APPENDIX 11
Memorandum submitted by ARTICLE 19
Further to our conversation earlier, there follows
information about the effect which the US government's 30 April
trade embargo may possibly have on the Internet in Yugoslavia.
Obviously ARTICLE 19 would deplore any reduction in access to
information for people in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—the
Internet is one of the few remaining means for people to get information
from outside the country.
I would be grateful if you could somehow include
this document (see Annex) in the collation of submissions to the
International Development Committee on "The Future of Sanctions".
ARTICLE 19
14 May 1999
ANNEX
Internet Links to Yugoslavia Under Fire
Help B92 expresses deep concern at reports that
the US government 30 April trade embargo—Executive Order
13121—on Yugoslavia may endanger the country's vital Internet
links to the outside world.
As a first possible casualty of this US government
embargo, ANEM understands that the US satellite carrier Loral
Orion may be ordered to drop a satellite uplink arrangement that
supplies bandwidth to two of Yugoslavia's major Internet service
providers—infosky.net and BEOnet.yu.
Help B92 warns that the loss of this link would
deal a fatal blow to freedom of expression in Yugoslavia, as Internet
communications are one of the only remaining routes to independent
information and debate for Yugoslav citizens.
Help B92 is further concerned that the all-encompassing
wording of the embargo—which appears to ban US companies
and citizens from exporting software and supplying services and
technology (including technical data) to Yugoslavia, Serbia and
Montenegro—could have further negative repercussions for
freedom of expression in Yugoslavia.
At this time of extreme isolation, Yugoslav
citizens rely on the Internet to access news and information sources
from around the world, free from censorship. The Internet is also
the only forum for unfettered communication with friends, family,
other organisations, colleagues, and representatives of a broad
cross section of institutions across the globe.
Help B92 has consistently argued that vibrant
and open communication, without frontiers, is crucial to ending
the current conflict in Kosovo and Yugoslavia and building a long
and lasting peace for all people in the region.
Help B92 therefore calls on those committed
to freedom of information and freedom of expression to uphold
the right to communicate freely on the Internet and to protest
this threat to Internet access for all the people of Yugoslavia.
Help B92 is a support group for independent
broadcast media in Yugoslavia. Visit our support web sites:
— http://helpb92.xs4all.nl
13 May 1999
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