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\tit{APPEAL FOR SUPPORT}
\tit{COMMUNICATIONS AID}
\tit{for the PEACE MOVEMENT}
\untit{in the former republics of Yugoslavia}

\untit{THE PROBLEM}

Since the summer of 1991, when the peace groups of former
Yugoslavia began to organise themselves and coordinate
activities, they have encountered immense communication
difficulties. With the start of open warfare in Croatia normal
communications were disrupted. Not only did travel by train or
road between Croatia and Serbia become impossible but the
destruction of many telephone connections caused an overload of
the existing lines. Telephone calls between Zagreb and Belgrad,
for example, became almost impossible. The disruption of the
postal system meant an almost total breakdown of communication
between the peace groups, especially those working on opposite
sides of the fighting. The few telephone lines which exist to
Bosnia-Herzegovina are being increasingly destroyed by the war.

\untit{GOAL OF THE PROJECT}

The purpose of this project is to help the peace groups in the
various countries and regions of former Yugoslavia to be able to
communicate better with each other. Additionally, it should help
the peace groups there to communicate with groups in the rest of
the world.
\vskip1ex
In a situation where prejudice, hate and fear between people of
different ethnic bacgrounds has grown almost unchallenged, it is
necessary to start with building up communication links. Helping
people to reach out to each other, to begin new relationships,
to revive old friendships is of outmost importance.
\vskip1ex
The Communications Aid could be used not only for an exchange of
letters, messages, news and ideas among the peace groups, but it
could, for example, be the basis of a communication network to
help refugees and displaced persons to find each other, or to
help people from both sides of the conflict begin to communicate
again with each other. (This idea was first expressed in a
proposal of the IPPNW doctors in former Yugoslavia for a ''Trust
Link'' between the conflicting sides.) It could also be enlarged
to enable humanitarian aid groups and others to use the network.
How far it could be developed is dependent largely upon the
amount of financial support the project receives.
\vskip1ex
This project for communications aid for the peace groups in
former Yugoslavia has been developed together with the Center for
the Culture of Peace and Nonviolence (Ljubljana), the Antiwar
Campaign (Zagreb) and the Center for Antiwar Action (Belgrad). Of
course it is planned to include any peace groups in former
Yugoslavia that may want to join it. In 1992 both the Heinrich
B\"oll Stiftung and the Komittee f\"ur Grundrecht und Demokratie have
given financial support to this project.

\untit{FAXHELP - the first step}

In October 1991, several peace groups (WRI, IFOR, etc...) from
countries that still had good telephone connections to Zagreb and
Belgrad agreed to relay FAXes received from one peace group on to
the other group. This was a big help for the groups in former
Yugoslavia and also for groups from countries, like Germany, that
had great difficulties reaching Belgrad directly, but better
communications was needed.
\vskip1ex
FAXHELP continues to support the exchange of fax messages. It
could also help to place fax machines with peace groups that are
still in need of them.


\untit{ELECTRONIC MAIL - the next step}

Because the telephone lines were not completely destroyed but the
remaining ones were just overloaded, it was suggested that they
could be used at night for communication by computers using
electronic mail. We found out that even until the Spring of 1992
it was generally possible to make telephone connections between
Belgrad and Zagreb or Ljublana or even more distant cities, if it
was done during the night (after midnight). This meant that
electronic mail -- a BBS (Bulletin Board System) using computers,
modems and the telephone lines -- would work. And even if it would
later not be possible to connect directly with another city from
former Yugoslavia, then we would connect indirectly through
Austria, Germany or Britain. This would also enable a connection
with the world-wide networks of BBS's.
\vskip1ex
Some of the existing BBS's in Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia were
willing to support the development of a larger network. The
existing AdriaNet was to be supported and enlarged.

\untit{Phase I }

The first phase begann in December 1991 and January 1992.  Modems
were given to peace groups in Ljubljana, Zagreb, Belgrad and
Sarajevo; the connections between the AdriaNet and GreenNet were
started; people from different peace groups were given
preliminary training and the first steps taken to connect a BBS
in Belgrad into the AdriaNet. The AdriaNet introduced two new
topic areas, called conferences, for the use of the peace groups.

Unfortunately the system operator (sysop) of the BBS in Zagreb
was not able to keep his system running on a re\-gular basis. The
email exchange with other BBS's in the AdriaNet did not always
work. The BBS in Belgrad was also not able to carry out a regular
exchange with other BBS's in the AdriaNet. The cause of these
difficulties were overwork and or inavailability of the sysop and
also the very poor quality of the telephone lines. The help which
was given in phase I was not enough to get the communication
going. Several peace goups now had the means to communicate by
email, but the local BBS's were not able fulfill their role.

In the mean-time a foreign volunteer experienced in email joined
the Antiwar Campaign in Zagreb and connected directly into the
world-wide email network by directly telephoning to London. This
step provided excellent and speedy communications to and from
Zagreb, but was very expensive. Also it was no help for the peace
groups in Belgrad. Therefore it was necessary to begin the next
phase of the project.

\untit{Phase II}

The Antiwar Campaign in Zagreb and the Center for Antiwar Actions
in Belgrad decided to set-up their own BBS system. In July, 1992
a BBS was installed in Zagreb and in Belgrad. In both cities the
BBS was installed in a computer which was in use for other
purposes during the day and also had to use a telephone line
which was normally used for voice communication.  The new BBS's
''ZaMir-ZG'' (For Peace - Zagreb) and ''ZaMir-BG'' (For Peace -
Belgrade) which exchanged mail by way of Austria were now
connected with each other and the rest of the world. Within 12
hours letters could be sent and received to and from any other
BBS in the APC (Association for Progressive Communications)
Network and associated networks. Gateways (connections) to other
email networks are also available.

Unfortunately, the ZaMir Network is not running as well as it
should. The computer in Belgrad (a laptop) is not adequate for
the task of a BBS. The programmer has problems with the limited
hardware. Also the single telephone line, which has to be shared
between voice, fax and computer communications, is overloaded.
Training for a system operator is also needed.

In Zagreb they also need a computer de\-di\-ca\-ted to the BBS. And a
de\-di\-ca\-ted telephone line is necessary as well. Here there is no
problem with technical knowledge and within the limits of the
hardware (limited number of hours online each day) it is working
very well. The international e-mail exchange works. The telephone
costs have been reduced. The BBS ''ZaMir-ZG'' is being used by
people from the peace groups there and has even attracted a
number of other users. It is also possible to use the BBS to send
faxes.

To seriously implement this phase of the communication help there
is a need for additional funding. The most important item is a
dedicated computer system and telephone line in both Zagreb and
Belgrad. Regular support for the costs of running the system are
also needed. Although the internatonal networks, to which the
ZaMirNet is connected, have waived most of the costs for the time
being (they run on a nonprofit basis), there are regular
expenditures which have to be covered.

To complete phase II we need DM 37 400 to set up the system and
DM 8 088 to cover the running costs for the first year. (Finance
plan with more details is attached. \sat{It is not. See E-Mail address below.})

\untit{Phase III}

It is not only useful for the peace groups in Zagreb and Belgrad
to be able to communicate with each other and the world, but it
would be very helpful for groups from other cities to be able to
use this means of communication. This means finding financial
support to buy modems and software for the other groups. (Many
groups have a member or friend who has a computer which can be
used for the communication.) The next place for a BBS could be
Sarajevo, later Prish\-ti\-na, Skopje, Ljubljana, Titograd, Novi Sad.
Peace groups from Rijeka, Osijek, Split, Pancevo and other cities
are interested in linking up and using the email system.

For phase III another DM 53 700 for setup costs and DM 4 044 for
running costs is needed. (See the attached finance plan for more
details.)


\untit{Future Possibilities}

Possible future developments of the communication system could
include the following ideas.

To find volunteers or to find funds to pay people so that each
major city would have a person who could facilitate access to the
communications network.  This could also mean that the necessary
hardware (a computer terminal) would also have to be financed.
(See the suggestions in the ''MODEM PEACE PLAN''.)

A further possibility would be to set up a BBS in each of the
capitals of the republics of former Yugoslavia, or other major
cities as would be necessary.

As noted above, the BBS's could be used not only for the peace
groups, but it could, for example, be the basis of a
communication network to help refugees and displaced persons to
find each other.

Eric Bachman      21.11.92

Bund f\"ur Soziale Verteidigung

Questions and comments can be sent via email
\obeylines
CL, Z-NETZ: E.BACHMAN@\-BIONIC.ZER,
APC: E.BACHMAN@BIONIC.COMLINK.APC.ORG
\bye

