DECISIONS ON KOSOVA

  some of the news items and articles by the Kosova Information Center (KIC) on the deployment, movements and show-force maneuvers of Serb army and police forces in Kosova during the two first weeks of April

Instead of withrawing special units, Serbia is building up troops in the area

The situation in Kosova has not in the essence changed a bit following the
Contact Group meetings in London (9 March 1998) and Bonn (25 March 1998).
Belgrade has not shown any signs it is willing to comply with the demands of the
Contact Group, EU, OSCE and UN Security Council for the withdrawal of special
units from Kosova.
It is true, however, that following the 28 March massacre at Likoshan and Qirez
villages and 5 March onslaught at Prekazi i Ulët (in Serbian 'Donji Prekaz')
- when over 80 Albanians, mostly children, women and old people were slain -
there were no other massive or all-out attacks of Serb forces. Yet, there has
been no sign of a withdrawal of Serb police, military and paramilitary forces from
Drenica region or Kosova. On the contrary, besides the existing heavy forces,
fresh troops have been deployed and garrisoned around the Drenica villages,
holding the area inside a deadly iron siege.
Apart from Serb police, deployment, movements and garrisoning of Serb army
troops with heavy armament and equipment have been reported in many parts
of Kosova, the Kosova-Albania border zone in particular.
Below are some of the news items and articles by the Kosova Information Center
(KIC) on the deployment, movements and show-force maneuvers of Serb army
and police forces in Kosova during the two first weeks of April.
 

Serb Propaganda Augurs Fresh Serb Onslaught in Kosova

PRISHTINA, April 15 (KIC) - The Serbian police, paramilitary and military build-up, in
tandem with increasing movement of troops in the overwhelming Albanian-inhabited
Kosova, augurs ill for the situation here and prospects for a peaceful resolution to it.
A fresh Serbian onslaught in Kosova is feared, similar to the ones we saw in Drenica
on 28 February and 5 March, which left more than 80 Albanians killed in their homes.
Word is at the beginning. Serb media have in the past few days been reporting about an
alleged increase in the level of repression local Serbs are being exposed to in some parts
of Kosova - in the hands of 'armed Albanians' or members of the so-called 'UÇK'. The aim
of the Serb media is to create the impression that a considerable territory in Kosova has
slipped out of Serb regime control, namely of its police and (para)military forces. Serbs,
Montengerins, Roma, as well as ethnic Albanians loyal to Serbian occupation authorities
bear the brunt of the Albanian terror campaign, the argument goes.
A lot of fuss has been made in Belgrade over the alleged ill-treatment of a Serb doctor at
Gllogjan village of Deçan, in western Kosova. It turns out the doctor was not there on a
medical mission, but rather to serve this propaganda machinery.
The Serbian media, government-sponsored or independent, speak of the negligible
number of Serbs living in the Deçan municipality, less than 800 vis-a-vis the 55.000-strong
Albanian community. Why is there need for a Serb doctor in the service of Serb regime
there in Deçan, or Gllogjan? Why are there no Albanian doctors doing their job there?
Such questions are not asked by Serb media.
The evacuation of a handful of Serb families from Deçan families, the yet unsolved killing
of six Albanians from Klina (presumed loyal to Serbia!), the alleged rape of a Roma girl by
"masked Albanians" - these are stories that have taken center stage in the Serbian
propaganda warfare. Belgrade is keen to make sure Serbian police and (para)military
actions in Drenica and Gllogjan, the massacre of more than 80 Albanians last month as
well as the daily-based campaign of violence and repression against Albanians in Kosova,
be overshadowed.
The Serbian regime is wishful of misleading the world that it is not Albanians who are
threatened by the ubiquitous presence of Serb forces and armed civilians up and down
Kosova, but rather non-Albanians, Serbs and Montenegrins.
The methods and goals of Serb propaganda have become notoriously transparent by
now. While the press writes about the evacuation of several Serb families from Deçan, it
has no word about the plight of 20.000 displaced Albanians - women, children, and elderly
- who have fled their homes in Drenica in the wake of the Serb massacres early March. No
Serb outlet features the fate of thousands of Albanians who are being locked in Drenica
villages, unable or reluctant to abandon their homes amidst the continued Serb siege.
While the displaced part of the population is not allowed back by Serb forces, those inside
(mostly men) face the dilemma: stay there and face an imminent Serb attack on their
villages or flee their homes forever.
Six weeks after the massacre, it is clear that Belgrade is trying to legalize ethnic cleansing
in Drenica and pave the way for large scale ethic cleansing schemes in the rest of Kosova.
There is a striking similarity between the current reporting in the press and broadcasting in
the Serb media with what we saw back in January and February, when Serb attacks were
in the making. Scores of articles, blown up stories on the activities of "Albanian guerrilla
and terrorist fighters", preceded the Serbian massacres of local Albanian inhabitants in
Likoshan, Qirez and Prekaz i Ulët villages on 28 February and 5 March.
There is fresh Serb media offensive, duly orchestrated by the Serbian establishment in
Belgrade, which is aimed at producing an alleged 'level field' for an open armed
confrontation in Kosova between large Serbian occup2ation forces and the local Albanian
resurgent. Besides Drenica, the tendency is for the production of a 'casus belly' in Klina
and Gjakova, especially in the border zone between Kosova and Albania, controlled by the
Serbian occupation forces.
Analysts and politicians have long warned that Milosevic could flare up a conflict in
Kosova, while doing his best to lay the blame on the Albanian side.

Serb Regime Builds Over 30 New Police Checkpoints in Kosova    [ see  map001.htm ]

PRISHTINA, April 4 (KIC) - Besides a large number of existing Serb police checkpoints in
Kosova, at least 30 new ones have been established since mid-February this year,
sources said.
New Serb police checkpoints with heavily armed men have been established in key-points
in the Kosova towns and villages, as well as roads and intersections in dozens of places.
Local residents, passersby and drivers have been on a permanent basis subjected to
strict control and scrutiny, maltreatment, beating and plundering in such checkpoints.
Below is a list of the places (charted by LDK branches in the Kosova municipal centers)
where new Serb police checkpoints were established over the past two month:
Skënderaj :  New checkpoints were since February established at Klina e Epërme, Runik,
Tërnoc and in the town of Skënderaj itself.
Heavy Serb forces have been garrisoned in this municipality for two over two months,
including the huge emplacements at the hillsides around Llausha, Tërnoc, Kopiliq i Ulët,
Broja, as well as in the Game Ammunition Factory in Skenderaj.
Mitrovica - Serb police checkpoints have been recently built in virtually all the
entrances/exit points of the town, as well as near the villages of Shipol and Frashër and
the Mitrovica-Skënderaj road. Serb police forces have been garrisoned inside the buildings
of the Fire Brigades, the Serb army barracks, the "3" motel in Zveçan.
Vushtrri - A new Serb police checkpoint was recently established at Nedakoc village on the
Prishtina-Mitrovica road.
Prizren - In early February, a fixed Serb police checkpoint was built in Lubizhda village,
while temporary ones in Landovica, Dushanova, Gjonaj etc.
Junik - A new checkpoint was established at a place called "Kulla e Malokut" near Serb
refugees settlement. Increased Serb police and military forces have been deployed
outside villages along the Kosova-Albania border belt.
Çabër (in Serbian 'Zubin Potok'): Besides the permanent police checkpoint in Gazivoda,
Serb police patrols have carried routine inspections of passersby on several other places.
Additional Serb forces have been deployed in the area and the compounds of the army
reservists near Gazivoda.
Klina - In addition to the existing checkpoints at "Përlika" neighborhood in the small town of
Klina and Klina-Skënderaj road, new ones have been built lately at the road between
Pogragja and Jashanica villages, at Peja-Prishtina-Dollc intersection, and a huge one in
Kijeva.
A 1000 strong Serb police forces has been garrisoned in the premises of the "Malishgani"
agricultural cooperative at Pogragja village.
Suhareka - Temporary checkpoints were built in a couple of exits/entrance points of the
town as well several villages in the municipality. There has been for years now a fixed
checkpoint near the police station.
Gllogovc - A checkpoint which was abandoned a couple of years ago was re-established
in February at Komoran village at the Peja-Prishtina-Gllogovc intersection. Another one
was recently established at Morina village, while heavy Serb police forces have been
garrisoned in the premises of the police stations in Gllogovc and Komoran.
Kamenica - Serb police checkpoints have been established earlier at a place called
"Crepane", at Kamenica-Bujanoc-Gjilan crossroad, while since February, new ones were
established at a place called "Dheu i bardhë" in Katushnicë, at a place between the
villages Hodonoc, Rogaçica and Novosella, near the placque factory in Koretin, one
between Berivojca and Koretin villages. Heavier Serb forces have been reported
garrisoned in the villages with Serb population in them such as Ranilluga, Rapotova,
Bozhec, Rajnoc etc.
Armored Serb police vehicles have been for weeks stationed at Bozhevc village.
Meanwhile, two checkpoint at "Dheu i bardhë" and in Koretin have been dislocated, the
LDK sources in Kamenica said.
Kaçanik - A Serb police checkpoint has been built at Gerlica village on Ferizaj-Kaçanik
road.
Zhur - Besides checkpoints at Vlashnja, Zhur and Vërnicë, a new one was recently
established on the road linking villages Biluzha, Vlashnja, Zhur, Shkoza and Vërmica.
Increased deployment and movement of Serb police and military forces have been
reported about the zone bordering on Albania.
Fushë-Kosovë - No permanent checkpoint was established in the municipality lately,
except a temporary one at the Prishtina-Peja-Airport intersection in Sllatina village.
Podujeva - A permanent checkpoint was established several years ago outside the town
of Podujeva at the Prishtina-Nis (Serbia) highway.
Temporary and unfixed checkpoints have been reported in several places on the roads
leading t the countryside.
Leposaviq -  A police checkpoint at a place called "Ballaban" which was closed last
December was re-established in February. Serb military and police forces have bee
reported garrisoned in the premises of the shirt factory at Banjska.
Residents of Kushtova village have been warned not to cross the hillside where Serb
forces have been garrisoned.
Dragash - Besides an existing checkpoint built eight years ago at Zym village, police
patrols stationed now and then in other places of the municipality have been substituting
the checkpoints and carrying strict control of passersby.
Increased Serb army forces have been lately noticed in the military barracks and border
watch-house at Bresana.
Istog:  A new checkpoint of Serb police was lately established at Gurrakoc village at the
Peja-Mitrovica-Klina road.

Two Young Albanians Wounded at Ponoshec Village Thursday

PRISHTINA, April 17 (KIC) - Two young Albanians, natives of Ponoshec village of
Gjakova, were wounded yesterday (Thursday) as a result of the armed actions by Serb
forces in the vicinity of the border zone with Albania, not far away from this village, the
Information Commission of the LDK branch in Gjakova said today. The wounds received
by the two young people are not life-threatening, the LDK said.
Serbian military and police forces, backed by tanks, have been stationed at Ponoshec, the
LDK branch sources said, adding that the Serb forces have been provoking the local
population.
Part of the inhabitants of the village have been reported leaving the village for the town of
Gjakova or the villages in the municipality.
The Kosova Albanian population living along the Kosova-Albania border zone have borne
the brunt of a huge Serb police and military presence in the area in the past several years,
but also sweeps of gangs from Albania in the past year. Local Kosovars were killed by
Serb forces. Gangs from Albania, who have been engaged in plundering sweeps in the
Kosova Albanian villages last year, have left several Kosovars killed in their homesteads.
Meanwhile, the Serbian media reported yesterday about armed conflicts between Serb
military and "a group of arms traffickers from Albania, crossing over to Kosova".
There were many victims on the side of the group coming from Albania, the Serb press
says.
Several armed incidents took place yesterday (Thursday), beginning in the small hours.
The armed incidents occurred 300 meters inside the Kosova territory, the Serb media
said, putting the number of arms traffickers engaged in shoot-out incident at 60.
Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo was quoted as saying the 'Yugoslav' side will be
making allegations on such incidents in the run-up to the Contact Group meeting on
Kosova, scheduled for 29 April.
"Lacking the will to comply with demands of the Contact Group, the Serbs are accusing
not only Kosova Albanians, but also the Albanian state itself", Paskal Milo said in Tirana.

Serb Military Aircraft Flying over Border Zone with Albania

PRISHTINA, April 17 (KIC) - Serb military aircraft flew over the Ksosova Albania border
zone lats night, LDK Information Commission in Junik said.
Arms fire was heard too, according to the LDK.
In the morning today (Friday), cars of Serb security officers have been reported seen in
the village of Junik in the municipality of Deçan.
Two Serb police expeditions - armed policemen wearing bullet-proof jackets - were in
Junik yesterday, survelling the terrain, LDK sources said.

Serb Soldiers Rehearse in Estates of Albanians in Vushtrri Villages

PRISHTINA, April 17 (KIC) - Serb army forces movements and maneuvers have been
reported since morning hours today (Friday) in a wide area involving half a dozen villages
of Vushtrri (in Serbian 'Vucitern').
The LDK Information Commission in Vushtrri said that a Serb army convoy in armored
vehicles, trucks and other military equipment was seen entering Okrashtica village today
morning.
A couple-of-hour Serb army maneuver was performed today in the fields around the
villages of Pantina, Frashër i Madh and Okrashtica. Serb soldiers reportedly trespassed
estates of local residents, whereas in some of the cases they even intruded into the
houses of Albanians while rehearsing.
The Commission said the Serb army forces began withdrawing from the area at about
12:15.

Serb Military Units Reported Garrisoned at Zajm of Klina

PRISHTINA, April 17 (KIC) - Heavy Serb army forces were reported deployed today at
Zym village, about 3 kilometers far from Klina. The LDK Information Commission in Klina
said that Serb soldiers in 8 tanks, 13 trucks trailing high-calibre cannons, and an
ambulance car were garrisoned in the fields and forests around Zym, as well as in the
village itself.

Serbian Soldiers Shoot at Family Car at Hani i Elezit

PRISHTINA, April 17 (KIC) - Serb soldiers shot at a family car which was driven by Sali
Vila from Hani i Elezit Thursday late afternoon. He was driving two of his sisters together
with their children at home to another neighborhood at Hani i Elezit, LDK sources in Hani i
Elezit reported.
Mr. Vila stopped his car immediately. The Serbian soldiers approached him, searched the
car thoroughly and before letting them go they "apologized!"
In the car there were two women, sisters to Mr. Vila and four children.
Sali Vila was stopped again by the Serbian soldiers on his way back and scrutinized. He
told LDK Information Commission that while the Serbian soldiers were holding him they
shot in the direction of a couple of youth who were crossing the Lepenc river.
Mr. Vila said he was stopped the third time by another Serbian military patrol only hundred
meters away from the last one and harassed.

Intensified Serb Police and Military Movements in Vushtrri

PRISHTINA, April 15 (KIC) - Heavy Serb police forces besieged today (Wednesday)
morning the household of Musli Musliu at Stanovc village of Vushtrri.
The LDK Information Center in Vushtrri said Serb policemen in 4 cars and 2 armored
vehicles went to Stanovc village at 7:00, besieging the family compound of Musli Musliu
there. At least 20 other policemen came to the place about an hour later. The police
withdrew at around 9:00 hrs.
The Commission has failed to learn the pretext of the Serb police movements and
operation in Stanovc village. It noted, however, that around midnight last night Serb police
forces were seen moving through streets of this village, firing in the air on several
occasions.
LDK sources in Vushtrri said that a Serb police helicopter flew low over Pantina village
today at around 10. A police helicopter was seen likewise flying Tuesday over the
neighboring villages Bivolak, Strofc and Zhilivoda. Two Niva car with Belgrade number-
plates, with civilians and army officers on board, drove for a couple of hours on Tuesday
through several villages of Vushtrri.
Meanwhile, the Serb radio of Prishtina said today afternoon that a Serb policeman was
wounded from an ambush at Stanovc i Ulët village on the Prishtina-Mitrovica road,
Tuesday evening.
The radio said two disguised persons opened fire on the Serb policeman Dragos Tomovic
soon after he got off a bus. The policemen was slightly wounded, the radio said.

Serb Forces Build Emplacements, Plant Land-mines, LDK Officials in Skenderaj Say

PRISHTINA, April 15 (KIC) - The situation in the Skenderaj area, where dozens of
Albanian villages have been kept under siege for 42 days now, has been deteriorating,
LDK officials said in a meeting held in Skenderaj Tuesday, Bujku newspaper reports.
The Serbs have been deploying more forces and sending additional weapons in the area
on a daily basis. They are building new emplacements and planting land mines around
them, said Irdiz Reci, LDK Chairman in Skenderaj.
The situation is becoming more dangerous each day, while the movements of Serbian
army and police forces have increased.
The Serb forces have continued to repress and torture Albanians in the Serbian check-
points.
The Serb forces have moved into Albanian properties, looting and damaging Albanian
homes. They shell Albanian villages almost on daily basis, in particular Kopiliq, Turiçec,
Broja and Ternac. In Turiçec at least 22 houses have been burned or ruined down from
the shelling.
The displaced families cannot go back to their homes, and the persons caught inside the
villages under siege are exposed to constant threats by the Serb snipers, Bujku
newspaper reported.

 Increased Serb Military Movement in Kosova

PRISHTINA, April 13 (KIC) - There have been reports of increased Serb military
movement.
Large Serb forces walked out of the Mitrovica barracks today (Monday), local sources
said. They headed in the direction of Fshati i Vogël village. Twenty one lorries, many of
whom full with soldiers, as well as heavy weaponry, including tanks and cannons, were in
the Serb military convoy,.
Meanwhile, huge Serb military forces have been seen in the location of Qafë e Dulës
today. Then they headed for Luzhnica village of Suhareka, where they were reported
stationed, LDK sources in Suhareka said.
Around 10 o'clock in the morning today, a convoy of Serb military vehicles left the Peja
('Pec') barracks for Klina. A dozen tanks, several lorries, as well as heavy artillery made up
the convoy, LDK Information Commission in Peja reported.
Increased military movements have been reported in the Prizren and Dragash
municipalities in the past few days.

Serbian Army Moves in the Direction of Klina

PRISHTINA, April 13 (KIC) - A Serbian army convoy with a dozen of tanks and several
army trucks left the Peja army barracks Monday morning and headed towards Klina
municipality, LDK sources in Peja reported.
In the convoy there were bulldozers, field kitchens and heavy artillery equipment.

Serb Soldiers Threaten and Intimidate Local Residents in Lipjan

PRISHTINA, April 10 (KIC) - The Serb military units which have garrisoned at Ribar i Madh
village of Lipjan since April 6th, have been threatening and intimidating the local residents,
LDK sources reported.
The Serbian soldiers have been trespassing Albanian private estates, while late in the
night they whistle and sing nationalist songs, provoking the local residents.
The Serbian army tanks often drive through the village and the surrounding hills.
The Serb army has brought electricity supply in the camp, which is an indication they plan
to stay longer, the LDK Information Commission in Lipjan, a town 15 km east of Prishtina,
said.

Serbian Army Build Emplacements Near Prishtina

PRISHTINA, April 8 (KIC) - The Serbian army has deployed tanks and other heavy
armament and has been building emplacements at the Bernica e Poshtme village, 7 miles
north of Kosova's capital Prishtina, LDK sources in Prishtina reported.
The Serbian army has been stationed on the hills above the Truda village since the
beginning of April.
Serb military forces have also been stationed at Lebana village and have been building
bunkers, LDK sources said.

Additional Serbian Army Forces Deployed at Kosova-Albanian Border

PRISHTINA, April 8 (KIC) - Sources in Dragash said the Serbian army has deployed
additional army forces in the area. Some 10 lorries full of Serbian soldiers reached the
Vermica village Monday. They have been harassing local residents, LDK sources in
Dragash said. Meanwhile, the Serbian police arrested Wednesday morning Frrok Mesulaj
from Prizren, aid coordinator for Drenica, and Mitër Berisha, local LDK chairman in
Grazhdanik.
The Dragash municipality lies on the border zone between Kosova and Albania.

Serbian Army Exercise Force in Ferizaj

PRISHTINA, April 8 (KIC) - Some 50 Serbian army soldiers were deployed Tuesday at
Fshat i Vjetër village of Ferizaj ('Urosevac').
They have been stationed in front of the local primary school, as well as in front of many
Albanian homes, sources in Ferizaj reported.
The Serbian soldiers raided the yards of Osman Hyseni and Adem Hyseni.
At the same time heavy Serbian forces in police uniforms were stationed in the woods
nearby the village, sources said.
Local residents have been reported harassed and threatened by Serb forces.

Heavy Presence of Serb Military Forces in Lipjan

PRISHTINA, April 8 (KIC) - Heavy presence of Serb military forces was reported Tuesday
around Magura and a couple of other villages of Lipjan. Local residents fear the Serb
forces heavy presence and the military training conducted in around these villages over
the past days, say a report from Lipjan.
Eye-witnesses told KIC this morning that the military training gave the impression that the
Serb forces were planning an attack on their villages, and fear of a possible massacre on
the Albanian population in this region. The villages were blocked during the whole day
Tuesday.
Magura and other neighboring villages are in the vicinity of the Prishtina airport and the
largest Serbian military base in Kosova, Sllatina.
The Serbian police has intensified raiding for alleged hidden weapons on Albanian homes
in these villages recently, sources in Lipjan say.

Serb Army Movements Reported Near Prishtina

PRISHTINA, April (KIC) -  A Serb army convoy was seen moving today (Monday) morning
through Shkabaj, a village about 5 km north of Kosova's capital, Prishtina.
LDK sources in Shkabaj said the Serb army convoy was heading for Gazimestan, a grove
and Serb monument site near Prishtina. There were at least 20 tanks and 15 vehicles with
armed Serb soldiers on board, the source said.
Residents of Shkabaj were prevented from going out in the streets of the village while the
Serb army convoy was passing through.
Meanwhile, a Serb army convoy with four APCs and a truck with armed soldiers on board
was seen heading towards Sllatina village this morning.

Fresh Serbian Forces Deployed to Kosova

PRISHTINA, April 6 (KIC) - This morning at 10 a.m. CET fresh Serbian forces reached
Kosova on 10 buses and 14 vans. Half an hour later additional 4 buses and 10 lorries filled
with armed Serb forces in police uniforms, sources in Podujeva said.
These Serb forces arrived from Serbia, drove through Podujeva and headed in the
direction of Kosova's capital Prishtina.

Serb Military Helicopter Flying Low Over Villages of Malisheva

PRISHTINA, April 6 (KIC) -  A Serb military helicopter has been flying for a couple of hours
over the villages of Malisheva, a municipality i central Kosova neighboring on Rahovec.
Bodies of six yet unidentified murdered men were found this morning on both sides of a
road, just outside Rahovec.
The LDK Information Commission in Malisheva said at noon today that the Serb army
helicopter was flying quite low over the villages of the municipality and the small town of
Malisheva itself.

Serb Forces Order All Broja Residents Abandon Homes

Broja village abandoned entirely. Serb forces move into Albanian homes, set up new
emplacements, ethnic cleansing in the village completed

PRISHTINA, April 1 (KIC) - The situation in the besieged villages of Drenica continues to
be very grave, in particular at Broja village, the LDK local chairman there Bahtir Krasniqi,
told Bujku newspaper Wednesday.
"On Sunday, the Serb forces ordered Albanians in Broja to abandon the village entirely.
The few elderly people that were still in the village looking after their homes and farm
animals were told to leave their homes and let all animals go free," said Mr.Krasniqi.
"The 33 houses of Broja are now under Serb forces' control, filled with Serb police and
paramilitary units. They have set up new emplacements. The number of forces is ever
increasing," said Bahtir Krasniqi. The village was abandon since Monday and there was no
one else in the village besides the Serb forces. The population escaped to Klodernica and
Izbica villages.
Mr. Krasniqi said very little aid arrived for the displaced in Izbica, and no aid reached the
ones in Klodernica for one month now.
The region has been kept under very strict Serb forces' control. Villages have been
exposed to sporadic shelling and shooting by different kinds of fire arms.
Mr. Krasniqi said many houses were damaged. The contact with people outside the siege
is very difficult and there is no health assistance or medicaments.