Tagesnachrichten 27. Juli 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1503 July 27, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 27. 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
Political Parties Calls for U.S. and NATO to Stop Serbian Aggression
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - The Democratic League
of Kosova (LDK), the Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosova (PSHDK),
the Social Democratic Party of Kosova (PSDK), the Albaian National Democratic
Party (PNDSH), the National Democratic Party of Kosova (PNDSHK), the Albanian
Popular Party (PPSH) and the Republican Party (PR), which met today in
Prishtina to discuss concrete steps in coordinating political action in
Kosova, denounced the Serbian military and police aggression against the
Albanian people of Kosova.
In a joint statement, the parties said the recent
Serb offensive, which has targeted a wide area in Kosova, "is based on
the Serb strategy of terrorizing the Albanian population and destroying
their settlements, as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosova".
The offensive has forced a large part of the civilian population flee their
homes, and a humanitarian catastrophe is imminent, the parties said. "At
least 260.000 people have been forced to flee their homes so far in Kosova",
the statement said, adding that the ongoing Serb crackdown has made a number
of them hide in the woods, with no conditions for life at all.
The parties meeting today in Prishtina called
for all Albanian parties to "create a functioning political unity" to reinvigorate
the institutional mechanisms in pursuit of independence for Kosova, consistent
with the political will of the people expressed in the 1991 referendum.
Against the background of dramatic and tragic developments in Kosova, the
parties called for the United States and the NATO to "take resolute action
to halt the Serbian aggression against the Albanian people of Kosova".
Such an intervention, and an international protectorate in Kosova, would
create the environment for a lasting and negotiated settlement, the LDK,
PSHDK, and other parties said, according to a statement issued this afternoon.
Meanwhile, the LDK had condemned earlier in the
day the continued Serbian offensive in Kosova. The Presidency of
the LDK, the main political force in the country, said the Serb military,
paramilitary and police operations are aimed at ethnically cleansing Kosova.
Such operations undermine the chances for a negotiated resolution in Kosova,
the LDK said.
"Serbia does not have a valid case for keeping
Kosova under occupation as the last colony in Europe and wider in the world",
the party leadership said in a statement today. The LDK Presidency said
the Serbian shelling, destruction and burning of Albanian residential areas
and atrocities against the civilian population, such as those in Likoshan,
Prekaz, Lubeniq, Deçan, Poklek and Rahovec, are part of the longstanding
Serbian ethnic cleansing schemes in Kosova.
The party reconfirmed that it stood for a solution
to the Kosova issue, consistent with the political will of the people for
independence, in a talks process mediated and guaranteed by the international
community. "In an independent, multiethnic and multi-religious Kosova,
all minorities would enjoy full and guaranteed rights", the LDK said.
President Rugova Receives British Diplomat
PRISHTINA, July (KIC) - The President of the Republic
of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina Mr. David Slinn,
First Secretary in the Embassy of Great Britain in Belgrade. The current
situation in Kosova and the prospects for a political solution to the crisis
were discussed.
President Rugova described the situation in Kosova
as very grave and dangerous in the wake of atrocities committed by Serb
army and police against Albanians in Rahovec last week, as well as the
ongoing Serb offensive against a large area in central Kosova. Rugova denounced
the Serb attacks and atrocities, and called for an urgent intervention
by the international community to bring Serb actions to an end and protect
the people of Kosova. President Rugova and the British diplomat discussed
also ways to de-escalate the situation and create the conditions for the
establishment of a dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.
Two Albanians Killed by Serb Forces Sunday in Gjakova Area
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Yesterday (Sunday), two Albanians, Shaban Gola and Vezir Ahmeti, were killed in defense of their village, Sheremet, in Reka e Keqe region, the LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said. The villages in the area along the border with Albania have been under intermittent attacks by Serb military and police for months now.
Serb Troops Shell Two Villages in Suhareka
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Serbian troops shelled
overnight and today (Monday) the villages of Bllacë and Duhël,
in the municipality of Suhareka, local LDK sources said. Some thirty tanks
were involved in the Serb offensive, they added. Local Albanian forces
have been resisting the Serb onslaught, which started in the weekend.
The houses of two Albanian family compounds -
Bajraktari and Suka - in the village of Bllacë have been burned, whereas
Serb forces have been positioned near the school village.
Serb Shelling of Three Villages of Shtime Resumes
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - The Serb offensive
against the villages of Zborc, Belincë and Carralevë, municipality
of Shtimje, which started Saturday morning, resumed today (Monday).
The LDK Information Commission in Shtimje said
houses and unharvested wheat fields have been burned in Zborc. Haki Ilazi
and Xunë Kadriu, two elderly men, are feared to have been trapped
in the burned-out houses, as well as an elderly woman, from Godanc i Ulët
village, who was a visitor in Zborc.
In Carralevë, Zaim Syla was wounded seriously
yesterday, whereas the fate of Lulëzim Maksuti and Burim Maksuti is
unknown.
In the village of Breg i Zi in Lipjan, the village
neighboring on Shtimje, Sahit Brestovci (55) died of trauma he experienced
from Serb shelling in the vicinity, local sources said.
Serb Forces Embark on Large-scale Attack in
Drenica
Seven villages attacked - Llaushë, Klinë,
Runik, Leçinë, Padalishtë, Çitak and Suhogërllë
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Serb forces have stepped
up their attacks in the municipality of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), local sources
said. All day long yesterday, hundreds of shells landed in the village
of Llausha. Serb forces tried to advance into the village yesterday, but
the local Albanian resistance forces repelled the attack.
A similar situation is reported today. No word
on casualties.
Two women and an old man were killed yesterday
in three villages - Klinë e Poshtme, Klinë e Mesme and Klinë
Epërme - sources said. Sali Duraku, the old man, and Azize Hajdini
(Mala) (1953), mother of five, are the two identified victims. The name
of the third fatality is unknown.
In Runik and the surrounding villages intensive
fighting was reported overnight and today. Police advanced into two villages.
In Kotorrk, Serb forces set ablaze the unharvetsed
wheat fields.
Beqir Hajrizi (62) and his son; Azem Hajrizi
(35), and Fidaim Hajrizi (25) were abducted in Kotorrk. In the village
of Radishevë, Serbs abducted Shaip Selmani (45) and Nazim Ahmeti (27),
local sources said. Their fate is unknown.
The villages of Leçinë, Padalishtë,
Çitak, Suhogërlla and other outlying areas, have been shelled
today. Serbian forces burned all the unharvested wheat fields.
In the town of Skenderaj, sealed off by heavy
Serb forces, a tense situation is reported.
Reports from the municipality of Klina speak
of Serb atrocities.
Sadri Boja, a resident of Kerrnicë, said
Serb forces entered in the deserted village and burned the houses of Dr.
Rexhep Boja, Sadri Boja, Hajriz, Brahim, Bajram, Rushit, Rrahman, Imer,
Cenë, all of them of the Boja family compound, and Isuf Berisha, Bajram
Oruçi, Zeqir Berisha, Hamdi, Ali and Nezir Doçi.
The village school has been burned by Serbs,
too.
Besim Boja (26) was reported wounded.
The sound of heavy Serb artillery could be heard
today coming from many villages of the Klina municipality - Dollc, Gllarevë,
Cerovik, Stapanicë, etc.
Bujku Daily Accuses Europe and America for Condoning Serbian Crimes in Kosova
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - "A Crime with a Euro-American
Approval and Timing" is the title of a leading article the Prishtina-based
Bujku daily newspaper carries today, in reference to the Serbian military
offensive against eight municipalities in Kosova since Thursday.
Police and paramilitaries from all Serb-inhabited
regions have joined the Serb military offensive, Ibrahim Berisha, the Bujku
writer says.
"The crime, which is assuming dimensions of genocide
and large- scale ethnic cleansing, is being committed with the approval
of the European Union and the American Administration", Berisha says, 'approval'
meaning probably 'tacit approval' in his language.
"Milosevic was given a green light to carry on
with ethnic cleansing in Kosova (it's approval for a large week-long expedition)
to affect some 500.000 Albanians".
The Bujku writer accuses some leaders of EU countries
and the U.S. administration of having 'identical views' with Milosevic
with regard to massive-scale ethnic cleansing in Kosova in favor of Serbs,
"and to shroud in silence the killing of Albanian civilians and the destruction
of Albanian settlements".
"In the wake of Skenderaj, Deçan, Gllogovc,
Rahovec and tens of huge and prosperous Albanian villages, the statements
of world leaders on the Kosova tragedy amount in fact to giving credit
to Milosevic, who on a daily basis is exhibiting new trophies in the museum
of crimes: pregnant women, children, elderly women and men, Albanians only
this time", Ibrahim Berisha writes in Bujku.
The Serb military offensive, helped also by Montenegrin
policemen, has been waged against "the very Albanian being, physical and
spiritual", and not against 'terrorists', he adds.
The fact that the world has not criticized the
Serb government's decision to extend to five km the security zone in the
[Kosova- Albania] border is also evidence that the Balkan criminals are
being pampered, according to the Bujku writer.
In the wake of the condoned crime, leaving Albanian
civilians killed and tens of settlements in rubble, a human and humanitarian
tragedy, the EU and the U.S. will see to it to get the parties to the negotiating
table: "Albanians as victims, Serbs as victors", Berisha writes.
As in Bosnia, injustice will be rewarded, justice
punished, he adds.
"This week's crime in Kosova, condoned and timed
by the Euro- Americans, gives Albanians a well-wrought signal", Ibrahim
Berisha says, not specifying as to what they should do, having learned
the lesson. "Do not forget, this week the delegation of Europeans will
come, the delegation of Americans, and the Serb one - with army, police,
bringing death and destruction", Ibrahim Berisha concludes his article
with a tone of irony and indignation.
The article is the harshest ever condemnation
in the Albanian- language daily of Western policies towards Kosova.
Fresh Military Troops Arrive in Kosova
Serb army builds up in village north-east of
Kosova
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Fresh Serbian military
troops arrived last night in Kosova.
The LDK Information Commission in Podujeva, the
town in north- eastern Kosova near the border with Serbia, said yesterday
(Sunday) at 21:00 hrs a convoy of 3 armored vehicles, 10 busloads of Serb
soldiers, and other vehicles drove through Podujeva, heading to Prishtina,
capital of Kosova. Half an hour later, four lorries, escorted by a police
armored vehicles and two APCs, headed likewise to Prishtina.
Meanwhile, LDK sources said at 20:00 hrs yesterday,
Serb police forces, backed up by an armored vehicle, two APCs, and another
car, went to a location called 'Pishat' (the pines), near the Serb church
in Podujeva, and illtreated many citizens, young and elderly.
The LDK said Serb military troops stationed near
the village of Llaushë, 6 km north of Podujeva, have been digging
in.
The Serb tanks have been directed at the outlying
villages, inhabited 99 percent by Albanians.
Many Albanian families in the nearby area have
deserted their homes in fear of Serb crackdown.
Serbs Advance into Llapushnik Mountain Pass
Serb forces burn entire parts of Komoran, Llapushnik,
Negrofc and Arllat villages
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Serbian troops, backed
up by heavy artillery and tanks, have advanced into the Gryka e Llapushnikut
(Llapushniku mountain pass), and set ablaze entire family compounds in
the villages of Komoran, Llapushnik, Negrofc and Arllat, local sources
said.
Serbian forces have been positioned in Negrofc
and in the lands of the Gjergjica hamlet in Arllat. From there, outlying
Albanian villages are being pounded by Serb artillery and mortar fire.
At least six Albanians are known to have been
wounded. Huge material damage has been reported in the Albanian settlements.
The population has left the area under direct
threat, and found refuge in relatively safer villages. A considerable number
of people have fled to wooded areas in the Kosmaqi mountains.
Four Albanians, Killed in Latest Serb Offensive, Buried in Malisheva
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Three Albanians, members
of local Albanian resistance in central Kosova, were buried in Malisheva
cemetery Monday morning.
Sami Nurkasa, Xhevat Kasapi and Gëzim Mullaabazi,
all from Rahovec, were killed in the fighting with Serb forces during the
last weekend, sources in Malisheva said. Another fighter, Habib Berisha
(34), was buried Sunday in the cemetery of his native village of Gurbardh
of Malisheva. Sources said hundreds of mourners attended the funerals of
four fighters.
The KIC learned on Sunday the identity of five
other Albanians, civilians, killed in the latest Serb offensive against
central Kosova villages.
Serbs Attack Lipjan Villages Bordering on Drenica Region
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - The Serb forces mounted
today an offensive against villages in the municipality of Lipjan, bordering
on the western edge of Drenica region.
Sources in Lipjan said the Albanian villages
of Shala ('Sedlar') and Baica came under heavy machine-gun fire this morning.
Witnesses told the LDK chapter in Lipjan the
population has been fleeing in panic. Many have run to the mountains surrounding
the villages, whereas others attempted to move to villages that have not
been attacked by Serbs yet.
Thousands of Albanians uprooted earlier from
other parts of Drenica have been sheltered in village of Lipjan, including
the two villages that came under Serb fire today, Shala and Baica.
Sources in Lipjan said two other villages in
this municipality, Vershec and Leletiq, were shelled by Serb forces on
Sunday.
Damage was caused to several farmsteads in the
two villages, whereas three houses of the Nishori extended family and one
of Ahmet Berisha in Leletiq were destroyed completely, sources said.
The LDK Information Commission in Lipjan said
three Albanians received shrapnel wounds, but it failed to provide their
names.
Witnesses have described the situation as extremely
volatile in large areas of the Lipjan municipality.
The mining town of Magure is the most vulnerable,
packed up with Serb forces. Albanian families have been fleeing Magura
in panic, whereas many have been subjected to harassment and intimidation
by both Serb forces and local Serb civilians.
Heavy Fighting around Gjakova Villages During Weekend
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Heavy fighting between
the Serb forces and the local Albanian resistance fighters in the Reka
e Keqe region near the Kosova-Albania border continued throughout last
weekend, sources in Gjakova said.
Skirmishes were fought in the village of Nec,
Smolicë, Berjahë, Stublla and Junik, the LDK chapter in Gjakova
said. The hamlets of Nivokaz, Sheremet and Dobrosh came under particularly
heavy fire on Sunday.
From 23:00 last evening though early in the morning
today (Monday) Junik was attacked successively with machine gun fire, whereas
other villages of Reka e Keqe were fired upon with heavy artillery, witnesses
told the LDK chapter in Gjakova. Still unconfirmed accounts speak of casualties
and immense damage to the property of Albanians in the area.
Sources in Deçan said the village of Dujaka,
between Gjakova and Deçan, came under heavy fire today morning.
The village suffered immense damages, while the house of Ndue Luli was
levelled to the ground.
The situation has been deteriorating in Gjakova
itself on a daily basis. The heavy Serb police and military forces garrisoned
in the town and around it and Serb snipers holding key positions in the
area have made life impossible for the local Albanian papulation. Scores
of Albanians have been detained, harassed, beaten up and threatened by
Serbs force in Gjakova over the past few days.
Serb Forces Resume Shelling of Deçan Villages
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Serb forces garrisoned
at a place called Podi i Gështenjave pounded for several hours on
Sunday villages in the municipality of Deçan.
Sources in Deçan said Serbs began shelling
Albanian settlements and positions in the Deçan area at around 7
p.m.
Besides the villages of Voksh, Beleg, and Junik
- which have been repeatedly shelled over the past months - the Serbs attacked
for the first time the village of Kodrali.
Firefighting was reported on Sunday afternoon
and evening around the villages of Carrabreg i Ulët, Prejlep and Strellc
i Epërm.
The villages of Voksh, Drenoc, Sllup and Junik
came under hevy fire today morning, too, sources in Deçan said.
There has been no immediate word on casualties
.
Albanian Boy Receives Serb Police Bullet Wounds in Ferizaj
PRISHTINA, July 17 (KIC) - A 17-year-old
Albanian, Shpëtim Ramadani, was reported wounded at Lloshkobare village
of Ferizaj today.
Sources in Ferizaj said that the boy was wounded
at around midday while swimming in a pool of water near his village of
Lloshkobare.
Serb policemen who have been stationed in the
forests adjacent to the village opened blind fire in the direction of the
village, witnesses said.
Other children were swimming in the lake, but
were not injured.
Shpëtim Ramadani's life condition is not
critical.
Albanian Killed during Serb Shelling of Loxha
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - A 34-year-Albanian,
Demush Shala, from Graboc village of Peja, killed last week by Serbs, was
buried in the town cemetery of Peja on Sunday. The late Albanian was killed
a couple of days ago during a Serb shelling of Loxha village, the LDK chapter
in Peja said. His body had been taken by Serbs to the town morgue to be
buried yesterday by members of the Muslim Community.
The LDK Information Commission in Peja said the
Loxha village was under repeated machine-gun fire during the last weekend.
Over a Dozen Albanians Arrested in Serb Police Checkpoint in Gjakova
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Over a dozen
Albanians, residents of Babaj i Bokës village of Gjakova, were arrested
by the Serbian police in Gjakova today morning.
The LDK chapter in Gjakova said a large number
of residents of Babaj village were held up at a Serb police checkpoint
while on their way to the town. Most of them were let go after a short
interrogation, whereas 13 others Ali Uka, Halim Rrustemi, Besim Myftari,
Sylë Rexhepi, Ukë Haxhia, Myftar Avdullahu, Muhamet Avdullahu,
Iljaz Hasani, Ibrahim Latifi, Nezir Salihu, Isuf Kadriu, Qazim Uka, Avdyl
Rexhepi. Several of them including Ali Uka, Isuf Sadriu, Halim Sadriu,
Avdyl Rexhepi and Sulejman Rexhepi were taken to the Serb police station.
Meanwhile, sources in Gjakova said 12 Albanians
were released today afternoon, excepting Avdyl Rexhepi, who is being still
held in custody.
54 Albanian Detainees To Be Transferred to Jails in Serbia on Tuesday
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - 54 Kosovar Albanians
arrested by the Serbian police a week ago upon their return from abroad
will be transferred tomorrow from the Prishtina detention house to a jail
in Prokuplje (Serbia).
Bajram Kelmendi and Fazli Balaj, lawyers from
Prishtina, told the KIC today that the Serb court in Prokuplje has instituted
criminal investigations against the 54 Albanians. The detainees will face
charges for alleged hostile activity, pursuant to article 136 of the Serb
penal code, the lawyers said.
The 54 Albanians were arrested last week while
returning from Western European countries, where they had been working
and living.
Four LDSH Activists Being Held Incommunicado in Serb Custody
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - Four activists of the
recently-formed Kosovar political party - Lëvizja Demokratike Shqiptare
(the Albanian Democratic Movemenent - LDSH), lead by Rexhep Qosja - have
been reported in Serb custody since Saturday.
Isa Kastrati, chairman of a LDSH chapter in Prishtina,
and the party activists Hazir Borovci, Gani Sopi and Sabit Mushica, were
arrested by police in Prishtina on Saturday evening.
The LDSH said the Serb police authorities have
refused to say where the detained Albanians were being held.
Serb Police Seizes Humanitarian Relief Supplies, Ill-treats Activists
PRISHTINA, July 27 (KIC) - On Sunday evening,
Serb police raided the depot of the local chapter in Vushtrri of the "Mother
Teresa" charity, and seized 12.5 tons of flour and 800 kg. of detergents.
Police intervened at a time the charity was distributing
relief supplies to the needy families.
Emin Selaci, a leading member of the charity
in Vushtrri ('Vucitern') was summoned to police today (Monday), and was
told the goods found in the depot were confiscated, the LDK Information
Commission in Vushtrri reported.
Meanwhile, reports from Istog said two activists
with the 'Mother Teresa' charity were ill-treated by police manning a checkpoint
at Rakish village of Saturday.
Sokol Zogaj and Ymer Shatri were beaten up, LDK
sources in Istog said.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
BC-KOSOVA-GJILAN-SITUATION_______________________________________________________________________
Serb police control GjilanPRISHTINE, July 27 (ATA) - During the recent days the city of Gjilan is under the tight control of the Serb police forces, Center for Information in Kosova (QIK) said on Monday.
The same source said that groups of Serb police had been deployed in access roads to the city. All the vehicles are being checked and passengers insulted.
Serb police have put the villages of Cernice, Verbice and Zhegovc, Myqybabe and Shurdhan under tight observation.
An armed group of Serb civilians carried out observing mission for over four hours in the Llashtice village, Gjilan recently. pta/pas/ak/BC-KOSOVA-SERB-OFFENSIVE
Serb army launches offensive in Llapushnik PassPRISHTINE, July 27 (ATA) - The Serb military offensive in villages around Llapushnik Pass, which started in July 24, is intensified recently.
The center for the Information of Kosova (QIK) said that "some 50-60 tank units have been engaged in a fiery operation using Katjusha rockets".
There are no reports on casualties, but the above source said that Albanian settlements have been considerably damaged and that part of Vukovc village and some quarters of Komorani are engulfed by the flames.
QIK said the resistance forces led by the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) are resisting the attacks of Serb forces. pta/pas/ak/BC-KOSOVA-SERB-SHELLING
Serb forces pound villages of ShtimePRISHTINE, July 27 (ATA) - Serb forces continue pounding on villages of Zborc, Belince and Carraleve, in Shtime commune, Central Kosova, shelling which intensively started to days ago.
Over 70 percent of houses have been totally destroyed in Zborc and considerable damages are also recorded even in Belince and Carraleve, Center for Information in Kosova (QIK) said.
Two eyewitnesses, who arrived in Zborc, said that 250 to 300 Serb soldiers entered the village torching houses which escaped artillery shelling. They said that the village school was totally destroyed as well as all houses in the surrounding area. So far, there are no reports on casualties and wounded at a time the defence forces in cooperation with KLA units have remained in their positions, QIK said.
A day before, four youths have been killed by Serb shelling in village of Bregu i Zi, in commune of Lipjan, near Shtime commune. pta/ak/
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 1630CET --
The Serb police\military forces continued the
offensive they began yesterday, against "Gryka e Llapushnikut", this time,
with more intensity. The attack, which began at around 0600CET today, is
still taking place. This offensive, in fact, began the night before last,
continued throughout yesterday, until 2300CET and began anew today in the
morning.
Sources from the ground
say that 50-60 tanks are also being used in this attack, which has been
claimed one of the strongest to date in Kosova. The sources add that Serb
forces are also using surface-to-surface missiles.
There are no reports
on victims, although there was much material damage, with houses being
burnt especially in the village of Vukovc and certain neighborhoods in
Komoran.
Serb police\military
forces are confronted with KLA units and armed local Albanians, who seem
determined not to give up.
KOSOVA (large-scale attacks - Drenica)
110 "Yugoslav" army tanks used to attack the
villages of Negroc and Gjergjicë
Negroc, Kishnarekë, 26 July (ARTA) 2200CET
--
110 tanks and other heavy artillery, which arrived
from Vrellë and Prishtina, were used to attack the villages of Negroc
and Gjergjicë, which was also being shelled from the Serb army positions
in "Ferronikel". This large-scale crackdown against these two villages
began at 0700CET, today.
Fierce battles between
KLA units and VJ forces have been taking place ever since. Starting from
1830CET, the battles that took place in the region, had much more intensity.
There are claims that
there are another five tanks to the right side of the Prishtina-Pejë
road, close to Potërkë, which are also being used to target Negroc
and Gjergjicë. Fire and clouds of smoke can be seen, rising from the
houses in these villages, where the KLA units, headquarters and canteen
are. All the fields of grain in Potërkë have been set on fire.
Shooting by the KLA
can be heard time after time, in an attempt to fight back the attack of
Serb forces. There are tanks from Potërkë and all the way up
to the cattle farm, which is just opposite of the village of Krajkovë.
There are claims that the Serb infantry is just behind the tanks.
Sources say that every
house in the neighborhood Sopaj, in Llapushnik, has been looted and burnt.
People from the villages of Llapushnik, Orllat, Gjergjicë and the
southern part of Drenica -- from Kishnarekë and all the way to Sedllar
-- have started to flee en-masse.
The fighting which erupted
in the canyon of Carralevë, can be heard from very far away. Sources
say that most of the fields of Bubavec, close to the police checkpoint,
were burnt. The Serb police and military forces there have been shooting
and sources say that they asked for reinforcements, otherwise, it is claimed
that they will raise the white flag. Albanian sources say that shooting
has been aimed at Kijevë from Dollc and Gryka e Llapushnikut.
Over 90 % of the Serb
forces, engaged in this attack, belong to the VJ, with the number of policemen
decreasing. Sources from the ground say that VJ is using heavy artillery.
The Serb infantry has
not made it to the village of Negroc so far. As mentioned earlier, this
village is being attacked mostly from Potërkë, which lies face-to-face
with Negroc. The road has been closed. Albanian sources state that shooting
is aimed at Negroc, which is also known as the base of the KLA General
Headquarters, from both sides.
KOSOVA (Serb attack - Skënderaj)
Five Albanians killed and many wounded
Skënderaj, 26 July (ARTA) 1700CET --
Five Albanian civilians were killed during the
attack that Serb forces undertook yesterday. Four of the victims have not
been identified so far, say local LDK sources in Skënderaj and Klinë.
Sources from the CDHRF
branch in Skënderaj confirm that the Serb police executed 55 year-old
Sali Duraku, from Klinë e Epërme, after arresting him.
At least six civilians
were reported wounded in the powerful explosions caused by tanks and grenade
launchers, in the villages of Radishevë, Klinë e Epërme,
Dobërdol and Gllarevë.
Sources from Skënderaj
claim that another 24 civilians were wounded, adding that they have no
information on their identity so far.
KOSOVA (large-scale attacks - Suharekë)
Bllacë and Duhël destroyed by shelling
Suharekë, 26 July (ARTA) 1645CET --
Serb military units, from their positions close
to the village of Duhël and a place called Biraç, continued
to shell the villages of Bllacë and Duhël, which mark the beginning
of KLA controlled territory.
Three Albanians were
reported wounded during the similar attack, which took place in the region
yesterday and last night. Albanian sources claim that more than 300 grenades
were thrown in these two villages, from the beginning of the attack, yesterday
morning. They add that many houses have been destroyed, claiming that every
house, belonging to Albanians in the village of Bllacë, has been set
on fire.
However, the local Albanians
are determined not to give up, helping the KLA resist the attack. They
notify that there are victims among the Serb forces and that much of their
fighting technique has been destroyed.
KOSOVA (dramatic situation - Suharekë)
Combined attack of Serb police and military
forces
Suharekë, 26 July (ARTA) 1725CET --
Combined Serb police and military forces, from
their positions in Qafa e Duhlës, from the center of Duhël and
Biraç, attacked the village of Bllacë and the neighborhood
of Zhablak in Duhël, as well as other villages in the area. Witnesses
say that Serb forces used heavy artillery, including tanks, cannons, missiles
and grenade launchers, in the attack which began at 0200CET.
The neighborhoods of
Sukaj and Bajraktari in the village of Bllacë and the neighborhood
of Zhablak in Duhël, were mostly targeted in the attack.
KLA units are doing
their best to resist the attack of Serb forces, which have the lead in
firepower. The strategy at work is: military tanks and cannons attack KLA
positions from their "base" in Qafa e Duhlës, while Serb police and
paramilitary formations attempt to reach KLA forces using other armored
vehicles. The detonations are powerful, with the above-mentioned neighborhoods
covered with thick smoke and fire.
This battle is of special
importance, since it seems as if the Serb forces aim at breaking the KLA
stronghold in the region, as means of creating a corridor to Malishevë.
Most of the local civilian population has fled to safer villages, although
many are currently seeking shelter in the nearby woods. "I do not know
what will happen with us, we have neither bread nor medicine. We are all
going to die, if nobody comes to help us. I only hope God has not forgotten
us", said an old man, as his hands trembled from his disease. A young mother,
trying to put her one-year-old baby to sleep in a cradle as she cried,
said: "I do not care what happens to me, but what worries me is what I
can give this baby up here, in the woods. I do not have a drop of milk
with me".
KOSOVA (large-scale attack - Shtime)
Four children wounded during heavy shelling
of Shtimje area
Shtime, 26 July (ARTA) 1715CET --
The villages of Zborc, Belincë and Carralevë,
in the municipality of Shtime, were all subjected to Serb heavy artillery
fire today, starting from 0800CET. Sources from the ground say that there
is no information on casualties so far, adding that the KLA and armed locals,
were not pushed back from their positions.
Sources claim that 4
children from the village of Bregu i Zi (Lipjan mun. - close to Shtime),
with ages ranging from 10-16, were wounded at around 1930CET yesterday,
from a grenade explosion.
It is claimed that around
70% of the houses in this region, especially the villages of Carralevë
and Belincë, have been burnt to the ground.
Witnesses, that were
able to flee from the village of Zborc, say that 250-300 policemen entered
the center of the village and set fire to the houses were not damaged by
the shelling. They state that the local school and the houses surrounding
it were mostly damaged.
KOSOVA (Spanish correspondent - Shtime)
Attack carried out with artillery of 100-mm
caliber
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 1930CET --
"The police did not permit continuing down the
road to Carralevë. They said it was for our good", says a correspondent
of a Spanish daily, who had just returned from the region around Carralevë,
where the police had undertaken a large-scale operation. "We could see
smoke coming from the direction of Carralevë, as we made our way upwards
on a mountain, from where we could see the center of Zborc. We saw many
houses on fire and many others that were damaged from the shelling. Shooting
could also be heard coming from the direction of Shtime", said the reporter,
adding that the houses had been destroyed by Serb troops.
He claimed to have seen
tanks and APCs, entering Zborc, shooting from its blue barrels of 20-30
mm caliber, while another cannon of 100-mm caliber, which was hidden, was
used to attack from a distance.
"Shooting from caliber,
not larger than 12 mm, could be heard coming from the resisting side",
he said, adding that the KLA soldiers had no heavy weapons to use against
tanks,
Zborc is small a village
to the north of Shtime, and has about 2,000 inhabitants.
KOSOVA (large-scale attacks - Klinë)
At least five civilians killed and five wounded
Klinë, 26 July (ARTA) 1705CET --
Albanian sources in Klinë say that at least
three Albanians were killed during the attack of Serb forces on the village
of Cerrovik, yesterday. The victims, including two women, were all members
of one family, adding that one Albanian man, from the same village, was
wounded.
The LDK Information
Commission branch, on the other hand, notifies that three Albanians were
wounded in the village of Çabiq yesterday, one of which was an 8
year-old and the other, a 6 year-old child. Another Albanian civilians
was reported wounded in the village of Gllarevë.
Albanian sources state
that the situation in Klinë is somewhat calmer, adding that detonations
can still be heard coming from the direction of Kijevë.
KOSOVA (large-scale attack - Ferizaj)
Serb forces shell the village of Jezerc from
Shtime
Ferizaj, 26 July (ARTA) 2015CET --
The village of Jezerc was subjected to shelling
today as well. The shelling began today, in the morning. The LDK Information
Commission and the CDHRF branch in Ferizaj, claim that they have no information
on victims or major material damage, adding that there are indications
that both sides engaged in fighting, maintained their positions.
These sources notify
that Serb police\military forces conducted the shelling from their positions
in Shtime. They say that helicopter gunships were also used to attack.
There are also claims about the increased presence of reinforcements along
the road that leads to Jezerc, which is being kept under strict control.
The overall situation
in this war-struck region is becoming more difficult with every coming
day. The people in Jezerc are now completely blocked. On the other hand,
there are reports that people have begun to flee en-masse from the villages
of Nerodime e Epërme, Manastirc and Dremjak.
The tense situation
in the municipality reflected in town as well, where the movements of Serb
police\military forces increased.
KOSOVA (police reinforcements - Kamenicë)
Shooting at the entrance of Kamenicë
Kamenicë, 26 July (ARTA) 1600CET --
LDK Information Commission branch in Kamenicë,
notified about added concentration of police forces in the region, yesterday
and today. It claims that groups of 6-10 policemen are stationed in all
major points of town. This source states that a checkpoint has been set
at a place called "Qafa", at the entrance of the village of Kopernicë,
in the newly built road Kamenicë-Strezoc. It also adds that the checkpoint
at the place called "Dheu i Bardhë" has been reinforced, same as the
one at the road axis Bujanoc-Gjilan.
On Friday, the local
market day, there were many police forces, which kept watch over all the
parts of town. Three police checkpoints were improvised only in the road
Koretin-Kamenicë, which is 3 kilometers long.
There are more policemen
in town as well, who check every passerby and vehicle that comes across.
Two trucks, loaded with armed policemen were spotted heading towards Gjilan,
yesterday evening.
On the other hand, shooting
from automatic weapons could be heard coming from the village of Borivojcë,
which is very close to Kamenicë, at around 0100CET last night.
Other than the iron
siege that this region has been put under, the locals also have to face
major difficulties in food provision.
KOSOVA (German Foreign Minister)
Kinkel: "We have to create a Dayton-like atmosphere
for talks"
Bonn, 26 July (ARTA) 1830CET --
The European "troika", which will include senior
diplomats, will propose detailed plans for negotiations with the Contact
Group to all sides involved in the Kosova conflict, next week. This was
a statement of the German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel, to "Bild am Sonntag"
daily. The minister claims that the EU "troika" will make a proposal based
on concrete details which he and his French homologue Hubert Vedrine, proposed
earlier. The "troika" will include Great Britain - former EU presiding-in-turn,
Austria – the present EU presiding-in-turn and Germany - the future state
to be the EU presiding-in-turn. Senior Austrian diplomat, Albert Rohan,
will lead it. As for Germany, sources at the interior ministry hint that
the political director of the German Foreign Ministry, Wolfgang Ischinger,
is most likely to be representative in these negotiations.
Kinkel stressed that
if the negotiations between the Contact Group and sides in conflict work
out properly, then they will result with an "atmosphere" similar to that
when the Dayton peace conference.
The German Foreign Minister
stressed that his country still thinks that the resolution should be adopted,
which, according to chapter 7 of the UN Charter, foresees that peace be
reached in crisis regions through measures of pressure and military intervention.
Kinkel said that there must be a UN mandate for NATO intervention so international
consensus could be reached, since Russia still rejects a military solution
to the crisis.
KOSOVA (Italian diplomacy)
Rome proposes the project of Tyrol’s autonomy
for Kosova
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 1900CET --
Italian diplomacy is now showing signs of mounting
interest and added involvement for Kosova, diplomatic sources say.
Albanian daily "Koha
Ditore" sources say that Italian diplomacy made several proposals for solving
the issue of the status of Kosova, based on the project of the Alto-Adigio
autonomy.
It is even claimed that
the Italian Foreign Minister, Lamberto Dini, has proposed this as well,
during a meeting he held with his Albanian homologue. However, the same
sources state that the Albanian side did not welcome this proposal.
It is also claimed that
official Rome suggested for Tirana to keep a more reserved stand towards
the issue of Kosova. On the other hand, Italian officials promised the
Albanian Government a loan of nearly 60 million USD, after the Contact
Group meeting held in Rome.
The Italian initiative
comes after the increasing interests of Albanian neighbors, in the crisis
in Kosova. The Greek Foreign Minister, Pangalos, also visited Tirana, where
he offered to serve as mediator for Belgrade.
KOSOVA (KD comment)
Reuters’s correspondent doesn’t trust Albanian
media?
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 1600CET--
Reuters's correspondent Douglas Hamilton, in
his last analysis on the information sources in Kosova, accuses Albanians
of exaggerating, as he says, the truth. Hamilton doesn't trust Albanian
sources, meanwhile he is not satisfied with the statements of those that
barely escaped death in the Rahovec war. He moreover accuses the Albanians
dailies in Kosova that quote the statements of eyewitnesses, who refuse
to give their names for reasons of security. Maybe Reuters's correspondent
has immunity, but he hasn't still understood what it is like to be Albanian,
i.e., an old man, a pregnant woman or a child facing the Serb military
machinery. The corpses that were collected with tractors and the blood
washed off the streets only a couple of hours before the journalists came,
are in his eyes, an "exaggerated news".
These were no exaggerations
for the other media, e.g. The Washington Post, which gave a description
of the real situation in Rahovec and printed the statements of the survivors
of the massacres.
By quoting a statement
of a Serb official, Hamilton "proves" that there is a lot of propaganda.
Hamilton asks the Serb authorities to come out with a public statement
that would "reject the accusations against the Serb Security Forces".
In the end, Hamilton
states that "there is no clear way to prove the truth in Kosova". Thus,
he also justifies the lack of statements of the Kosova Observers Mission
that has failed to come up with a public statement on their work so far.
KOSOVA (foreign observers)
Foreign observers are not ready to give away
information
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 2045CET --
None of the foreign observers was ready to give
away information, as the developments in Kosova are entering a new stage
of war.
One Kosova Observing
Mission supervisor, despite the determination of reporters to find out
something new, was rigid in his stand of not commenting anything for the
media, while he stayed at the USIS premises in Prishtina.
The observing mission
of international diplomats in Kosova began on 6 July, aiming at installing
international presence in the region.
KOSOVA (local NGO provides books and toys)
10,000 USD worth of books and toys for Albanian
children
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 1945CET --
The Prishtina-based association, "Motrat Qiriazi",
bought books and toys Albanian children that fled war zones, in worth of
10,000 USD, a sum which the association won in San Francisco from the organization
"Resourceful Women Award". This American organization has been giving awards
to women's associations from the whole world these past four years. The
association "Motrat Qiriazi", which won the first place, was the first
association from Kosova to participate.
"Our efforts to contribute
to increasing material and spiritual culture, with a symbolic number of
2 thousand books, 2 thousand years after Christ, should serve as an example
for commitment to humane obligations which everyone of us has", said an
activist of the association, Safete Rogova. "We decided to open two libraries
in Drenica with the books that we bought and those that writers and poets
donated for this humanitarian action".
This association has
drafted special projects for women, children and girls.
KOSOVA (KD analysis)
KLA decides about the fate of the institutions
in Kosova
Prishtina, 26 July (ARTA) 1800CET--
It is expected that this week the Parliament
of the Republic of Kosova will reveal the names of the people that will
be leading the ministries of the new Government.
After many attempts
to reach unification among the political subjects in Kosova, the President
of the Republic convened the meeting of the Parliament on 16 July. The
General Headquarters of the KLA as well as all extra-parliamentarian parties
disputed this decision. The latter have insisted on the creation of a National
Council evaluating that the constitution of the parliament hasn't contributed
to the actual situation in Kosova. Moreover, certain circles, have evaluated
that the constitution of the parliament made the gap between the parties
even bigger.
However, in order to
prove the contrary, Rugova has announced that the new parliament will,
very soon, propose the creation of the new Government of the Republic,
in which the extra-parliamentarian parties will be offered access, regardless
of the fact that they didn't participate in the elections of 22 March.
Within this framework, the consultations among the political subjects for
the creation of the new Government have started. Some of the representatives
of the extra-parliamentarian parties claim, however, that they have still
not received any invitation for consultations, and even less, for participation
in the elections.
Even if invited, part
of these parties say, the invitation would be rejected, regardless of whether
the KLA will participate in it or not.
In the meantime, according
to unofficial sources, it is stated that contacts and consultations with
the KLA in this sphere have started and ended -- however, the final outcome
is still unknown, at least officially.
According to announcements,
the new Government will count 19 ministries. Within the, as it is said,
institutionalization of the KLA, it will be offered the Ministry of Defense
and even maybe that of Public Order. On the other hand, it is rumored that
Bujar Bukoshi will repeat his post as prime minister, and he will have
three deputies operational in Kosova. Anyhow, the list of those that will
be offered the posts will be made public very soon, meanwhile the lists
may seem very contradictory for the names it will hold.
Besides all these "projects"
the G-15, which had insisted on the constitution of the Parliament, has
"bleached" very much. This group still exists, but it is practically not
functioning at al. The list of new negotiators, which would include the
KLA representatives and which would bring back the G-15 to life, can't
be completed because of the contradictions that exist among the political
subjects in Kosova.
If any agreement is
reached for the incorporation of the KLA in the new Government, different
political analysts state that the project of the extra-parliamentarian
parties to create a National Council will fail. On the other hand, if the
KLA doesn't accept the offer to become part of the new Government, then
despite its creation, the Government will not function.
Anyhow, all these discussions
about reaching a political consensus are directing the eyes of the international
community as well as the political subject in Kosova "towards the lack
of a unique voice in Kosova", thus distracting the attention from the actual
Serb offensive, which is considered to be the largest since the beginning
of the conflict.
KUKES, 27JULY /ENTER/-The albanian media informed
sunday that the 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.,
a police press realese informed.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.The local police called on the inhabitants of these villages to
refrain themselves and not to respond to the Serb army fire.
This is the second violation of the albanian
territory in one week.On July 18, Serb artillery shells fell up to 500
m inside Albanian territory, in the zone of Tropoje (north of Kukes).
The Albanian government, in a statement, described
these attacks as open provocations which aim to engulf Albania in the flames
of a regional conflict and stressed it is ready to cope with any provocation
and threat against Albania's integrity.
The Democratic Party of Albania, the biggest
party in opposition accused yesterday in a press release the albanian goverment
of indeferentism and apathy in its stands and reponses to the serb violations.
it accused the goverment of selling the national interests to the sake
of power."Albania is very vulnerable to the serbs and had betrayed the
kosova question that s why reacts in this way to the serb provocations
and continous violations of the albanian territory"DP stressed.
PLL ACCUSED ALBANIAN GOVERMENT OF EXPLOITING THE LIBERATION ATTEMPTS OF KOSOVA
TIRANE, 27 JULY /ENTER/ - The legality party supported
any attempts aimed the liberation of Kosova from Serbia. The leader of
this party Eqerem Spahiu said last week end in a press conference that
this party denounces strongly the goverment and refuted its attempts to
manipulate and exploit the liberation attempts in Kosova.The leader of
the party said that he considers the attempts of Nano goverment as action
to destabilise the fighting political forces in Kosova which serves only
to Serbia and policy of Miloshevic.
Spahia said that not negating the existence of
the difference trends in KLA, PLL considered as detirment their identification,
because it is clear to every one that the attempts for independence in
Kosova are fruit of a consolidated stand of the albanian people towardsrballe
agresionit serb.
PLL asked once more the resignition of the actual
albanian goverment, saying that this goverment is dangerous to the Kosova
question.Spahia called once again to the NATO forces to intervene in Kosova
and to respect the will of the albanian people of Kosova expressed in the
elections of march 22.
DP ACCUSED THE COALITION OF BOYCOTTING THE PROCESS OF THE CONSTITUTION FOR OPPOSITION
TIRANE, 27 JULY/ ENTER/ - Democratic Party denounced
last week end the attitutde of the govermental coalition which left the
Union for Democracy out of the process of drafting the albanian constitution.
The leader of DP ,Sali berisha said in a press conference that demands
of the opposition was never taken into consideration and were closed in
a drawer of the parliament, closing of the roads for a participation in
the process of Consitution drafting.He said that opposition wont accept
any version of the constitution presented by the most corrupted goverment
in the world.
Talking on the problem of Kosova, Berisha said
that this problem can not be solved in Tirana but only in Kosova.,He denopunced
the actions of premier Nano for the question of Kosova considering Nano
as a premier"adventurer". DP said Berisha will continue the protests is
albanian cities for the minimal rights of the albanian opposition.
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