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Yugoslavia: 1) Information on risk factors for those with connections to the United States, especially those who have been in the United States through the NATO bombing 2) Current information on compulsory military service

Publisher United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
Author Resource Information Center
Publication Date 10 March 1999
Citation / Document Symbol YUG99001.ZNK
Cite as United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Yugoslavia: 1) Information on risk factors for those with connections to the United States, especially those who have been in the United States through the NATO bombing 2) Current information on compulsory military service, 10 March 1999, YUG99001.ZNK, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3dee46924.html [accessed 21 May 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Query:

Would the wife of someone who had been granted asylum in the United States face danger should she return to Yugoslavia?

Response:

Resources consulted by the RIC did not indicate that there had been reports of incidents in which citizens of Yugoslavia had been harmed because of a connection to an asylum-seeker in the United States. In addition, there were no reports found which focused on anti-American violence in this area.

However, several sources did indicate that there exists a pervasive anti-American sentiment among many in Yugoslavia. One report indicates that for the last year, the media in Yugoslavia has engaged in daily anti-American rhetoric (Associated Press. 18 March 1998). More recently, the US State Department and other sources see the US involvement in the Kosovo crisis as a spark for anti-American violence and sentiment (The Boston Globe. 23 February 1999; Agence France Presse. 19 February 1999). None of these sources indicated who in Yugoslavia was likely to harbor an anti-American sentiment or who would be at greatest risk of violent attacks.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the RIC within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References:

Agence France Presse. 19 February 1999. "US Urges Citizens to leave Serbia, Warns Against Travel to Bosnia." LEXIS/NEXIS.

Associated Press. 18 March 1998. Jovana Gec. "Yugoslavia Starts Anti-US Campaign." LEXIS/NEXIS

The Boston Globe. 23 February 1999. Kevin Cullen. "Kosovo Talks are on the Brink of Failure." LEXIS/NEXIS

Attachments:

Agence France Presse. 19 February 1999. "US Urges Citizens to leave Serbia, Warns Against Travel to Bosnia." LEXIS/NEXIS.

Associated Press. 18 March 1998. Jovana Gec. "Yugoslavia Starts Anti-US Campaign." LEXIS/NEXIS.

The Boston Globe. 23 February 1999. Kevin Cullen. "Kosovo Talks are on the Brink of Failure." LEXIS/NEXIS.

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