Tagesnachrichten 23. Juli 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1423 July 23, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 23. 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
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1499
Prishtina, 23 July 1998
Declaration of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - The Parliament of the
Republic of Kosova issued yesterday (Wednesday) a Declaration from the
inaugural meeting of the Parliament, held in Prishtina on 16 July 1998.
The Declaration, signed by Idriz Ajeti, the Speaker of the Parliament,
unveils the position of the legislative body of the Republic on a range
of issues pertaining to the reality of Kosova. The text of the Declaration
recalls that the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova is an institution
that coordinates concerted political and military efforts towards the attaintment
of independence for Kosova.
Following is the full text of the Declaration,
rendered into English by the KIC:
(Begin text)
DECLARATION
from the inaugural meeting of the Parliament
of the Republic of Kosova
The Parliament of the Republic of Kosova convened
its first session in conditions of Serbian occupation of Kosova, in circumstances
of Serbian state-sponsored terror amounting to genocide, but also at a
time of a stepped up, general resistance and an invigorated liberation
struggle in Kosova.
Elected in the 22 March 1998 vote, likewise conducted
in conditions of [Serbian] occupation, and as a political and institutional
opposition to this occupation and the occupier's institutions, and, first
and foremost, as an expression of the political will of the people of Kosova
for freedom and independence, the top political, representative, constitutional-legislative
institution instrumental in attaining independence for Kosova,
the PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA is and
will be:
- an institution that articulates clearly and
strongly the aspirations and the commitment of the people of Kosova to
freedom and independence;
- an institution that expresses and orchestrates
the interest and action of the Albanian people and other peoples of Kosova
for a free and democratic development;
- a body of political unity of the people of
Kosova and the orchestration of efforts for the resolution of the Kosova
issue, primarily through political and peaceful means, on the basis of
the results of the 1991 Referendum, pursuant to the principles of self-
determination and democratization, and other internationally acknowledged
principles today.
Expressive of the aspirations for independence
and the determination to actually achieve it, an institution and agent
instrumental in achieving independence, the Parliament of the Republic
of Kosova is the representative of all those who see independence and democratization
as their basic tenets, regardless of their political and party affiliations
and other possible differences.
In order to discharge its basic functions under
the current circumstances,
the PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA strives
to be:
- an institution of political unity and of a
basic consensus among all the political forces in Kosova;
- an institution for coordinating comprehensive
political and military efforts to achieve independence for Kosova;
- a body of good will and of an equitable cooperation
of all the peoples of Kosova;
- a body of further promotion, internationally,
of our liberation struggle in accord and in cooperation with the international
community;
- a body to democratically sanction relations
and guarantees of liberties and individual and collective, political and
national rights;
The Parliament of the Republic of Kosova convened
and began functioning in very grave, complex and dangerous circumstances.
The Serbian occupation rule has been cracking down on Kosova with all its
weight in a bid to subject its people to submission. Kosova is now drifting
to a war which may turn much bloodier and devastating.
These are decisive times for Kosova and its future.
The overall political and military setbacks of
Serbia in Kosova, the growing popular resistance in Kosova, the expansion
of the increasingly powerful UÇK [Kosova Liberation Army], the international
condemnation of Serbia's claims, its isolation, as well as stepped up international
efforts - all these are harbingers of a certain and final defeat of the
'Greater Serbian' hegemony.
Yet, up until the definitive liberation a painfully
hard work remains to be done and new sacrifices to be made. Therefore,
now, more than ever, there is need for the commitment, the determination
and cooperation of all in the bid to achieve independence.
Despite the situation Kosova has been going through,
the possibilities for dialogue and a peaceful solution, although greatly
reduced, have not been exhausted. Therefore, while not giving up vigilance
and self-defense, let us try to use them.
In order for us to achieve these goals, it is
an imperative that we be united and resolute. Let us unify in a genuine
unity all the Albanian political forces, all the physical and mental, moral
and political powers in the common front of our resistance and independence
bid.
Let us cooperate more and coordinate our efforts
with all those who can help us, with the Republic of Albania, with Albanian
lands outside [Albania proper], and with the diaspora.
Let us cooperate with our friends, wherever they
are.
Let us - with our commitment, maturity, responsibility
and determination in our views and action - deserve the understanding and
assistance of international factors and other mechanisms in all their powers.
Let the inauguration and continued functioning
of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova be an agent for overcoming
disputes, an agent for a qualitatively new cooperation, an agent of a new
and essential turning point in our orientation and our activities."
(End text).
The text of the Declaration was carried in full by the "Informatori" evening daily yesterday, and the "Bujku" daily today. The third Kosova daily in Albanian, "Koha Ditore", has not carried it. "Koha" has been a mouthpiece of those opposed to the Parliament convening at all. The Albanian state-run television, RTSH, which has a two-hour program aired via satellite mostly aimed at Kosovars, read out the whole text of the Declaration in its evening news program yesterday.
No News from Rahovec, Devastated Town under Serb Siege
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - Telephone and
roads to the town of Rahovec ('Orahovac'), 60 km south of Prishtina, have
been cut, making it impossible to determine the extent of human casualty
toll and material damage caused by the Serb military, paramilitary and
police crackdown over the weekend.
Scores of Albanians are known to have been slain,
some of them executed and burned in the town of Rahovec, which in peace
had a population of 20.000, over 80 percent of whom Albanian.
Some press accounts, including foreign ones,
suspected that killed Albanians were buried in massive grave sites.
Some local people were quoted as saying yesterday,
when foreign reporters were allowed to tour the town, Serb forces piled
the corpses and got them away in tractors.
The LDK branch in Prizren, the area where many
Rahovec residents have found refuge and others jailed, called on international
organizations to be instrumental in having the bodies of slain people in
Rahovec collected and buried.
Trade-mark, Scandalous, Serbian Reporting on
Kosova by the BBC Serbian Section
The BBC correspondent,
Milivoje Mihajlovic, heads Serb regime's mouthpieces:
Radio Prishtina and
Media Center
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - The BBB Serbian Section's
correspondent from Prishtina reported on the situation in Rahovec ('Orahovac')
yesterday the way the notorious Serbian state television (RTS) does as
a rule.
The BBC correspondent, Milivoje Mihajlovic, quoted
yesterday exclusively Serb police sources in Rahovec, and the Serb-installed
mayor of the town.
As far as the BBC correspondent was concerned,
there were scores of Albanian 'terrorists' killed there, but no civilian.
There were smashed up windows in the businesses and shops in the town center,
and only scores of destroyed houses!
Mihajlovic saw nothing else in Rahovec, although
he had himself - on behalf of the Media Center which he heads - organized
a tour for foreign reporters in Rahovec.
This kind of scandalous reporting is no surprise
for the Kosovar audience.
Milivoje Mihajloviq is currently editor-in-chief
of the Serb regime-run Radio Prishtina, and head of the Serb military-police
administration's mouthpiece, 'Media Center', in Prishtina.
One wonders why the BBC, the prestigious broadcasting
corporation, has chosen to have Mihajlovic, who had leading positions in
the Milosevic regime's propaganda machinery, serve as a correspondent from
Prishtina.
Mihajlovic's scandalous reporting credits him
before Milosevic. How does it fit within the BBC editorial policies? -
is the question requiring an answer.
Regarding Rahovec, see the Western media accounts
of the past two days. They are full of shocking reports on the wanton slaying
by Serb forces of Albanian civilians.
Large-scale Serb Police House-to-House Raid Campaigns in Peja
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - The Serb police has
launched a vast campaign of house-to-house raids of Albanians houses in
the town of Peja ('Pec'). Scores of Albanians in the town had their homes
stormed by Serbs over the past two days under the pretext of hunting down
members of the Liberation Army of Kosova (UÇK).
The LDK chapter in Peja said a dozen Albanians
in "Haxhi Zeka" neighborhood had their homes searched and family members
harassed by outraged Serb police Tuesday afternoon.
Homes of family compounds of Musëshabanaj,
Gogaj, Kryeziu, Dervishaj and Nikçi were thoroughly searched, and
around 20 members were arrested. Xhavit Musshabanaj, two visitors with
his family, Zenel Muriqi, Gani Gogaj, Fatmir Gashi, Avdyl Gashi, Seit Dërvishaj,
Avdyl Tahiri and his son, Hajzer, Muhamet and Hysen Kryeziu and Musa Nikçi,
were some of the detained Albanians.
During a two-hour operation (23 through 01:00)
on Tuesday night many other Albanians had their places raided by the Serb
police. Agim Rakoci and Enver Rakoci ware detained and reportedly tortured
in custody until next morning.
The LDK chapter in Peja said the Serb police
undertook operations in several parts of the town on Wednesday. A number
of Albanians were arrested in the streets of the town as well.
Last evening the Serb police raided the homes
of Nexhat Xhemaili, Kolë Prekaj, Luan Thaçi. Nehat Xhemaili's
son, Arbnor Xhemaili, was reported beaten up brutally.
The LDK named other people who had their homes
raided on by the police, such as Ms Sherine Muhaxheri, Avdiharrim Muleci,
Rexhep Aliçkaj.
Serb policemen smashed up household items and
looted valuables of Albanians. Avdiharrim Muleci' wife had all her jewelry
and DM 480 seized by Serbs.
Many Albanians in villages of Peja have had their
homes searched and members of their families harassed by Serbs.
The LDK Commission in Peja named some of them
as Ramadan Maxhuni in Poterçi i Ulët, Zyjë S. Muriqi,
Skënder Nikçi in "Fidanishte" suburb.
Mëhill Bibaj said an explosive device was
planted in his courtyard in Peja. Mr Bibaj was quoted as saying Serb callers
have sent him verbal threats, by phone, to abandon his house.
Serbs Shell Gremnik Village in Klina Thursday Morning
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - The village of Gremnik
in Klina municipality, central Kosova, came under heavy Serb fire early
in the morning today (Thursday).
The local LDK chapter in Klina said 54 mortar
shells landed in Gremnik during a short period of time today. There were
no casualties, as the villagers were hiding in basements, but immense damage
was caused on farmsteads in the village.
Electricity was cut to the village as a couple
of poles were hit and fell, the Commission said. The Gremnik village has
been attacked on repeated occasions by the Serb forces over the past two
months.
Serbs Provoke Albanian Neighbors, Fire on Their
Houses
Serbs given armament
in a Prishtina neighborhood
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - Local Serbs in the
villages of Novolan and Vernica in the Vushtrri (Vucitern) municipality
opened unprovoked fire on the houses of their neighbors Wednesday night,
local sources said.
Quoting Albanians in the two villages, the LDK
chapter in Vushtrri said the Serbs fired from automatic rifles for almost
tow hours after midnight. The Serbs first opened fire in the air, then
on roofs and walls of Albanian houses.
Residents of Novolan and Vernica said provocations
from their Serb neighbors have been proliferating on a daily basis and
the Serbs were supplied with additional weapons lately.
Prishtina: Meanwhile, witnesses told the KIC
Serb civilians were given arms in a police station at "Lagjia a Muhaxherve"
neighborhood in Prishtina today. Many Serbs were seen entering the local
police station, where they were distributed arms today from 9 a.m. through
1 p.m., the local LDK chapter in the area said.
Serbs Abduct Albanian in Prishtina
PRISHTINA, July 23 (KIC) - A 29-year-old
Albanian, Besnik Kastrati, resident of Vërshec village of Lipjan,
was reported abducted by Serbs civilians in Prishtina on Wednesday evening
at around 18:00 hrs.
Witnesses told the KIC that Besnik Kastrati was
abducted by four Serbs and led away to an unknown destination.
Mr. Kastrati's wife, Hasibe Kastrati, said four
Serbs raided her apartment in Prishtina at around 19:30 last evening. She
said the Serbs searched her place and robbed her of some gold jewelry.
At around 10 p.m. last evening, an unidentified
man has phoned Mrs Kastrati telling her that her husband "was not in police
custody and his fate is unknown".
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
Albanians killed in Rahovec burried in massive graves
PRISHTINE, July
23 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that the Albanians killed
recently by the Serb forces in Rahovec city were buried on Tuesday in two
common graves, Prishtina press said on Thursday referring to eyewitnesses.
"Serb forces have
dug up graves with excavators and buried the bodies collected in the roads
of Rahovec almost an hour before the arrival of foreign journalists and
diplomats in the city," the same source said.
The Council for
the protection of Human Rights and Liberties in Kosova said that Serb forces
have killed over 50 Albanians but scores of killed and massacred people
in roads, houses, underground and fields had not been identified yet.
Sources of the
Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) in Rahovec believe that there are hundreds
of civilians killed, massacred, burnt or injured.
Kosova press and
other sources compared Rahovec with Srebrenica. pta/mima/ak/
KOSOVA (fighting consequences - Prizren)
Albanians believed to be buried in mass graves
Prizren, 22 July (ARTA) 1815CET --
The fighting in Rahovec, which entered its fifth
day today, affected Prizren as well, creating an alarming situation in
town. There were very frequent patrols and movements of Serb police\military
forces in Prizren, mainly heading towards Rahovec.
Sources say that some of the inhabitants of Rahovec
that were arrested yesterday, were released from the police station in
Prizren after being tortured and mistreated. However, many of them are
still being kept in detention.
Albanian daily, "Koha Ditore", sources from the
ground say that another truck of the trading enterprise "Prima", arrived
in town today, bringing another group of 100 arrested Albanians.
The Emergency Council in this Kosovar town, is
doing its best to help out 2,000 IDPs, with food, medicine as well as clothing.
IDPs from Rahovec, as well as a team of the CDHRF
branch in Prizren that visited the region around Rahovec yesterday, describe
scenes of horror, very much like those in Srebrenica.
On the other hand, locals claim that many unidentified
corpses were buried in two mass graves in the cemetery of Prizren.
The LDK Information Commission branch, notifies
that sources from Zhur claim to have heard artillery fire today, presumably
coming from the direction of the border. The shooting, which took place
during the night, died down at around 0400CET.
KOSOVA (witness accounts - Rahovec)
Two sacks of flour for 75 people
Prishtina, 22 July (ARTA) 1715CET --
Witnesses say that a real massacre occurred in
Rahovec. Many were executed, there are legs and arms lying around on the
streets, headless bodies and heads without eyes, burnt bodies and people
that were hung on posts. There are many corpses in the cellars of houses
and on fields as well. There were cases of hay being scattered on the floor
and groups of people being forced to lie on top, only to be put on fire.
This was what a man from Rahovec, the only survivor of one such team, stated.
"There was another case when the police hanged
a man on a post and drew a cross on his chest with a knife. Many people
have been killed in cellars. There are also many wounded Albanians who
are now trapped in cellars and who face other sicknesses due to the fact
that there is nobody who can help them", said the representative of the
Emergency Team in Malishevë, which was established for helping IDPs
from crisis zones such as Rahovec.
Malishevë without food and water
"The situation, which was already difficult, is
now alarming after the arrival of Albanians from Rahovec to Malishevë.
75 people are sheltered in one house. The owner of the house has only two
sacks of flour. There is even a risk of the people here running out of
food reserves in two-three days, let alone clothing or medicine", said
the representative of the Emergency Team in Malishevë.
"The situation is being made more difficult since
there is no electricity and water pumps do not work", he adds.
"An ICRC team visited Malishevë yesterday",
he says. "We talked to them and described the situation. We asked them
to be more concrete in realizing our requests; to pay attention to our
appeal. We asked for help in food, medicine and clothing. They, on their
behalf, promised to go to Rahovec. However, they returned a short time
after they left, saying that the police did not allow them to enter the
town".
Several health units have been improvised in
Malishevë and the local doctors are working there, the Emergency Team
representative claims, adding that they still lack surgical material and
means for transportation. "The doctors are doing their best to maintain
hygienic conditions for their patients. That is impossible though, because
there is no running water", he stated.
He said that the ICRC brought a truck-full of
flour to Malishevë and that the team had promised to try and bring
larger amounts of aid.
The Emergency Team appeals to all humanitarian
organizations to help the municipalities of Malishevë and Rahovec,
by bringing contingents of food, medicine and clothing. They also appeal
to humanitarian organizations to open a corridor for evacuating the inhabitants
of Rahovec, who are trapped in town and subjected to attacks by police,
military and paramilitary forces.
KOSOVA (war in Kosova)
Fighting continues - tragic consequences
Prizren, 22 July (ARTA) 2030CET --
The CDHRF issued a report today, claiming that
mass graves were dug in Prizren. It transmits testimonies of witnesses
in Prizren, who said they saw members of Serb State Security digging two
large holes with excavators and burying corpses there. The bodies that
were buried in Prizren graveyard today, are believed to be those of victims
of the bloody clashes that took place in Rahovec the past few days. The
Council adds that the corpses were transported on a truck of a local enterprise
"Liria" and two tractors.
On the other hand, another group of arrested
Albanians from Rahovec, was brought in Prizren today. The CDHRF branch
in Prizren notifies that 108 Albanians from Rahovec, arrested previously,
were released.
Obiliq, 22 July
The CDHRF branch in Obiliq reports that Serb forces, stationed in Janovodë, at the electric power plant "Kosova - B" and Plemetin, shot in the direction of the villages of Lajthishte and Hamidi, last night. CDHRF sources stated that there are many "Yugoslav" army forces in the area, with several army tanks stationed in Janovodë. The sources claimed to have seen heavy artillery at the local place and mine called "Magazina e Barotit".
Gjilan, 22 July
The CDHRF branch in Gjilan notifies that military
reinforcements have arrived in Gjilan today. It states that a line of 13
terrain vehicles and one bus loaded with soldiers arrived in Gjilan at
1045CET. The military convoy came from the direction of Bujanoc (Southern
Serbia) and is now in the army barrack of Gjilan.
The Council reports that the soldiers provoked
the local population, as they cruised in the town's streets.
Podujevë, 22 July
The CDHRF branch in Podujevë, claims that
reinforcements are still arriving in Kosova from Serbia. The Council branch
in Podujevë, which lies at the border with Serbia reported that combined
police and military forces have passed through this town three times today.
Police\military convoys, including buses, trucks and APCs headed towards
Prishtina, first at 0930CET, then at 1115CET and for the last time, at
1200CET.
The Council also states that there were frequent
and very low flights of warplanes above this region. The planes were mainly
headed for the fighting zones.
Gllogoc, 22 July
This town of Drenica, the central Kosovar region
that was the outset of war in Kosova, is still the scene of clashes. The
CDHRF branch there reports that Serb forces are still shooting from their
positions on top of "Ferronikel". Serb forces shot sporadically in different
directions.
The Council states that there was another battle
between KLA forces backed by Albanian locals and Serb forces. The fighting
was reported intense, but over a short period of time. It took place between
Serb police at "Ferronikel" and KLA units from Gllanasellë.
KOSOVA (fighting - Gjakovë)
Artillery fire in Rahovec could be heard as
far as Gjakovë
Gjakovë, 22 July (ARTA) 1930CET --
The situation in the municipality of Gjakovë
is very dramatic and with tendencies of escalating to an unseen violence.
This insecure situation was created as a result of the massacre on the
civilian population of Rahovec.
The powerful detonations of the heavy artillery
used in Rahovec, could be heard in the town of Gjakovë last night.
This is a reason more for the local population to live in fear of war.
Life is made even more difficult for them since they now face the danger
of starvation, considering the fact that there was not one single loaf
of bread on sale during the past three days.
Frequent police\military movements in town and
towards the border area, Prizren and Deçan, are now part of everyday
life for the locals.
Sources say that there were groups of twenty
policemen, keeping watch on the side streets of town last night. On the
other hand, there are reports that fighting at the border has been of lower
intensity and there is no information on some fierce battle between KLA
forces and the Yugoslav army.
KOSOVA (raids and arrests - Istog)
New wave of raids and arrests in the municipality
of Istog
Istog, 22 July (ARTA) 1920CET--
The Serb police activities continue in the territory
of the municipality. While during the previous week, the police\military
forces were intensively concentrated in the zone bordering with Drenica,
during the last two days the movements recommenced in the region of Vrellë
and Anadrini.
People's movements on the Prishtina-Pejë
road, through Mitrovicë and Rozhajë, are still maximally restricted.
Five inhabitants of Istog, going in the direction of Pejë, were arrested
on their attempt to avoid the Savinovodë checkpoint. After being arrested
in a forest near Rozhajë, they were first sent to the police station
in Tutin and then to Novi Pazar. It was a group comprised of 4 students
and one assistant professor at the University of Prishtina. One of the
student's father, Halil Mavraj, claims that his son Driton, who was interrogated
yesterday at the police in Gurrakoc, was released late last night and he
is presently in Rozhajë. Xhavit Shabanaj, from Llukavc i Begut was
also arrested yesterday in Pejë, while he was passing by the police
building.
This afternoon, a police convoy made of 3 vehicles,
raided the houses of the following families: Muharrem Vuthaj, Sokol and
Xhafer Maxharraj, arresting Muharrem and Sokol. They were sent in the direction
of Pejë at around 1230CET.
A police patrol was posted today at the entrance
of the Saradran road. It is being claimed that the movements of columns
of armored vehicles, containing Serb civilians besides the heavy machine
guns, are continuing with increased intensity.
KOSOVA (attacks - Ferizaj)
New military\police reinforcements in Nerodime
e Epër
Ferizaj, 22 July (ARTA) 1900CET--
The shelling of the Jezerc village, started today
at 0530CET, and sporadically continued during the day. LDK local information
sources and CDHRF in Ferizaj inform about new military\police reinforcements
moving in the direction of Nerodime, near Jezerc. So far, there is no information
about the damages or the eventual changes of the fighting positions.
The same sources state that the police abducted
Shabi Reka and Halit Reka, from Nerodime e Epër, as they were trying
to evacuate their mother in the direction of Dremjak. Still the same sources
claim that Bajram Bajrami and Ibush Bajrami were abducted in the forests
of Nerodime. It is assumed that they were sent to the police station in
Ferizaj.
KOSOVA (detainee dies - Ferizaj)
Death of Rexhep Bislimi
Ferizaj, 22 July (ARTA) 1900CET --
The Bislimi family was notified today, that their
son, Rexhep Bislimi (32), passed away in the hospital of Prishtina. Rexhep
was arrested on 6 July and was kept in detention, while the investigating
procedure was under way.
Rexhep had been arrested also in the past, for
his political activities.
He, a CDHRF activist, was sent to the hospital
some days ago where he underwent a surgical operation on his kidneys because
of the tortures he was subjected to during detention. He passed away last
night.
This caused anguish among the inhabitants of
Ferizaj, who were touched by the unseen violation of the most basic human
right - the right to live.
The funeral of Rexhep Bislimi, is scheduled for
tomorrow, in the graveyard of Ferizaj.
KOSOVA (restricted movement – Obiliq)
People are allowed to pass selectively
Fushë Kosovë - Obiliq, 22 July (ARTA)
1600CET--
Two weeks have passed ever since the villages
of Fushë Kosovë and Obiliq, were put under siege. The Serb police,
who set several barricades on the Sllatinë-Graboc road, subject the
inhabitants of these areas to a harsh control. Here, the people are treated
selectively. The police have registers of names of people that are wanted,
and so far, only the inhabitants of Bellaqefc i Madh are allowed to move.
A villager of Graboc, living in Sllatinë
e Madhe, tells how the police stopped him while he was on his way to his
home village. Upon finding out that he had property in Graboc, they told
him that they "do not guarantee security to the inhabitants of Graboc i
Ulët".
A private bus in Bellaqefc was finally allowed
to move. The usual line in this direction is Prishtina-Graboc, but the
police granted a permit of travel only to Bellaqefc. Besides this, the
permit has been granted only to one other transporting enterprise, whereas
another bus that started travelling in this line, was obliged to bring
back a large quantity of drinks and fried meet by the police.
On the other hand, in the villages Graboc i Ulët,
Sibovc, Shipitull and some other villages of Obiliq, only a small number
of people dare to go back to their homes, since they are constantly targeted
by snipers and Serb infantry.
KOSOVA (fighting - Mitrovicë)
Shooting is Frashër i Madh -- clashes
between the Serb soldiers and officers?
Mitrovicë, 22 July (ARTA) 1715CET--
Automatic bursts were heard last night at around
0110CET, in the village of Frashër i Madh, a village now cleansed
of Albanians.
Five minutes later, new automatic bursts were
heard coming from the military barrack in the village of Frashër.
It is presumed that this was an armed quarrel between the Serb soldiers,
who attempted to desert, and their officers.
No complete information could be drawn out from
this quarrel within the Serb army, however, there are claims that a number
of soldiers were seen in the early morning hours, running in the direction
of Zubin Potok.
Two army trucks, eight APCs and a jeep (full
of soldiers), came out from the military barrack in Mitrovicë, at
0800CET.
It is confirmed that this convoy, headed in the
direction of the Frashër village.
KOSOVA (Ambassador Hill - NATO Council)
Hill informs NATO Council on Kosova
Brussels, 22 July (ARTA) 1830CET --
The American Ambassador to Macedonia, Christopher
Hill, participated in the meeting that the NATO Council held in Brussels
today. On this occasion, he informed the Council's members about the situation
on the ground, and the results of the meetings he held with "FRY" President,
Milosevic, as well as Kosova Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova.
NATO sources refused to go give out details of
the meeting that the Council held today, which is also the last meeting
for this summer. Sources, though, stated that the Council is concerned
with the situation on the ground and the fighting, which is still taking
place.
"NATO will continue to work out detailed plans
of a wide spectrum of options for intervention in Kosova, if it is necessary"
they say in Brussels.
Although the Council is not scheduled to hold
any regular meeting during the month of August, NATO sources hint that
extraordinary meetings will be held depending on circumstances on the ground.
KOSOVA (German media)
Preventing a second Bosnia - an empty promise
Bonn, 22 July (ARTA) 1630CET--
The dramatic situation in Kosova and the everyday
escalation of the situation, has been currently a great concern to the
western, respectively German media and diplomacy. Almost all the authoritative
German newspapers have started to openly accuse the German diplomacy for
not fulfilling its promises about "preventing a second Bosnia", and not
supporting the military intervention. One of the issues that "Tageszeitung",
"Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung", "Sueddeutsche Zeitung", "Frankfurter
Rundschau" and "Die Welt", focus on, is the issue of the refugees. On this
regard the German Minister, Kinkel is openly accused, on the charge that
his diplomacy is promoting the idea of keeping the Albanian civilians in
a form of a quarantine, just to keep them away from Albania and thus disable
them from coming to Germany.
Besides the highly important NATO meetings in
Brussels, the Ministers of the Contact Group member states met today, as
part of the diplomatic activity plan. A source that wished to remain anonymous
declared for "KOHA Ditore" that they discussed the German-French proposal,
that foresees to hold a two rounds conference about Kosova. The first round
would be about the Albanian-Serb negotiations and the second about the
allies that ought to elaborate the modalities of sending the peacekeeping
troops into Kosova.
On the other hand, the German Foreign Minister,
Klaus Kinkel, in an interview given to "Westfalenpost" a Hagen newspaper,
evaluated the situation in Kosova as "highly alarming", wanting to give
no details about the project proposal. He also denied the claims about
disagreements within Kohl's cabinet, concerning the military engagements
in Kosova. In this regard, Kinkel stated that he asked the allies to "walk
with" German diplomacy for the urgent mobilizing engagement to achieve
a cease-fire in Kosova as well as the urgent engagement of UN Security
Council in preventing the further escalation of war.
Asked about the results of the Reuhe-Sergeyew
meeting, the German Defense Ministry's representative stated that, for
the time being, the stands of the two homologues, concerning the solution
of the Kosova conflict, still remain very far apart. Whereas, on the statement
of a senior officer given to "Reuters" that the "C Option" is being discussed
today in Brussels (one of the nine other existing options, which foresees
the deployment of 70.000 peacekeeping troops in Kosova), the German high
official reiterated that all the options are open.
Austrian families help Albanian northeastern areas
RUBIK, July 22
(ATA)-By Z. Pergega,
An Austrian humanitarian
association, headed by Mariana Graf, has completed the reconstruction of
nurseries and kindergartens for the Rubik town.
The eight-year
school Katundi in Vjeter of this zone has also been reconstructed.
According to the
association's representatives the investments are contributions from Austrian
families.
During the years
1993-1998 these families have provided $2,5 million for the rehabilitation
of 15 buildings in the field of education and health care, now realised
in the districts of Kurbin, Mirdite, Kruje and Puke.
The association
has also brought 40 truckloads of materials for these districts'
schools and kindergartens./lm/
President Rugova condemns violence of Serb forces in Rahovec
TIRANA, July 22
(ATA)-President Ibrahim Rugova today met with the chairman of the Democratic
League of Kosova in Rahovec, Bedredin Shehu, who familiarised Rugova with
the dramatic situation in Rahovec and the brutal attacks of the Serb military
and police forces, the Albanian TV reports.
Shehu said that
the Serb forces, over the last two-three days, have launched fierce operations
against the civilian population massacring tens of inhabitants of this
town.
He said that a
large number of inhabitants have left the town to escape Serbian atrocities,
while others have remained in the town and an urgent intervention of the
international community is required.
Rugova severely
condemned the intervention of the Serb forces in Rahovec and the massacre
against the civilian population. He said that through direct contacts he
has made international institutions aware of Serbian attacks and actions
in Rahovec.
Rugova asked from
the organised subjects in Rahovec to make everything possible to
help its inhabitants under these very grave and tragic conditions. /l.t/lm/
Foreign Minister Paskal Milo leaves for Italy
TIRANA, July 22
(ATA)-Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo on Wednesday left for Italy
for a 24 hour visit, at the invitation of Italian Foreign Minister Lamberto
Dini, the spokesman of Albania's Foreign Ministry told ATA.
Milo will discuss
with his Italian counterpart and other senior political authorities the
development of Albanian-Italian bilateral ties and the crisis in Kosova.
/s.s/mima/lm/
Milosevic responsible for tragic events after World War Two - U.S.
TIRANA, July 22
(ATA)-The United States on Wednesday blamed Yugoslav President Slobodan
Milosevic for several of the most terrible events taking place in Europe
since the end of the World War Two, the Albanian Foreign Ministry
press department says in a press release.
"We have have
no illusion about the danger and evil embodied in Serbia's leadership.
Milosevic is responsible for several of the most terrible things occurring
in the Europe of the 20th century, since the end of the World War Two,"
the spokesman of U.S. State department, James Rubin, told a news conference
in Washington on Wednesday, when referring to the crisis in Kosova.
Rubin said that
the U.S. does not want war in the Balkan region.
Asked why the
U.S. does not endorse Kosova's independence, he (Rubin) said that this
independence bears the risk of war. On the other hand we have made very
clear to president Milosevic that we will not tolerate acts like those
which occurred in Bosnia.
"This is the reason
NATO is stepping up very serious military plans to prevent a second Bosnia,"
said Rubin.
"We are trying
to confront with the reality of the danger posed by Milosevic and Albanians,
if they are allowed to secede from Serbia and create Greater Albania. This
is the question," concluded Rubin. /s.s/mima/lm/
CDHRF's appeal, addressed to international community
DEMARCATION LINE DRAWN BY YOU WAS VIOLATED IN THE MOST BRUTAL WAY
"Sir(s), the demarcation line drawn by you, was violated in the most brutal way! The demarcation line has become a river of blood of the Albanians massacred by the Serbian killers!"
Prishtina, 21 July 1998
"Dear Sir(s)",
According to the information
disseminated by our field associates, "the situation in Rahovec and its
vicinity is catastrophic".
"Here we are dealing
with a massacre perpetrated by the Serbian military, police and paramilitary
forces exerted on the unprotected Albanian population. The eye-witnesses
that survived this hell, speak about unseen crimes and barbaric massacres
perpetrated by Serbian forces who do not spare anyone" is written in the
communique issued by the CDHRF and signed by its chairman Mr. Pajazit Nushi.
"The number of the killed
is very high. There are many burned beyond recognition and mutilated corpses,
which remained in the streets, basements and other places. All inhabitants
of Rahovec that remained stuck in the basements, their flats or houses,
are subjected to the massacre by the Arkan's paramilitary units, policemen
and Yugoslav soldiers".
"Sir(s), the demarcation
line drawn by you was violated in the most brutal way! It has become a
river of blood of the Albanians massacred by the Serbian killers!
Therefore, we kindly
ask you to intervene immediately, in order to prevent the repetition of
Srebrenica in Rahovec, if that has not already been repeated. You are the
ones that can enter this former-town and confirm our claims. Intervene
about the wounded, the detained, the missing and the hostages. Otherwise,
Serbian killers will not be the only ones to be blamed. Lament and post
mortem condemnation are not a satisfaction when we are dealing with a premeditated
crime".
Prof.dr.Pajazit Nushi
chairman
REPORT NO. 423
ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
BY
THE SERBIAN REGIME AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM JULY 5 UNTIL JULY 12, 1998
The text you can read at week423.htm
THE LIST OF THE KILLED
IN KOSOVA
IN THE PERIOD OF JANUARY-JULY
1998
You can read at listjanmar98.htm
* News Release Issued by the International
Secretariat of Amnesty International
* AI INDEX: EUR 70/48/98
20 JULY 1998
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Kosovo province:
Murder and "disappearance" by a police force
out of control
The reports of the summary execution of at least
eight men in Ljubenic and the "disappearance" of another eight in Novi
Poklek at the end of May, illustrates an ongoing pattern of grossly excessive
use of force by Serbian police in Kosovo province, Amnesty International
said today in a new report on the cases.
The report, the fifth in a new series describing Amnesty International's
concerns about the human rights crisis in Kosovo province and based on
information gathered during a recent visit to the region, describes how
large-scale police operations in response to real or alleged attacks on
police patrols by armed ethnic Albanians have been characterized
by a disproportionate use of force.
"Unarmed civilians, unconnected with any of these attacks, are being injured,
killed, or even summarily executed by a police force apparently often out
of control," Amnesty International said. "We reiterate our appeals that
all Serbian police and Yugoslav Army forces be given strict orders to respect
international human rights and humanitarian law," it added.
The report describes how on 25 May, eight men -- aged between 22 and 68
-- were killed after a large police force arrived at Ljubenic, a
village north of Decani, after an incident in which a civilian car was
shot at by armed men. One or two police or reserve police
officers were travelling in the car, which was reportedly being driven
by a civilian.
Following the incident, a large number of police officers -- some in armoured
vehicles -- arrived at Ljubenic, positioned themselves on the outskirts,
and started to fire at the Albanian part of the village, using artillery
and other weapons for up to 30 minutes. They then started to go from
house to house.
In a typical incident, after forcing their way into a house and ordering
the occupants out, the police separated the men -- who were reportedly
unarmed -- from the women and children, and started to beat them.
The men were then ordered to run, and were shot at while they were running.
Altogether, four men were killed in this incident, and a further four in
other incidents in the village.
Ljubenic was attacked again four days later, when police reportedly fired
at the village with mortar rounds and other weapons, causing the few villagers
who had remained to flee. The village has been deserted ever since.
After fleeing, most of the people of Ljubenic moved on through the mountains,
crossing the border into Albania or into Montenegro. They appear
to have little chance of returning in the immediate future, since some
houses were set on fire during the police operation.
The "disappearance" of the eight men from Novi Poklek near Glogovac followed
their detention after an incident on 31 May, in which a police officer
-- apparently also off duty and in a civilian vehicle -- was involved in
a car crash. No other vehicles were involved and it has not been
established whether the crash happened because the car was fired at.
That afternoon, a large force of police arrived in several dozen vehicles,
and began firing on houses from them. Around half an hour later,
police patrols started to go from house to house, again men were separated
from women and children, and eight of them remain unaccounted for.
The bodies of two other men were reportedly found at the scene, but it
has not yet been possible to establish the circumstances of their death.
"We have heard reports that bodies or body parts have been seen in the
village," Amnesty International said. "There are also allegations
that police transported prisoners to a nearby factory where they are being
held, or that they have been killed and buried in a mass grave. These
may just be rumours, but they highlight the need for action from the authorities
to end the agony of the victims' relatives."
A group of lawyers from Pris[u]tina, who have been given power of attorney
by relatives of the missing men, wrote to the Serbian and Federal judicial
authorities claiming that nine men -- aged between 15 and 60 -- had been
killed, and asking for an investigation into the incident, for the
bodies to be located, an autopsy to be performed on them, and for the bodies
to be handed over to the relatives for burial.
Their letter has been acknowledged by the district court, but no other
replies had been received from the authorities by the end of June.
"The Serbian authorities should order prompt and impartial investigations
into the incidents described in our report, take immediate steps to determine
the fate and whereabouts of the eight men reportedly "disappeared", and
bring any police officers responsible for excessive use of force, unlawful
killings or "disappearances" promptly to justice," Amnesty International
urged.
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
B o s N e t - June 4, 1998
______________________________________________________________________
Kosova Updates:
http://www.alb-net.com/
B o s N e t Web Page:
http://www.bosnet.org/
Arrest Karadzic/Mladic Petition:
http://www.bosnet.org/petition/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
BosNet Web
Why has Milosevic Not been Indicted?
A Guide to Internet Resources
Introduction-In conjunction with its program entitled,'The
World's Most Wanted Man 'which chronicles the life and times of Radovan
Karadzic ,the P.B.S series "Frontline " has set up a web site. This site
contains a page about bringing war criminals to justice which asks
the highly pertinent question,"Why has Slobodan Milosevic not been indicted
by the International Criminal Tribunal at the Hague?"
Answering this question
is hardly an academic exercise.As thousands of refugees from Kosovo stream
over the Albanian border ,fleeing an assault of their villages by Serbian
paramilitary and police forces,it become clear that failing to punish the
crimes of the past can only lead their perpetrators to believe that
they can commit similar crimes with impunity.
The question of Milosevic's
war guilt concerns us all. Despite the recent events in Kosovo which
have made it amply clear that the strategy ,adopted at Dayton,
of asking the man who started the Balkan Wars to police the peace
is a failure,neither the International Criminal Tribunal at the Hague
nor the leaders of the international community have seriously considered
bringing Mr. Milosevic to justice. It seems clear that they will not even
raise the question of Mr Milosevic's culpability if human rights
activists and persons concerned with building a lasting peace in the Balkans
do not bring serious pressure to bear on them to do so. The following guide
to the resources on the Internet that allow the reader to examine the question
of Mr Milosevic's culpability,is meant to provide a tool with which to
begin raising this question of public interest.
The further text you can read at back187.htm
LINK to further press news_______________________________________________________________________
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