Tagesnachrichten 3. August 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1510 August 3, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 3. August 1998
Dear Madam/Sir,-------------------------------------------------------------------
The situation in Kosova has already escalated into a full scale war. In the last Serbian offensive which is still going on, all possible heavy armament is being used. Over 20 Albanians, mainly civilians are killed in daily bases. The Albanian houses that survive the shelling, are being robbed and burnt afterwards. Due to this campaign tens of villages all over Kosova are totally burnt only during the ongoing offensive. Fields and other goods are systematically being burnt, too. Tens of thousands of people who have fled their homes are hiding in the mountains, without any food supplies, water and medicines. Few children and elder people have died from hunger, diseases and heat. A humanitarian disaster is very close. Local and international humanitarian organizations cannot get to these regions due to the Serbian police and military sieges. Probably, one of the most important things that would help a lot in overcoming this situation are humanitarian corridors which would make possible the convoys of aid to breakthrough and enter in the surrounded regions in order to rescue thousands of lives.
We appeal to You to use all your influence and do your utmost in offering the minimum of human solidarity to people who desperately need it.Yours sincerely,
Bujar Dugolli, president of UPSUP
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:
newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine reports on July
9, 1998
President Ibrahim Rugova Receives Ambassador Hill
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - The President of the
Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina the U.S.
Ambassador to FYROM, Chris Hill, who is mediating between Prishtina and
Belgrade.
The most recent developments in Kosova were discussed
in the meeting.
President Rugova said the situation in Kosova
was becoming dramatic amidst the continued Serb military and police offensive
in the villages of Drenica, Deçan, Gjakova and the Albanian settlements
along the Kosova-Albania border. Serb forces are killing Albanian civilians,
burning and destroying entire villages in these parts of Kosova, resulting
in a forced displacement of a great number of people, Rugova said.
"Belgrade is carrying out a large-scale ethnic
cleansing against Albanians in Kosova", the President said, calling for
an urgent intervention by the United States and its allies to halt the
Serbian offensive and provide "international protection for the people
of Kosova".
Regarding the extremely grave humanitarian situation
in Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova said tens of thousands of Albanians displaced
from areas under Serbian attack have been for days in the open, without
any humanitarian care. He urged for a speedy humanitarian action to help
the displaced population who are threatened by diseases and starvation.
Meanwhile, President Rugova and Ambassador Chris
Hill met in Prishtina with the chairman of the LDK chapter in Rahovec,
Mr. Bedredin Shehu, and a group of citizens from this town. The situation
in Rahovec in the aftermath of the Serbian attack was discussed, focussing
on ways to secure their return to their homes.
Ambassador Chris Hill's QëA with the Press in Prishtina
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Ambassador Chris Hill,
the U.S. diplomat who mediates between Prishtina and Belgrade, spoke to
the press in Prishtina today after a meeting with President Ibrahim Rugova
of Kosova.
Following is as unofficial transcript of questions
and answers to and by Christopher Hill.
(Begin text)
Q: There is a general feeling in Kosova that
the recent massacre is being helped by the U.S. and Europe.
A: It is absolutely, and essentially, nonsense
that we support any type of such violence. Violence has to be stopped.
It is very clear that there is a Serb offensive now. The Serb offensive
has not played any useful role in finding a political solution. It sets
back the chances for finding a political solution. In the meantime, it
has only created more refugees and displaced people.
We are extremely concerned about these displaced
people. I just met with a group of people from Orahovac, who told their
stories about how they became displaced. I was particularly interested
in ideas on how we can get them back in their homes. It is not an easy
process, they cannot feel secure about going back and we need to figure
out ways to make them more secure. And, that's what I intend to work on
in the next few days, to see if we can get a process of getting people
back to their homes. I think we are on the edge of a humanitarian catastrophe,
if we do not send people back to their homes in safety. It means that we,
the international community, need to devote our efforts to see what we
can do to help improve the security situation.
Q: You said yesterday that Milosevic promised
the people to be back and he would let them go back home. Do you think
it can be done now with this wide operation and ethnic cleansing?
A: I reported that he said he was in favor of
the people returning to their homes. He also said he was prepared to ensure
full access, especially for diplomatic observers. I am not interested on
what anyone tells me, I am interested in facts on the ground. And, it is
very clear that we do not have these facts here on the ground and that's
what will worry us in the next few days.
Q: Did they [people from Rahovec, KIC] get any
guarantee of safety when they go back?
A: I think we have to figure out [ways] to guarantee
their safety. Yes, and this is a big problem, and this is what we need
to work in the coming days.
Q: Does Milosevic have to complete his ethnic
cleansing campaign in Kosova before you admit that?
A: What we need is a process of political negotiations
in Kosova. There is no military solution in Kosovo. I think the sides are
trying to make a point that there is a military solution. There is no military
solution. As to the political solution, the United States are prepared
to be part of that solution; we are prepared to help seek it; we are prepared
to be part of implementing such a political solution. That is where the
future lies, not in the military solutions, which all they can do is create
more refugees. I don't care how many roads you block, how many roads you
unblock - this is not a way to find a solution to the Kosovo problem.
Q: Don't you think that there is a military solution
going on right 2now?
A: I think that there are efforts to find a military
solution, and those efforts are absolutely in vain; they will not work.
We need a political solution, and this violence, especially in the past
few days, sets back the opportunities for finding a peaceful solution.
Q: Milosevic has for years been outsmarting the
West, including the United States, by giving assurances which play as music
to your ears.
A: I am not interested in anyone's assurances.
I am interested in facts on the ground, and we do not have facts on the
ground as far as I can see. So, I am here to see if we can get some new
facts on the ground.
Q: But Milosevic's assurances have been valued
... [the reporter wavered an official State Department statement entitled
"Text: State Dept. on Milosevic Assurances on Kosovo Situation"]
A: I evaluate facts on the ground. Thank you.
(End text)
Entire Villages Burning in Drenica as Serb
Offensive Continues
Reports said Serb infantry units are advancing
into the villages
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Entire villages have
been reported burning in the municipality of Skenderaj ("Srbica') amidst
continued shelling by Serb troops.
The villages of Polluzha, Tërstenik, Polac,
Kryshec, Morina, Rakinica, etc, are reported in flames.
Serbian forces have embarked today on a large-scale
offensive in almost all the villages of the Drenica region.
Local sources said today morning four shells
landed in the village of Likoc, where a great number of displaced people
from other areas are.
In the village of Llaushë three heavy detonations
were heard last night, presumed to be from the explosion of three ground-to-ground
rocket shells.
Serb forces have surrounded the village of Izbicë,
in the municipality of Skenderaj, in which 800 people are reported effectively
holed up.
Reports said in the afternoon the villages in
the direction Kryshec - Polac - Tërstenik are in flames, and Serb
infantry units are advancing into the villages.
Thousands of Albanians from Drenica have been
streaming towards villages in the neighboring municipality of Vushtrri
('Vucitrn'). Local sources said the villages of Beçiq, Dubofc, Galicë,
and Bukosh have been the destination of many fleeing Albanians from Skenderaj.
Some 700 people have been housed in the premises
of the elementary school building in Dubofc, LDK sources from Vushtrri
said.
Extremely Dramatic Situation in Klina as Serbs Mount the Biggest Offensive Yet
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Over thirty Albanian
settlements in the municipality of Klina have been affected by a brutal
Serb forces offensive since Sunday morning.
The villages of Cerovik, Qabiq, Zabërgjë,
Dobërdol, Ujmir, and Shatricë, have been reported burned down
almost completely, witnesses said. The KIC sources in Klina could so far
learn about two killed Albanians in these villages. LDK activists said
they feared the casualty-toll could be the highest since the break-out
of the conflict in this part of Kosova.
Witnesses, including some foreign reporters,
said clouds of smoke have been billowing from Klina villages today morning.
It is virtually impossible to determine the number
of Serb troops involved in the unfolding Serb offensive, LDK sources in
Klina said, adding that the area has been packed with policemen and soldiers,
and motorized units.
Besides the Klina villages, those in the neighboring
municipality of Skenderaj have also been targeted in the ongoing Serb offensive.
Sources said that the villages of Gllarevë,
Rixhevë, Stapanicë, Jashanicë, Pogragjë, Dush, Gjurgjevik
i Madh, Kërrnicë, Jellovc, Resnik, Gjurgjevik i Vogël, and
Açarevë in Skënderaj have been pounded from a wide range
of Serb arsenal of arms.
The KIC could so far learn the identity of some
victims of the most recent Serb attack, including Fatmir Hoti in Jashanica
and Hysni Arif Gashi (80) at Çabiq. There are many wounded Albanians,
laying helpless in the ruins and in the fields, with no one being able
to assist them while the area is being intermittently pounded.
All-out Serb Military and Police Offensive in the Gjakova Area
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - An unrelenting Serbian
offensive involving military, paramilitary and police forces, has been
going on in the Gjakova area, in south-west Kosova, local sources said
today.
Local Albanian resistance forces have been faced
last night and today with a Serb offensive in the Reka e Keqe region, namely
the villages of Nec, Ramoc, Smolicë, Berjah, Stubëll, Nivokaz,
Dobrosh, and in the huge village of Junik, LDK sources in Gjakova said.
During the day and in the evening yesterday (Sunday), a Serb military helicopter
with the Red Cross sign was involved in the operations in the region of
Has, namely the villages of Prush, Goden and Zylfaj. Machine-gun fire was
opened from the helicopter from the Babaj i Bokës to the villages
of Goden.
In the region of Dushkajë in the municipality
of Gjakova, yesterday's Serb offensive resume today. Heavy Serb artillery
is being used in the operations in Dushkajë, whereas the village of
Cërmjan, the center of the region, is in flames and smoke in the midst
of heavy shelling. The Suka e Cërmjanit (Cërmjan upland), inlcuding
religious shrines in it, have been hit. The villages of Meqë and Rakovinë
have been shelled, too.
The villages north-west, towards Deçan,
have been targeted also.
The attacked area being sealed off, it is virtually
impossible to obtain detailed information on the extent of damages and
the casualty-toll, which are feared to be immense and high.
Local reports from Gjakova said two bodies were
taken to the Gjakova morgue today. The were presumed to be the bodies of
Albanians killed while working in their fields in Dushkajë region.
Five wounded have been taken to the Gjakova hospital,
all residents of the village of Berjahë, Reka e Keqe, who were wounded
during Serb shelling.
The town of Gjakova cannot cope with so many
displaced people who have been trying to reach and find safety there. Only
local resistance forces have stayed behind in the Reka e Keqe region, in
peacetime home to 20.000 people.
Thousands of people displaced from their homes
in Gjakova villages or the area in the neighboring municipality of Rahovec
have been trying in vain to secure shelter and food in safer areas. Many
of them ran to the mountains or wooded area. The huge number of displaced
people at a time the Serb offensive is still going on has made it impossible
for local structures to even have them duly registered, local sources said.
A car of foreign observers drove yesterday speedily
through the main street in Gjakova. This was all the presence of 'international
community' in town, sources added.
Serb Offensive in Malisheva Left at Least 17 Dead
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Last week's Serb crackdown
on the Malisheva area left at least 17 Albanians dead, most of them women
and the elderly, and many more wounded, local sources said today. They
gave the names of the killed and wounded, but added the casualty-toll may
well be higher.
Many villages have been burned during Serb shelling,
but also when Serbs set them ablaze.
The displaced population - many of whom live
in the open - is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, as basic food and medical
supplies are lacking.
Serb Offensive Steps Up in Deçan Area
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - The Serbian military
and police offensive against the village of Deçan continues unabated,
local sources said today.
Reports said the fiercest attacks yesterday and
today occurred in the village of Rastavicë, Prejlep, Irzniq, Baballoq,
Isniq, Shaptej, Gramaqel, and Junik.
The Serb troops have been using tanks and heavy
artillery in their offensive.
Scant information is trickling out from the area.
In the village of Rastavicë, Rexhep Kadria
(23) and Emine Dervishaj, mother of two, were killed during the Serb shelling.
The two were buried last night in the village of Irzniq.
Heavy fighting was reported in the village of
Prejlep. Many houses have been damaged there, and the minaret of the local
mosque destroyed by the Serb shelling.
Considerable damage has been caused to the farmsteads
in other attacked villages, too.
The village of Gllogjan was attacked last night.
Tens of houses have been burned or destroyed there. The civilians who managed
to escape have found refuge in the Catholic church in the village.
Reports said today heavy fighting was going on
the villages of Prejlep and Junik. The huge village of Junik has been under
heavy Serb shelling in the past 24 hours. There have been no reports on
the extent of damage or the casualties there.
Some 80.000 Albanians are estimated to be internally-displaced
people in the villages of the municipalities of Peja and Deçan.
They fled their homes after their villages were attacked by Serb forces.
A new Srebrenica is feared in the Rrafshi i Dukagjinit
(Dukagjini plateau). There is no free corridor for the evacuation of some
30.000 people, most of whom women, children and the elderly, local sources
said.
Serbs Mount Frontal Attack against Lugu i Baranit Villages, in Peja and Klina
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Serbian forces have mounted
a frontal attack against the Lugu i Baranit villages, a region stretching
in the municipalities of Klina and Peja ('Pec').
Mr. Rrok Berisha, member to the Kosova Parliament,
told the KIC that the latest Serb offensive was kicked off Sunday morning.
The villages of Bokshiq, Qeskovë, Këpuz, Gllogjan, Nepole, Llugagji,
Jabllanicë and have been targeted, he said.
At around 4 p.m. yesterday (Sunday), Serbian
forces advanced into the villages, resorting to campaigns of atrocities
and destruction. Serb police, military and paramilitary forces first pounded
villages with heavy artillery guns, then set them ablaze, killed and massacred
the unprotected Albanian population with impunity, Mr. Berisha said.
It is feared that the casualty-toll in the unfolding
Serb offensive in the Lugu i Baranit region is high. Those who could run
away before the Serb crackdown have been sheltered in the surrounding forests,
while a large number have been trapped into the "Shën Ndou" local
Catholic church in Gllogjan. It is believed dozens of men, women and children,
as well a reverend Kelmend Spaqi have been held as hostage in the hands
of Serbs. The Serb offensive has in the region has continued unabated during
the whole course of today.
The villages of Gllogjan, Nepole, Llugagji, Jabllanicë,
Kralanë, Zhebel, have been targeted by Serbs today. At least
150 Serb tanks have been involved in the offensive, witnesses said.
It is virtually impossible to establish factual
consequences of the ongoing Serb onslaught in the area.
Serbs Launch Huge Attack on Areas South-East of Prishtina
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Since 3 a.m. today, Serbian
forces have launched a wide offensive, targeting villages in the municipalities
of Shtime and Lipjan, south-east of Prishtina.
LDK sources in Lipjan and Shtime said Serb troops
have been attacking Albanian settlements from their positions along the
Shtime-Prizren road, as well as Lipjan-Magure-Shala, targeting villages
on the east edge of the Drenica region - Shala, Krojmir, Leletiq, Nekoc,
Baicë, etc.
No other vehicle but the Serb army and police
have been moving along these two roads since the morning today, sources
said. Serb police did not allow the marketplace open in the town of Lipjan
today.
Still unconfirmed accounts said that Serb forces
have pounded today the Kleçka village, which, together with some
neighboring villages, has been the 'safe haven' of thousands of people
fleeing Serb attacks in Drenica and Lipjan villages.
Serbs Pillage and Set Ablaze Albanian Houses in Suhareka
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - For the fourth straight
day, the Serb forces have been involved in a barbarous campaign of looting
and torching Albanian houses in the municipality of Suhareka.
Sources said Serb forces, mainly from two bases
at Bllaca and Duhla, have been pounding the outlying villages with heavy
artillery guns. Subsequently, they advanced with trucks and infantry into
deserted villages, pillaging them mercilessly.
Witnesses said they had seen Serbs dousing the
houses and farms of Albanians with petrol, and setting them ablaze.
Some Albanians attempted on Sunday to return
to their own villages. They failed to do so because of Serb fire.
The LDK information chapter in Suhareka said
it is impossible to locate persons displaced from their own villages targeted
by Serbs. They may die in the open, without food and medication.
Eight-Year-Old Boy Killed, Mother Wounded, at Montenegro-Albania Border
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - An 8-year-old boy, Ngadhënjim
Hoxha from the town of Suhareka, was reported shot dead Sunday evening
near the Montenegro-Albania border. The boy's mother, Xhezide Hoxha (30),
has received life-threatening wounds, too.
Sources said that Ngadhënjim Hoxha was shot
yesterday evening, at around 8 p.m., while trying to cross into Albania
via the Buna river.
Unwarranted fire was opened on the 12-member
Hoxha family by still unidentified gunmen.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
_______________________________________________________________________There is no military solution for Kosove - U.S. diplomat, Hill
PRISHTINE, August 3 (ata) - ATA correspondent B Jashari reports: "There is no military solution for Kosove" was the message "for all parties" by U.S. diplomat Christopher Hill in a statement for reporters made in Prishtine today. "The Serb offensive marks a regress in the efforts to find a political solution," declared the U.S. diplomat engaged with Kosove question, Ambassador in Skopje, Cristopher Hill.
The U.S. is ready to take part in a political solution to the question of Kosove, said Hill, stressing "the need of a political negotiating process in Kosove."
U.S diplomat said that "we are deeply concerned for the people who have moved, the refugees" as a result of the Serb offensive, the violence and insecurity. He warned that "in the coming days I will deal with the ways of bringing these people back in their homes."
"I think that we are on the eve of a humanitarian catastrophe if we do not secure the return of the people in their homes. Therefore, the international community is worried of the security of these people," said Hill.
The U.S diplomat Hill talked with reporters after a closed-door meeting with the President of the Republic of Kosove, Dr Ibrahim Rugova. /la/das/xh/
_______________________________________________________________________Number of students from Kosova and other Albanian-speaking areas Doubles
TIRANE, August 3 (ata) - By P Shuteriqi:
While in universities and other higher schools in Tirane and other districts registration of the students who will compete to attend higher studies has started, official sources from the biggest university, that of Tirane, confirm that the number of the would-be-students from Kosove and other Albanian speaking areas beyond border of Albania has doubled.
It is forecast that the number of the first-year-students to be registered in Albanian faculties will be 7 per cent higher than last year, Tirana University Rector, Marenglen Spiro told ATA on Monday.
During 1997-1998 academic year, Tirane University was attended by about 8 000 part time students and 5 000 full time students. More than 2 300 youngsters were registered in the university last year. /a.ke/das/xh/Approval of Draft of Constitution, one of priorities of Government - Deputy Prime Minister
TIRANE, August 3 (ata) - The situation in Albania and some of the priorities of the Government in the present situation were in the focus of the meeting that Albanian deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Government Coordination, Kastriot Islami had on Monday with the U.S. State Department envoys, the director for Southern and Central Europe, Larry Rossin and the director of the Office for Albania, Andrew Hyde.
According to the Information and Media Department in the Council of Ministers, Islami stressed in the meeting the approval of the draft of the constitution as one of the priorities of the work of the government. Pointing out the efforts of the government to encourage the opposition to take part in the drafting of the constitution, Islami said that the legal procedures for the adoption of the constitution will be strictly observed.
With regard to the situation in Kosove and the increase of the number of Kosovars coming to Albania, Islami said that measures are being adopted to face the situation in the North of Albania before winter comes.
The U.S. envoy in Kosove, Gelbard, and Ambassador Hill, said Rossin, are making efforts to draft a status of autonomy for Kosove, acceptable for all parties.
Islami spoke of the measures the government has adopted in the fight against corruption, reformation of police staff, the macro economic stabilization of the country, etc.
Rossin highlighted once more the decisions adopted by the Albanian Government to control the difficult situation in the northern zone of Albania, the consolidation of the public order structures, its approach towards the crisis in Kosove, considering it not as an act of weakness but as an act of wisdom and farsightedness on the part of the Albanian Government. /s.sh/das/xh/Albanian Foreign Ministry does not believe promises by Milosevic
TIRANE, August 3 (ata) - By Irena Luto:
Albanian diplomacy continues to exploit all possible ways to exert pressure on Belgrade to stop violence and policy of genocide towards the Albanian population in Kosove, declared on Monday the press director in the Albanian foreign Ministry, Sokol Gjoka.
In his weekly news conference, Gjoka said on Monday that "we do not believe in the promises of Milosevic who is still continuing genocide against Albanians of Kosove, but we, in cooperation with the International Community will consider only the results in the field and the effects of these acts in calming the situation in Kosove."
In a meeting with the representatives of the EU troika last Thursday, Yugoslav President, Slobodan Milosevic said that the offensive of the Serb forces in Kosove had ended, but today too repressive operation by police and special forces of Belgrade are still continuing in Albanian villages, most of which have been turned to ruins, and the largest part of the population has fled the fighting areas.
Gjoka said that the summer period has no intensive diplomatic contacts, hence the attention is now focused on the 58th U.N Session in September, in which, the question of Kosove is expected to take an important place. Besides the speech of the Albanian Foreign Minister in that Session, Gjoka focused in particular on the efforts of the Albanian Government to draft some resolutions which would coordinate the steps to be undertaken by the international diplomacy to solve the crisis in Kosove. /y.pa/das/xh/Albanian Foreign Minister meets senior U.S. State Department official, Rossin
TIRANE, August 3 (ata) - By Irena Luto:
The political director for Central and Eastern Europe of the U.S. State Department, Larry Rossin confirmed today the support of his government for the approaches of the Albanian government on the stabilization of the situation in Kosove, press and information department in the Albanian Foreign Ministry said.
Referring to the situation in Kosove and the acts by Albanian diplomacy, Rossin considered the stance of the Albanian government on this question as very "constructive."
Then, the talk between the chief of the Albanian diplomacy and the delegation led by Rossin focused on the situation in Kosove and on a possible solution to the crisis, with regard of which Rossin said that the efforts of the U.S diplomacy have been frequent, hence referring to the mission of Ambassador Hill and the State Secretary Albright.
Minister Milo presented officially to the U.S. delegation the measures adopted by the Albanian Government to face any provocation by Belgrade to include Albania in the conflict, measures which the U.S. officials hailed, along with the efforts of the Albanian Government to stabilize the situation in the country. /y.pa/das/xh/
Meeting with leaders of border communes in Kukes_______________________________________________________________________KUKES, August 3 (ata) - By Riza Hoxha:
The continuous aggravation of the situation along the state border of Albania, 45 km from the district of Kukes (Northeastern Albania) gathered on Monday the chairmen of the communes of the border area in the Kukes district council.
The chairman of the district council, Shefqet Bruka told ATA that the meeting established a better coordination of the work of the state structures on the border line. Participants in the meeting laid the stress on the work of the communes to avoid incidents, which have been frequent recently, and to adopt the necessary measures to accommodate any eventual influx of people from Kosova.
The leaders of the communes said that the Serb army has already laid mines along the whole border and blasts in the villages of Kosove are being heard. They were concerned of the lack of telephone communication in five border communes of the Kukes district and demanded urgent solution of the problem by state structures. /ake/pas/xh/
RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC_______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 2, No. 147 Part II, 3 August 1998SERBS KEEP UP OFFENSIVE.
Yugoslav troops and Serbian paramilitary police attacked positions of the Kosova Liberation Army (UCK) and civilian villages in the central Drenica region and along the Albanian border around the besieged village of Junik throughout the weekend of 31 July- 2 August. AP reported on 3 August that the Serbian forces throughout the combat zone burned homes and shelled villages in a "campaign to drive [ethnic] Albanian civilians from their homes [in a way] reminiscent of the tactic of 'ethnic cleansing'...in Bosnia and Croatia earlier this decade." A correspondent for Deutsche Welle's German service reported from Prishtina on 3 August that the Serbian authorities are keeping journalists out of the conflict area so that they do not witness "the plundering of villages and mistreatment of civilians." The London "Daily Telegraph" wrote on 3 August that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's statement to foreign diplomats the on 30 July that the offensive has ended is a "lie." PM
PLIGHT OF REFUGEES WORSENS.
The Yugoslav news agency Tanjug reported from Prishtina on 2 August that the "efficient action" of Serbian forces has "almost entirely broken [up] terrorist gangs" of the UCK. Elsewhere, Western and Kosovar sources noted over the weekend of 31 July-2 August that the continuing Serbian offensive has uprooted "thousands" of civilians and forced additional thousands of refugees from previous attacks to flee again. Many, including women and young children, slept in the forests and on hillsides in the midst of a heat wave and with few provisions. Meanwhile on 1 August, representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees delivered to homeless civilians in the Malisheva area food parcels designed to supply up to 1,000 people for three weeks. Officials said the area is "simply filled with people...living rough," Reuters reported. PM
NUMBER OF REFUGEES GROWS.
A spokesman for the UNHCR said in Prishtina on 3 August that the total number of displaced people from Kosova in 1998 is about 180,000, both inside and outside the province. This includes 30,000 forced to flee during the current Serbian offensive, which began just over a week ago. The spokesman added that Serbian police have generally made it difficult for the UNHCR to obtain accurate figures by making on-the-spot tallies within Kosova. He noted that some 25,000 refugees have gone to Montenegro, at least 10,000 to Albania, and smaller numbers to Serbia. Albanian sources put the number in that country closer to 20,000. It is unclear how many Kosovars have fled to Macedonia, where many have close personal ties dating from when both Kosova and Macedonia were part of the former Yugoslavia. PM
SERBIAN, MACEDONIAN FOREIGN MINISTERS MEET.
Macedonia's Blagoj Handziski visited Zivadin Jovanovic, his Serbian counterpart, in Bujanovac in southern Serbia on 2 August. Tanjug issued a brief report quoting Jovanovic as saying that his country seeks a peaceful and constructive solution to the Kosovar problem. Handziski stressed that Macedonia insists that the solution in Kosova be peaceful. Reuters noted the previous day that Tanjug has recently quoted statements by some Macedonian opposition parties criticizing the present government for continuing to include cabinet ministers from ethnic Albanian parties, which the opposition calls "separatist." Macedonia's population is about one- quarter ethnic Albanian. PM
RELIEF WORKER CLAIMS ABUSE.
Serbian authorities released British humanitarian aid worker Sally Becker from prison in Prishtina on 1 August. She later told the BBC that her captors denied her sleep and that "more than 100 policemen" were allowed to spit on her. "I have never known such hatred," she added (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 29 July 1998). Meanwhile in The Hague, Milan Kovacevic, who is a Bosnian Serb facing charges of genocide, died of a heart attack. The next day, the authorities of the war crimes tribunal promised a full investigation. Kovacevic is the second war crimes suspect to die in detention in just over a month, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported. PM
DRNOVSEK PLEDGES EFFORTS ON KOSOVA.
Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek told a press conference at RFE/RL headquarters in Prague on 1 August that "Slovenia will try to have a very active role and to intensify activities to find a solution" to the Kosovar problem. The same day, Slovenia assumed the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council in New York. PM
MONTENEGRO CUTS BACK TIES TO BELGRADE.
The Montenegrin government issued a statement in Podgorica on 31 July saying that it will no longer maintain relations with the Yugoslav federal authorities at the ministerial level. Podgorica added that it will restore full ties only when the composition of the federal government changes. By this, the Montenegrin government presumably meant that Federal Prime Minister Momir Bulatovic, who is the arch-rival of Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic, must step down first. In the meantime, Podgorica will limit its contacts to Belgrade only to lower levels and only when Montenegro deems it in its interest to do so, the independent BETA news agency reported. PM
FIRE HITS ALBANIA'S SECOND LARGEST HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT.
One of four 150-megawatt generators at the hydroelectric power plant in the northern city of Fierza caught fire on 1 August. Fire-fighters, supported by Italian fire-fighting experts, had the fire under control after five hours. A spokesman for the Electric Energy Company told "Koha Jone" in Tirana the same day that the repair work will take at least one month and that the company will have to reduce supplies to customers in the meantime. Albania's power grid has been strained by a sharp increase in consumption since the end of communism in 1991. A prolonged lack of rainfall this summer has already forced the company to make power cuts. FS
ALBANIAN OPPOSITION LEGISLATOR CLAIMS VIOLATION OF PRIVILEGE.
Democratic Party legislator Shaban Memia said on 31 July that customs officials and police in Durres violated his rights as a member of the parliament the same day by stopping him and examining goods he brought with him from a trip to Italy, "Rilindja Demokratike" reported. Customs officials accused him of "smuggling" photo and video equipment worth $14,000. Memia declared that the equipment was a personal gift from friends in Italy and is tax-exempt. Later at a checkpoint in Ndroq on the road to Tirana, police found a document in Memia's baggage saying that the equipment was a gift to the party. Customs officials told "Shekulli" that the equipment must be taxed and that they will ask the parliament to lift Memia's immunity so that they can bring charges against him for smuggling. FS
At least eight Albanians killed in Drenica_______________________________________________________________________PRISHTINE, August 2 - ATA correspondent in Prishtina Behlul Jashari reported that at least eight Albanians were killed and many others injured in Drenica, which in the late Sunday continued to be under the attack, terror and blaze of large Yugoslav army and Serb paramilitary as well as police forces who were using cannon, surface-to-surface rockets and other heavy artillery weapons, according to sources on the ground.
Serb forces start pounding Polac, Llaushe, Marine, Shtutice, Rakinice, Buroje villages, Drenica region, early on Sunday. cela/ak/Serb forces continue torching, destruction in Malisheva commune
PRISHTINE, Aug 3 (ATA) - The situation in commune of Malisheva is the same after the Serb military-police offensive which caused many casualties, injured and missing among Albanian civilians, the Center for Information in Kosova quoted Isuf Bytyzi, head of the commission for the Democratic League in Kosova (LDK) division in Malisheva as saying.
The sources said that Serb forces continue to torch and destroy houses of Albanians while thousands of Albanians from Malisheva villages who had fled their houses are living in open air for the seventh day in succession.
The efforts of organisations and associations of Malisheva to take the Albanians killed in the region through the mediation of the International Red Cross had failed. A Serb warplane threw leaflets late on Saturday calling on Albanians to return to their burnt down and destroyed houses.
Recently, Serb snipers, positioned in high buildings in Malisheva town, have opened fire on Albanian residents who came to see their houses.
Two old women who dared enter the town on Sunday to learn about the fate of one of their relative Haxhi Ramizi, were not allowed by the police.
A contingent of humanitarian aid provided by the International Red Cross, which is necessary for the Albanian population who have run short of food and medicaments, arrived in Malisheva on Saturday. pta/ak/
FIERCE FIGHTING IN DRENICA -8 ALBANIANS KILLED BY THE SERB FORCES._______________________________________________________________________Pristine,3 august/enter/ Reports from Kosova said that at least eight Albanians were killed and many others injured in Drenica, which in the late Sunday continued to be under the attack, terror and blaze of large Yugoslav army and Serb paramilitary as well as police forces who were using cannon, surface-to-surface rockets and other heavy artillery weapons, according to sources on the ground. Serb forces start pounding Polac, Llaushe, Marine, Shtutice, Rakinice, Buroje villages, Drenica region, early on Sunday.
The result of the latest serb attacks on the albanian populated areas are grave. Massive migration of Albanian population towards Vushtri started after an intensive bombardment of the Serb military-police forces who launched a military offensive in central Kosova against the villages of Drenica on Sunday, the Center for Information in Kosova (QIK) said.
The same source said that residents of Polaci, Llaushe, Krushec, Vitak, ubreli, Jashanice, Kotorri, Radisheve, Kline, Rakinice and other villages are heading for Vushtri.
The albanian authorities, especially in Tropoja and the representative of the OSCE in this district are expected new waves of migrants from Kosova which are afraid to return to their burned homes due to other serb attacks.
Albanian sources in Pristine report that the Serb offensive against Drenica, northwestern Prishtina, continued even early on Monday.Many Albanian villages have come under the fire of artillery,rockets propelled launchers and other heavy weapons of the Serb police and army forces. Many forces are attacking Llausha and other villages, sources from Skenderaj said. The Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) and the Albanian population have been organised in self-defence and are continuing resistance.
In meantime the UNO agency for the refugees (UNHCR) reported in pristine monday that 30 000 people had left their homes in Kosova as result of the latest offencive of the serb troops against the albanian populated areas.
Mans Nyberg of the office of UNHCR-s in Pristine said that from the begin of the fightings the total number of the people migrating from Kosova is 180 000.But he added that the figures are not exact because many people are hiding in the hills and forests.COHEN: THE NATO INTERVENTION IN KOSOVA IS NOT EXCLUDED
PRISTINE , 3 AUGUST/ENTER/- THE latest serb offencive against the albanian populated areas in Kosova and the great number of the civilians killed had turned again the attention of the international opinion to Kosova. The defence secretary of the USA William Cohen, said that Nato is studying its military alternatives in Kosova after the new fightings against the albanian population.
"We are for a diplomatic and peaceful solution of the conflict" he said " but these calls on both sides to sit on the talks table and end the fightings and killings ".
"We have warned Miloshevic to end the fightings against the civil population in Kosova" Cohen said adding that the serb leader had not kept the promise he made to the European troika some days ago in Belgrade for an end to the military offencive in Kosova.
Deçan 2 August (ARTA) 1800CET--
The Serb forces attacked the villages Rastavicë,
Prejlep, Gramaçel, Shaptej, Junik (municipality of Deçan)
and Hereç (municipality of Gjakovë) since the morning. Albanian
sources state that severe fighting is going on especially in the Rastavicë
village, which is continuously being shelled with heavy cannons from the
hill of Baballoç and Bitesh as well as from Podi i Gështenjave
- the flints in Rastavicë.
Other artillery weapons are being used as well,
meanwhile the sources assess that even those families who have remained
in Rastavicë, are being evacuated in other areas which are controlled
by KLA.
Nevertheless, numerous inhabitants of the Deçan
and Gjakovë municipalities that are actually the flash points, have
escaped in different regions of Kosova, or a large number of them even
into Albania.
KOSOVA (shelling – Gjakovë)
Fierce shelling of Rekë e Keqe
Gjakovë, 2 August (ARTA) 1630CET--
Rekë e Keqe has been shelled continuously
from 0300CET through 0900CET. Albanian sources claim that the villages
Nec, Ramoc, Berjahë, Smolicë, Nivokaz and Junik were subjected
to shelling the most. The detonations and blasts caused by the heaviest
cannons made the entire town of Gjakovë tremble, and destroyed tens
of houses. Today the Serbian offensive was specific compared to previous
ones, because hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles and other motorized transporters
equipped with heavy artillery armament moved in three directions toward
the territories controlled by the KLA. Sources from the ground inform that
Serbian forces at the same time dashed also in the direction of Dushkajë
(municipality of Gjakovë).
The witnesses who managed to survive from this
"plague", testify that many houses of these villages have been burnt. In
addition, the sources claim that shelling with heavy artillery have been
conducted in villages of Deçan, precisely over Junik. Today for
the first time motorized Serbian forces moved as well toward Gllogjan village,
from Trakaniq (municipality of Gjakovë) and further.
As yet, none of the sides has provided any news
on the killed and wounded persons, even though it is supposed that their
number ought to be big.
Until the afternoon, the Albanian sources have
emphasized that the mere positions in the flash points are not changed.
KOSOVA (clashes – Gllogoc)
Serb tanks in Llapushnik again
Llapushnik, 2 August (ARTA) 1645CET--
The clashes between KLA and Serb security forces
have once more blocked the main road between Prishtina and Pejë, which
the Serb authorities claimed to have reopened. A journalists team that
was stopped at Komoran and sent back by the Serb forces, claim to have
seen smoke from a distance and hidden fighting armored vehicles and cannons
in the forest nearby. The police at the checkpoint told the Reuters journalists
that the clashes started earlier, following the attack on the Serb security
forces near the forest in Llapushnik.
KOSOVA (shelling – Gllogoc)
Nekoc under the flames of Serb artillery
Nekoc, 2 August (ARTA) 1700CET--
The Serbian forces have attacked Nekoc village
with cannons of wide domain and mortars, in this way forcing 5000 terrified
refugees to flee searching shelter again, declared the journalists of Reuters.
The inhabitants of this village have undergone
the sporadic fire, caught in the front between Serb forces and KLA units.
Immediately after the shelling, people who walked about the village, including
panicking children and mothers, have commenced to look for a new shelter.
KOSOVA (clashes – Skënderaj)
Eight people killed in the villages of Skënderaj
Skënderaj, 2 August (ARTA) 1730CET--
The Serb military police forces undertook a large
operation against the villages of the municipality of Skënderaj, starting
from the early morning hours. The Serbs have surrounded many villages in
the municipality of Skënderaj, LDK sources inform.
A very tense situation has taken over the village
Llaushë, where the Serb forces are attacking all the neighborhoods
of this village using heavy artillery arms. Surface to surface missiles
were also used in this assault of the Serb forces against the villages
of Drenica. Tense situation has deteriorated today also the villages of
Çubrel, Vitak, Klinë, Padalishtë, Runikë and other
villages.
So far, there is information about eight killed
Albanians.
CDHRF sources, inform about three KLA members
killed in the village of Jashanicë, municipality of Klinë. On
the other hand, in the village of Shtuticë, municipality of Skënderaj,
four Albanians were killed.
LDK Information Commission issued a communiqué
informing about three killed Albanians in the village of Shtuticë
(municipality of Skënderaj), as KIC states that four Albanian civilians
were killed and four others were wounded at the same village.
It is also stated that the Serb forces in the
village of Shtuticë, burned several Albanian houses and grain fields.
Following the fierce shelling of the Serb combined
military\police forces over the villages of Drenica: Polac, Llaushë,
Krushec, Vitak, Çubrel, Jashanicë, Kotorr, Radishevë,
Klinë, Rakinicë and others, a massive displacement of the local
population in the direction of Vushtrri is taking place.
KOSOVA (victims remain unburied – Malishevë)
Some of the killed have remained unburied
Malishevë, 2 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
Following the Serb forces' attack in Malishevë,
the majority of the population has fled their houses and are now being
faced with death and hunger. According to "Mother Theresa" activists in
Malishevë, besides the 50 thousand inhabitants this municipality had,
this territory was also hosting over 35 thousand displaced from Rahovec
and of other war afflicted municipalities. Now, all of them have fled.
For the first time, yesterday, the humanitarian
organizations sent a symbolic assistance, consisting of 3 tons of flour
and 4 tons of food in boxes to the region where some of the IDPs are settled.
Serb sniper and machine-gun shootings were heard
throughout last night as well. Presently, Serb soldiers are holding the
major strategic points in Malishevë and on the road going to Bubavec
and Drenoc. Under these conditions, there are a number of corpses left
unburied and even unidentified. The large number of killed cattle lying
on the field presents a great threat for the expansion of epidemics in
this zone.
After taking Malishevë under control again,
the Serb police\military forces arrested a number of persons that they
managed to find on the streets or inside their houses.
On the other hand, the Serb infantry has recommenced
burning houses in Bubavec. Besides the houses, there is also information
notifying that the elementary school in Carallukë was completely burned
down, while the one in Astrazub is heavily damaged.
KOSOVA (shelling – Klinë)
The villages of the municipality of Klinë
shelled
Klinë, 2 August (ARTA) 1700CET--
Large Serb military\police forces, escorted by
numerous fighting vehicles, including tanks, came from Pejë, today
at 0420CET. At around 0900CET, these forces undertook a fierce offensive
by shelling and burning the villages of Zabel, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Siçevë
and Qapiq. The Albanian population mainly composed of women, children and
elderly, fled their homes some of them sheltering in the tunnels. There
are many sick among them. The police also fired at the running population,
on which occasion they killed an old man and wounded another.
There are claims about many killed and wounded
as their precise number is still hard to determine.
The tunnel in which the people were sheltered,
was also being shelled.
KOSOVA (police repression – Fushë Kosovë)
Increased police repression over the population
of the area
Fushë Kosovë, 2 August (ARTA) 1915CET--
Currently, some of the villages of Obiliq and
of Fushë Kosovë, are suffering far more victims than some of
the other parts where the large-scale offensive of the Serb forces is taking
place. During the last few days, four Albanians were reported killed as
tens of others were reported wounded or brutally maltreated.
Serb snipers that got hold of the highest strategic
points in this region mostly conduct these attacks. Among the attacked
are the Albanian employees that have recommenced working at some of the
"Elektrokosova" enterprises. At least six workers were taken from their
working places at the "Kosova" Open Mine Pit, in Bardh i Madh (Bellaqefc)
and were brutally maltreated. They were forced to write statements about
"where have they been", "what were they doing" and "what have they seen"
at the time when these regions were under the KLA control. Further, some
of the workers were released with the task of informing about "who is in
the forest, what is their number, where they are staying and what kind
of weaponry they have?"
There were also many cases when young Albanians,
travelling in private buses, were taken off by the police and sent to an
unknown direction. Those that were released, tell of unseen brutality of
the Serb paramilitary.
On the other hand, the Serb police is claiming
that it is insuring conditions for the return of the people to their homes
and that they will be safe as long as the Serb police is present. It so
happened that a considerable number of inhabitants of Bardh i Madh and
Hade, fell into the trap. In the case of Bardh i Madh, only after a few
days of stay, one villager was killed and tens of others were brutally
beaten. As a result of these events many villagers have started fleeing
their homes.
KOSOVA (shelling – Shtime)
Shtime villages shelled and torched
Prishtina, 2 August (ARTA) 2000CET--
An operation of armed Serb forces, which started
yesterday, continued in the course of the present day in the region between
Shtime and Qafë Duhël. The Serb forces situated in the pine forests
of Shtime and Zborc village, are shelling with heavy artillery the villages
Belincë, Carralevë, Pjetërshticë, but also in the direction
of Jezerc and Pllanishtë, local sources inform.
Since the end of previous weeks thousands inhabitants
of these villages have fled and are hiding in the nearby mountains, while
the LDK source state that the conditions of Albanian inhabitants from the
shelled villages of Shtime are experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe.
Albanian sources say that the village Zborc has
almost totally been brunt and plundered by Serb paramilitary.
KOSOVA (aftermath – Rahovec)
Two weeks after the massacre in Rahovec
Prizren 2 August (ARTA) 1700CET—
Two weeks passed since the wide operation of
Serb military and police forces and from the massacre in Rahovec, but as
yet, besides some researches, there is no definitive report about the balance
of this tragedy.
Meanwhile CDHRF in Prizren confirms that 45 people
were killed and buried in Rahovec. Ten of them were buried in Prizren graveyards.
Among the killed is also the Islamic leader of the Shiite sect Sheh Muhedini.
There are also 227 citizens who were inflicted
grave body wounds, while 284 others were brutally arrested and tortured
by the Serb police. Fifty-one citizens from Rahovec are undergoing criminal
proceedings suspected of "terrorism" and are in detention – by decision
of the District Court in Prizren.
Other 20 thousand people have abandoned their
houses and got temporary shelter near Malishevë and Prizren.
Besides many burnt houses in Rahovec, the Serb
Police has plundered the vast majority of the shops and houses.
Bellacerkë village, situated 10-km south
from Rahovec is completely emptied, because many houses were burnt and
at least five people were shot dead by Serb forces.
The bus transport from Prizren to Rahovec is
established, the sheltered citizens in Prizren have started to come back
even though insecurity still prevails. Albanian sources confirm that after
returning home, some of them were arrested and sent to the police station
in Prizren where they are undergoing tortures.
KOSOVA (emigration – Britain)
Britain - "Promised Land"
Brussels, 2 August (ARTA) 1800CET--
Ever since the beginning of the clashes, the
number of the Albanian refugees in Europe is in a constant increase. Some
of the defectors tell about the most used routes from Kosova to the West.
Albania is used the most. First, they take small dinghies to go to Italy
from where the route to "Schengen" Europe is open. Other escapees from
Kosova take the route through Hungary, Bosnia and Croatia.
A large number of Albanians are arriving in Belgium
and Holland that have the same laws as Germany. However, the chances that
these coming Albanians be granted political asylum are much smaller, claim
the officials of these states. Nevertheless, the applicants in these two
states are not returned back to Kosova. They are provided with a temporary
protection as war refugees. A similar status was given to the defectors
from Bosnia, during the war there, but they were constantly being returned
back, as soon as the situation in the places they were coming from would
calm down.
Britain seems to be a "Promised Land" for the
escapees from Kosova. The Kosovars claim: "they say that in London, the
conditions are far more better, the assistance there is bigger and the
police have more civilized behavior...".
A large number of defectors claim that they have
spent up to "15.000 DM to arrive to Belgium alone", as there are also others
that were caught by the Italian police.
The illegal journey to London, using the "Eurostar"
train that goes through the La Manche tunnel, is similar to the one going
from Albania to Italy. The southern station of Brussels, from where the
train for London departs, is equipped with many cameras, increased Belgium,
and British police teams. The last few days, all Albanians trying to get
into London were caught.
Albanians usually use false Croatian, Slovenian,
Czech or some other country’s passports. The clue is that these countries
do not need a visa for England. Even though they are often very well made,
it doesn't take more than 10 seconds in a computer check to certify that
they are not registered by the state, whose emblem they carry.
These cases are precisely the reason that Great
Britain did not agree to sign the Schengen Agreement, and thus omit the
border controls with other states of the European Union.
The Albanians that are caught in Belgium or Holland,
in their attempt to illegally go to Britain, are given 24 hours to leave
the European Union, but they usually do this by seeking other ways to go
to London.
However, the arrival of the Kosovars to Europe
does not automatically mean that their problem is solved…
KOSOVA (KD reportage – Lipjan)
Under the sky and Serbian grenades
Kraishtë, Ribar i Madh, 2 August (ARTA) 2100CET—
"We are going wherever we arrive, they are grenades
coming from behind the hill" says Zymrie G., (41) who is strolling from
village to village together with 9 members of her family.
Through the stony and dusty roads of Kraishtë,
just 10km far from Prishtina drive many cars, numerous obsolete carriages
full with children and women.
Only some days ago, Zymrie's family was sheltered
in the forests and then in a village. Nevertheless, because of the lack
of food and medicines necessary for children, she had to tour further...
The one-year-old child laying near her mother,
even though sick from "vomiting and diarrhea" was clapping happily her
hands without being aware of what is happening around her. On the other
hand, the two-years-old child was having a wink of sleep with his body
full of rash - a consequence of "the skin infection" resulted from staying
through the forests unprotected. We did not take anything from home, neither
food nor clothes. My husband is back home intending to take our two goats...
maybe we sell them somewhere and buy something to eat for our children.
Hungry, thirsty and only with light clothes, this mother with her two children
had become a rascal on her own soil.
Regardless, of their fate, it made them kind
of happy that they have managed to survive till now...
Ribar i Madh with other neighboring villages don't have a single doctor
...and , they started to move, again, for who
knows which time they are looking for another shelter, with the grenades
falling over their heads. From Kraishtë, the road leads to Ribari
i Madh the largest village with the largest number of dislocated people.
"The village normally counts 4500 inhabitants,
but now their number is doubled – it has reached 10 thousand" say "Mother
Teresa" activists in this village. According to them, they had to do a
makeshift with the aids (flour and detergents) which were destined for
the natives of Ribar i Madh who were under social assistance.
However, the peasants help each other.
"We managed to distribute a insufficient quantity
of flour and detergent to the "newcomers". We do not have any medicine
nor diapers that are included as sanitary -hygienic material. We are facing
a catastrophe...", says Shaip Pozhani, chairman of the local branch of
"Mother Teresa" in Ribar i Madh. According to the statements of activists,
among the dislocated people, they are many pregnant women, little children
and elderly, some of them even paralyzed. We saw that there is not a single
doctor in Ribar i Madh.
Not even a health facility...
The only possibility is to go to Lipjan health unit. However, the dislocated from Drenica region are frightened to go there, even when they are very ill. In this aspect, the local activists have asked IRC to send a doctor there, but the officials from this organization responded that they could not do anything for at least two upcoming weeks.
She gave birth to her child because of the fear from shelling...
In the mountains where the dislocated are situated,
with the sky "as the only roof" , three babies died while three others
are ill.
Afërdita Gashi (23), gave birth to her baby
three days ago. She said she would name her daughter as Florentina. Florentina
was born one month before time. "Two days after I entered the 9th month,
they started to shell Pjetërshticë". We spent 4 days and nights
closed in the house targeted by grenades. The children were shouting, we
adults were terrified. 21 people piled up in a tractor and moved into the
forest. We were shocked with the blasts of the grenades. At the end, we
reached Ribari i Madh. I gave birth immediately" says Aferdita. It was
very difficult. However, nobody asked Aferdita about the pains. There was
no doctor there, to provide the first aid, injections or infusion. Her
mother-in-law was drying her sweaty forehead, though she did not have anybody
else near her. Her husband is imprisoned in Poland, because he was caught
crossing the border as a clandestine, trying to go in Germany.
"We dare not close the gates of the house, they
shriek and the children get afraid" say the women gathered in the room
where Aferdita was lying.
"The women from the village gave me the diapers
for the baby" she tells, while the baby was sleeping quiet in her arms.
I touched the corpse of my son...I had to go further
In Ribar i Madh , almost every house has terrible
stories brought by the dislocated. Habib (41) from village Vërshec
with banded hands, cries with his kinfolk in the room they are staying.
"My 16-years old son was killed" says Habib. According to these witnesses,
the first grenades fell over Vërshec two weeks ago. Habib together
with his family abandoned the house and escaped in the forest.
"My son was leading forward through the paths.
He was making sure first that the road is safe and then we were passing.
Before we got near the forest, the police threw a grenade on us. My son
got recumbent. I dashed toward him and a peace of the grenade wounded my
hand. I touched the corpse of my son. However, I had to go further with
my family. That night I reached the forest and I went in a village to get
first aid. The next day, two friends of mine went and took the corpse of
my son" ,says Habib
"We sleep on the ground, we are cold, we don't have anything to cover with..."
In the same zone , in the forest near Divjakë
village, Zahide Bujupi,(11) tells with tears that she has been staying
in the forest with her family for over one week. "Yesterday night they
shot at us even therein the forest". At 1 o'clock, we woke up, escaped
and the spent the next night walking. We hide in the bushes. We escaped
from the shootings", says she and adds "I'm very much afraid, especially
when they fire the rockets". She continues to explain the sufferings her
family and a large part of Kosova people are experiencing. "We sleep on
the ground, we are cold, we don't have anything to cover with. That day
we escaped, couldn't take anything. Our houses are burnt. Now we have only
the clothes we are wearing..."
She tells that she couldn't go to school because
"police does not allow us to go. The school is empty" she says in tears.
There, where these dislocated people mainly from
Malishevë and Komoran are staying is a shortage of food for almost
a week. No flour, and they had often to drink the "swampy" water from the
mountain holes.
Forgotten from humanitarian organization, and
not only from them. The number of dead babies and dog-tired people is increasing.
The villages of Lipjan municipality and Malishevë, some of them being
shelled from yesterday, are maybe the border which limits the area where
the dislocated could use.
LINK to further press news_______________________________________________________________________
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