Patriarch Pavle meets with Martti Ahtisaari

"We are now hoping that the international community, together with the Serbs and the Albanians, will do everything that is necessary to finally bring peace back to Kosovo and Metohija. It is important that Mr. Ahtisaari and his associates familiarize themselves thoroughly with the real situation on the ground, and toward that end that they speak with the Albanians, the Serbs and members of the minority communities," emphasized Patriarch Pavle. "We pray to God for peace and that what has befallen us does not befall any other people in the world. We pray to God for peace, justice and freedom for all, for the Serbs, the Albanians and all others equally. We hope that you, too, are here as men of good will who will help in establishing peace, justice and freedom."

Patriarch Pavle and Metropolitan Amfilohije with Martti Ahtisaari and Albert Rohan

HIS HOLINESS SERBIAN PATRIARCH PAVLE MEETS WITH MARTTI AHTISAARI

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
November 25, 2005

His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Pavle, together with His Eminence Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral, His Grace Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic and Protopresbyter Savo B. Jovic, chief secretary to the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox church, received Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for negotiations on the future status of Kosovo, together with his deputy, Mr. Albert Rohan, and their associates, in the Belgrade Patriarchate today.

Patriarch Pavle informed the eminent guests that he had served as bishop in Kosovo and Metohija for 34 years, and was well acquainted with local conditions there. He also informed them about the major expulsion, unprecedented in modern world history, of some 250,000 Orthodox Serbs and ethnic minority members, and the destruction of 150 churches and monasteries since 1999, when international forces assumed administration of the southern Serbian province. This is the biggest act of ethnic cleansing ever carried out "in a time of peace" anywhere in the world. Nevertheless, the most tragic and irreparable tragedy of all is the loss of a large number of human lives. "We are now hoping that the international community, together with the Serbs and the Albanians, will do everything that is necessary to finally bring peace back to Kosovo and Metohija. It is important that Mr. Ahtisaari and his associates familiarize themselves thoroughly with the real situation on the ground, and toward that end that they speak with the Albanians, the Serbs and members of the minority communities," emphasized Patriarch Pavle. "We pray to God for peace and that what has befallen us does not befall any other people in the world. We pray to God for peace, justice and freedom for all, for the Serbs, the Albanians and all others equally. We hope that you, too, are here as men of good will who will help in establishing peace, justice and freedom."

Mr. Ahtisaari informed Patriarch Pavle and the other representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church that he and his associates had received a mandate from the Secretary-General of the United Nations to conduct negotiations on the future status of Kosovo and Metohija. Toward that end, in addition to the Albanian leaders in Kosovo and Metohija, he had already met with His Grace Bishop Teodosije in Visoki Decani Monastery and seen for himself the difficult living conditions of that monastic community under the essential military protection of Italian soldiers and lacking even the right of freedom of movement. "Our intention, in cooperation with the UNMIK leadership, is to open up the local society so that all communities can live freely. My impression is that Decani Monastery is a place that survived. The only positive example in the present situation. The orders and instructions of the UN Secretary-General, as well as of the member countries of the Contact Group, are to ensure the protection of all communities and cultural heritage. In this I see the great contribution to be made by the Serbian Orthodox Church and you personally, considering the great influence you have on the people. The visits to Pristina and Belgrade, and the talks we have held this time are our first attempt to get a grasp on the problem."

During discussion between Patriarch Pavle and Martti Ahtisaari

Metropolitan Amfilohije briefly outlined for Mr. Ahtisaari with the entire tragic history of Kosovo and Metohija from the great migrations of the Orthodox population under Ottoman rule and constant conflicts which continue to the present day. Later, during World War II and the occupation, approximately 250,000 Serbs and minority members were expelled from Kosovo and Metohija, and an additional 150,000 during the time of Communist rule. The torching of the Pec Patriarchate in 1981 signified the new awakening of Albanian nationalist chauvinism and the intent to ethnically cleanse Kosovo and Metohija, emphasized the Metropolitan. "If Kosovo and Metohija become independent, there is no doubt that the Serbs and the ancient Christian culture there will experience the same kind of catastrophe and the Greeks and their culture in Asia Minor after World War I. Hence, your task is far from simple. It is clear that international forces cannot remain forever in the region but the International Community must find a way for displaced persons to return to their homes. Refugee returns is not only an essential matter of enabling basic human rights and a matter of humaneness but a prerequisite for the survival of the remaining holy shrines. It is essential to protect our ancient churches and monasteries - the Pec Patriarchate, Gracanica, Bogorodica Ljeviska and others - following the model of special protection zones such as that around Decani Monastery; however, the holy shrines exist for the people and if there are no people they will perish despite the protection zones. In this sense, you have the full support of the Serbian Orthodox Church to carry out your difficult and demanding task. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and its full implementation could contribute to finding a model for the future status of Kosovo and Metohija. This solution is the only realistic solution that can bring peace to Kosovo and Metohija and Serbia, as well as to the entire Balkan peninsula.

At the conclusion of the meeting with Mr. Ahtisaari, His Holiness Patriarch Pavle presented him with copies of the Communiqué of the Serbian Assembly of Bishops following its discussion on Kosovo and Metohija, and the Memorandum of the Holy Assembly of Bishops on Kosovo and Metohija, both official documents of the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church regarding this issue.

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