Tagesnachrichten 19. Juli 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1495 July 19, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 19. Juli 1998
7. to call on the Commission and the Council to provide all necessary humanitarian aid to the victims of and the refugees from the acts of violence and call on member states to stop returning refugees and asylum seekers to Kosova where protection cannot be guaranteed;________________________________________________________________________
Augsburger Allgemeine 9. Juli 1998:
Still there is no stop of deportations !
newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine reports on July
9, 1998
... Despite the crisis Bavaria deported further
28 Kosova-Albanians. The plane landed in Belgrade. The deported shall all
be penalteds, Bavarian ministry of Interior said.
_______________________________________________________________________
CDHRF - REPORT NO. 420 - FROM JUNE 21 UNTIL JUNE 26, 1998
JUNE 24:
BELGRADE: Shkëlzen
Gashi from Klina and Elmi Hasani from Poklek i Vjetër near
Gllogoc, deported from Germany, were arrested at Belgrade airport.
JUNE 23:
FERIZAJ: 2 policemen from the police station
in Babush searched for Rrahim Pajaziti. Rrahim has been
living in Germany for the last 5 years.
JUNE 24:
MITROVICA: In "Kroi i Vitakut", fire was set
to the house of Bashkim Xhemajl Kabashi (40). Bashkim is currently
living with his family in Germany.
JUNE 26:
FERIZAJ: Police searched for Avdyl
Faik Avdyli (1973) from Komogllava, who is in Germany for 4 years
now.
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1495
Prishtina, 19 July 1998
Assassination Attempt on the KIC Head, Enver Maloku
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - The Kosova Information
Center (KIC) head, Mr. Enver Maloku, was the target of an assassination
attempt yesterday (Saturday) evening in Prishtina, capital of Kosova.
From a 2-meter distance, a gunman shot a bullet
from a handgun in the direction of Mr. Maloku, while the latter was descending
the staircase to the entrance of his home in a block of flats in the Bregu
i Diellit neighborhood in Prishtina. Luckily, the bullet missed the target.
Mr. Maloku said he was going to the entrance
of his flat when he spotted two men descending the staircase from upper
stories. One of the men made the attempt on his life. The assassin shot
a bullet from his gun, targeting Maloku who was descending towards the
front door of his basement flat. The gunman had camouflaged his gun in
a white bag, he said.
Mr. Maloku said, luckily for him, the bullet
missed the target, because it had hit one bar of the banisters. The assassin
was about to shoot a second time, Mr. Maloku said. He could not say what
made the assassin not press ahead with his aim: his (Maloku's) instant
verbal reaction, or a sudden thing happened in the mind of the gunman suggesting
the circumstances were not favorable for the crime. The gunman run away
in an unknown direction eventually.
The spent bullet (7.65 mm) was found in the spot,
and the sign of the bullet can be seen on both the handrail and the wall.
Enver Maloku said the gunman was of a middle
height. He was wearing a dark-colored jacket and hat.
The sound of the gunshot was heard in the block
of flats where Maloku's home is as well as in the nearby area, causing
fear in the community.
An eye-witness said he had spotted earlier two
men moving about the block of flats, one of whom was a Serb.
Serb crimes have been carried in this part of
the city of Prishtina.
In the spring of 1997, an Albanian student, Armend
Daci, was killed by a Serb hand. (See related item below, The KIC and LDK
Condemn the Attempt on the Life of Maloku)
Heavy Fighting Resume in Rahovec and Adjacent Villages
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - Heavy fighting between
Serbian forces and the local Albanian resistance units and UÇK has
continued in the streets of Rahovec ('Orahovac') today (Sunday) morning.
Rahovec, a town 60 km south-west of Kosova's
capital Prishtina, has been the scene of fierce fighting since Friday afternoon.
Fadil Gashi, a Rilindja/Bujku correspondent in
Rahovec, told the KIC that the fighting has continued today in the town
of Rahovec itself as well as in several outlying villages.
Early in the morning today, Serb forces launched
four mortars against the Drenoc village, killing at least two and wounding
several other local residents, Gashi said. He named the two killed Albanians
as Ms Emine Krasniqi (21) and Serafet Krasniqi (25). Arsim Krasniqi (24),
Ms Bademe Krasniqi (18), and Abaz Qerimi (50) sustained serious wounds,
he said, adding that it is feared the casualty figures in this overpopulated
village are higher. Many people who had fled Rahovec have found shelter
in Drenoc.
Another Rahovec village, Bellacërkë,
came under heavy Serb fire during the whole course of morning today (Sunday).
Clouds of smoke are billowing from many smoldering houses there, sources
told the KIC around midday. The village was being bombarded from two Serb
positions - at Gradishi hill and Dermjan village in the neighboring municipality
of Gjakova - witnesses said.
Electricity has been cut to the town of Rahovec
since Friday evening. Phone lines have been cut to the area since Saturday
morning. It is feared the Serb forces have committed large-scale massacres
of civilian population in parts of Rahovec.
Referring to accounts by residents of Rahovec,
the LDK chapter in the neighboring town of Prizren said heavy fighting
was going on in the area still around midday.
The LDK Information Commission in Prizren could
not confirm accounts about casualty-toll in the two-day fighting in Rahovec.
Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in
Rahovec said today afternoon it could learn that at least three Albanians
have been killed in the fighting in the town so far. One of the victims
is Ibrahim Cena, while the identity of the two others remains unknown,
the Commission said.
An Albanian, Gani Paçarizi (31), killed
yesterday in Rahovac, was reported buried today in his native Lubizhda
village of Malisheva.
Firefighting was also reported today in the village
of Reti, Opterushë and Zoçishtë, near Rahovec.
Three mortars fell only a few meters far from
a bus full of passengers in Brestovc village today morning. People fleeing
the area and moving to Prizren were aborad the bus. No account about possible
casualties in this village has been available to the KIC yet.
Two residents of Brestovc village - Nuredin Elshani
(28) and Shyqri Orllati (38) - were arrested by the Serbian police at a
checkpoint in front of Landovica motel near Prizren, the local LDK chapter
said.
Serbian Military Offensive in Border Area Villages Continues
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - The offensive of the
Serbian military and police against the villages of the Reka e Keqe region
along the border with Albania continued last night and today, the LDK Information
Commission in Gjakova reported.
Considerable material damage was reported, but
no casualties.
Serbian forces have shelled the villages of Nec,
Smolicë, and other outlying villages up to Junik, in neighboring Deçan
municipality.
Increasingly, Serbian helicopter gunships have
been reported involved in the recent attacks. They have been flying low
over the town of Gjakova, too.
Local resistance forces led by the UÇK
have been successfully repelling Serbian attacks, local sources said.
Meanwhile, local sources said heavy fighting
between Serbian military and police troops and local Albanian resistance
forces in the Drini vally villages. The sound of detonations in this area,
which outlies towards the town of Rahovec ('Orahovac'), can be heard in
the town of Gjakova, and the billowing smoke from smoldering buildings
seen there.
The Gjakova-Prizren road has been blockaded by
Serb police forces.
Reports from Gjakova said the body of a 53-year-old
Albanian shepherd, Abaz Hoti, was spotted near a Serb police checkpoint
in the Piskota suburbs of Gjakova last evening. The police has not allowed
the family pick up his body.
The dozen or so members of the extended Jetishi
family, arrested three days ago, are reported still in Serb custody.
The population of Gjakova faces both the Serb
enemy and its food and commercial items' blockade, observers in Gjakova
said.
Albanian Girl (12) and Boy (19) Killed by Serbs in Suhareka
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - At least two residents
of Suhareka municipality were killed during repeated Serb shelling of Albanian
farmsteads over the past two days.
The LDK chapter in Suhareka said a 12-year-old
girl, Raza Palushi, was killed Friday evening when a Serb launched mortar
landed on her house courtyard in Budakova.
The LDK office said the village of Krushicë
came under a heavy machine-gun and mortar fire Saturday evening.
A 19-year-old villager, Bujar Buzhala (19), was
fatally wounded by shrapnel.
Albanian Girl Killed, Three Wounded, in Serb Shelling of Malisheva Village
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - A 16-year-old girl
Vlorë Zogaj was killed in her house courtyard Saturday evening during
a heavy shelling by Serb forces of the village of Mleqan.
Sources in Malisheva said two local women, Hajrie
Zogaj (20) and Sevdie Zogaj (45), a 53-year-old man Ymer Gashi, and a child
were wounded in Mleqan yesterday evening.
Witnesses were quoted as saying that Serb forces
garrisoned in a base in Kijeva shelled for over three hours (6 through
9 p.m.) last evening the village of Bubavec and Mleqan.
The KIC sources could not learn whether there
were any casualties in Bubavec village.
Sporadic firefighting was reported yesterday
evening around another village of Malisheva, Shkoza.
Overnight Fighting in Three Deçan Villages
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - Fighting between Serbian
military/police troops and local Albanian resistance forces in the municipality
of Deçan has been going on mostly during night-time in the past
week, local source said.
The LDK Information Commission in Deçan
said heavy overnight fighting occurred in the villages of Prejlep, Carrabreg
i Poshtëm and Strellc i Epërm.
There have been no reported casualties. Six houses,
two in each village, were burned down last night, sources said.
The local Albanian resistance forces, aided by
the UÇK units, have been repelling Serb attacks.
A source said a Serb policeman was killed by
his own superiors when he tried to desert in the village of Strellc i Epërm
last night,
The municipality of Deçan has seen a relatively
quiet day today, sources said.
Serbian Military Steps Up Activities in Kosova
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - Two Serb helicopters
flew over the town of Ferizaj ('Urosevac') in the morning today, LDK sources
said.
One of the two helicopters had a Red Cross sign
and flew in the direction of the village of Jezerc, whereas the other was
a military gunship, which eventually headed to the Brezovica mountains,
sources added.
Heavy Serb military and police forces left Ferizaj
yesterday and today heading to Prizren.
Two Serb army convoys with soldiers, paramilitaries
and policemen on board of armored vehicles roamed about the town of Ferizaj
before setting out for Prizren.
Heavy Serb army hardware has been deployed in
the compounds of the Serb special police units in Hajvalia, municipality
of Prishtina, in the past several nights.
Local sources said the combat equipment located
in Hajvali is then transported to the areas in Kosova where Serbs have
embarked on military/police actions against Albanian villages.
Heavy cannons and other weaponry was unloaded
on Friday in Hajvali.
Serb police and military helicopters have been
flying low over residential areas in the village of Hjavali, local sources
reported.
Armed Serb Civilians Attack Hamidi Village of Obiliq
PRISHTINA, July (KIC) - Armed Serb civilians
attacked for a couple of hours the hamidi village of Obiliq, on Saturday
evening.
Sources in Obiliq said Serb from the neighboring
village of Prilluzha and Plemetin opened fire from snipers and machine
guns on Hamidi before and after midnight yesterday.
The LDK chapter in Obliqi said it could not learn
still if there were possible casualties in the Albanian inhabited village
of Hamidi.
Most of the villagers of Hamidi have fled their
homes Saturday, in the wake of a Serb attack the previous night. The village
was shelled by Serb forces on Friday causing immense damage on many houses.
Serb Police Loots Households in Lismir, Ill-treats Residents
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - Serbian police have
been looting Albanian houses in the village of Lismir ("Dobri Dub"), in
the municipality of Fushë Kosova ('Kosovo Polje'), which has been
under a Serb military/police siege since lats month, local sources said.
The 17 Albanians, mostly elderly people, who
have stayed behind after all the other Albanians abandoned their homes
have been ill- treated by police.
Serb forces have been reported in looting sweeps,
with appliances, household items, but also domestic cattle being taken
away by Serbs.
Five Serb policemen ill-treated Mehmet Obërtinca
(46), a resident of Lismir, yesterday. He received grave injuries in the
head and other parts of the body, when police assaulted him in his own
house courtyard.
Mr. Obërtinca had to seek medical treatment
for his injuries.
The KIC and LDK Condemn the Attempt on the Life of Maloku
PRISHTINA, July 19 (KIC) - The Kosova Information
Center (KIC) and the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK), the biggest political
party in Kosova, a senior member of which Mr. Enver Maloku is, condemned
today in the strongest terms the attempt on his life which occurred Saturday
evening in Prishtina.
Given the stature of Mr. Maloku as a leading
political journalist in Kosova, as a man dedicated to the Kosovar bid for
democracy and independence, the KIC said "the unknown gunman wears the
notorious face of the Serb services".
Enver Maloku was a prominent culture journalist
with the Television of Prishtina (TVP) till its closure by the Serb regime
in 1990.
He has been a staff writer of the KIC since 1991,
when it was actually formed, and its head since 1993.
The Kosova Information Center (KIC) has served
as national news agency for Kosova, and Mr. Maloku's contribution to this
has been enormous.
"The pursuit of Kosovar independence by peaceful
means and a democratic order is the thread that links Maloku's political
journalism in the past eight years", the KIC said in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Presidency of the LDK said in
a statement that the attempt on the life of E. Maloku, a member of the
LDK General Council, is evidence to a dangerously deteriorating situation
in Kosova with regard to the free expression of opinion and political activism.
The LDK said the Kosova Information Center (KIC),
headed by Maloku, has given the international and domestic public a real
and comprehensive picture of the Serbian genocidal policies in Kosova.
The attempt on the life of Enver Maloku is a
perfidious move to kill the freedom of speech and hamper the flow of information
on the crimes Serbia is carrying in Kosova, the LDK said in the statement.
"The KIC and Mr. Maloku have promoted the truth
on Kosova," LDK said, adding that it was convinced that fair, accurate
information is one of the values that should be cherished and protected
in Kosova.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
_______________________________________________________________________Kosova president meets OSCE delegation
PRISHTINE, July 18 (QIK) - Head of the Republic of Kosova Ibrahim Rugova held talks on Saturday in Prishtina with a delegation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) which included representatives of some member states and headed by the German ambassador Hans Joerg Eiff.
The ambassador Eiff said that "this delegation is in Kosova to see the situation on the ground and consider the possibility to return the OSCE mission in Kosova."
"The delegation is considering possibility of sending the mission of Felipe Gonzales, personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office Bronislaw Geremek," Eiff said.
Rugova said that due to the Serb brutal attacks hundreds of Albanian civilians have been killed, wounded or missed within these months and other dozens and thousands have been forced to flee or uproot. He said that "this marks the start of a wide-scale process of ethnic cleansing in Kosova" and called for urgent measures to stop the Serb agression.
Referring to a political solution, Rugova said that Kosova was an equal unit as others within former Yugoslavia. He added that after the breakup of the federation, the Kosova people took advantage of the right to declare independence through referendum.
"The best solution is an independent, neutral Kosova open towards Kosova and Serbia with all guarantees for the Serbs of Kosova and their interests," Rugova said.
Responding to the interest of the OSCE delegation, Rugova said that the first meeting of the parliament of the Republic of Kosova, resulted from the March 22 elections, was an important act for the institutionalisation of the life and strengthening of the democratic order in Kosova. He said that a politically wide ranging coalition government would be formed soon.
Rugova thanked the OSCE for its interests on the Kosova issue and said that he was waiting for Kosova be an OSCE member. sh.dha/ak/Albania ready to face any provocation, threat to its sovereignty
TIRANA, July 18 (ATA) - The government of the Republic of Albania severely denounced on Saturday the Serb barbarous acts and genocide in the state border between Albania and the Yugoslav Republic Federation and said that "it ready to face any provocation and threat to Albania's territorial sovereignty and integrity," the Albanian government said in a statement issued on Saturday.
The Albanian government considered these actions as open provocations aimed at engulfing Albania in the flames of a regional conflict on an extremely dangerous scale.
Early on Saturday scores of people were killed and wounded in the state border between Albania and Yugoslav Federation Republic as a result of wide-scale military and police operation against civil and innocent Albanian population of Kosova (who make up 90 percent of the population there) directly threatening the integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Albania.
The government of the Republic of Albania urgently calls on the international community and especially on governments of the United States and other Contact Group, United Nations, NATO and OSCE member states to immediately take extraordinary measures to interrupt the fascist-like aggression of Belgrade authorities against the Albanian population with all efficacious means they possess, it said.
"The escalation of Serb aggressive actions in Kosova against innocent people shows once again that the military machine of Serb chauvinism is not stopped with statements and resolutions but only with determined, concrete and unequivocal actions," the statement said.
"The solution to the Kosova issue, keeping the Balkans out of the war fevers imposes a restraint policy free from chauvinist platforms and peacefully-oriented solution with the contribution of all international community," the statement ended. s.s/mima/ak/Albanian diplomat visits Prishtina
PRISHTINA, July 18 (ATA) - Charge d'affair of the Albanian Embassy in Belgrade Florian Nova arrived on Saturday in Prishtina for a two-day visit to see the situation on the ground.
The Albanian diplomat met late on Saturday with the newly elected parliamentary Speaker in Kosova the Academician Idriz Ajeti and his collaborators as well as with the leaders of the Democratic League of Kosova.
Nova was expected to meet with other state and political leaders in Kosova. bj/ak/Fighting continues in Rahovec
PRISHTINE, July 19 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that heavy fighting between the Albanian and Serb forces continued for the third day in succession in the city of Rahovec and its suburbs, according to Fadil Gashi, the correspondent of the "Bujku" daily in Rahovec, who was following the developments on the ground.
The telephone connections have been interrupted due to fighting in the city.
The same source said that war zones had been extended since early in the morning and the Serb heavy artillery was shelling the Drenoc village.
Sources on the ground reported that two Albanians Emin Krasniqi, 21, and Servet Krasniqi, 25, were killed and many others injured. The village of Bellacerke was engulfed in the flames following Serb pounding. mp/mima/ak/
Tirana, 18 July (ARTA) 1815CET--
Fierce clashes took place near the Albanian border,
near Qafa e Morinës, yesterday morning, informs Albanian Interior
Ministry.
According to the first information issued by
this Ministry, 20 Kosova Albanians were wounded, out of which 8 are in
critical condition.
The same source claims that the clashes stopped
at around 1300CET, but because of the high concentration of Serb forces
at the border, the tension continues.
Some bullet shells fell into the Albanian territory,
sources from the Interior Ministry claimed.
Foreign sources claim that the Serb forces ambushed
a large group of Albanians, about 1000 of them, who were trying to cross
the border and get into Kosova, in order to reach a place called "Gjeravica".
The Foreign reporters claim to have filmed 8 killed Albanians at the place
of the ambush, however they also quoted unofficial Serb security sources,
reporting the death of at least 30 persons.
KOSOVA/ALBANIA (communiqué of the Government
of Albania)
The Serb military actions have violated the
integrity and sovereignty of Albania
Tirana, 18 July (ARTA) 2100CET—
"Dozens of killed and wounded innocent Albanian
civilians, came out as a result of a large scale Serb police operation",
it is claimed in the statement of the Albanian Government, following the
incident on the border with Albania.
"The Government of the Republic of Albania condemns
with deep indignation this barbarous and genocidal action of Serb chauvinism,
which is a continuation of Belgrade's strategy to ethnically cleanse Kosova.
Today's Serb military actions have directly violated the integrity and
sovereignty of the Republic of Albania.
The Albanian Government harshly condemns these
actions, as it considers them to be open provocations that tend to involve
Albania in the focus of a regional conflict, with highly dangerous consequences.
The Albanian Government urgently makes an appeal
to the international community and particularly to the US and other governments,
members of the Contact Group, UN, NATO, OSCE to undertake extraordinary
measures to stop the typical fascist aggression of the Belgrade authorities
over the Albanian people, using all the effective means they have in disposition.
The escalation of the aggressive actions in Kosova
against the innocent people, once more proves that the fighting machinery
of Serb chauvinism, cannot be stopped with statements and resolutions,
but rather with concrete and determined actions.
The Serb ethnic cleansing policy, foresees an
escalation of violence not only in Kosova but the whole region as well,
at the same time sending alarming signals about what is going on in the
Balkans, the part of Europe whose turmoil cannot pass without having its
effect on the whole continent.
The Albanian Government stated that it is ready
to face any kind of provocation and threat against the territorial sovereignty
and integrity of Albania, but it thinks that the solution of the Kosova
problem, saving the Balkans from the terror of war, impose a restrained
policy, far from chauvinist platforms, which is directed towards the peaceful
solution of the crisis", it is stated in the communiqué.
KOSOVA (clashes – Rahovec)
KLA claims to have taken Rahovec under control
Rahovec, 18 July (ARTA) 2100CET—
Harsh clashes took place in the town of Rahovec,
a town now almost entirely controlled by the KLA forces.
The Serb sources have confirmed that the town
is surrounded by the groups of armed Albanians and that the situation there
is dramatic. These information also state that groups of Albanians have
attacked this town from many directions and that they are constantly opening
fire on the police station situated in the center of the town. The same
sources claim that the armed Albanians allegedly abducted 40 Serbs from
Rahovec as a large number of Serb and Albanian inhabitants of Rahovec have
fled the town and headed in the direction of Prizren. The Serb sources,
do not confirm any news about the victims, however they do add that the
town of Rahovec is out of electricity and the phone lines are getting weaker
every day.
On the other hand, the Albanian sources claim
that the Serbs provoked the clash when they started their operation against
the people. Unofficial information confirms that no civilians were displaced.
Albanian sources inform about a large number
of dead and wounded. Gani Paçarizi, a KLA soldier from the village
Lubizhdë, municipality of Malishevë, was killed this morning
in the village Sapniq, municipality of Rahovec.
The KLA headquarter informs about harsh clashes
in the village Bellacerkë, municipality of Rahovec, as well.
KOSOVA (clashes – Prizren)
The "Yugoslav" Army ordered the inhabitants
of Zym to leave the village
Prizren, 18 July (ARTA) 1730CET--
The villagers of Zym were ordered last night
by the "Yugoslav" Army units in the village, to abandon the village within
30 minutes. The order came at 2100CET, last night, local CDHRF branch in
Prizren, informs.
Hashim Ejupi (19), from the same village, was
shot dead as he was getting ready to leave the village.
Clashes were reported to have started at about
the same time, lasting until about 0400CET.
On the other hand, the road that connects Prizren
with Opojë (30 km south of Prizren) and Dragash, was blocked at the
place called "Dubravë", it is stated in the information.
KOSOVA (attacks – Deçan)
Missile attack in Junik
Deçan, 18 July (ARTA) 2210CET--
KLA officer, Lum Haxhiu, informed that last night
for the first time, Junik was attacked with surface-to-surface missiles.
On this occasion the Krasniqi, Muhaxheri and
Gacaferri neighborhoods and the center of Junik itself, were hit.
No killed or wounded resulted from this attack,
but the material damages were very large. Besides the missiles, the Serb
snipers shot on the inhabitants of Junik.
The dramatic situation on the battlefield of
Deçan, continues. The focus of the constant and the harshest clashes
was the village Carrabreg i Poshtëm. Fierce clashes also took place
in the villages of Prejlep, Baballo and Gramaçel. As a result of
the fire, several houses were burned in the village Gramaçel.
KOSOVA (renewed attacks – Gjakovë)
Serb forces stationed in Drenoc, Dukagjin
and Potërç i Ulët attacked Bokshiq
Klinë, 18 July (ARTA) 1830CET--
Harsh clashes between the Serb forces stationed
in Drenoc, Dukagjin and Potërç i Ulët and Albanians, took
place last night from 2000CET to 2230CET, in Bokshiq.
No victims were confirmed on the Albanian side,
as one killed policeman and several others were reported wounded by the
Serb side. Despite the frequent provocations by the Serbs, the inhabitants
of Bokshiq remained in the village.
Local Albanian sources claim that besides the
burning evidenced in the villages Jashanicë, Pogragjë and Dollc,
over 10 Albanian houses were burned in the village Drenoc, last night at
around 1900CET. The burning were followed by numerous shootings in the
village Dukagjin.
KOSOVA (shelling – Gjakovë)
Shelling in Rekë e Keqe has recommenced
Prishtina, 18 July (ARTA) 2030CET--
Compared to the previous days, the clashes in
the region of Rekë e Keqe, were of a more increased intensity last
night and today, local LDK sources report.
The combined police\military forces shelled the
villages Nec, Shishman, Smolicë, Morinë and other bordering villages.
Albanian sources claim that Serb helicopters
also participated in the attack against the region of Rekë e Keqe.
There is no information about the eventual victims, but the material damages
are considered to be very high.
Hana Hyseni (30) along with her children Dedë
(12), Drita (8) and Doruntina (1), were arrested by the Serb police on
their way from the village Nec, in the entrance of the town of Gjakovë.
On this occasion, Sally Backer, an international activist known by the
name of "Mostar Angel", was arrested as well. Unconfirmed sources claimed
that the Court of Pejë sentenced her to a 30 days prison term.
Albanian sources confirm that the 10 members
of the Jetishi family, arrested two days ago are still being held in detention.
Many houses in Batushë were put under fire
after previously being looted.
In the meantime, Albanian sources inform that
the police checkpoint in the village Bishtazhin, on the Gjakovë-Prizren
road, was reinforced by a considerable number of Serb policemen. Over 100
policemen were posted in the checkpoint near the village's school building
and by the main road.
KOSOVA (clashes - Suharekë)
A neighborhood of Suharekë was shelled
from "Damper"
Suharekë, 18 July (ARTA) 1620CET--
The Serb combined military\police forces, posted
in the rubber factory "Damper" near Suharekë, last evening shelled
a part of a neighborhood in Suharekë, damaging several houses, local
Albanian sources inform.
Witnesses claim that the shelling was mainly
conducted by mine launchers, but other weapons were used as well. Serb
policemen settled on top of Hotel "Balkan" and of the department store
also participated in this attack.
The KLA forces replied to this attack from their
positions, which they still hold.
The town of Suharekë is almost completely
sealed and shootings are heard occasionally. The streets are completely
abandoned. The shops are closed down, making the food provision very difficult.
Other zones were also subjected to sporadic clashes
between the KLA and the Serb combined military\police forces, such as the
region of Qafa e Duhlës, Bllacë and Grejçec.
There are no confirmations about the eventual
victims on either of the sides.
KOSOVA (siege – Obiliq)
A police attempt to enter in "Gospojë"
was backed
Fushë Kosovë, 18 July (ARTA) 1620CET--
As the siege of the villages Graboc, Shipitull,
Hade and several other villages still continues, a large number of inhabitants
of Bardh i Madh are returning home.
The police surrounded the lignite mine and continue
to "safeguard" it from, how they claim, "Albanian terrorists".
On the other hand, the local Albanian sources
suppose that the police have started mining the terrain -- fields and hilltops,
where they are settled. From this point, police forces are constantly making
attempts to reach a strategic point – one hill called "Gospojë". Such
police attempt was already backed once by the KLA units.
The difficulties in providing food are largely
affecting the already tense situation.
KOSOVA (casualties – Malishevë)
Two corpses found nearby Lubizhdë
Malishevë, 18 July (ARTA) 2100CET--
Albanian sources inform about the killing of
seven Serb policemen and the wounding of several others, during yesterday’s
attack of the Serb forces on Shkozë. Following the first attack, the
Serb police forces resumed the offensive on the same village at 1800CET.
Clashes lasted till 2100CET.
According to Albanian sources, the village was
shelled from the military bases in Rogovë e Hasit (Gjakovë mun.)
and Landovicë (Prizren mun.).
There is no information about the consequences
of last night’s shelling.
Local Albanian sources inform that two corpses
were found this morning in a forest between the villages Lubizhdë
and Mirushë (Malishevë mun.). It is still unknown when were they
brought there.
According to witnesses, the bodies were decomposed,
thus it was impossible to identify them.
KOSOVA (mobilization of Serb civilians – Gjilan)
The Serb civilian's mobilization continue
Gjilan, 18 July (ARTA) 2000CET--
The mobilization of the Serb population by the
local authorities, in the municipalities of Gjilan, Viti, Kamenicë
and Novobërdë, that started several days ago, continues. Hence,
besides the provision of arms to Serb civilians, groups of them have now
started cruising down different localities of these municipalities.
Sources from the ground inform that, groups of
armed Serbs were seen undergoing military training near the village Budrikë
e Poshtme, by the Moravë river, under the surveillance of the police,
yesterday afternoon.
On the other hand, in some of the villages of
Novobërdë, in Jasenovik, Bostan etc., the local Serbs were given
weapons while groups of Serb civilians have stationed in the local elementary
schools.
Kamenicë is also evidencing increased movements
of the police and armed civilians, who are having their military training
in the suburbs of the town.
The mobile police checkpoints have intensified
the controls and legitimating of the vehicles and passengers and passersby.
A new police checkpoint was settled at the place
called "Kapi", on the Kamenicë-Banjë e Siarinës road, where
the vehicles and passengers are stopped and legitimated.
On the other hand, food items coming in from
Serbia are usually stopped by the police at the checkpoint in "Dheu i Bardhë",
at the Bujanoc-Gjilan road axis.
KOSOVA (concentration of police forces – Podujevë)
Large police concentration at the locality
of Luzhan
Podujevë, 18 July (ARTA) 2045CET--
Information sources in Podujevë inform about
a tense situation in the town and particularly in the locality of Luzhan,
where a large number of police forces were deployed. They mainly settled
in the Luzhan police station and at the Luzhan-Batllavë-Orllan-Prishtina
crossroad.
Two snipers settled in Faik Berisha’s household
in Luzhan, even though an Albanian family lives there. They told the Berisha
family that they have an order to monitor Luzhan from that precise house.
Sources of information inform about movements
of police\military convoys from the direction of Nis to Prishtina. According
to these sources, they started coming since 0400CET. They were composed
of police and military APCs, trucks, terrain vehicles and several buses
filled with policemen.
At the police point in Orllan, a special truck
got loaded, supposedly with fighting material, escorted by two APCs and
other police vehicles, information sources claim. Large concentration of
forces was also seen at the police checkpoint by Motel "Besiana", in Podujevë.
Police deployment was also evident down the main
road starting from the entrance of Podujevë to Lupç i Poshtëm,
on both sides of the road. It is supposed that they were escorting the
convoy that arrived today in Kosovë from the direction of Nis.
KOSOVA (interview with OSCE head of delegation
- excerpts)
"I strongly feel the need for an international
mediation here"
Prishtina, 18 July (ARTA) 1900CET—
"KD": What was the reaction of your Albanian collocutors on your efforts to reinstall the OSCE observing mission in Kosova?
Eiff: It was quite a positive one. We are actually encouraged to recommence with our efforts to reinstall this mission, precisely from this positive and unanimous stance of the Albanian political leaders. We also got positive reactions for a possible role of Felipe Gonzalez.
"KD": Yesterday, you said that you are in a fact-finding mission and that you are here to evaluate the situation. What is your evaluation so far?
Eiff: My evaluation will be presented to the OSCE presidency following week, and since this, as you already know, is a very difficult task - you try to evaluate the situation every day, whereas we are in a week-long mission, I have to restrain myself from giving an evaluation now. I can and will do this only by the end of my stay and I will exclusively report to the OSCE president in turn. However, I would like to say something. I strongly feel the need for an international mediation here. Everybody talks about a dialogue and the necessity for dialogue. Essentially, the positions of the Serbs, Yugoslavs and the Albanians are so far apart that, unfortunately, I cannot imagine a dialogue in the near future. They need a strong international assistance to start dialogue -- a bigger help than the present one, concerning the major issues. What is a great reason of concern, is the use of force. I can understand the reasons that drive the Albanians to get armed. However, this is not a right step if one aims to reach a peaceful solution. Thus, I think that we need to think more on how to achieve a cease-fire, to quiet down the weapons. This would include bigger steps to be undertaken by the Serb and "Yugoslav" Army, from which the international bodies have demanded substantial withdrawal. I think that the negotiations should be concentrated at ending violence.
"KD": Will you be returning to Kosova soon?
Eiff: This does not depend entirely on me. I am a retired ambassador. Hence, I cannot serve in such a mission. I was requested to conduct this mission. I don't know whether I will be asked to do it again. I am happy to be here and to meet good friends. I hope things will get well.
BAJRAM CURRI, July
17 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha,
Considerable aid
in food and clothes continue to arrive in the Tropoje district for the
Kosova refugees who have left their homes due to the Serbian violence and
repression.
The aid contingent
provided by the Albanian Red Cross, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR) and other donors has helped cope with the emergency situation created
in the communes of Tropoje, Llugaj, Margegaj, Bujan and Fierze and in the
commune of Bajram Curri as a result of the inflow of 10 000 inhabitants
from Kosova.
Over 70 per cent
of this aid has been so far distributed to the Kosovars and the families
sheltering them.
However, abuses
have been noticed with the distribution of the aid as, according to the
head of the Tropoje district, Xhevdet Hoxha, there is no state structure
to deal with the aid administration.
He said that in
order to solve this issue they are cooperating with the U.N. High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) and signed with them an act-agreement, according to
which UNHCR and the Albanian Red Cross undertake to supply the Kosova refugees
with aid and cover their storing and distribution expenditures. /s.s/das/lm/
BC-ALBANIA-BORDER-FIGHTING
Grave situation on border with Yugoslavia
-After Serbian bombardments, tens of wounded
Kosovars head for Albania-
TIRANA, July 18
(ATA)-Sources from the Padesh-Tropoje border police post report that on
Saturday at around 10.05 the region of the frontier post C-2 was shelled
by Serbian artillery and the shells landed about 500 metres inside Albanian
territory.
As a result the
situation there has been very grave.
The Public Order
Ministry spokesman told ATA that at 10.30 three Kosova citizens injured
in the fighting arrived in the region. At 10.50 arrived two others injured,
while artillery shelling by the Serbian forces continues.
According to the
spokesman, the chief of public order and the doctor of the police commissariat
in Tropoje reported that six Kosovars, in serious condition, arrived at
12.10 and another eight at 12.35 and the situation in the region of frontier
post C-2 remains very grave.
The chief of the border
police, Bajram Gosturani, reported that at 12.50 artillery shelling stopped
but the situation remains grave, as Serbian forces are being positioned
near the border.
The spokesman
of the Public Order Ministry said that some 80 injured Kosovars are being
transported to Tirana. /a.ke/lm/
Injured Kosovars treated in Bajram Curri hospital
-Those in grave condition transported to Tirana-
Bajram Curri, July
18 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha,
After Saturday's
attacks by the Serb forces against the Kosova population beyond the border,
22 Kosovars have arrived at the civil hospital of Bajram Curri. Fifteen
of them, who are in a more serious condition, have been transported by
four helicopters to Tirana, the director of the hospital, Shake Rexha,
told ATA.
She said that
considerable amounts of blood, solutions etc. have urgently arrived from
Tirana to cope with the number of the wounded, which might increase.
Meanwhile, the
staff of the emergency situation in the district met at 14.00. It analysed
the situation created after the latest attack by the Serbian forces, which
have also thrown two shells about 500 metres inside the Albanian territory.
There is no immediate
word of the exact number of the injured. /a.ke/lm/
We hail inauguration of Kosova parliament and KLA - Nano
TIRANA, July 18
(ATA)-By Y.Pata,
Prime Minister
Fatos Nano on Saturday hailed the inauguration of the Kosova parliament,
which convened in Prishtine two days ago.
"I avail myself
of the occasion to hail, as prime minister and SP chairman, the inauguration
of the parliament of the Republic of Kosova.
We wish this inauguration
will constitute a step towards the unity of the Kosova Albanians, towards
their united appearance on the political scene. The Albanian government
has and continues to support the Kosova people so that they be an active
party in avoiding the crisis," said Nano.
In his speech
at the Tirana SP conference Nano also referred to the Kosova issue. He
dwelt on the role of Albanians' armed resistance in the current developments.
"Our stand has
been to recognise the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) as a fundamental element
in the current developments in Kosova," said Nano. /a.ke/lm/
LINK to further press news
LINK to further press news_______________________________________________________________________
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