quoted section she received from her husband, Brad, yesterday:
Hello Friends,Today will be Brad's last full day in Skopje. He leaves there tomorrow afternoon and spends the night in Zurich, in order to make a morning flight out of Zurich on Thursday.
First of all, the wired contribution was safely received, as Brad wrote, "Please let the folks in Alabama know that the money did make it to the correct account. Avdulla is very grateful. It will all go to buy food and ALL of that food will go to Kosovo."
The MTO is planning to set up food distribution sites within Kosovo, but plans have not progressed as fast as everyone had hoped. Moving into and out of Kosovo is quite difficult, at least through the Macedonian border. Brad did not ever actually go into Kosovo.
On Saturday Avdulla took Brad to a large remote lake a couple of hours south of Skopje and they fished, an activity which they both enjoy. They had good luck fishing and a chance to relax. Avdulla's brother-in-law Steffanie went too.
Brad has continued to spend his days working at his "job" with the MTO. Here is his report from Monday. (Toward the end of last week he had e-mail problems and I did not receive anything to pass along to the rest of the group.)
"It's Monday and a bit past 5. A busy and hot day. I was up at 7 and did some e mail. Then cleaned up and went to MT around 9:30 and worked til 5. A day that saw a large number of people coming in. It sounded like a bunch were heading back to Kosovo from the local houses. I did meet a lady who had a sad story. If you can remember, the Serbs stopped people on the way out, took their papers and vehicles. After that they would demand money from families. If there was no money in many cases the male was taken for a walk. That's what happened to her husband. She was told to continue on her way. She heard a couple of gun shots and kept moving. She was going back to ????. The face said it all. That was the story of the day. Besides that, I was hot and did some work. It does not look like for me to go to Kosovo is in the cards. A guy came in who spoke very good English and said it was still very dangerous. Also, the line coming back is a 20 hour wait. That's what he had Saturday. The Macedonian police sit and play while folks melt in the heat. I am not sure if anyone has died yet but I would not be surprised. Unless Avdulla has a trick up his sleeve I don't think I'll go there. I also promised Eddie that if it was dangerous I would not go. That's the day. BYE "
I also spoke with Brad yesterday evening on the phone. He said his prevailing feeling right now is numbness. He feels like he can't process any more of the pain and suffering that he is seeing. It is just so prevalent. Nothing surprises him anymore.
Leigh Barth
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Brad's last letter from Skopje I got up late toda Tuesday, June 29, 1999
A letter Brad Barth sent to his wife, Leigh, today:
Dearest Leigh, Tuesday,Based on earlier notes and a talk with Brad, Leigh also passed on the following information today:Today went Ok I worked at the MT warehouse from 9 til about 3:30 . This is the warehouse where they give clothing and food to the poor. When we arrived, it was real depressing to see the people lined up to get clothing. It was very orderly and helped lots of people. On the way in I gave a little girl Eddie's pink stuffed Elephant. She gave me a BIG smile. Then I gave the stuffed hugging bears to another little girl. She gave it a big hug GOOD JOB EDDIE.
While working, the family that came by yesterday came in looking for clothing and food for their return to Kosovo. While there, I noticed the kids' shoes did not fit. After some talking time I found out that the shoes were borrowed, Not theirs. They had no G.D. shoes, get the emotion, and there were no free used ones. So, I offered to buy them new ones. What a magic moment. The MTO guy took me, the two kids and their aunt, the mom stay back to watch their clothing and food, to shoe store. Tennis shoes for two and nice ones and the cost was under $20. The little boy held my hand all the way over and back. When we returned the mom started to tear up. I had a picture taken and we exchanged addresses. Leaving the 7th is good Whatever you can do. Love ya
"I cannot emphasize strongly enough, Brad says money for food is needed NOW. With regard to Hans' concern, this is the sense of what he is getting directly from Avdulla. He decided to give all the money he took with him to MTO for food. When Brad gave Avdulla/MTO the first $5000 when he arrived last week, Avdulla told Brad the money would be put to use right away for food. I don't think they have much in the way of cash reserves. Also Brad hasn't told me if he has yet given Avdulla the rest of the money he took over, but indicated that is the decision he has made."
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Saturday, May 29, 1999, from Lisa: Dana is safely in Amsterdam, trying to collect his ideas and experiences before bringing them back to the U.S. in a couple of days. We've talked at length, but he has a lot of material to assimilate and organize. There are many photos to be developed and shared with you.
Dusty is back in Chicago (as of 6:30 p.m. last night) and eager to pursue the matter of finding out why so little of the money contributed to large organizations who advertise helping the in-town refugees of Skopje is actually reaching these refugees. One agency concerns Dusty greatly in that such a large amount of money is being spent on offices, salaries, and cellphones.
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Friday, May 28, 1999
Here is a copy of an email I sent out to our group after receiving word from Dana:
Dana has been in Amsterdam for a few hours. Another miscommunication. I've been here at the computer for hours (I literally almost let my house burn down by nodding off at the keyboard), checking email accounts every five minutes, and a half hour ago I discovered that he had been in a cybercafe in Amsterdam, trying with many messages to reach me through Silicon Investor, which I was not even checking. He was leaving but said he would try again later.I may try to piece together various bits of info he included in his PMs to me to send later, but the main thing is that he is safe, if a bit shell-shocked. I think the trip to Blace was very hard on him. He now calls Michael Avdula, so I will do the same. This man, Avdula Memetaj, must be close to being a saint. Dana said he had so much work to do and so little time to sleep that the lack of rest was clearly evident, along with the constant respect and esteem Dana sees in the Albanians who see Avdula. I have no doubts at all that Anthony Elgindy will attest to the same description of this man who is almost single-handedly trying to accomplish so much for so many. Relieved as he was to be getting out of Skopje, Dana felt real sadness at saying goodbye to both Avdula and the tireless Eddie. I think of the Churchhill quote (but I can't get it exact - never have so few done so much... etc.)
Dana is staying in a hostel in Amsterdam and, being Dana, feels guilty about even that luxury after seeing the refugees. I wish he would stay in Amsterdam a week, but he didn't mention how long he'd be. The original plan had been three days, but he may let me know later today.
Dusty is scheduled to arrive back in Chicago tonight.
The guys will have so much to tell us in the next few days. *I* think there's a book in this. It's always the mighty pen that wakes people up. I'm considering asking for big help here. It would mean asking Anthony Elgindy to help beyond all he's already given, but I'll wait and see what Dana thinks.
I'll be back when I have more and will post as soon as I hear from Dusty.
Lisa
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Thursday, May 27, 1999
Today Dana and Dusty visited Blace (pronounced "Blotchee") refugee camp. Go to Blace Refugee Camp for Dana's account of this terrible visit and terrible situation.I talked by phone with Dana last night and then at length very early this morning. Even before the trip to Blace, the two had decided to return home, feeling that they have done all that can be done for now. What is needed are funds for food. Dana told me he was pretty certain he would leave Skopje Friday (tomorrow) morning, and then in the account of the Blace visit he confirmed this. So as I enter this information, he is most likely soon to leave Michael Memetaj's apartment for the airport. I am not certain what time Dusty's flight will leave, but Dana's is scheduled to leave at 6:30 a.m. Skopje time, which is, I believe 12:30 a.m. EST. Dana will fly to Amsterdam and Dusty to Skopje. Again, it is important to read the account of Blace Refugee Camp.
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From Lisa on May 26: Things get bleaker and bleaker. Dusty just wrote me that food runs out tomorrow. He is referring to the food distributed by the Mother Tereza Organization to the refugees in town, who now greatly outnumber the refugees in the camps. The Mother Tereza appears to be the only organization helping these in-town refugees.
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Wednesday, May 26, 1999 update from Dana, sent approximately 9 p.m. Skopje time:
This has been as bad a day for the internet here as we've had. This is the first time I've been able, and I've tried for hours. Here's today's report:Dusty tried earlier to get a connection, but failed, so I'm doing this offline in a Notepad document to send later. I had thought we'd go to the Blace refugee camp today, but Michael was tied up with problems at the tv station, so we didn't make it. We'll get to it tomorrow, I hope.
With Michael having to leave in a rush this morning, we finished our coffee and caught a cab to the tv station. There we found 3 young Albanian men telling their story of being stopped and beaten last night by Macedonian police who were ethnic Serbs as the young men were returning from a trip to bring meat to a village close to the border where refugees were staying. It's not an uncommon occurance, apparently. At first, they had thought it better to say nothing about the incident, but friends convinced them to go to TV-ERA and tell their story. I saw the whelts on their backs as they stood in front of the camera with their shirts off, just three shy young kids, trying to do something for their people.
Just another day, another sad little story. At least they weren't in Kosova, and these Serbs weren't Milosovic's goons, or things would have been much worse.
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Sunday, May 23, 1999 Note from Dusty:
The people outside the camps get no government medical help. Refugees are staying in ethnic Albanian towns which have clinics staffed by ethnic Albanians - these refugees can get medical help. Mainstream Macedonians don't care about or for the Albanians and here in Skopje everything is run by someone other than Albanians.Fill Brad's bags with whatever you can. Clothes are not a problem now. Shoes, yes.
There is no connection between Mother Tereza of Calcutta and this one here. The Mother Tereza Humanitarian Organization here is named because it's a good name. She was born in Skopje and she was born of Albanian parents. The organization here is registered with the government here, and they keep books which are open to government audit. The government does audit the bank account. What more can I say? Did you try the 1-800 #s for Lutheran World Relief? Yeah, I already decided to go to the embassy here to find NGO addresses.
The biggest problem is still money for food. The more food they have, the larger one-week supply they can give out. Michael gave his running shoes to a refugee we met in the mountains today. He came by the cabin with some grazing cows and his shoes were ruined, so badly that he (the refugee) threw them in the river. He is 18 and married. He came out with his wife and 5 members of his wife's family.
dusty
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Sunday, May 23, 1999 Note from Dana:
Note from Lisa: "Michael" refers to Michael Memetaj, the owner of ERA Television and a coordinator of the Mother Tereza Organization.
We just got back from an overnight trip to Michael's weekend retreat in the mountains above Skopje, having driven up Saturday morning with Michael and Eddie after shopping the market for food and beer to take along. No electricity, but at 4000 feet, the air is crisp and clears your head. Michael built this little chalet himself over several years of weekends, and it's a place he goes to get away from the increasing stresses of life in Skopje. A party of 3 Albanian journalists from Switzerland met us there and interviewed Michael, as NATO jets streaked across the sky.
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Saturday, May 22, 1999:
A note from Dana written at 3:00 a.m. Skopje time indicates that volunteers are not needed by that cash is desperately needed. He praises Michael Memetaj and the work of the Mother Tereza Organization greatly, both he and Dusty saying they are the only outfit really helping the people. Lots of Westerners are there just to "watch."Another note this morning from Dusty indicates that little of the aid from the NGOs is actually reaching the refugees themselves. He was in a great hurry and mentioned that he and Eddie were off to the mountains today. I believe that Dana is returning to the Stenkovic refugee camp.
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Friday, May 21, 1999:
Just in from Dana. Dusty has written earlier, and that information will be posted shortly:
Dana's words:Michael has been very efficient in allowing us an opportunity to judge the situation with our own eyes and ears. Truly, the answer is money, not bodies, as there are plenty of people here now.
What's amazing is that most (officially, 60% or more) of the Kosovo refugees are not in the camps, under the umbrella of the large relief organizations, but have been taken into the homes of private individuals of Albanian descent. Currently, there are about 90,000 refugees in the camps. The number in the camps is actually declining, but those being assisted by these hard-pressed individuals is growing every day, and yet, other than the Mother Tereza Organization, there is no support for this part of the refugee population.
More than 120,000 are crammed into the homes and apartments of individuals in Macedonia, with most of these in Skopje. These are not people of vast means. Some individuals are housing 40 or more, most have 4 or 5.
It would be grand to think by mixing up some concrete, or hammering a few nails, we could change a life, but it would be only a symbolic gesture, when what's real suggests getting out the checkbook and writing a big one to the Mother Tereza Organization. It's as simple as that.
Tell the world. If anyone will listen to the truth, it's that the camps are just the easiest story to get, but the untold part of the story is occurring in homes and apartments, where 'relatives' who've never seen each other until this happened, are doing the job as best they can.
I wish I could make a more compelling account of the story than this, but this is my genuine impression. Figure out a way to make it play in Peoria, if you can, because these people can't carry this load much longer without outside financial assistance.
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Thursday, May 20, 1999: 1:56 p.m. CST:
Just received an email from Dusty. They are both in Skopje, safe. Fred writes me that the story of yesterday's bomb in Skopje is in the Chicago Tribune.
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Thursday, May 20, 1999: 8:17 a.m. CST:
Just in from Eddie, who should be meeting our volunteers within an hour or so at the Skopje airport. Quoting Eddie verbatim:Hi Lisa,
I'm really sorry for not being able to get back to you earlyer but here things are turning worse with every day gone by.Yesterday, there has a major incident, a bomb explosion took place in the very heart of Skopje,badly injuring two men and a woman,ages 12-22 (of course,they were all albanian). We tried to get some exlusive footage for the TV station but it turned out that the police here can really be a drag. Now for the rest,we had contact with Dusty via e-mail and he informed us that he will be here today at aprox. 1230 PM.We know that Dana will be here too at around 2:40 PM.We're waiting for them.All the best
Eddi
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Wednesday, May 19, 1999:
10:40 CST. Just heard from Dusty, from a cybercafe in Zurich. He was delayed when his flight to Toronto, stopped by bad weather, caused him to miss his connection to Switzerland. Now in Zurich he is looking for a flight to Skopje and writes that he will meet Dana at the Skopje airport. In about 3 hours, Dana flies out of Birmingham, Alabama, for Amsterdam, then to Skopje. Possibly an appropriate day to say to Dana and Dusty, "May the force be with you." We have not heard from ERA Television in several days but know there are problems getting online in Skopje.
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Friday, May 14, 1999: This just in from someone (whose name I have not asked permission to use) who has just returned from Macedonia:
First and foremost check with the US embassy in Skopje. Try the USIS (United States Information Service). I would also recommend that you try to find an Albanian society who could advise you of customs as I am not well versed at all in Albanian muslim culture. It might also be an idea to try to find the web-page of the International Journal of Albanian Studies (based at Columbia Uni, I think). They might be able to help better than I.I know all non-essential US staff have been told to leave Macedonia but I also know several teachers and students have stayed on. There is little in the way of active agression towards British and Americans in Skopje itself. HOWEVER... in the areas around the Stankovic camp outside of Skopje there is an area called Skopska Srna Gora (actually spelt "CRNA")which is a VERY pro-Serbain area. It is highly dangerous. There have been clashes between Albanians and Serb-Macedonians and there have been attacks on soldiers around there.
While the atmosphere in most of Macedonia that I visited (Skopje and the Dojran region in the south) seemed ok I would not like to suggest it is all sweetness and light. There is a level of anti-NATO feeling which could go bang at anytime. I don't think this is likely to be directed at the aid workers but there might be some animosity towards the Albanians and those associated with them by some parties. It would be wise to check with the UNHCR in Skopje.
Do you know much about the organisation you are working with? Where are they likely to be working?
If you go into Albania bear in mind that many Albanians are actually poorer than some of the refugees are! There are also a few guns about. Don't take risks in tense areas by making it too obvious you are a "rich" Westerner with cameras and money (all Westerners are, by definition, "rich"). There have been cases reported of journalists being robbed at gun-point.
From what I hear, the camps are not pretty (I was not involved with them but I know people who were).
However, on the lighter side, Macedonia has a good communication system, good roads (generally) and the water is drinkable. The toilets are of the squat variety. I recommend a copy of "The Rough Guide" or something similar. In the towns things are generally good, basically clean (but some toilets are a trial for the angels!)and there are decent bars and eating facilities. However, if you are in Muslim areas check that women can go into certain areas or bars (common sense, really).
If you are in Skopje there are a couple of inter-net access areas USIS being one and Soros being another, as well as an internet cafe near St Kliment Cathederal.
The people are generally nice and friendly but it would be an idea not to talk politics and the situation in strange areas.English and German are widely spoken.
The diet is largely meat but salads are widely available.
Oh yes, there are some automatic bank machines in the bigger towns. Dollars can be exchanged easily at exchange shops (about 54 denar to the dollar, I think) Deutschmarks are also a decent (perhaps more advisable) option.
I hope this is of use.
Please be careful and let me know how things go.
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Saturday, May 8, 1999: Eddie sends this note:
Hi Lisa,I think that you are on the right path. The situation here is like this:
I did mention that we need primarily food and clothing but that has changed in some way because we've managed to collect clothing that will fulfill the needs for at least two or three weeks and we expect more to come. But we still have the urge for food. About the truck it's a great idea and I believe that we can manage to find a truck for those needs so you needn't worry about it. Another thing, we need hygienic products. You are great people. I will try and write down a report later, if I can find the time.
All the best
Eddie
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Tuesday, May 4, 1999: Eddie writes:
Dear LisaI just got back from the camps. The officials say that yesterday 11.000 people crossed the border fleeing from Kosova into Macedonia. That has been the largest number of the refugees in the last couple of weeks to cross the border in one day. And these people are in a terrible situation, forced out of their homes at gunpoint; they had to walk for over 20 miles so that they could reach some sort of a sanctuary. And instead of that they got to the camps. It's been raining last night and all this morning too. If you could only see these sights, women and children, exhausted, getting inside the tent where instead of a warm place they have to lay down on a simple blanket which can not provide the much needed warmth. And they all tell the same story: We had to leave or stay and be killed or massacred. With the last influx of the refugees the camps are now overloaded and it seems that they can't except any more people. But the people who came in the last few days say that we ought to expect thousands more to come across.
The official numbers say that there are 96.700 refugees inside six camps and 93.370 sheltered in the houses of the natives. And there are a lot of them that haven't been registered at all, since they had to cross the border illegally through the mountains still covered with snow. Many of them died along the way, of hunger, from the cold or from the serbian mines planted along the border.
As an example of Macedonia being overcrowded the officials pointed out the city of Tetovo which originally had 50.000 inhabitants. Now the number of the living there is 84.000, that means that the population has increased for the third of it's original number. There has been an announcement that the Western countries will take up to 4.000 people within the next week. Will that be enough? Not likely.
These people need help, lots of it, and they need it fast. There are children there, actually a large number of them. It's hard enough just being a refugee, but when I see all these people and the conditions they live in, I just forget about myself.
I'll keep you informed about any change of the situation.
Hoping for a better tomorrow
Eddie____________________________________ From Raven (Lisa):
Anyone who might want to help TV ERA or the Mother Tereza Organization directly without going through us can contact Eddie or Gasmond Weho at:
TVERA@UNET.com.mk
or
011-389-91-136-553
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