Tagesnachrichten 25. Juli 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1501 July 25, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 25. 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 # 1501-B
Prishtina, 25 July 1998Second Edition: 16:45 CET
Serb Offensive in Central Kosova Continues
PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - Reports said a heavy Serbian military/police offensive which started early in the mourning today has been continuing in a large area in central Kosova, including the Gryka e Carralevës [Carraleva mountain pass], the Gryka e Llapushnikut (Llapushnik mountain pass] and villages in Klina, Skenderaj, and Suhareka.
Two dozen Albanian villages of the five municipalities - Shtimje, Suhareka, Gllogovc, Klina, Skenderaj - have been attacked, according to local sources.
Scarce has been the amount of information available to the KIC by late afternoon, as the area under attack is virtually sealed off by Serb forces.
The villages of Belincë, Zborc, Carralevë and Reçak in the Carraleva mountain pass were attacked early in the morning. These villages in the small municipality of Shtimje are territorially linked with the villages in the Gryka e Llapushnikut and Komoran in the municipality of Gllogovc, as well as the villages in the municipality of Malisheva.
Yesterday afternoon special paramilitary police troops arrived in Shtime.
Serb military forces advanced to the Badragji family compound in Zborc, where two houses have been burned. Two houses have been burned also in the center of this village. The local Albanian forces have been resisting Serbian attacks in this part of Kosova, sources said.
Shaban Neziri, a local activist with the Gllogovc chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF), told the KIC early in the morning that huge Serb military and police forces were building up in Komoran during the night.
The LDK Information Commission in Gllogovc said at 02:40 a.m., Serb military troops and police left their base in the Ferrous Nickel ("Ferronikeli") plant and headed in the direction of Komoran. These forces were joined by other troops coming from Magura of Lipjan and Prishtina, which also streamed early in the morning towards Komoran.
These military and police troops have been positioned at a location called "Çuka e Zabelit", and have been shelling the villages of Gryka e Llapushnikut. The houses of the two Albanian family compounds, Mulaku and Vilaku, in Komaran were in flames amidst the shelling by Serb forces.
Eye-witnesses said smoke was billowing from houses in the village of Potërk in the Llapushnik mountain pass. During overnight shelling, several houses were burned ar Sankoc village.
In Zllakuçan and the surrounding villages tens of Serb military tanks have been deployed, from which the Gryka e Llapushnikut is being reported shelled. Many houses have been reported burned at Vukovc village.
A local LDK activist in the village of Likofc told the KIC Serb forces mounted a fierce attack against the Gryka e Llapushnikut at four o'clock in the morning today.
Meanwhile, reports from Klina villages said that Serb military and police forces have mounted today a large-scale offensive against the villages of Gremnik, Jashanicë, Gllarevë and other villages around Kijeva, a village 40 km west of Prishtina.
Serb forces have been attacking these villages with various arms from the Dollc checkpoint, from Dresnik and Pogragjë, as well as from a hillside called "Tikvesh", which is situated in the town of Klina itself.
From their position in the Kijeva checkpoint, Serb forces have been shelling the villages of Cerovik, Stapanicë, Rigjevë, Zabërgjë, etc.
Heavy Serb forces with arms of all calibers have been concentrated near the "Nora" motel in Klina and in the Dollc checkpoint, the LDK Information Commission in Klina reported.
A similar situation has been reported in the municipality of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), where huge Serb military and police forces have been building up since early morning. They have been shelling the villages of Klina e Epërme, Klina e Poshtme and Klina e Mesme, where several houses have been reported burned.
Heavy fighting between Serbian troops and local Albanian resistance forces has been reported in the village of Runikë. The village of Llaushë has been shelled too.
Meanwhile, reports said Serb forces have been attacking the villages of Bllacë, Duhël, Javor, Luzhnicë and Grejçec of the municipality of Suhareka ('Suva Reka'). Some 30 tanks and other Serb combat equipment, positioned along the Shtime-Prizren roadway, have been firing in the direction of these villages.
Three Albanians are known to have been wounded in Bllacë - Imer Bajraktari, Fatmir H. Guraziu, and a third unnamed man - whereas a number of houses have been destroyed. Local Albanian resistance forces have been battling with Serb forces in this part of Kosova. Latest reports indicate fighting is going on.
Meanwhile, fresh Serb troops and military hardware have been sent into Kosova via the northern Kosovar town of Podujeva. A Serb military convoy drove through the Podujeva-Prishtina road at 14:00 hrs today.LDK: Today's Serb Offensive Extends Zones of Ethnic Cleansing of Albanians
PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - The Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) denounced today in the strongest terms the Serbian military offensive in a large area in central Kosova.
In a statement, the LDK, the strongest political force in Kosova, said today's offensive comes in the wake of the Serb massacres in Rahovec and the outlying villages last week. "The offensive extends further the zones of ethnic cleansing and destruction of Albanian settlements, [the Serbs] resorting to the scorched-earth strategy, so as to prevent a return of displaced people".
The LDK said it is indicative that the large-scale offensive has been launched by Serbian troops today, on week-end, in a bid to commit atrocities and ethnic cleansing far away from the public eye and the attention of the international community.
The LDK called on the United States of America, NATO, the European Union and the UN to act urgently to press Belgrade into halting its current offensive and the ethnic cleansing and destruction brought by it.
"If this outright aggression is not brought to an end, the danger of a bloody conflict engulfing the entire region becomes greater", the LDK concluded.Increased Presence of Serb Forces in Gjakova
PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - A stepped up police and military presence has been reported in the town of Gjakova.
The LDK Information Commission in the town said Serb barricades and snipers have been placed in and around the post office in the center of Gjakova. A new police checkpoint has been set up in one of the entrances to Gjakova.
In the so-called 'Serbian street' in the town, Serbs have placed barricades and have been standing guard during night-time.
Serb police have been located in secondary school buildings. The citizens who dared go out in the streets were intimidated and harassed by Serb forces in Gjakova yesterday.Extremely Volatile Situation in Peja, Serbs Impose Virtual Siege Around Town
PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - The situation in Peja ('Pec') has been aggravating each and every hour since morning today, sources in the town said.
The local LDK chapter in Peja, the second biggest Kosovar town 80 km west of Prishtina, said heavy Serb forces have laid a virtual siege around the town since early in the morning. Serb policemen manning roadblocks in many places of the town have been preventing the people from getting in and out.
Besides the routes leading to war-torn areas in Deçan and Gjakova, the Serb forces have blockaded today roads which lead to Mitrovica and Rozhaje in Montenegro.
Serbs have been digging trenches around the brick factory compounds in Peja, the LDK Information Commission said.
The movement of the people in the streets of Peja has been drastically reduced over the last weeks, especially in the afternoon and evening hours. Although Saturday is a market day in Peja, only a few people could be seen out in the streets and all shops have been closed today, sources said.
The upper part of the town which includes the large neighborhood of Kapishnica and the area around the town hospital has been sealed off. Increased Serb patrols have been roaming the "Tabe" neighborhood, as well as other parts of the town.
Witnesses have told the LDK chapter in Peja that Serb forces have been raiding Albanian houses in parts of the town, the Kapishnica neighborhood in particular.
Over the past couple of days, the Serb forces have stepped up house-to-house raid campaigns in Peja.
Scores of Albanian have brutalized under obscure charges of having harbored members of the UÇK.Four Unidentified Bodies Lay Uncollected in Peja Morgue
Identity of two men, killed in Peja Thursday evening, established PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - The chapter of the Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) in Peja said four unidentified bodies have been kept in the town morgue for days.
The Serb police authorities in Peja have ordered officials of the Muslim community in the town to collect the bodies and bury them. The CDHRF could not obtain other details related to the identity of the four bodies, including their gender, cause of the death, or indeed the day they were taken to the morgue.
Meanwhile, the LDK chapter in Peja said it has learned the identity of two men killed in still unsolved circumstances in a Peja street Thursday evening. The LDK said the two victims were brothers Bakir Gjuka and Adem Gjuka, residents of Peja.
No word still about details surrounding their death. The LDK Information Commission in Peja has quoted witnesses as saying that before being killed they were seen in a red "Zastava"-made car with Peja license plates. The bodies of the two Albanians were only removed the following morning, while the area where the incident occurred was guarded by Serb police during the whole night.Serb Police Smash and Plunder Albanian-Owned Shops
PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - Serb police have been breaking in and looting Albanian-owned shops in the Mitrovica municipality, local sources said.
The LDK chapter in Mitrovica said Serb policemen broke half a dozen shops and boutiques in the mining town of Stantërg on Wednesday night. Goods worth over 10 000 German marks was carried out from a boutique, owned by Remzi Osmani in Stantërg. In addition, the Serb police smashed windows and goods they did not take away.
The LDK Information Commission in Mitrovica said Serb policemen robbed a 14-year-old boy of his money in the street in Mitrovica Friday morning. In addition, Liridon Ahmeti was beaten up with no reason at all, the Commission said.Kosova Information Center
Last page!
First Edition: 11:00 CET
Serbian Military and Police Mount Offensive Against Albanian Villages in Central Kosova
Serb forces have been attacking since morning today the villages of Belincë, Zborc, Carralevë and Reçak (Shtimje), Komaran and Potërk (Gllogovc), Gremnik, Jashanicë, Gllarevë, Cerovik, Stapanicë, Rigjevë, Zabërgjë (Klina)
PRISHTINA, July 25 (KIC) - Heavy Serbian military
troops and police forces mounted at four o'clock in the morning today a
large-scale attack against villages in central Kosova - the Gryka e Carralevës
[Carraleva mountain pass], the Gryka e Llapushnikut (Llapushnik mountain
pass] and the villages surrounding Kijeva, a village 40 km west of Prishtina
on the Prishtina-Peja highway.
The chairman of the LDK chapter in Shtimje, Ali
Sadria, told the KIC Serbian forces attacked today morning the villages
of the Gryka e Carralevës: Belincë, Zborc, Carralevë and
Reçak.
These villages in the small municipality of Shtimje
are territorially linked with the villages in the Gryka e Llapushnikut
and Komoran in the municipality of Gllogovc, as well as the villages in
the municipality of Malisheva.
In Zborc, Serb forces advanced to the Badragji
family compound, where two houses have been burned. Two houses have been
burned also in the center of this village.
Shaban Neziri, a local activist with the Gllogovc
chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF,
told the KIC early in the morning that huge Serb military and police forces
were building up in Komoran during the night.
The LDK Information Commission in Gllogovc said
at 02:40 a.m., Serb military troops and police left their base in the Ferrous
Nickel ("Ferronikeli") plant and headed in the direction of Komoran. These
forces were joined by other troops coming from Magura of Lipjan and Prishtina,
which also streamed early in the morning towards Komoran.
These military and police troops have been positioned
at a location called "Çuka e Zabelit", and have been shelling the
villages of Gryka e Llapushnikut. The houses of the two Albanian family
compounds, Mulaku and Vilaku, in Komaran were in flames amidst the shelling
by Serb forces.
Eye-witnesses said smoke was billowing from houses
in the village of Potërk in the Llapushnik mountain pass.
The population of the town of Gllogovc and the
nearby Çikatova e Re village, fearful of fresh Serb massacres, have
started deserting homes, fleeing to relatively safer parts of the Drenica
region, local sources said.
A local LDK activist in the village of Likofc
told the KIC Serb forces mounted a fierce attack against the Gryka e Llapushnikut
at four o'clock in the morning today.
Meanwhile, reports from Klina villages said that
Serb military and police forces have mounted today a large-scale offensive
against the villages of Gremnik, Jashanicë, Gllarevë and other
villages around Kijeva.
Serb forces have been attacking these villages
with various arms from the Dollc checkpoint, from Dresnik and Pogragjë,
as well as from a hillside called "Tikvesh", which is situated in the town
of Klina itself.
From their position in the Kijeva checkpoint,
Serb forces have been shelling the villages of Cerovik, Stapanicë,
Rigjevë, Zabërgjë, etc.
Heavy Serb forces with arms of all calibers have
been concentrated near the "Nora" motel in Klina and in the Dollc checkpoint,
the LDK Information Commission in Klina reported.
Latest reports said the road from Prishtina to
Shtimje has been closed in Lipjan, a dozen km south of Prishtina.
Serb forces have turned back reporters at Sllatina
village, 15 km south-west of Prishtina, preventing them from proceeding
towards area under Serb attack today.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
_______________________________________________________________________Albania, NATO forces to launch joint exercises
TIRANA, July 25 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: The Albanian army and the NATO forces will start one-week military exercises codenamed "Coordinated cooperation" in Biza military base from August 17 to 22 in Tirana district.
Around 3000 troops of NATO member states' armies will take part in the exercises, initiated and organised by NATO, a spokesman of the Albanian Defence Ministry said to ATA.
Although the exercises would have a strong military character, it did not presuppose, in any way, preparation for an attack against another country, the spokesman said.
Defence, attack, encirclement, which are elements of peace-keeping, will be dealt with during the exercises, which have also humanitarian elements, the spokesman said. s.s/pas/ak/BC-ALBANIA-US-KOSOVA
Speaker says Kosova be given same status as peoples of Yugoslavia
(Jankovich: all options to resolve crisis are open)TIRANA, July 25 (ATA) - By Y. Pata: Albanian parliamentary Speaker Skender Gjinushi, visiting the United States, said on Saturday in separate meetings at the U.S. State Department that the Albanian people should be given equal rights with other peoples of Yugoslavia in the framework of a solution to the political status of Kosova.
"A solution to the Kosova issue should be urged in the framework of former Yugoslavia's disintegration. Based on this concept, the same criteria applied for other peoples in former Yugoslavia should also be applied for the people of Kosova," Gjinushi said in a meeting in Washington, D.C. with the assistant Secretary on Democracy Stephen Koffey.
Gjinushi and Victor Janckovich, the assistant Secretary of State, also discussed the Kosova issue. Gjinushi praised the attitude of the U.S. government on developments in Kosova and considered it fundamental for a solution to that.
Janckovich assured Albanian parliamentary Speaker on U.S. engagement in resolving the Kosova crisis and determination not to allow a second Bosnia.
"Our engagement is concrete and all options are opened for a solution to the crisis there," Janckovich said.
The U.S. administration has often said that it was considering all possible alternatives for a solution to the Kosova crisis including a military intervention, whose plans are being considered by NATO and Pentagon. pas/ak/BC-ALBANIA-TROPOJA-SITUATIO
Flow of Kosova refugees decreased due to mines laid in borderBAJRAM CURRI, July 25 (ATA) - By Riza Hoxha: No one has arrived from Kosova in Tropoja this week, Xhevdet Hoxha, head of the district Council said to ATA on Saturday.
He said that this was because of the mines laid in the border area by the Serb army, which tries to prevent guerrillas from infiltrating in areas under the control of Kosova Liberation Army (KLA).
Hoxha said that the number of those who have arrived in Tropoja district is recorded at 12.700 people, 6.200 of whom are settled in Tropoja commune. He said that the number might be higher because registration continues and many of them have left for other cities.
Humanitarian associations such as the UNHCR, Red Cross and others, besides offering food stuff, are giving their help in turning some state institutions into settling places.
Structures of the local government are trying to create other lodgings for Kosova people who have been settled for two months among residents to avoid social problems coming up in the area. Communes of Llugaj, Margegaj, Fierza and commune of Tropoja are facing difficulties in accommodating refugees from Kosova. ake/pas/ak/
_______________________________________________________________________Heavy fighting continues in many regions in Kosova
PRISHTINE, July 25 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that heavy fighting between the forces of the Albanian resistance and Serb forces are under way on Saturday in the suburbs of Gllogoci near the Llapushniku pass, in Kijeva suburbs - Prishtine-Peje highway and the Shtimje suburbs - in Carraleva Pass, in Prishtine road - Prizren.
In these wide-scale fighting, according to sources on the ground, many forces of the Yugoslav army, police and paramilitary units backed by heavy artillery have been engaged. A number of villages have come under the attack of Serb forces and a grave situation exists in Peja city, which is under the control and terror of the Serb forces. pta/mima/ak/
_______________________________________________________________________SCHELTER: GERMANY WANTS STABILITY IN ALBANIA
TIRANA,25 July /ENTER/- Secretary of State at German Interior Ministry Kurt Schelter on a official visit to Albania during which he met albanian Interior minister, Teta, albanian premier Nano,Meidani and other albanian politicians said that his country will continue to help the Albanian police reach contemporary standards, according to the information and media department close to the Council of Ministers. "We will try to continue this aid and cooperation, having as main priorities teaching, training and qualification of the Albanian police forces," said Schelter at a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Fatos Nano in Tirana on Friday.
Two countries' Public Order Ministries have drafted a three-year plan (1999-2001), financed by the German government, which in May 1998 provided DM one million for the equipment of the Albanian army with transportation means.
They also discussed the crisis in Kosova and the performance of the Albanian police forces in preventing arms trafficking in northern Albania, bordering Kosova.
The two shared the opinion that the crisis in Kosova should be resolved through political means.
He said that Germany is concerned about new influxes of albanian refugees to european countries and added that his he would closely see to the situation of 13 000 Kosova refugees, who are settled in Albania's north and would ask the German government not only to provide direct aid, but also to coordinate the aid offered by the international organizations to cope with the situation.ALBANIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY REFUTES THE RUMORS ON NEW RESERVISTS IN THE ARMY
TIRANE,25 JULY,ENTER/- Sources of the DEFENSE Ministry refuted the news published in the albanian press on doubling the number of the reservists in the albanian army.The sources said that the ministry acts on yearly plans including the exercises realized up to now.
Albanian press informed that in a meeting of albanian local power minister Fino with local officials was asked the doubling of the number of the reservists during september. The DEFENSE ministry sources stressed that the situation on the northern border continues to be tense by the concentration of the serb troops along the border after the later incident in the border.The same sources stressed that in order to face the new similar situations the albanians are keeping a high level or readiness and are taking all the measures to encounter in time future provocations.SUBASHI: COUNTRY NEEDS SOLDIERS
TIRANE, 25 JULY /ENTER/ Albania is to recruit twice as many soldiers compared to last year's recruit composition, as announced by the Ministry of Defense in Tirana.The country needs soldiers and we expect the local authorities to make list the people of 18 years of age and up, regardless of their political orientation, stated Maksim Subashi, official in the Ministry of Defense. He added that as of August, the distributing of recruit invitations will become. Albania, as MAKFAX reports, has around 10,000 soldiers and senior officers, and this number is expected to rise by the end of this year to 20,000.
THE NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL OBSERVERS IN KOSOVA MUST INCREASE
PRISTINE,25 JULY /ENTER/-The number of international observers in Kosovo should be increased and "strong and well equipped" international powers should be deployed at the Kosovo border with Albania and Macedonia in order to prevent the weapons supply and escalation of violence" assessed the Assembly of the Western European Union.In the announcement of last night, it is assessed that the Serb forces are implementing the strategy of systematic cleansing of the border to Albania" and that the latest events have caused "strong and quick radicalization of the Albanian population in Kosovo. The Union feels that the KLA, even though without a political structure, should be included in the negotiations for the future status of Kosovo.
SCHIESEL: MILOSHEVIC MUST BEGIN TALKS WITH ALBANIANS
BELGRADE,25 JULY/ENTER/The international community must make the Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic start negotiations in which he would offer the Albanian side something more than the autonomy it had until 1989, stated the Head of Austrian diplomacy and Chairman of the Ministerial Council of the EU Volfgang Schiesel. After the meeting in Vienna with the High Commissioner for Bosnia Karlos Vestendorp, Schiesel stated that it is significant for success of the entire process of cease of violence and start of negotiations, that the Albanian side finally identifies the leaders which will take part in negotiations. Schiesel announced that the Union propose a possible solution, but only after the outset of negotiations.NANO ACCEPTS THE EXISTENCE OF THE CORRUPTION
-Nano: it is not the end of the world that local power does not cooperate with the central oneTirane,25 july,ENTER/-The socialist party held friday the meeting of socialists analysed the work done during the socialist governing. The leader of the socialist Nano declared that there are still corrupted elements in the state administration and persons profiting from corruption.He said that the albanian opposition is attacking the state and if the local power does not cooperate with the central one, this is not the end of the world, he said. nano accused the DP of using the street policy and conflicting means.
Many of the speakers in this meeting expressed their remarks against some ministers on contraband and corruption and accused the presidency of the socialist for departure from the grassroots.
The presidency member Hamdi Jupe said that if berisha is boycotting the local power, then is time for general local elections.he accused the GOVERNMENT of lacking concrete actions against contraband and corruption.he expressed the fear that the referendum on constitution will fail due to the indifferentism of the people, which was noticed in the local elections .
Deputy Dritero Agolli said that actually the country is facing three evils which are the serbs, berisha and corruption.he said that there two ways to solve the question of Kosova: to express clearly the will for a unification with albania or to accept autonomy. He accused the premier of clear cut stand on Kosova, because the world insist on autonomy, whereas some albanian leaders insist on independence.GELBARD :KOSOVA REMAINS AN IMPORTANT FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITY
WASHINGTON,25 JULY/ENTER/- Ambassador Robert Gelbard, special representative of the president and secretary of state for implementation of the Dayton Accords, told the House International Relations Committee that the United States believes "that a solution for the problems of Kosovo can and must be found within existing international borders." Gelbard added that "only meaningful self-government for Kosovo can address the legitimate grievances of the Kosovo Albanian community and promote stability.... The UCK [Kosovo Liberation Army] will not be able to shoot its way out of the FRY "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia", but neither can Belgrade maintain its authority in Kosovo with a nightstick clutched in an iron hand. There is no battlefield solution for either side. Only open dialogue and sincere negotiations can resolve the current impasse." Noting the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia has pledged to investigate reports of possible war crimes in Kosovo by both sides, Gelbard said: "Our disgust over the actions of the Serbian security forces in Kosovo does not mean that Albanian extremists should be given a free hand. Further violence, no matter who is responsible, will only make it more difficult to achieve a negotiated political settlement. We have made this clear to UCK leaders in our discussions to date and will continue to emphasize the importance of restraint in any future meetings."
He also reiterated the demands made by the Contact Group in order for the FRY "to be able to normalize relations with the outside world and for the FRY to be welcome in the community of nations." To date, FRY President Slobodan Milosevic Milosevic has "done nothing" to meet most of the demands, Gelbard said.
"Milosevic must meet all of his obligations to the Contact Group, or we will continue to look for ways to increase the pressure on Belgrade to move in a positive direction."Following is the text of Gelbard's statement:
I want to thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee and continue our dialogue on the ongoing crisis in Kosovo, which remains an important foreign policy priority for the administration.þe welcome your views on the situation in Kosovo. High-profile congressional interest in Kosovo helps us underscore with Belgrade and others the importance the United States attaches to this issue and reinforces our leverage with the parties in pursuit of a settlement. The conflict in Kosovo has entered a new and potentially more dangerous phase given Belgrade's continued refusal to take the steps necessary to stabilize the situation and the resultant rapid growth in both size and capability of the armed Kosovo Albanian resistance. Louise Arbour, the lead prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), recently announced that the situation in Kosovo met the definition of "armed conflict" under relevant international law. This brings the conflict more clearly under the Tribunal's jurisdiction. There is clearly an urgent need for both meaningful dialogue and immediate tension-reducing measures,including a comprehensive cessation of hostilities.
Although we are concerned about the actions of the Kosovo Liberation Army -- commonly referred to by the Albanian acronym UCK -- we must not lose sight of the fact that Belgrade initiated the confrontation in Kosovo, and President Milosevic and his government have primary responsibility for taking the steps necessary to bring an end to the violence. Belgrade's obligations to the international community have been clearly spelled out in the Contact Group statements of June 12 and July 8.
These demands must be met for Belgrade to be able to normalize relations with the outside world and for the FRY "Federal Republic of Yugoslavia" to be welcome in the community of nations. Milosevic must:
-- Pull back the security forces engaged in repressive actions in Kosovo;
-- Initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Kosovar Albanian leadership aimed at producing a political settlement;
-- Reach agreement with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Commission for the Red Cross on a program for the return of refugees and displaced persons;
-- Ensure complete freedom of access for international personnel, including NGOs, journalists, and humanitarian aid workers; and
-- Support the efforts of the international community to monitor events on the ground in Kosovo with complete and unfettered access. Access in Kosovo for international personnel and NGOs has improved in the last month. However, Belgrade has done nothing to meet our other demands, particularly on security concerns and dialogue. In fact, President Milosevic has attempted to redefine his obligations by offering a number of more limited commitments to Russian President Yeltsin in Moscow on June 16. We have not, however, moderated our views in any way. Milosevic must meet all of his obligations to the Contact Group, or we will continue to look for ways to increase the pressure on Belgrade to move in a positive direction.
In truth, President Milosevic has failed to produce real progress even on the more limited commitments he made to President Yeltsin in Moscow. Our view on this is quite honestly different from that of the Russian government. This is one reason why the latest Contact Group statement on Kosovo does not -- in our opinion -- go far enough in making clear to Belgrade exactly what is expected. One area in which we are cooperating closely with the Russians as well as with a number of European governments is in putting a significant international presence on the ground in Kosovo. The establishment of the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) is a major diplomatic development that will significantly enhance our ability to gather real-time information about developments in Kosovo, as well as demonstrate international concern to all residents of Kosovo -- Serbs as well as Kosovo Albanians.
Already, 23 American personnel have been assigned to the U.S. Embassy in the FRY to serve as observers and support staff for the KDOM and ten are already participating. Other countries, including members of EU, Russia, and Poland, have, or will soon, assign personnel to this task. Despite continued promises of full cooperation, Belgrade authorities continue to erect roadblocks to the full deployment of the mission, most recently by refusing to grant flight clearance for four U.S. transport planes carrying needed vehicles, communications equipment, and medical supplies for the KDOM. KDOM observers travel throughout Kosovo and speak to officials, combatants and private citizens to ensure that we have a complete picture of what is happening in Kosovo. The mission also serves as a concrete international commitment to remain engaged in Kosovo until a political settlement is reached. Accurate, up-to-date information is important.
But, that information must support a policy-making process that advances the cause of peace in Kosovo. Our own diplomatic efforts are continuing. Ambassador to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia] Chris Hill, who has been very active on this issue, has been shuttling back and forth between Belgrade and Pristina in an effort to revive negotiations. One aspect of Ambassador Hill's mission has been to work with the Kosovar Albanian side to promote the development of an authoritative negotiating team that represents the full spectrum of political opinion in the Kosovo Albanian community, including extremist elements. Unless the views of those on the Albanian side engaged in the fighting are represented, it is unlikely that either a cessation of hostilities or a comprehensive political settlement can be negotiated. That is why we have opened a dialogue with the UCK. The UCK is a reality on the ground, and however much we condemn the use of violence by either side, they will have to be a party to any cessation of hostilities.
Ambassador Hill has also met several times with President Milosevic -- including this week -- to press him to meet his obligations and take the steps necessary to revive the prospects for dialogue. The pressures on Milosevic are mounting. The new sanctions -- the most important of which is the investment ban agreed to by the Contact Group last month -- have further undermined an already shaky Serbian economy. A recent assessment of the FRY economy prepared by the U.S. Treasury Department concluded that the economic and financial condition of the FRY had sunk to new lows, firmly establishing the country as the "sick man of Europe." In addition to the Contact Group, we are working in other multilateral fora to raise the stakes for Belgrade.
In New York, we are consulting with friends and allies about possible action in the U.N. Security Council to reinforce the Contact Group demands. As part of our broader, regional strategy, we already have renewed the mandate for U.N. operations in Bosnia, on the Prevlaka peninsula, and in [the Former Yugoslav Republic of] Macedonia. In NATO councils, planning for possible NATO action is nearly completed. þhile no decision has been made regarding the use of force, all options -- including robust military intervention in Kosovo -- remain on the table.
NATO planning is on track and Milosevic understands that this is no idle threat. The deteriorating situation in Kosovo is a threat to regional peace and security. The potential for spill over into neighboring states remains a paramount concern, and we and our allies have made clear to President Milosevic that spill over of the conflict into Albania or Macedonia will not be tolerated. Albania is particularly vulnerable. Albanian authorities have little control over the northern third of their country, a situation that fuels -- and is also fueled by -- continuing instability in Kosovo. þe are working with the government of Albania to shore up security in the north, including through international training for Albanian police and a precedent-setting NATO cell in Tirana to coordinate cooperation through the Partnership for Peace. The recent and intense violence in the Orahovac region and reports of Serbian shells falling on Albanian territory underscore the urgency of the situation and the regional ramifications of continued conflict. There are nearly 14,000 registered refugees in northern Albania who have fled the violence in Kosovo. More than 80,000 have been internally displaced in the FRY, including almost 22,000 in Montenegro. The U.S. has made available substantial assistance --currently $8.5 million -- to help international relief agencies cope with this crisis.
The efforts include protection of refugees and displaced persons as well as contingency planning in Macedonia. We need to protect our investment in Macedonian stability and promote the continued development of democratic institutions there. UNPREDEP continues to play an important role, and there is general agreement that the mandate should be extended. We have increased our bilateral assistance efforts in Macedonia from $2 million last year to more than $11 million this year, and we have organized a NATO clearinghouse on Macedonian security to stimulate multi-lateral aid. We are also concerned about the safety of the civilian population of Kosovo -- ethnic Albanians, ethnic Serbs and others.
The United States and others in the international community have highlighted the abuses of the Serbian security forces in Kosovo and the use of indiscriminate and excessive force against Albanian non-combatants. We have also condemned attacks against Serb civilians by the UCK, including kidnapping. The Kosovo Observer Mission will continue to track these reports and provide timely information to the international community.
The Hague Tribunal has pledged to investigate reports of possible war crimes in Kosovo -- by both sides. In one instance, three Serbian refugees who were on their way to Belgrade to apply for immigration to the United States through the International Organization for Migration were pulled off a bus by armed Albanians and held hostage. Two of those kidnapped have been released, but one -- 26-year-old Djurdje Cuk -- is still reported missing. Our disgust over the actions of the Serbian security forces in Kosovo does not mean that Albanian extremists should be given a free hand. Further violence, no matter who is responsible, will only make it more difficult to achieve a negotiated political settlement. We have made this clear to UCK leaders in our discussions to date and will continue to emphasize the importance of restraint in any future meetings.
Reports that Serbian police are responsible for the disappearance of a large number of Kosovar Albanians are extremely troubling. We have put considerable emphasis on the need for Belgrade authorities to accept independent forensics investigators to look into allegations of summary executions in the Drenica region of Kosovo. We expect that the ICTY as well as our allies will make this a priority issue.
Belgrade's imposition of a food blockade on Kosovo further exacerbates an already perilous situation for the ethnic Albanian population of Kosovo. We have seen credible reports that Belgrade has instructed food suppliers to deliver only to state-run stores in Kosovo, which are all controlled by Serbs.
We have seen this kind of intimidation tactic before and condemn such actions as violation of human rights and a cynical manipulation of Kosovo's most vulnerable. We continue to believe that a solution for the problems of Kosovo can and must be found within existing international borders. The entire international community recognizes that only meaningful self-government for Kosovo can address the legitimate grievances of the Kosovo Albanian community and promote stability in that volatile region.
The UCK will not be able to shoot its way out of the FRY, but neither can Belgrade maintain its authority in Kosovo with a nightstick clutched in an iron hand. There is no battlefield solution for either side. Only open dialogue and sincere negotiations can resolve the current impasse. There is no quick fix for Kosovo. This is a difficult and complex problem bred by years of Belgrade's intransigence and lack of democratic institutions. U.S. leadership will remain essential to move this issue forward. The United States has made a significant investment in Balkan stability. Continuing unrest and violence in Kosovo threaten that investment. We must act early, and we must act decisively to put an end to the conflict in Kosovo, beginning with an agreement on a cessation of hostilities. A truly stable and lasting solution to the problems of Kosovo will require the development of strong democratic institutions in Serbia and the FRY. A new generation of political leaders -- with a greater understanding and respect for the traditions of European democracy -- must emerge and take charge of their own destiny. In Montenegro, President Milo Djukanovic has already begun this process. His reformism policies -- and those of his new government -- have our full support. Serbia is lagging behind, but even in Serbia there are some promising young political figures, and we are doing everything we can to promote their development as genuine leaders. I would like to thank you once again, Mr. Chairman, for your Committee's attention to this issue. We want to continue to work closely with you and with other members of the Committee to promote a peaceful resolution to the problems of Kosovo.- KOSOVA, A SECOND BOSNIA
PRISHTINA, 25 July /enter/ - In the Kosova Daily Report # 1000, on 30 October 1996, an editorial entitled "The Kosova Daily Report: Speaking to a Right Audience"was published. Here are a few excerpts from that editorial: "The struggle of the people of Kosova to conquer their piece of freedom in the volatile Balkans is the thing that matters to us. The right audience is, of course, the audience that can do something about it."
"The Serbian regime propaganda has created a worthy tradition in placing the blame upon the victims of its villainy: the Albanians of Kosova, who have routinely been branded 'terrorists' merely because of refusing to accept Serbian rule. Serbian military and police troops have shot peaceful Albanians in broad light, while crying foul on the alleged existence of 'Albanian terrorism'.
The danger is that if people are persistently treated like terrorists, they may come to act like ones." "The Serbian aggression in Bosnia had been dealt with a severe blow in late August 1995, when Nato bombed Serb positions. That was when Serb aggression started to be rolled back. Words and deeds matched then. Hesitation in the Bosnian case proved fatal.
Hesitation and delay in addressing the Kosova issue can prove disastrous." This is what I said then, and I am quoting it not to boast that I have been proven right, but to remind again those who can still do something about it.
The Kosova Calamity as a Self-fulfilling Prophesy Cassandra, the daughter of Priam and Hecuba, according to the Greek myth, was endowed with prophetic powers, but fated never to be believed. The name stands today for a person who prophesies doom or disaster.
Kosova will explode; it will be worse than Bosnia. We will not allow a repeat of Bosnia. Kosova is not Bosnia. 250.000 people died there before we stepped in. Less than 500 have died in Kosova, and, last but not least, it is not an independent country. Bosnia was an indepenent country... sovar This is familiar language in the mouths of Western dignitaries and diplomats. Meanwhile, a self-fulfilling prophesy gathers momentum. Only 500 have died in Kosova up until now since the beginning of the armed conflict in Kosova began after the Serb military-police crackdown in early March. You have to have 500 times more Albanians slain, and many more than 150.000 Albanians turned into refugees and displaced to have the Bosnia calamity cloned in the Kosova laboratory, the irony goes.
***
As the world stood in silence, Serbia marched in Sarajevo. The world has been standing idly by while the fate of Sarajevo befell Deçan and Rahovec in Kosova. The two towns, with 20.000 inhabitants each in peacetime, are awful, deserted, ghost cities. Around 500 civilian Albanians - men, women and children - have been slain by Serb military, paramilitary and police forces in winter and early spring. The sado-pacifist European tendency which delighted in Serb brutalities in Bosnia has been resuscitated while Serbs line up Albanians, shoot them in cold blood, in their homes towns and villages in Skenderaj, Gllogovc, Klina, Deçan, Gjakova, Rahovec... Some of the killed will never be given a decent burial. Their bodies have been burned, or even dumped into unknown collective burial sites.
The two million Albanian people of Kosova struggle for their freedom and independence, try to invest their lives with a meaning, in the face of Serbian aggression and genocide. Fighting and dying is one of the few options Kosovars have been left with to invest their lives with a meaning. For, as the Assembly of the Western European Union (WEU) said yesterday (Thursday), chances for a peaceful settlement in Kosova are minimal because of the international community's failure to intervene at the start of the conflict.
"The international community has lost its capacity to take initiative in the quest for a peaceful solution to the problem of Kosovo. The situation is deteriorating so fast that the chances of a peaceful settlement have by now become minute,'' it said in a statement. The Hoax of World 'Impartiality', the Lack of a 'Unified Voice' amongst Kosovars Noel Malcolm, author of two history books, on Bosnia and Kosova, dubbed a "doctrine of moral equivalence" the situation in the midst of the war in Bosnia, when UN spokesmen and commanders persuaded themselves that they must treat both the Serb aggressors and the legitimate armed forces of the Republic of Bosnia with utter impartiality.
In so doing, Malcolm noted (see "Impartiality and Ignorance: The Doctrine of Equivalence, in War Report, Number 37, October 1995, pp. 30-33) "they have helped to persuade the rest of the world that neither side has any greater validity for its actions than the other", a doctrine of moral equivalence, with fateful consequences for the nature of Western policy, which has the effect of favoring the Serbs.
"Attacker and defender were reduced to the same status", the British historian said. The doctrine of equivalence is the original sin of diplomacy - the assumption that all parties to a conflict must be treated equally. The application of the arms embargo on Bosnia was "a classic illustration of the shortcomings of any doctrine of equivalence", Mr. Malcolm said, noting that UN diplomats liked using the phrase "even-handed" to describe that embargo, which was indeed applied to Serbia as well.
"But since Serbia, and its proxy forces in Bosnia, had the stockpiles of the fourth largest army in Europe, while the Bosnian government, on the first day of the war, had no army at all, the effects of this even-handedness were far from equivalent", the British scholar and analyst concluded. It has been this analyst who has chastised the West for ruling out independence for Kosova as a solution. By doing so, the West is doing harm to the Kosovars and indeed to the efforts to secure a resolution to the crisis, he maintains. "We are impartial here", a member of the Kosova Observer Mission told the author of this editorial a week ago in Prishtina, re- enforcing the hoax of impartiality. They said in case Serbian moved militarily into Kosova, there would be a military response.
The 'Yugoslav' military has embarked on it. There has been an international observer response. And, impartiality has been the stock reservoir of diplomatic skill to exonerate inaction over Kosova. There is no political coherence amongst the Kosova Albanian leaders; they are not speaking with a unified voice - this is the most recent hoax the West has resorted to in a bid to divert attention from its actual lack of will and resolve to act on Kosova. President Ibrahim Rugova, the newly-appointed Speaker of the Parliament of Kosova Idriz Ajeti, the staunch Rugova opponents Demaçi and Qosja, but also the Kosovar Albanian resistance forces, have all been voicing independence.DESPERATE SITUATION IN GJAKOVA, BASIC STAPLES IN SHORT SUPPLY
PRISHTINA, 25 July /enter/ - Gunfire has been continuing in the Reka e Keqe region and other villages in the border area with Albania, reports said. There has been a let-up in the intensity of Serb gunfire, but a stepped up movement of Serb military and police has been reported in the municipality of Gjakova. A Serb police intimidation campaign in town is reported on a daily basis. Basic staples, such as bread, sugar, cooking oil, but also medicines, are in desperate short supply in Gjakova, which has had its population immensely swelled by displaced Albanians from Gjakova, Deçan and other areas of Kosova.
FOOD SUPPLIES RUN RAPIDLY SHORT IN DECAN VILLAGESPRISHTINA, 25 July /enter/ - There has been a sharp shortage of basic necessities in the war-torn areas in the municipality of Deçan. Scarce food supplies have been rapidly running out, while the area remains sealed off, the head of the Information Commission of the LDK chapter in Deçan, Osman Cacaj said today. Little aid, what Mr Cacaj described as "symbolic", has reached only the Isniq village, whereas other villages have been deprived of relief, partly because of the siege and partly of obstacles by certain people or groups. It is presumed that part of the relief dedicated to the western Kosova areas is being taken to Malisheva, failing to reach the destination. Residents of Gramaçel and Baballoç were quoted as saying that no relief whatsoever reached them so far.
KOSOVA (attacks - Ferizaj)_______________________________________________________________________
Two houses were shelled in Nerodime e EpërFerizaj, 24 July (ARTA) 2120CET--
Large Serb police forces are moving in the direction of Nerodime e Epër state the LDK Information Commission and CDHRF branch in Ferizaj. According to the witnesses, numerous APCs, terrain vehicles and other armored vehicles, constantly come and go in Nerodime e Epër, from where the KLA positions are being attacked and the village of Jezerc is being shelled. The same sources claim that "along with the policemen, Serb villagers were also seen climbing up the hills at the entrance of Jezerc, carrying weapons on horseback". The Serb police and civilians are settled in: "Buça", "Çukë", "Lugu i Kovaçit" and "Lugu i Madh". That is where they keep watch from, and control the roads that lead to Jezerc.
On the other hand, two houses were shelled yesterday in Nerodime e Epër, which is now surrounded by the Serb police and civilians.
The shelling of the village Jezerc started today at 1030CET.
According to witnesses, there is material damage, but fortunately, there are no victims. The KLA units, are successfully managing to resist the police attacks".
The Serb police released the following hostages today: Shaip Reka, Halit Reka, Bajram Bajrami and Bujar Bajrami.KOSOVA (shooting – Mitrovicë)
Uncontrolled paramilitary shootingsMitrovicë, 24 July (ARTA) 1730CET--
Automatic bursts, lasting for two hours, were heard last night coming from the Super-phosphate Factory in Mitrovicë. "KOHA Ditore" sources claim that the uniformed workers of this factory conducted these shootings along with the paramilitary snipers in this factory, thus greatly upsetting the population.
On the other hand, yesterday at 1400CET, the Serb police and army, settled in the village Kutlloc, shot in the direction of the villages Mazhiq, Rashan and Cërnushë e Shalës së Bajgorës.
In the village Frashër, by the Sitnicë river, the Serb villagers have started harvesting and planting the fields, under the protection of the Serb police and army. No field works are visible in Albanian fields. There are about 100 acres of fertile land, planted with grain that are not harvested because the local and paramilitary Serbs do not allow it, with their continuous shooting.KOSOVA (fighting - Gllogoc)
Intense fighting in Fushticë e PoshtmeGllogoc, 24 July (ARTA) 2030CET --
A harsh battle between KLA units and "Yugoslav" army (VJ) forces, took place today, at 1700CET, in a place called "Balana", which lies between Fushticë e Epërme and Fushticë e Ulët. Both sides in conflict are still engaged in an exchange of fire. The inhabitants of the two above-mentioned villages, have mostly abandoned their homes. However, another village that is near the battleground, the village of Sankoc is besieged, thus the inhabitants are trapped and unable to find shelter elsewhere.
Most of the houses in the villages of Fushticë e Poshtme and Sankoc, were reported burning as a result of the shelling by VJ units, from their positions in Golesh and Çukë e Komoranit.KOSOVA (shelling – Deçan)
Large caliber cannons used to shell Shaptej and GramaçelDeçan, 24 July (ARTA) 1830CET--
Serb police and "Yugoslav" army units, used large caliber cannons to shell the village of Shaptej last night at around 2000CET, severely damaging several houses, Albanian sources notify. The same weaponry was also used against the village of Gramaçel that was also attacked from Suka e Baballoçit. On this occasion, the local health station was completely destroyed.
High intensity clashes, also took place in the villages of Baballoç, Rastavicë, Prejlep and Carrabreg i Poshtëm, where besides the shelling, automatic shooting was also registered lasting three hours, resulting with no killed or wounded.
Smoke clouds could be seen this morning in the village of Carrabreg i Epërm, supposedly coming from the burning houses.
"KOHA Ditore" sources claim that the clashes of the previous days in the village Loxhë of Pejë, resulted with the killing of two old women.
On the other hand, ever since 29 May, nothing is known about the whereabouts of Din Cenaj, from Lloqan.
The population of the municipality of Deçan, besides the horrors of war, is also facing great lack of food items.KOSOVA (shooting – Drenica)
Bullet bursts over the innocent populationRunikë, 24 July (ARTA) 1900CET--
Several Serb policemen and civilians, from the villages of Banjë and Suhogërllë, set fire on the house of Hasan Halili, situated in the periphery of Runikë.
Fearing that these Serb pyromaniacs will burn the whole village, the KLA units reacted, driving the Serb attackers back to their previous positions in the village of Banjë.
Following this encounter, the police started shelling the surrounding villages of Padalishtë and Leqinë.KOSOVA (killing – Pejë)
Two unidentified persons killedPejë, 24 July (ARTA) 1800CET--
Two unidentified persons were killed yesterday in the "Nexhat Basha" neighborhood, LDK sources in Pejë state.
The witnesses claim that one of the victims was of the age of around 17 years and the other one was in his thirties. The victims were in a red "Yugo" car with Pejë registration plates when they were killed. Albanian sources notify that the bodies remained at the site of the crime during the whole night and that the Serb police guarded the corpses until this morning at 0830CET when they were removed from the spot.KOSOVA (military movements – Podujevë)
Military units move in the village Laushë of PodujevëPodujevë, 24 July (ARTA) 2100CET--
35 tanks, 5 tanks carrying double barrel cannons, 20 military trucks, carrying camping equipment, came from the direction of Përpelac in the town of Podujevë, local LDK sources state.
According to these sources, these military forces which came from Serbia, entered the crossing of Përpelac and settled in the village Laushë, municipality of Podujevë, 5 km far from the town.
The military unit has moved and is now close to the Dumnicë - Laushë road, in a small forest, Albanian sources claim.KOSOVA (killing – Klinë)
Serb snipers kill a Serb mistaking him for an AlbanianKlinë, 24 July (ARTA) 1830CET--
The Serb police\military forces are continuing to shell the villages of the municipality of Klinë. The villages of Ozrim, Jashanicë, Gremnik, Çupevë, Volljakë, Dush, Këpuz and Çeskovë are constantly being shelled with 120-mm grenades. The number of wounded and destroyed houses is in a constant increase, however, very hard to establish precisely.
Around 150 Serb policemen, arrived in the village of Dollc and they are now settled in the village's elementary school "Zgjimi", local sources claim.
On the other hand, Rados Krstic, a Serb reported killed a day before, was killed by Serb stationed across the "Nora" Motel, witnesses claim. The snipers shot in the direction of Mahir Gashi’s household, and he got hit, mistaken for an Albanian. Serb information sources, on the other hand, reported that he was killed by the "Albanian terrorists",KOSOVA (hostages - Prizren)
26 Albanians believed to be kept hostagePrizren, 24 July (ARTA) 2045CET --
There are claims that 26, of the overall 50 Albanians which were kidnapped during the fighting in Rahovec, are still being kept hostage in the premises of the fire brigade the police station in Prizren. This is what the Albanians from Rahovec, that were just released from the above-mentioned places where they were being kept, stated.
On the other hand, there are reports that many Albanians passengers are being arrested at the police checkpoint in Landovicë. The police at this checkpoint is mainly arresting Albanians from the municipalities of Malishevë and Rahovec.KOSOVA (investigating procedure - Prizren)
Investigating procedure initiated against ten arrested AlbaniansPrizren, 24 July (ARTA) 1930CET --
There are signs that to some extent prove that there are mass graves in the cemetery of Prizren, namely, the cemetery is now being watched by Serb police forces, which blocked access to it for foreign journalists and international observers.
On the other hand, there are reports that the following Albanians, wounded in Rahovec, are now in the hospital of Prizren: Driton Kadiri, Hilmie Kadiri, Lumturie Lamini and Jemin Hundozi. It has been confirmed that former wounded patient of this hospital, Musa Kadiri, was transferred to the hospital in Prishtina today.
The CDHRF branch in Prizren, notifies that a group of six Serb policemen, went to Islam Likaj's apartment at 0700CET, arresting him, as well as Bajram Vuçitërna, Fadil Vuçitërna and Enver Rama, all from Rahovec. The ones from Rahovec, who sought shelter there, were previously arrested and released from prison last Monday.
In the meantime, the Regional Court in Prizren, began the investigating procedure against Jusuf Kollari and Kadri Dërguti. On the other hand, the Serb court sentenced 62 year-old Ramadan Miftari, to 30 days imprisonment. There are also claims that another group of 30 Albanians from Rahovec, will "also undergo an investigating procedure for crimes", as there are new reports on arrests.
Mehdi Kollari, Beqir Kollari, Driton Tara, Adnan Topalli, Bilbil Shehu, Defrim Mullaaliu, Arsim Hasku, are undergoing investigating procedure as they are suspected of having committed the crime of "terrorism", pursuant Article 125 of the Criminal Code of "FRY".
Heavy artillery fire can be heard in Prizren every night, coming from the military base in Landovicë. There are also reports that Serb snipers have taken positions in the motel "Vllaznimi", in Landovicë, where refugees from Bosnia and Croatia were staying until recently.KOSOVA (attorney arrested - Prishtina)
Attorney Destan Rukiqi - in prisonPrishtina, 24 July (ARTA) 2115CET --
An attorney from Prishtina, Destan Rukiqi, was sent to prison yesterday, where he will spend the next 60 days, because of a strife with Investigating Judge, Danica Marinkovic.
According to Rukiqi's colleagues, "he had gone to court to examine the case of one of his clients". The Investigating Judge, Marinkovic, did not give defending attorney Rukiqi, his legitimate right, even according to Serb laws, to examine the case, "taking the records from his hands". Touched by this arrogance, which other attorneys say is natural for Marinkovic, Rukiqi reacted saying: "You are acting like a police officer, the only thing you are missing to be one is a blue uniform".
Attorney Destan Rukiqi, was arrested in his office by State Security the same day and was sent to the misdemeanor judge, who sentenced him to 60 days imprisonment and sent him to prison immediately. This is the maximum time for misdemeanor. On the other hand, measures for serving sentence immediately (before the decision is announced valid before law), according to Serb laws, is applied only in special cases.
Anyway, his arrest is not coincidental. He was known, not only as a defending attorney of many accused Albanians, but also as a human rights activist.KOSOVA (press conference - Rugova)
Rugova: "The international community is undertaking diplomatic and military steps to prevent a second Bosnia in Kosova"Prishtina, 24 July (ARTA) 1620CET--
"This is another wild ethnic cleansing in Kosova", stated in today's press conference, the president of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, referring to the current attacks of the Serb police and army, particularly in Rahovec.
In this regard, president Rugova claimed that during the last week, Serb forces massacred the people in the town of Rahovec. The same forces, "even after a week, will not allow the burial of the victims and give no access to INGOs operational in the area". At the same time, according to Rugova, thousands of Albanians have fled the town of Rahovec as many other thousands have remained trapped inside the town.
Having in mind the fact that the shelling and killings took place in other villages of Kosova as well and that the Serb repression is still going on, Rugova asked for an "international protection for Kosova and its people".
As he claims, such an act would prevent the further expansion of the conflict in the region, an evaluated that the best solution would be an "independent Kosova, with all the rights guaranteed to the Serbs of Kosova. The establishment of an International Trusteeship would be a transitory phase".
Asked whether he still supports the evaluation that KLA is a Serb state invention, Rugova stated that he has already given his answer and he does not have any other comment.
"They are not only groups, they also include the people trying to defend itself", claimed Rugova, concerning the same issue.
Finally, when he was asked whether the international community was late in the case of Kosova, Rugova highlighted that "the US and the EU are undertaking all diplomatic and military steps to prevent a second Bosnia in Kosova", which according to him, is in a complete accordance with the promise made by President Clinton and other western statesmen.KOSOVA (KD interview with Bukoshi - excerpts)
Bukoshi: "Belgrade will be the first to pay its stubbornness"Tirana, 24 July (ARTA) 2000CET --
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Bujar Bukoshi, visited the Military Hospital of Tirana yesterday, where 15 wounded Kosova Albanians are being treated.
In an interview he gave Albanian daily "Koha Ditore", the Premier talks about war in Kosova, the coordination of Albanian political activities, as well as Albania's stand towards the situation in Kosova.KD: What did the wounded Kosovars convey to you, as the Prime Minister of the Government of Kosova, when you visited them in the Military Hospital?
Bukoshi: I noticed that the wounded had a very high morale. All of them requested to return to Kosova as soon as they are well enough to continue defending it. This is encouraging for all of us. In addition, it is an imperative to create a command with all military political forces and not to waste time. The wounded were all in good health condition.
KD: Did you have any contacts with the international community these past few days and what message did they give you during the contacts?
Bukoshi: Yes, I received a message from the international community, saying that Kosova must speak as one. The international community wants to talk with the voice of Kosova. Another message was for our activities to be coordinated and follow a vertical line. That is also in our interest.
KD: You claimed that you, as well as the international community, are convinced that Kosova must speak as one. However, reality is somewhat different. What are you, as the Government of Kosova, doing to create this voice?
Bukoshi: The government is doing everything in its power to achieve this and will continue doing so, without doubts. We appeal to other factors to bear this in mind as well.
KD: Milosevic requested international embargo for Albania. Was this discussed during your contacts with the international arena?
Bukoshi: I heard about this request that Milosevic made, but nobody discussed it. This proves that Milosevic's request does not worry anyone.
KD: How do you evaluate the political climate in Albania, in the framework of the developments and situation in Kosova?
Bukoshi: Kosova is the one in danger and considering that the regime in Belgrade is continuing with its old methods, it is clear that Albania is endangered as well. In addition, Albania has its legitimate right to make preparations and be alert just in case.
KD: If Belgrade does not move from the "status quo", meaning it does not give up the use of violence against the villages of Kosova, what do you, as the Prime Minister of Kosova, think will happen?
Bukoshi: I think Belgrade will see stormy days if it does not change its present position. Belgrade will be the first to pay for its stubbornness.
KD: What about the people of Kosova?
Bukoshi: Unfortunately, the people of Kosova are already paying a high price, with many Albanians killed, especially now, in Rahovec. This state does not bear any chances for progress, neither in the aspect of efforts for finding a political solution, nor in the aspect of stabilizing the region.
KOSOVA (Hill visits Prishtina)
"There is no military solution for Kosova - this is a political problem"Prishtina, 24 July (ARTA) 1915CET--
"We are all allergic to the word `autonomy’, but we have to work towards something that is acceptable to both sides", declared the American ambassador in Shkup, Christopher Hill, after the meeting with President Rugova in Prishtina today.
"It is an urgent matter to find a political process, because I think we are running out of time", stated the diplomat.
He considered the talks with Rugova as "very good", even though he gave no details.
"The American position is that we do not support the independence of Kosova, we have stressed this several times. The same has been highlighted by the American Secretary of State and enhanced by the American President too. We support a solution that is acceptable for both sides", claimed Hill.
He emphasized that it should be clear that Albanians and Serbs "will be neighbors for a long time and that their future is not in one Balkanized part of Europe, but in an integrated part of Europe".
"One day after the negotiations are over, you will wake up and find Serbs living here in the Balkans and Serbs will find Albanians living in the Balkans as well", stated Hill.
Asked whether Rugova is still considered a representative of the Kosova Albanians, the American diplomat stated that "Rugova is an absolute leader in Kosova and he continues to be respected and considered extremely wise and a highly important person in this whole process".
Concerning the KLA and the people that have taken guns in their hands, Hill claimed that "this issue (the Kosova issue), is an issue that cannot be solved by military means".
"There is absolutely no military solution to this problem. This is a political problem, that needs to be solved through negotiations, applying peaceful political means and I think that a highly essential point should be reached -- that none of the sides can solve this matter by the use of military force", stated at the end Ambassador Hill. He announced his new visit to Prishtina next Monday.KOSOVA (German government)
London and Washington refused the German-French proposal?Bonn, 24 July (ARTA) 1945CET--
Following the dramatic escalation of the situation in Kosova, the Contact Group seems to have tried to secretly undertake steps towards engaging the sides in conflict to sit around the negotiating table.
In this plan, the radicalization of the situation leads to the secret German-French proposal to have a new "Dayton" conference, which definitely did not fascinate Washington or London.
Thus, in the regular briefing of the German Government's spokesman, Otto Hauser as well as the Foreign Ministry's representative, the latter replied that following the escalation of the situation in Kosova, the Contact Group partners are engaged in an intensive work in finding modalities about the Kosova problem. The spokesman also stated that "officially or non-officially we never proposed any conference", adding that "Minister Kinkel is on vacation, but he has close contacts with his French homologue, Vedrine, on the issue of Kosova". The question was related to "the statements claiming that London and Washington have refused the German-French proposal for a conference on Kosova".
The reasons for this refusal are unknown. It might be that London and Washington share a joint radical stand that the problem should first be solved militarily and then be followed by a political solution.
The same evaluations are also shared by the strong political structures in Germany, including the "American guy" in Kohl’s Government - Defense Minister, Volker Ruehe, who reiterated that Germany will engage "Bundeswehr" only if the political aim in Kosova is made clear. Ruehe stated that Kosova's minimal status should be identical to the Montenegrin one within "Yugoslavia".KOSOVA (Albanian Foreign Minister)
Milo: "The Albanian Government is engaged for unity with the Albanian factor"Tirana, 24 July (ARTA) 2130CET--
The Albanian Foreign Minister, Paskal Milo, had a meeting with the German Secretary of State, Kurt Schelter, this morning. The main topic that they discussed was the situation in the Balkans and the efforts that are being made to reach a peaceful solution for the Kosova crisis. The Albanian Minister, Milo, thanked the German Government for the stand it claimed concerning the situation in Kosova. He also put special emphasis on the will of the Albanian Government to find a peaceful solution to the problem, through negotiations, off course in close collaboration with the international community.
Milo expressed his Government’s wish and engagement to have unity with the Albanian factor.
War in Kosova extends towards south_______________________________________________________________________PRISHTINE, July 24/ATA correspondent in Prishtine Behlul Jashari reports:
The war in Kosova is extending towards the South. In the suburbs of Ferizaj Serb military and police forces continued to shell the Jezerc village also today, with the Albanian resistance forces defending their own lands.
Meanwhile the Albanian population have left the village of Nerodime e Eperme after attacks by Serb forces, which have also enforced a curfew. The movements of the Yugoslav military forces have increased also in the suburbs of Shterpce of Kacanik, along the Kosova border with Macedonia.
Fighting continued over the last 24 hours in the border regions of Kosova with Albania, in the suburbs of Gjakova and Decan. The Serb forces continue to be concentrated also in the Prizren suburbs.
After the Serb massacre in Rahovec there are no reports on the drama of thousands of Albanians, held hostage by the Serb forces.
The situation continues to be extremely tense also in the city of Peja, with Serb forces carrying out raids on the Albanian families.
Shooting took place and two unidentified persons were killed in Peja overnight.
War has developed also in the suburbs of Kline, Suhareke, Lipjan, Istog, the regions of Drenice and Rrafshi i Kosoves.
Serbian artillery has also shelled the suburbs of Runik and the Llaushe village of Skenderaj. In the Kosova capital, Prishtine, the Serb police continued today to issue Serb civilians with weapons. /das/lm/Powerful explosion in "Trepce" industrial complex of Mitrovice
PRISHTINE, July 24 (ATA)-A powerful explosion took place in the industrial complex of Trepce in the Mitrovice city last night at around 23:00.
From the region where the explosion took place four citizens were rushed to hospital, the Council for the Defence of Human Rights in Kosova reports, without specifying whether they were injured or killed.
The sources says that in the spaces of the Trepce workshops the Serb military and police have placed various kinds of armaments./b.j/das/lm/General Staff inspects units' alert situation in northeastern Albania
TIRANA, July 24 (ATA)-A group of experts of the Army General Staff, headed by the Chief of the Army General Staff, Brigade General Aleks Andoni, went recently to Northern Albania to inspect the Kukes division and the Tropoje and Has Units, the spokesman of the Defence Ministry.
In the end of this inspection they concluded that the organising and leading activity of the units' commands and staffs has substantially enhanced, fully capable of coping with any aggression in defence of the country. In all the units the situation is kept under full control.
Some 13 000 Kosova refugees, mostly women and children, who crossed the border to escape Serb violence and repression, are settled in Northern Albania.
On July 18 the Serb forces shelled the Albanian villages of Kosova bordering Albania. A Serb shell fell up to 500 m inside Albanian territory. /s.s/mima/lm/
TIRANA, July
24 (ATA) - NATO military planning on a solution to Kosova issue is being
carried out as foreseen, U.S. vice Secretary of Defence Walter Slocombe
said recently, according to press and information office at the Albanian
Foreign Ministry.
"No decision has
been taken on the NATO engagement either from the United States or the
Alliance as a whole," Slocombe added.
He said that the
NATO planning was focused on preventing options to avoid spill-over of
conflict in Albania and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM),
escalating air operations to stop the Serb campaign of repression
and violence and on operations to impose a ceasefire accord or a peaceful
solution.
Planning troops
for preventing operations in Albania and FYROM was under way and it aimed
at reinforcing regional stability and preventing an extension of violence
to Albania and FYROM and offering aid to Albania to help it safeguards
borders' security, Slocombe said.
Options go from
support to OSCE observing missions in Albania, operations to help impose
1160 resolution of the Security Council as regards the weapons' embargo
as well as deployment to prevent a regional extension of conflict and weapons'
trafficking to Kosova.
Slocombe said
that measures which should be considered include exercises at the Partnership
for Peace (PfP) framework, extended program on Albania and FYROM, visits
of NATO Mediterranean Fleet ships to Albania as well as NATO preparations
to help in case of a great influx of refugees from Kosova. The aim of this
measures is to support self-defence abilities of FYROM and Albania to control
their borders and prevent conflict extension.
Planning troops
for air operations is already under an advanced stage, he said. These operations
aimed particularly at preventing the systematic campaign of violent repression
in Kosova, backing diplomatic efforts and helping pave ways for diplomatic
serious negotiations.
He also said that
planning troops for an imposed peaceful solution or ceasefire was under
way. Planning foresees monitoring operations or imposing both a peaceful
solution and ceasefire. s.s/das/ak/
LINK to further press news_______________________________________________________________________
 |
|
Homepage
Inhaltsverzeichnis - Contents Seite erstellt am 25.7.1998 |
|
|
Dillinger
Straße 41
86637
Wertingen
|
|||
|
Telefon
08272 - 98974
Fax
08272 - 98975
|
|||
|
E-mail
wplarre@dillingen.baynet.de
|
