Tagesnachrichten 26. Juli 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1502 July 26, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 26. 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
Fierce Serb Military Offensive in Gryka e Llapushnikut Resumes
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - A strong offensive
of the Serbian military and paramilitary police forces against the villages
of the Gryka e Llapushnikut [the Llapushnik mountain pass] area resumed
today (Sunday) at 6 a.m., local sources said.
The offensive started on Friday night, went on
till Saturday at 23:00 hrs, and resumed today morning.
The head of the LDK Information Commission in
Gllogovc, Mr. Xhemë Binaku, told the KIC some heavy guns, including,
50 to 60 'Yugoslav' army tanks, were involved in the operations against
the region, which straddles the vital east-west Prishtina-Peja highway.
Multiple rocket-launchers are being used by Serb
forces, too.
As a result of the Serb fire power used, parts
of the village of Vukovc, as well as a number of family compounds in the
village of Komoran, have been burning, sources said.
There has been no immediate word on casualties
amongst Albanians, but the material damage caused to Albanian settlements
is said to be immense.
Local Albanians have been resisting the concerted
Serbian military and police offensive in the region.
Serb Shelling of Shtimje Villages Continues
Zborc village reported
to have suffered immense damages
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - At 8 o'clock in the
morning today (Sunday), Serbian forces resumed their attack against the
villages of Zborc, Belincë and Carralevë in the municipality
of Shtimje.
The Serbs mounted their attack yesterday morning.
It continued well into the night, with a let-up in intensity.
The village of Zborc is in flames, with some
70 percent of the houses having been burned or damaged, the LDK Information
Commission said.
Burned and destroyed houses have been reported
in the villages of Belincë and Carralevë, too.
Two eye-witnesses who managed to get out of Zborc
today said some 250-300 members of Serb forces advanced into the village
and were setting ablaze the houses which had survived the shelling.
The school village has been levelled to the ground,
just as all the neighboring houses in Zborc, local sources said.
At Least 5 Albanians Killed, 24 Wounded, During Serb Offensive on Sunday
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - Albanians have
been killed and wounded, their houses burned and destroyed in a wide area
in central Kosova during a large-scale offensive launched by the
Serb military and police troops yesterday (Saturday).
At least four identified Albanians killed, among
whom a pregnant woman, and at least 24 wounded, including 7 children -
this the casualty-toll amongst Albanians according to reports available
to the KIC by today morning.
The local chapter of the Council for the Defense
of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) in Skenderaj ('Srbica') said Sali
Duraku, resident of Klina e Mesme village, was killed yesterday, whereas
his fellow villagers, Safet Hetemi (23), Hajrullah Rexhepi (59) and Sadik
Kadriu, were wounded. At Runikë village, Halil Abazi (20) and Isa
Ahmeti (23) were wounded yesterday, the Council said.
The local chapter of the CDHRF added that many
Albanian houses in Klinë e Mesme and Klinë e Ulët villages
in the municipality of Skenderaj have been burned.
Sources from the municipality of Gllogovc reported
of two wounded, Ismet Thaçi, resident of Llapushnik, and Skënder
Halilaj, resident of Tërdefc village.
Reports from Klina said Shpresa Bashota (20),
resident of Cerovik village, in her seventh month of pregnancy, was killed
yesterday, as well as Azem Daut Bashota (55) and his wife Zelfije Bashota
(50).
Amongst the wounded are Ali Bashota (20), from
Cerovik, Shpresa's husband; then Shkëlzen Berisha (25) from Gjurgjevik
i Madh, Bali Bujupi (22) from Dobërdol, Fortesa Gashi (f, 8) from
Çabiç, Atifete Gashi (f, 9) from Mleqan, Sokol Gashi (43)
from Çabiç, Emine Gashi (f, 8) from Çabiç,
Puhije Gashi (f, 5) from Çabiç and Hajdin Morina (46) from
Gllarevë.
Other sources reported on the wounding of Isa
Ahmeti (23) from Radishevë village of Skenderaj, and Shpëtim
Morina (23) from Gllarevë village of Klina.
Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in
Suhareka said Jahir Hoxha, resident of Bellanicë, was wounded overnight,
whereas yesterday Fatmir Hajrush Guraziu, resident of Bllacë, and
Nazmi Mazreku, resident of Malishevë, were wounded.
Habib Berisha, a member of the local Albanian
resistance forces, was killed yesterday in clashes with Serb forces trying
to advance into Ostrozub and towards Malisheva, local sources said.
The LDK Information in Lipjan said yesterday,
at 19:10, in the village of Breg i Zi (Crnobreg) of Lipjan, three Albanian
minors were wounded from two shells landing in their village. Muhamet Shaqiri
(17), Hekuran Shaqiri (6) and Arlindë Ademi (f, 13) were wounded by
shells launched by Serb forces stationed in the Kodra e Belincit in Shtime.
Serb Offensive Against Shtime and Suhareka Village Continues Sunday
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - Serb forces garrisoned
at the Qafa e Duhlës mountain pass, on the Shtime-Suhareka roadway,
have continued to pound with heavy artillery Albanian villages on both
sides of the road.
The villages of Duhla and Bllaca in particular,
located in the immediate vicinity of the Serb bases, have been under continued
attack since Saturday morning. Sources in Shtime and Suhareka said immense
material damage was caused in the two villages.
At least 300 mortar shells landed in the village
of Biraq, which is likewise not far from the Serb base in Qafa e Duhles,
the LDK chapter in Shtime said. Besides a large number of houses damaged
badly in the village, many hectares of wheat field were burned from shelling
around the village.
The shelling of Bllaca, Duhla and Biraq villages,
is a part of a huge Serb offensive in a large area stretching in several
central Kosova municipalities. The area around the Qafa e Duhlës Serb
bases has been inaccessible since Friday evening. It is feared that the
casualty-toll is high amidst the unfolding Serb offensive.
The LDK chapter in Shtime could only learn the
names of three Albanians wounded since yesterday morning in villages near
along the Shtime-Suharekë road, naming them as Jahir Hoxha, Fatmir
Guraziu and Nazmi Mazreku.
Local Albanians forces have been resisting the
Serb offensive, sources said.
Serbs Strike Villages in Deçan, Peja
and Klina Throughout Weekend
A 78-year Albanian killed
in his native village of Lubeniq
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - Intermittent fighting
between Serb troops and the Albanian resistance forces has continued during
the whole course of weekend in Deçan area, west of Kosova.
LDK and the Human Rights Council sources in Deçan
said several villages in the area came under repeated Serb shelling on
Friday night and all day long on Saturday.
The UÇK forces in Junik repelled a couple
of Serb attempts to advance into the village. The villages of Gramaqel,
Shaptej and Voksh were bombarded with heavy artillery from a Serb base
at Suka e Biteshit (Biteshi upland), sources said. No human casualties
were reported in these villages, excepting the damage caused on the houses
and farmsteads which could survive the bombardment so far.
The local medical center in Gramaqel village
was hit by several mortar shells on Friday night and destroyed completely.
Sources in Deçan aid that a 78-year-old
Albanian, Dervish Aliçkaj, was killed by Serb forces in his Lubeniq
village, between Peja and Deçan.
Firefighting was reported Saturday in the Lugu
i Baranit region, a wide area stretching in the municipalities of Peja
and Klina. Serb forces pounded Albanian settlements and local resistance
positions with machine guns and heavy artillery, sources in Klina and Peja
said.
Albanian Detainees Tortured Ruthlessly in Serb Jail
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - Scores of Albanian
detainees from the south-east municipalities of Kosova - Gjilan, Ferizaj
and Vitia - have been reported subjected to brutal maltreatment and torture.
Serb police has lately embarked on a campaign
of arresting Albanian political party and human rights activists, and former
political prisoners in the south-east parts of Kosova. Scores of Albanians
have been rounded up in the municipality of Ferizaj alone.
The LDK chapter in Gjilan ('Gnjilane') said the
detainees have been subjected to brutal torture both in the premises of
the Serb police and state security premises in the town. Many have reportedly
suffered severe injuries in the hands of Serb forces. Under tight control,
in night hours, several detainees have been taken for treatment to the
medical center in the town.
An Albanian detainee, Rexhep Bislimi (33) from
Ferizaj, died in the Prishtina hospital last week. A doctor in the Prishtina
hospital said the body late Bislimi was covered with hematomas and he suffered
a kidney insufficiency from the torture.
30 Young Albanians Tortured at Serb Checkpoint near Kaçanik
PRISHTINA, July 26 (KIC) - Thirty Albanians, by
and large young men, are being held up in a Serb police checkpoint at Doganaj
village of Kaçanik since morning today, sources said. The 30 Albanians
on board of two buses with Gjakova license plates where forced off the
bus by Serbs. Other passengers were let to proceed after having had their
identity checked.
The LDK chapter in Kaçanik said early
in the afternoon today that the young Albanians who were being held in
the Serb police checkpoint were subjected to severe maltreatment. Serb
policemen from other bases have reportedly been brought to the Doganaj
checkpoint to maltreat the captured Albanians, witnesses told the LDK office
in Kaçanik, a town about 50 km south of Prishtina.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
Serb border provocation, Morina customs attacked_______________________________________________________________________KUKES, July 26 (ATA)-By R. Hoxha,
Serb border forces early on Sunday attacked by gun fire the Morina customs in Kukes district (Northeastern Albania) and several surrounding villages.
The event took place on Sunday at around 01.00 a.m., the police director of the Kukes Prefecture, Remzi Brahimi, told ATA. The frontier Serb soldiers fired volleys of gunfire in the direction of the Morina customs building as well as the Rexhe and Shalqi villages.
The customs building is riddled with bullet holes. The inhabitants of these villages have sent the children and women to the Bardhoc village and they themselves have taken up arms and approached the border.
Upon receving the news, at around 02.00 a.m. the Kukes police and division forces were rushed to the area. They called on the inhabitants of these villages not to respond to the Serb army fire.
Also, leading officials of the Public Order Ministry went to the spot to follow the situation closely. /s.s/pas/lm/
Serbs launch major offensive
The Yugoslav army has launched a major offensive
against ethnic Albanian rebels in the Serbian province of Kosovo.
The Drenica region of central Kosovo - a heartland
of the rebel Kosovo Liberation Army - has come under assault from several
directions.
Although official information is scant, journalists
and other observers have seen tanks and armoured vehicles attacking villages,
many of which are on fire.
Further south, other observers say the Serbs
have launched a series of attacks near other KLA strongpoints.
The BBC correspondent in the region says that
after being on the defensive for several weeks the security forces are
now attacking in a way that will severely test the lightly-armed KLA rebels.
Earlier reports suggested that the KLA attacked
Serbian military positions on Friday night.
But the army replied with what appeared to be
a pre-planned offensive, to the north of the key KLA stronghold of Malisevo.
It was from here that the KLA launched their
failed attempt last week to seize the town of Orahovic
Serbian police and army checkpoints have now
sealed off the area.
Quiet days
The renewed fighting follows a few quiet days
after the KLA failed to take control of Orahovac.
Serbian forces re-established control over the
town on Wednesday.
The town was left almost deserted as 13,000 ethnic
Albanians fled - bringing the total number of diplaced people in the province
to 70,000, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees.
Although the recapture of Orahovac was a serious
setback for the KLA, the rebel army still controls large parts of the countryside
including access to important transport routes.
____________________________________
Taken without permission, for fair use only.
Prishtina, 25 July (ARTA) 1945CET --
"The last massacre that took place in Rahovec,
where the civilian population was targeted, is nothing but a repetition
of Bosnia and its tragedy, in Kosova", says a public reaction issued by
the Islamic Union of Kosova (IUK). The reaction issued by the IUK commented
the international community's statements, that they would not allow a massacre
to take place in Kosova, as empty promises, which were used to justify
Serb massacres on the civilian population in Kosova.
"The best proof for this is the massacre in Deçan,
Junik, the villages at the Kosova-Albanian border, as well as the last
and morbid massacres, which Serb police, military and paramilitary forces
carried out in Rahovec. These Serb forces went as far as to kill old people,
pregnant women and children, by burning them alive, hanging them on light
posts and running over them with tanks, as they were still alive.
Defenseless civilians were not even safe in mosques
or Muslim shrines, where Serb forces, hungry for blood, entered and massacred
everyone sheltered inside, including the imam, Sheh Muhedini. This was
the fate that awaited many Muslims and mosques, all around Kosova, with
the Serb artillery damaging mosques in Deçan, Strellc, Vranoc, Hamidi,
Hade, Carralevë and Ponoshec.
...We are very disappointed with the statement
made by Bishop Artemije, claiming that "Serb monasteries" are attacked,
even though the KLA handed the orthodox monks it captured, who had considerable
amounts of weapons and ammunition, over to the ICRC. The question is now:
does bishop Artemije feel any guilt because of what his believers do to
the defenseless Albanian civilian population? I am convinced that only
those who kill innocent and defenseless can be called bandits, and not
those who respect international war regulations and cooperate with the
Red Cross.
KOSOVA (KD interview with KLA commander - excerpts)
The international community should respect
our right to be free
Drenica, 25 July (ARTA) 2100CET-- -
Shaban Shala, who was the vice-chairman of the
CDHRF in Prishtina until recently, is now wearing a KLA uniform and is
presently somewhere in the woods of Drenica.
KD: Could you say something about the time when you were a human rights activist?
Shaban Shala: I was engaged in human rights issues ever since I was a student, in the 80-ies. Ever since 1991, after spending 7 years in prison, I was engaged as a CDHRF activist in Prishtina. I used to be a CDHRF coordinator in the beginning and was later appointed the vice-chairman of the CDHRF, on the level of Kosova.
KD: What human rights violations did you run into when you were a human rights activist?
Shala: The forms of human rights violations, no matter whether they were individual or collective, are numerous, staring from the right to employment, up to the right for living. The Serb Government attacked both the individual and the collectivity at every time and in every place.
KD: Do you think that President Rugova has been discredited and that the only alternative now is armed conflict?
Shala: Rugova has lost his validity along with the people that surround him, since he was not able to fulfill his promises and stand up to what the Albanian people declared themselves for. He was not able to offer freedom to the Albanian people.
KD: What do you hope the international community and the big powers will undertake to help stop the war in Kosova?
Shala: The international community, including the European Union, the United Nations, and the USA, have obligations towards people who are occupied and have the power to avoid a war. In this case, it is still not late and they should start using the mechanisms at their disposal, before the damages and the consequences are not disastrous.
KD: What do you mean, exactly?
Shala: The only remaining option now, is the mechanism of military force, meaning NATO intervention, since diplomatic means cannot provide any solution for the time being. The international community has enough arguments and should become aware of the fact that Belgrade knows no other language, but the language of force. It had the opportunity to experience this in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and now in Kosova.
KD: What is the importance of you joining the KLA units. Does this mean that you are going to fight for human rights and freedoms in the KLA as well?
Shala: My engagement was not premeditated. I passed from the CDHRF to the KLA because I had no other way out. We tried to convince the international community, using many arguments and facts, that violence, terror and genocide is being applied in Kosova. As an Albanian, I was left with no other alternative but to grab a weapon and defend myself. The bottom line is, it is the right of every people, to defend themselves and demand to be free.
KD: Nevertheless, there are some indications that the KLA has carried out operations which could be considered as a human rights violation?
Shala: I say this with complete responsibility
– the KLA is called as such, because it is really a liberation army. It
is not engaged in conflict to harm others. It never made any attempts to
usurp property, to destroy property that belongs to others; it did not
abduct or massacre innocent children, women, or elderly. We are at a war
with the Serb police and military forces, as well as other Serb paramilitary
formations. We are not at war with civilians, innocent people, with children
and retards. I can add in this context that, that the KLA General Headquarters
has not and will not issue an order to pursue, kill, or massacre innocent
people, or loot or destroy Serb property.
However, everything cannot be controlled during
war. There are cases when individuals make mistakes, but such cases are
punished by the KLA, even if its soldiers conduct them.
KOSOVA (Serb positions – Ferizaj)
All the roads that lead to Jezerc under control
Ferizaj, 25 July (ARTA) 1730CET--
Starting from the beginning of the clashes in
the village of Jezerc, Serb police forces were continuously reinforced
and they settled in places, from where they can control the streets that
lead to the village of Jezerc.
Thus, a group of about 100 Serb police officers
and civilians are posted at the place called "Kodra e Llozajve", from which
direction shooting came the whole night through. Many villagers who came
down to Ferizaj from Dremjak were reported mistreated at this point.
In Gaqkë, the Serb policemen, along with
civilians, held watch, throughout last night near the local water system,
at the place called "Kodër".
Local LDK and CDHRF information sources in Ferizaj,
notify that the "Serb police deployed several men in a farm in the village
of Rakaj", adding that "some of them were uniformed and some were wearing
civilian clothes".
A police patrol stopping every vehicle and mistreating
the passersby was posted at the Pleshtinë - Nerodime crossroad today.
A relative of Shabi Reka, who was released from
Nerodime e Epër today, a village surrounded by Serb forces, informs
that "Shabi is in very critical health condition, because he was severely
maltreated and did not receive any medical help".
The situation is tense in the villages of the
municipality of Shtërpcë as well. Sources say that another military
base has been created in the village Kashtanjevë, at a place called
"Varri i çikës", yesterday. Over 50 Serb policemen, soldiers
and civilians are digging trenches and observing the terrain. Upon their
arrival, these forces threatened the shepherds of Viti not to bring their
herds near there. Yesterday, it was claimed that Serb forces went very
close to the neighborhood of Matosh, digging trenches and pointing gun
barrels towards the village Viti e Poshtme.
KOSOVA (tension – Istog)
The Special police provocations continue
Istog, 25 July (ARTA) 2230CET--
The new flux of fleeing people is the result
of yesterday's clashes. This time they are running away from Klinë,
and towards the villages of the municipality of Istog where they will seek
temporary shelter. Several inhabitants of the villages Shtupel i Klinës,
talk about fierce shelling of their village and the entire surrounding
zone.
The frequent movements of the Serb special police
units, which move through Istog at last twice a day as well as the operations
conducted by the Serb local police and the paramilitary in the localities
of this municipality, are putting the situation in the line of the conflict.
KOSOVA (renewed attack – Klinë)
Large-scale attack on the villages of the
Klinë municipality
Klinë, 25 July (ARTA) 1900CET--
Large combined police and military forces, including
3 tanks and 25 APCs, came from Klinë, after midnight, and headed in
the direction of Dollc. There are claims that another group of 5 other
APCs has been stationed in the elementary school "Zgjimi" in Dollc. 25
APCs and 10 tanks came from Pejë and were stationed in the "Nora"
Motel at 0400CET. The fierce Serb attack commenced from all sides on the
villages of Gremnik, Gllarevë, Gjurgjevik i Madh and Përçevë,
at 0500CET. Harsh clashes also took place in the village of Dush, when
the Serb military\police forces attempted to break through the barricades
along the road that leads to Ujëmirë. Albanian sources claim
that there is no change in positions.
3 trucks filled with soldiers arrived at around
1300CET, to assist the Serb forces. The clashes are still under way. Large
caliber cannons are also being used to carry out these attacks. Sources
from the ground inform that six Albanians were wounded. The same sources
inform about the killing of 2 police officers and the burning of 2 tanks.
The villages that have been attacked now bear many destroyed houses.
The villages of Cerrovik, Çabiq, Zabërgjë,
Rixhevë and Stapanicë, municipality of Klinë are also being
shelled from the police positions in Kijevë. Women, children and elderly
from the war afflicted villages flooded the roads and went to less threatened
villages.
KOSOVA (LDK communiqué)
Serb forces conducting massacres and ethnic
cleansing
Prishtina, 25 July (ARTA) 2130CET --
"We condemn they new offensive, undertaken by
the Serb military forces, which has engulfed a large part of central Kosova.
It has resulted with the extreme deterioration of the situation, which
was tense to begin with", says a communiqué issued by the LDK leadership.
The communiqué states that "after the massacre that the Serb forces
conducted in Rahovec, they now are trying to ethnically cleanse this region
by applying "burnt land strategy" and destroying houses belonging to Albanians".
"The new offensive that the Serb forces undertook today, bear clear evidence
that they strive to conduct massacres and ethnic cleansing, unheeded by
the international community".
"The LDK appeals to the USA, NATO the EU and
UN, to add pressure and take a more determined towards Belgrade stand for
stopping Serb offensives and ethnic cleansing in Kosova. If this open aggression
does not stop, then the risk of the conflict spreading and de-stabilizing
the whole region will be greater ", says the communiqué issued by
the LDK today.
KOSOVA (tension mounts - Lipjan)
New cases of harassment!
Lipjan, 25 July (ARTA) 2230CET--
The intervention of a local police expedition
from, has largely disturbed the Albanian residents of the "Robert Gajdiku"
neighborhood in Lipjan. The police intervention occurred when an unidentified
driver escaped as the police was controlling his vehicle. A car of "Opel
Ascona" type, with Ferizaj registration plates, following the attempt to
escape, parked in a dead end street, near the house of Latif Gashi. The
driver left the car and ran in an unknown direction. 13 Serb policemen
came to the site of crime, took the owner Latif Gashi out from his house,
put a gun in his neck and according to his wife's statement, they kicked
him and threatened him that "if they find the fugitive in his house, they
will burn the house and kill him". The police, on this occasion hit his
12 year-old son Alban Gashi, who threw himself on his father. Furthermore,
two police got into the house, and after seeing that no one was there they
took the car, in which they could find nothing but the car's documents
and left.
During this operation another nearby house was
raided.
KOSOVA (fighting - Drenica)
Fierce battles for control over "Gryka e Llapushnikut"
Llapushnik, 25 July (ARTA) 2100CET --
Large Serb police\military forces, starting from
0530CET today, undertook yet another attack against "Gryka e Llapushnikut".
They conducted this attack from their positions in "Ferronikel", from Prishtina
as well as the newly formed military base in Vrellë (close to the
airport of Prishtina), in a third bid to take "Gryka e Llapushnikut" under
their control. Despite their firepower, Serb forces were unable to overthrow
the powerful resistance of the KLA units. Serb forces once again caused
great material damage, by setting fire to the houses belonging to Albanians,
in the neighborhoods of Karaçica, Bogaj, Mulaku and Vilaku.
Despite the intense fighting, no victims were
reported among KLA fighters today. Shooting could also be heard coming
from the direction of Carralevë, Kijevë, Komoran (in the Drenica
region), and Llapushë (Malishevë mun.).
Part of the Serb forces left Drenica at around
1900CET and headed towards Prishtina. The other part stayed in the region
and is still engaged in fighting with KLA units in the village of Poterk,
near "Gryka e Llapushnikut".
KOSOVA (fighting - Malishevë)
Serb attempts to enter Malishevë - unsuccessful
Malishevë, 25 July (ARTA) 2215CET --
Serb police\military forces undertook an offensive
at 1400CET, aimed at entering Malishevë. KLA members stress that police
and several tanks, two of which were destroyed and a truck, which was later
used to carry the corpses of at least 10 police officers and soldiers away,
escorted military forces. A KLA soldier, Habib Berisha, was also reported
killed in the line of duty.
KLA sources say that both sides confronted in
this battle had a very small distance between themselves. They claim to
have been so close that they could actually hear Serb policemen arguing
with soldiers and ordering them "ustaj i pucaj" (to stand up and shoot).
KLA overthrew Serb forces successfully and took their weapons after they
took their corpses with them.
KOSOVA (tension mounts – Mitrovicë)
Explosion in the military barrack of Mitrovicë
Mitrovicë, 25 July (ARTA) 1945CET--
An explosion was heard last night at 2130CET,
coming from the military barrack in Mitrovicë, "KOHA Ditore" sources
inform. As a result of this blast, three vehicles were destroyed and the
inhabitants of the neighborhood of Bair in Mitrovicë, spent the night
in worry, fearing a possible attack of the Serb forces.
Police groups made of 5-6 policemen, were deployed
today all over the main streets of Mitrovicë. These police forces
stopped and harassed the passersby.
KOSOVA (military reinforcements – Podujevë)
New military forces arrive still
Podujevë, 25 July (ARTA) 2015CET--
Military reinforcements, including 3 tanks, 2
bulldozers and several other sanitarian vehicles, arrived in the village
of Llaushë, municipality of Podujevë, today, joining the military
forces that settled there yesterday, local LDK and CDHRF information sources
notify. According to these sources, the military forces have taken positions,
they have dug their trenches and along with the forces that settled there
yesterday, now make up 50 tanks, 17 APCs and 80 other vehicles (trucks,
terrain vehicles, missile launching terrain vehicles as well as multi barrel
missile launchers, etc.).
Starting from last night, one part of the population,
mainly children, women and elderly, withdrew into more secure places, in
Podujevë. Some of the people that fled last night have now started
coming back, some of them going to the CDHRF branch Podujevë, appealing
to the people not to abandon their homes.
Albanian sources of information claim that the
local police station in Kërpimeh has also increased its scale of readiness.
On the other hand, in the direction of Shakovica
e Lupçit të Poshtëm in "Quka e Shakovicës" and in
"Kulina", the terrain is constantly being monitored.
Only during the two-three days of the last week,
200 military vehicles and fighting technique arrived in Kosova.
KOSOVA (tensions mounts – Prizren)
Another body found
Prizren 25 July (ARTA) 2000CET--
Ever since 0330CET, a well-equipped convoy made
its way from Prizren, towards Gjakovë. Only 20 minutes after the convoy
left, fierce shootings were heard coming from the direction of the military
barrack in Landovicë. There is still no information concerning the
damages that could have resulted from these shootings.
Alban Hoxha (20) from Dushanovë, was taken
off a bus, belonging to "Mamusha Turs" enterprise, at the police checkpoint
in Landovicë, yesterday at 1400CET, confirmed sources claim. The same
sources inform that Alban, a first year student in the Faculty of the Mathematics
Sciences at the University of Prishtina, was arrested on the spot, without
any reason, adding that he is still not released.
The atmosphere in the town of Prizren is very
tense. Sources from the ground claim that the reason of such an atmosphere
is the death of Sejsan Hoti, from the neighborhood of Tusus. The body of
the victim, who died under unclear circumstances, was found yesterday.
The funeral of the late will be held today at 1300CET, at the town's cemetery.
KOSOVA (cultural pressure – Prishtina)
"The costumes resemble the KLA uniform"
Prishtina, 25 July (ARTA) 1620CET--
"When one is guilty, everything resembles the
KLA to him", declared actor, Enver Petrovci, as he waited in front of the
gates of the "Dodona" theater. He stated this after the coercive director
of the theater, Zoran Kosovac, banned the premiere of the choreography
piece with poems "Odisea Shqiptare", under the excuse that the costumes
resemble the uniform of the KLA military police. "I have seen one rehearsal
of this drama and according to my knowledge of art, the black costume is
always used in the scene to uniform the actors, particularly in a choreographic
piece. However I believe the reasons that the performance was stopped are
way deeper and they will be found out later", stated Enver Petrovci.
On the other hand, one of the actors, Besim Ajeti
said that: "I don't know what to say, except that this is terrible, I feel
sorry for the audience that is waiting outside, but most of all I feel
sorry for professor Abi"
No comment could be taken from the director of
choreography of the performance, Abi Nokshiqi, since he was very disturbed.
"We will definitely not disappoint the audience,
though I don't know, when we will perform again", said Besim.
No official explanation was offered by the coercive
management of the theater.
24 July 1998
WHITE HOUSE REPORT, FRIDAY, JULY 24, 1998
EXCERPTS
(Japan, Bosnia, Greece) (860)
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry briefed reporters at morning and afternoon sessions.
BERGER MEETS WITH BOSNIAN CROAT LEADER
President Kresimir Zubak, the Bosnian Croat member
of the joint Bosnian Presidency, met for half an hour July 24 at the White
House with National Security Advisor Sandy Berger.
McCurry characterized it as "a very good meeting."
He said the two discussed the upcoming federation elections that will be
held in Bosnia in the Federation in September and how the United States
can best support further implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords, including
promoting political pluralism. "It's been something that we have actually
been actively working with authorities there on. For example, we have been
supporting the new political party which is Zubak's own political entity,"
McCurry said.
"That's the New Croat Initiative Party -- that's
part of the tripartite conglomeration that constitutes the new federation
presidency under the Dayton Accords -- a good meeting, opportunity to review
the status of implementation of the Bosnia peace agreement and an important
meeting given the status and the ongoing concern we have about ethnic friction
in the Balkans."
Zubak met July 23 with Secretary of State Albright.
MCCURRY CHASTISES GREEK FOREIGN MINISTER FOR "INTEMPERATE" REMARKS
McCurry said Greek Foreign Minister Theodhoros
Pangalos had made "very intemperate, disappointing, and undiplomatic remarks
to the President of the United States."
Pangalos, talking to a group in Athens July 23,
accused President Clinton's 1996 campaign speeches to help solve the Cyprus
problem as gross lies.
McCurry called those remarks "unbecoming a senior
official of a close ally of the United States and the remarks were inconsistent
with what were otherwise close and warm bilateral relations we enjoy with
the government of Greece. It certainly would help if the Foreign Minister
would revise and extend his remarks because they were not appropriate."
McCurry said his remarks were made "on behalf
of" President Clinton. He said the White House has had contact with the
Greek-American community about the incident, and "explained very carefully
our determination to pursue reconciliation with respect to Cyprus and we
think our diplomatic efforts are designed to help; undiplomatic statements
are not helpful."
The US Ambassador in Athens, Nicholas Burns,
the former State Department spokesperson, has expressed the concern of
the United States to the Foreign Ministry, McCurry said, but "only after
attempting to seek further clarification and understanding" of the remarks
by Pangalos.
_______________________________
24 July 1998
TRANSCRIPT: WHITE HOUSE DAILY BRIEFING, JULY
24, 1998
EXCERPTS
(Kendall/Starr grand jury, Japan/Obuchi, Bosnia,
Colombia, federalism, Greece/Cyprus, global climate change, Truman carrier/global
readiness, week ahead, DNC/'96 campaign) (9780)
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry briefed.
Following is the White House transcript:
(begin transcript)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
July 24, 1998
PRESS BRIEFING BY MIKE MCCURRY
The Briefing Room
......
Q: Yesterday, the Greek Foreign Minister made
some harsh statements against President Clinton and you. Do you have any
reaction to that?
MR. MCCURRY: I didn't know that I was the subject of his ire, but it was bad enough that he directed his very intemperate, disappointing, and undiplomatic remarks to the President of the United States.
Q: Who's they?
MR. MCCURRY: The Foreign Minister of Greece. Those were remarks unbecoming a senior official of a close ally of the United States, and the remarks were inconsistent with what are otherwise close and warm bilateral relations we enjoy with the government of Greece. And certainly we hope that the Foreign Minister would revise and extend his remarks, because they were not appropriate.
Q: -- about you word "conflict," apparently -- whether you described it as an invasion, or whether you merely called it a conflict. Was that --
MR. MCCURRY: Within my government -- my government
was very well satisfied with my remarks..
.....
Q: Have we more formerly protested to Greece, or are you remarks the --
MR. MCCURRY: Yes. Through our Ambassador, the very talented and effective and capable Nicholas Burns.
Q: What are these remarks?
Q: And who did he --
MR. MCCURRY: I just gave everyone something to chase down for the rest of the afternoon. That's what we call a Friday afternoon rabbit to chase, so you all can figure that out.
Q: Will the Ambassador then protest it in Athens?
MR. MCCURRY: Through our embassy in Athens, we expressed our concern I think in a formal note.
COLONEL CROWLEY: I think he expressed them verbally.
MR. MCCURRY: He expressed them verbally to the Foreign Minister, and only after attempting to seek further clarification and understanding of these remarks did we issue the statement that I just gave you.
Q: Well, what had you done?
MR. MCCURRY: This is remarks that he directed at the President and I responded on behalf of the President. I'm not even -- I'm not familiar with what he said about me, nor do I particularly care. But his remarks directed at the President are those that I just responded to.
Q: Do Nick Burns and the Foreign Minister have a problem? This is about the second time, at least, that they had --
MR. MCCURRY: Sounds like they do now. If not, I just created one.
Q: Was it something you said? Something the Foreign Minister said? Something the President said?
MR. MCCURRY: Foreign Minister Pangalos had some remarks that I just characterized and they amounted to accusing the President of the United States of being a liar on issues related to Cyprus.
Q: And then you've now responded?
MR. MCCURRY: I have responded very directly and effectively, I might add.
Q: There goes that Athens vacation you were planning.
MR. MCCURRY: That's right. I won't be going to see the Acropolis anytime soon.
Q: Have you checked with Senator Sarbanes on this?
MR. MCCURRY: We've had contact with the Greek American community and I think we have had some contact with Senator Sarbanes.
Q: Did Senator Sarbanes tell them that he's not a liar?
MR. MCCURRY: Well, we have certainly alerted him
to the remarks and explained very carefully our determination to pursue
reconciliation with respect to Cyprus. And we think that our diplomatic
efforts have been designed to help, and undiplomatic statements are not
helpful.
.......
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