«I am a Staunch Supporter of an Idea of International Forum Under the Aegis of OSCE», – A. Kwasniewski

05 October 2011

As is known, on October 5, 2011 the leaders of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people met with the heads of the diplomatic missions and international organizations, accredited in Ukraine in the conference-hall of the Hotel “HYATT” in Kyiv.

Along with a range of other urgent issues, relating to the modern situation with the Crimean Tatar people the participants of the meeting discussed the issue of carrying out of the International forum on the restoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people to their homeland, its security and guarantees of development in Ukraine.

Aleksander Kwasniewski, the Chairman of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, the former President of Poland (1995-2005) who met the Chairman of Mejlis Mustafa Jemilev on September 16, 2011 in Crimea during the 8th Forum of Yalta European Strategy, was also invited to take part in the meeting.

Due to the prearranged events Aleksander Kwasniewski couldn’t take part in the meeting in Kyiv on October 5, he sent the Chairman of Mejlis Mustafa Jemilev a letter in which he explained his position concerning the International forum.
The text of the mentioned above letter is given below:

The European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation

Dear Mr. Mustafa Jemilev

Chairman of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people

Dear Mr. Chairman

Let me express my sincerest gratitude for your invitation to attend the meeting with the leaders of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people. I’m very pleased with the confidence that you shown to me and the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation, I have an honor to chair at. Unfortunately, due to the prearranged events I won’t be able to take an active personal part at the meeting in Kyiv.

Recalling our recent meeting in Crimea let me assure you once again in my fullest support of the Crimean Tatar people in its aspiration to complete repatriation to its native land – Crimea.

As a Polish, and the representative of my people, whose rough and hard history in many respects resembles the destiny of your nationals, I understand fairly well the matter you straggle for – and the more is my admiration of your activity and efforts of the whole Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people.

I am convinced that Ukrainian authorities have to make every effort to ensure complete return of Crimean Tatars to their native land, freedom of place of residence, as well as the restoration of the rights they were deprived of. I’m also convinced that the assistance of the international community is really necessary in this situation.

On behalf of the European Council on Tolerance and Reconciliation (ECTR) I would like to express my gratitude for the initiative in carrying out of the International forum on therestoration of the rights of the Crimean Tatar people to their homeland, its security and guarantees of development in Ukraine.

Moreover, as the Chairman of ECTR I will support every effort of Crimean Tatars, aimed at the continuation of the dialogue and seeking for the constructive solutions. I am a staunch supporter of an idea of carrying out of the International forum under the aegis of the OSCE. OSCE is, undoubtedly, the right organization to discuss this complicated problem on the international stage.

I hope for the further cooperation with Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people and ask you keeping me in track of the decisions, adopted during the meeting in Kyiv.

Yours sincerely,

Please, accept my wishes of success in your further activity for the good of the Crimean Tatar people

Aleksander Kwasniewski

Chairman of ECTR,

President of the Republic of Poland (1995-2005)

Warsaw, October 1, 2011