Tagesnachrichten 4. August 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1511 August 4, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 4. August 1998
STATEMENT--30 July 1998GRAVE CONCERN ON DISPLACED WOMEN AND CHILDREN
Centre for Protection of Women and Children is getting phone calls for help every minute four days now. These calls-cries for help come from Berisha mountain, situated between the Llapushnik Valley, Malisheva and the Shtimje and Lipjan region of Kosova.________________________________________________________________________
The mountain and villages around are full of displaced people from already attacked areas such as Rahovec, Malisheve, Drenica region, Suhareka, Shtimje and Lipjan region. These areas had already internally displaced persons (IDPs) from former attacked areas. By adding the number of the local inhabitants, forced to leave their homes due to the "Operation burning land" by Serb forces, there are already over 100,000 IDPs on the mountain. Over 90 per cent of them are women, children and elderly people. They have no water, no food and no medicine. Not even roots can be found in order to feed children. This population is in danger.
We call upon all humanitarian organizations in the world to help these people. We call upon you to urge your governments to make sure that a humanitarian corridor is opened and Serb authorities do not interrupt or confiscate humanitarian supplies for these people in need. We also ask you to support us in developing our activities as humanitarian activists.
As heavy weaponry was being used against UCK, Serbian elite forces with paramilitary forces also shelled the places where IDPs were concentrated. The living sites are burnt to ashes and levelled to the ground. Through the calls we have, people ask for the UNICEF vehicles in order to transport the wounded children. We fear that many of them will die out of the wounds and due to the delayed humanitarian reactions. We have alarmed all the international humanitarian organizations here in Prishtine, but all of them lack free circulation, by not being allowed to move or go to the "unwanted" areas. The circle where these people are concentrated now is besieged by Serb forces and not even a fly can move without being "noticed".
Kosova is facing its human disaster. Ethnic cleansing is being "helped" through the Operation "Burning Land". Apart from those fleeing for life out of the country, seeking refuge in Albania, Montenegro, Macedonia and Western Europe, whose number has gone to 80,000 only these four months, in Kosova itself we have already over 300,000 IDPs. Starvation is on the way.We call upon all of you to help us!
Centre for Protection of Women and Children, Pristina
sevdie.a@EUnet.yu
Tel/Fax: 381-384-4529/381-382-9681
7. to call on the Commission and the Council to provide all necessary humanitarian aid to the victims of and the refugees from the acts of violence and call on member states to stop returning refugees and asylum seekers to Kosova where protection cannot be guaranteed;________________________________________________________________________
Augsburger Allgemeine 9. Juli 1998:
Still there is no stop of deportations !
newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine reports on July
9, 1998
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1511
Prishtina, 4 August 1998
Drenica in Flames, Columns of People Stream Towards 'Safer' Kosova Parts
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - Drenica is all in flames,
a local human rights activist in Likoc, Murat Musliu, said today, referring
to the situation in the region amidst the continued Serbian military and
police offensive which started Sunday.
The fate of Albanian civilians huddled in the
local medical center in the village of Izbicë is unknown. The International
Red Cross has been duly informed and called upon to help get them out safely,
Murat Musliu said.
Reports from the region said the situation is
on the verge of a catastrophe.
Serb attacks have been continuing. Heavy fighting
occurred yesterday in Polac and in Morinë, in the road leading to
Rezallë and Likoc. The village of Açareva was attacked yesterday
and today.
Eye-witnesses said Serb forces closed in on the
village of Llaushë yesterday, and given indicated Serb infantry might
have actually got inside the village.
Llausha has been under siege since 5 March 1998,
when Serb paramilitary police levelled entire Albanian homesteads to the
ground and killed scores of residents in their homes in the village of
Prekaz.
An eye-witness told the KIC the Serb military
fired heavy guns into the village of Llaushë, destroying many houses.
A huge exodus of Albanians from Drenica is going
on, entire columns of people streaming towards Vushtrri and Mitrovica.
The were killed and wounded Albanians yesterday,
sources said, but did not offer precise figures.
A report said thousands of Albanian villagers
from the municipalities of Klina and Skenderaj ('Srbica') have been in
the open, in the woods of the villages of Rakinicë, Tushilë and
Açarevë. Most of these people are women, children and the elderly,
and their humanitarian situation is reported desperate.
Fleeing Kosovars Fired Upon While on the Way
to Montenegro
Three killed and five wounded, according to LDK
sources
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - Displaced Kosova Albanians
trying to cross to neighboring Montenegro were ambushed and shot at by
Serb forces last night in the Miliçevc hills of the village of Isniq,
municipality of Deçan, the LDK Information Commission in Deçan
said today.
The Commission said some 2,000 Albanians from
the municipalities of Peja ('Pec'), Gjakova, Malisheva, Klina and Deçan,
were trying last evenign to cross the Bjeshkët e Nemuna (the Cursed
Mountains), when they were ambushed in the Miliçevc mountain.
Eye-witnesses said Serb paramilitaries opened
fire in the direction of the fleeing Kosovar Albanians, mostly women, children
and the elderly, the LDK Information Commission said, adding that reportedly
three Albanians were killed and five wounded in the incident.
The Commission's report could not be confirmed
by other sources, nor the identity of the people alleged killed and wounded.
Some 25,000 Kosovar refugees are estimated to
have gone to Montenegro in the past few months in the wake of Serb aggressin.
They are in a desperate humanitarian situation, with most of them lacking
basic food and medical supplies.
Seven Albanians Killed Sunday in Serb Offensive Identified
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - The Information Commission
of the LDK in Mitrovica reported identification of seven Albanians killed
Sunday during the Serb offensive in the Radisheva mountains, in the municipality
of Skenderaj ('Srbica').
The following Albanians are known to have been
killed: Beqir M. Hajrizi (65) and his two sons, Azem Hajrizi (32) and Faik
Hajrizi (28), residents of the village of Kotorr, and Shyqeri Azem Ahmeti
(56), Haxhi Imer Ahmeti (56), Sahit Sadri Ahmeti (27) and Alban Muhamet
Ahmeti (17), all of them from Radisheva, LDK sources said.
Serb Offensive in Border Area Continues, Entire
Villages Turned in Scorched Earth
Fighting reported in Junik, in the Reka e Keqe
and Dushkajë regions
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - A relentless Serbian
offensive, involving military, paramilitary and police troops, which has
been going on for more than a week now in the municipality of Gjakova,
resumed today (Tuesday), local sources said.
All kinds of heavy weapons are being used in
the frontal Serb attacks which have turned into scorched earth the villages
of Morinë, Smolicë, Nec, Berjah, Stubëll, Nivokaz, Popoc,
Cërmjan, Jabllanicë, Zhabel, Gërgoc, Bardhaniq and Krelan,
the LDK Information Commission in Gjakova reported.
The villages of Koshare, Batushë, Molliq,
Brovinë, Ponoshec, Shishman, Duzhnje, Ramoc, Dobrosh, Sheremet, Rracaj,
Pacaj, Zylfaj, Prush, Goden, Mejë and Rakovinë have been deserted
by the Albabnian population in the wake of Serbian operations. The villages
of Hereç and Dujakë have suffered immense material damage in
the Serb shelling.
Today saw the resumption of fighting in many
villages of the municipality, LDK sources said. Heavy artillery guns and
multiple rocket-launchers were used by the attacking Serbian forces in
the villages of the Reka e Keqe and Dushkajë regions today, they added.
The intensity of the Serb attacks and the fighting in the area is heavy,
and the casualty-toll is feared high, although information is lacking as
the attacked area is effectively sealed off.
Near the village of Cërmjan, Serbian forces
killed yesterday Sadri Agaj (in his mid-seventies) and Jeton Hoxha (23),
and wounded a woman of the Agaj family, all natives of Cërmjan, who
were moving out in search of safety elsewhere. Serb police took to the
town morgue in Gjakova the bodies of two killed people, presumed to be
from Dushkajë, who have not been identified yet. In the morning today,
some 20 Albanian civilians, who were coming from the Reka e Keqe on tractors,
were taken to the police station in town. They are thought to have been
taken as hostages. LDK sources said Serb police snipers wounded a young
Albanian in the suburbs of Gjakova today.
Tens of thousands of Albanians from the attacked
villages have been displaced, some 30,000 of whom are in Gjakova and its
suburbs, local sources said. The location of some 10,000 inhabitants from
Dushkajë remains unknown. They are said to have run to the surrounding
hills, although that in itself does not offer them security for Serbs have
been shelling those areas too. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic
for all of them. They are without shelter, without food, and without medical
care.
Over 12.000 Refugees Wait Helplessly in the Open in Klina Hills
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - At least 12.000
Albanians uprooted from their homes during the latest Serb offensive against
Klina villages have been for days living in the open in hills.
The LDK Information Commission in Klina said
the Albanian refugees from the area, mostly children, women, and the elderly,
have been hiding in the forests between the villages of Cerovik and Çabiç.
The LDK chapter in Klina described the predicament
of refugees as distressing: people living under permanent fear of possible
Serb crackdown and massacres, lacking food and other basic necessities,
and the possibility of a break-out of epidemic.
Thousands of Uprooted Albanians in Lipjan on Verge of Humanitarian Disaster
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - Over 27,000 people have
fled their homes in the villages of Lipjan municipality, south-west of
Prishtina, amidst the unrelenting Serb offensive against Albanian settlements
in the area.
Over a dozen purely ethnic Albanian villages
in the west of the town of Lipjan bordering on the Drenica region and Shtime
have been under repeated Serb fire for over a month now.
The mining town of Magura, and the villages of
Leletiq, Baicë, Shala, Krojmir, Vershec and Pjetershticë are
most vulnerable, most of the local population being on the move for weeks,
LDK sources said. Uprooted persons from the neighboring Drenica region
have been sheltered in the villages of Lipjan that have not been directly
affected by Serb operations.
Food and other basic supplies have been sharply
running short, the LDK chapter in Lipjan said, appealing on the international
aid agencies to intervene and prevent an impending humanitarian disaster.
Thousands of Displaced People from Drenica Find Shelter in Vushtrri
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) -LDK activists from the
villages of Vushtrri ('Vucitrn') have been involved in helping Albanians
displaced from their homes in the region of Drenica, local sources said.
Some 20,000 Albanians from Drenica have found
shelter in the municipality of Vishtrri so far, LDK sources said.
Meanwhile, a senior delegation of the Democratic
League of Kosova (LDK), comprised of Mrs Sanije Aliaj, Mr. Nimon Alimusaj
and Mr. Ali Gashi, visited the UNHCR Office in Prishtina today and diascussed
the plight of Albanian refugees with Tom Vargas, head of the Office.
Serb Police Turns Back Humanitarian Convoy Heading to Prizren
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - Serbian police turned
back Monday a shipment with humanitarian relief destined for the war-torn
area in south-west Kosova.
Sources in Shtime, a town about 30 km south of
Prishtina, said four trucks of the International Red Cross with humanitarian
relief supplies on board were not allowed to proceed for Prizren. Serb
police manning a checkpoint near Shtime opened gunfire in the air and the
nearby forests simulating an alleged attack on them.
Serbs Loot Homes of Fleeing Albanians in Peja
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - Serb police and civilians
have been looting and destroying abandoned homes of Albanians in Peja ('Pec'),
the second biggest town in Kosova.
The LDK chapter in Peja said the "Dardania I"
and "Dardania II" suburbs have become prey of armed Serb gangs and both
in uniforms and in lain clothes. The Serbs have been breaking into the
homes of Albanians, looting whatever can be taken away, and smashing property.
Virtually all the Albanian population living
in the southern suburbs of Peja have fled their homes in the wake of several
attacks on the adjacent village of Loxha.
The LDK office in Peja said the few remaining
Albanians in that part of the town have been harassed and intimidated by
armed Serbs.
Albanian, Wounded in Rahovec, Dies in Prishtina Hospital
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - Musa Kadiri (60), from
Rahovec, died last weekend in the Prishtina Hospital of wounds he had sustained
in his home town last month.
The late Albanian was wounded during a huge Serb
offensive in Rahovec ('Orahovac') in mid-July, when tens of Albanians were
killed, many others wounded and thousands of others were made homeless.
Serb-Laid Landmines Explode along Kosovar-Macedonian Border Zone
PRISHTINA, Aug 4 (KIC) - The Serb army forces
have been laying land-mines on the southern parts of Kosova along the border
zone with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).
LDK sources in Hani i Elezit ('General Jankovic'),
the southernmost Kosovar town, said the Serb army have created long minefields
along the borders stretching near the Albanian-inhabited villages of Gorancë-Krivenik-Seçishtë-Dimcë-Dermjak
of Hani i Elezit, up to the neighboring municipality of Vitia.
Scores of mines have already blasted over the
past days, killing livestock, the LDK Information Commission in Hani i
Elezit said. No human casualties have taken place so far, but the local
population fears that children and shepherds can become such victims.
Sources in another southern municipality of Kosova,
Kaçanik, said land mines have also been planted near the villages
along the border with the FYROM.
Many wheat-fields could not be harvested this
summer as the population fears running into minefields.
Livestock running into minefields have been killed
almost on a daily basis, the LDK chapter in Kaçanik said.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
Registration of people coming from Kosove continues_______________________________________________________________________BAJRAM CURRI, August 4 (ata) - R Hoxha:
Registration of the people who have come from Kosove to Tropoje is continuing in the district of Tropoje. After the registration held by the Ministry of Local Government, all the newcomers will be given cards of identity and cards for food, secretary of the Tropoje district Council Isa Kuliqi told ATA.
Now registration of the Kosovars accommodated in Bajram Curri is completed and this process is underway in the communes of Tropoje and Margegaj, which, as Kuliqi said, is forecast to be over this week.
Three registrations have been made since the time when Kosovars started to move to this district as a result of the repression exerted by Serb police and military forces and their number has now amounted to 12 700. /s.sh./pas/xh/Fierce fighting in Kosove - seven killed Albanians identified
PRISHTINE, August 4 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:
Attacks of Serb forces and fighting with Albanian forces continued today on the border line with Albania, in Drenice (Central Kosove) and in other regions of Kosove.
A source from Drenice said to ATA that fighting is extended from Polaci to Lluzhe. Polaci, Krusheci, Marina, a part of Polluzhe, Llaushe, etc., are covered by flames, while Serb tank units and infantry forces are setting on fire homes of the Albanians who have not been so far bombed.
Sources from Drenice report that the bodies of seven Albanians, who so far were declared as missing by sources of the Human Rights Council, have been recovered and identified. /p.ta/pas/xh/Scores of villages engulfed in flames in Skenderaj
PRISHTINE, Aug 4 (ATA) - Villages of Polluzha, Tersteniku, Polaci, Krysheci, Morina, Rakinica and others in the commune of Skenderaj were engulfed in the flames following bombardments of Serb forces, Center for Information in Kosova (QIK).
Serb forces tightened control around the Izbice village, Skenderaj, which has some 800 residents, including residents from other villages.
There are no reports on deployment of Serb forces in the village but QIK said that the danger of such an intervention exists and that the residents of the village could face a possible action by the Serb forces. pta/das/ak/Military-police reinforcement in Gjilan
PRISHTINE, Aug 4 (ATA) - The last week of July in Gjilan and its surroundings was characterised by police reinforcement and series of movements of the Serb army, Center for Information in Kosova said referring to sources of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) division in Gjilan.
It said that police check points positioned at the city's access roads and in some localities and strategical points of the commune, continue to function with the same intensity as the Serb police control in the city's roads especially the main ones.
These measures have rendered more difficult the movement of the Albanian citizens especially in villages of Cernice, Verbice and Zhegovci, Pograje, Myzybabe and Shurdhan.
Albanian citizens are facing difficulties in buying foodstuff in Presheve because their goods are confiscated by the Serb police which are positioned at access road to the city and along the Presheva-Myzybabe-Gjilan highway. pta/das/ak/
_______________________________________________________________________RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
___________________________________________________________
RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 2, No. 148 Part II, 4 August 1998'ETHNIC CLEANSING' CONTINUES IN KOSOVA.
Serbian paramilitary police and Yugoslav army forces continued their assault on regions inhabited by ethnic Albanians in central and western Kosova on 3 August. The "New York Times" the following day quoted an unidentified foreign monitor as saying: "It is a vicious tactic. First [Serbian forces] are shelling civilian villages and towns to make the people run, then they seem to be going in to blow up or burn the buildings to ensure civilians cannot return." A foreign diplomat added that "at best, we have to assume this is a case of widespread 'ethnic cleansing.' But the fact that we are not allowed in to see for ourselves makes me wonder seriously about what kind of atrocities are being committed." The Prishtina daily "Bujku" wrote that the Serbian forces are conducting a "scorched- earth" policy. The official Serbian news agency Tanjug reported that police "neutralized" a group of "terrorists" west of Prishtina during the morning of 4 August. PM
'HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE' LOOMING IN KOSOVA.
U.S. State Department spokesman James Rubin on 3 August said that Kosova faces "a humanitarian catastrophe" in a matter of weeks if aid does not reach the tens of thousands of displaced persons in the province. In Prishtina, the main organization of Kosovar students called for the establishment of humanitarian relief corridors to enable aid "convoys to break through and enter the surrounded regions in order to rescue thousands of lives." Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel, whose country holds the EU chair, told Austrian Radio that "there are 150,000 refugees in the region and above all I fear a humanitarian catastrophe this winter because the Serbian army is burning fields...and killing cattle. Soon there won't be anything for these people to eat." A specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture told the "International Herald Tribune" that "there will be no food reserves" when winter comes. PM
MILOSEVIC BLAMED FOR CRISIS.
NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana told the German daily "Die Welt" on 3 August that the Kosova problem "has only one name: [Yugoslav President Slobodan] Milosevic." Schuessel said to the BBC the next day: "You cannot trust [Milosevic]. He is a sort of reverse King Midas--all that he touches falls apart." In Vienna, representatives of the EU called on the Yugoslav president to stop the violence by his armed forces. For his part, German Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel said that "both sides are not showing necessary readiness to discuss broad autonomy for the province." He added that "pressure must be kept up on both sides," dpa reported from Bonn. PM
NO INTERVENTION LIKELY IN KOSOVA.
U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia Christopher Hill said in Prishtina on 3 August that "more and more the situation is calling for an international presence on the ground," AFP reported. He nonetheless added that there is no military solution to the problem. Schuessel said in his BBC interview the next day that there is no majority in the UN Security Council to endorse any NATO military intervention in the province. In Washington, Rubin said on 3 August that the Atlantic alliance has approved plans to use air power against Serbian forces, but he did not indicate what action on the Serbs' part would trigger a NATO response. NATO spokesmen in Brussels told AP that the alliance is fine-tuning its contingency plans but that it is unlikely there will be intervention at any time soon. PM
VOJVODINA HUNGARIANS CALL FOR 'CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE.'
Laszlo Jozsa, who is deputy chairman of the Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians, said in Backa Topola on 3 August that young ethnic Hungarian males should not answer their draft notices from the Yugoslav authorities, "Nasa Borba" wrote. Jozsa added that "several hundred" young men in the Subotica area received call up notices for the army reserves on 2 August. He said that 60 members of the police reserves--about half of whom are ethnic Hungarians--in Backa Topola received notices at the same time and were sent immediately to Kosova. PM
MACEDONIA TO SEEK 'HELP'?
Defense Minister Lazar Kitanovski said in Ohrid on 3 August that Macedonia may seek "outside assistance" to help patrol its border with Albania if illegal crossings of that frontier by smugglers and gun- runners increase. He did not elaborate, Tanjug reported. PM
KOSOVARS, ALBANIANS TURNED BACK BY ITALY.
A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said in Tirana on 3 August that Albanian and Italian Coast Guard patrol boats operating under a bilateral agreement off the Albanian coast turned back a group of 17 dinghies carrying some 600 Kosovar refugees and Albanian citizens attempting to cross the Adriatic. The illegal migrants paid up to $450 for the passage from Vlora to Italy, where thousands of Albanians live and work as legal or illegal immigrants. Police spokesmen said that the joint Coast Guard patrols have intercepted and turned back some 52 dinghies carrying 1,500 people in the past three weeks. PM
_______________________________________________________________________Border line with Albania and Drenica transformed into "scorched land," six Albanians have been killed
PRISHTINE, August 3 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: The border line with Albania and central Kosove - Drenice are being transformed into a "scorched land." Also today great Serb forces have continued fierce fighting with Albanian forces.
Serb forces have launched a frontal attack against villages of Lugu i Baranit, Has, Dushkaje and outskirts of Gjakove, Decan, Peje, Kline and Dukagjin. Serb heavy artillery pieces have bombed villages round Lipjan, Shtimje and Suhareke. The villages and civil population are being attacked also by tanks, cannons and land-land missiles. Helicopters of the Yugoslav army have been seen flying on the warring areas.
According to reports so far, six Albanians have been killed and scores of others have been wounded in Kosove, but the number of the casualties is presumed to be greater.
Scores of thousands of civilians, children and women have moved today too from the villages, taking to the mountains. The number of the Albanians who have fled Kosove is reported to be more than 350 000. Among them are many injured, sick and women. There is shortage of food items, medicine and the living necessities. The attacks by Yugoslav military forces, Serb police and paramilitaries and fierce fighting are continuing in the late evening hours.
There is a tense and grave situation prevailing everywhere in Kosove. Serb motor forces are patrolling roads of Prishtine. /xh/BC-ALBANIA-KOSOVE-MALISHEVE
Seventeen Albanians killed in MalishevePRISHTINE, August 4 (ata) - At least 17 is the toll so far among the inhabitants of Malisheve (western Kosove) mainly elderly and women following the Serb military-police operation undertaken eight days ago against scores of villages of that commune.
The number of the killed, wounded and of those missing is presumed to be much higher, reports the Information Centre of Kosove pointing out that many houses in the villages Kijeve, Bubavec, Mlecan, Balince, Vermice, Llazice, Lubizhde and Malisheve have been set on fire. They have not spared such acts also in the fields sown to wheat and in schools and religious objects. Serbs have set ablaze also many shops in Malisheve.
In the mean time, Albanian population is reportedly moving from their homes and living in very bad conditions. Many families have been divi ded and have lost their relations and communication. /p.ta/pas/xh/
_______________________________________________________________________NATO HAS APPROVED MILITARY PLAN FOR KOSOVA
WASHINGTON 4 August /enter/- NATO has approved plans to use firepower against Serb forces in Kosova, the Clinton administration said Monday, adding its concern that the latest Serb offensive could generate a "humanitarian catastrophe" for tens of thousands of people forced from their homes.
The plans -- focused on an aerial assault -- are being fine-tuned by the NATO Council, which sought to demonstrate its resolve to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic by postponing its usual August vacation, State Department officials said.There was no immediate word on what would trigger an attack by NATO -- U.S. State Department spokesman James P. Rubin said that was up to President Clinton and the other NATO political leaders.
Nor was it clear whether this was mostly an attempt by the administration to unnerve Milosevic by raising the threat again publicly. Rubin did indicate an attack was not imminent, saying "further refinement is ongoing."
A NATO official, speaking on condition of anonymity from the organization's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, played down the possibility of military intervention, saying that at this stage NATO is simply putting the final touches on a number of possible actions in Kosovo and the region.
"The living conditions are clearly deplorable," Rubin said. "What I'm talking about is the humanitarian catastrophe that could occur in a matter of weeks if we don't get the aid to the people who are in desperate need."The offensive broke a pledge by Milosevic to halt Serb attacks so U.S. and European diplomats could try to arrange talks for a settlement between Belgrade and ethnic Albanian insurgents in the Serbian province.
A NATO bombardment helped drive Milosevic and the Yugoslav Republic into negotiations to end an ethnic war in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995.
A senior U.S. official emphasized that the current planning is focused on an air attack. The use of ground forces could be far more controversial and difficult to put in place.
Rubin said an attack would not have to be approved by all of the six countries that make up the contact group on the former Yugoslavia -- the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and Italy. He noted Russia's opposition to using force against the Serbs was well-known.
At the White House, meanwhile, national security spokesman P.J. Crowley said Milosevic had indicated a willingness to negotiate during a meeting on Friday with U.S. ambassador Christopher Hill. Hill and other American diplomats were working last week to set up an ethnic Albanian negotiating group. The idea was to reflect a diversity of views, including those of ethnic Albanians who would secede from Yugoslavia even though U.S. policy supports only limited self-rule.
Rubin said Milosevic had begun to realize negotiations were in the best interest of Yugoslavia as well as the Kosovar Albanians.ITALIAN DIPLOMAT ARRIVES IN TIRANA
TIRANE, 4 August /ENTER/ - Italian foreign ministry announced yesterday a forcoming visit of the italian high level foreign ministry level to Albania headed by the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Piero Fassino Thursday. He is expected to have talks with senior state officials and representatives of Albanian parties, said on Monday the press director in the Albanian Foreign Ministry, Sokol Gjoka. According to the agenda, Fassino will meet with Albanian President, Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minister Fatos Nano, Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, and the opposition leader Sali Berisha.
The Italian diplomat will lead the Commission for Italian-Albanian Economic Cooperation, but it is thought that the talks will focus on the growth of the drugs and clandestine traffic towards Italy, and on the expanding conflict in Kosova.DEFENCE MINISTRY:THE MEASURES TAKEN AIM SEFL DEFENCE
TIRANE,4 AUGUST/ENTER/-Sources at defence Ministry said to Enter that to face the new situation in Kosova, the albanian military forces have taken a number of self defence measures.In order to test the abilities and the readiness of the albanian forces, joint military exercises of the artillery and tank units of Tropoja will be organized during august.Other specialized units of the army will be included in these exercises.
These sources stressed that the observers of the OSCE and of the European Community will continue to monitor the border and Patesh where 6 observers are on service for 24 hours.ROSIN EXCLUDES THE INDEPENDENCE FOR KOSOVA
TIRANE,4 AUGUST,ENTER/-The political director of the International Problems for Eastern and Central Europe of the state department , Laurenc Rosin had declared after his meetings at the albanian foreign ministry that the american state department is ready to exercise pressure on belgrade if the violence is not ended and the conditions for the talks are not created.According to the foreign ministry Rosin said that all the political trends must be presented in the talks which will decide the future of Kosova.
Rosin said also that he excludes the proposal of some extremists for independence and the official pretention of belgrade on a status quo on Kosova.ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY HAILED THE REPRESENTATION OF KLA AT THE NEW GOVERNMENT OF KOSOVA
TIRANE, 4 AUGUST ENTER/-Albanian foreign ministry hailed the new GOVERNMENT of Kosova by the parliament considering this as a important step for the albanian political forces. Commenting the possibility of giving two portfolio to the KLA representatives, the spokesman of this ministry said that KLA can not be excluded because it is a reality and its presence would have a positive role in the GOVERNMENT of Kosova.
Commenting the differences between KLA and Rugova, the spokesman Gjoka said that we hope that the new GOVERNMENT would talk with one voice on all problems on the future of the status of Kosova and other problems of Kosova.He said that the talks between belgrade and the albanian representatives of Kosova are delaying due to the continuation of the violence by the official belgrade, the hesitation of the international diplomacies to achieve a consensus on this problem.
Skënderaj, 3 August (ARTA) 1930CET--
Albanian sources inform about fierce shelling
of the Serb forces in Polac and the surrounding villages, during the early
morning hours. There are also claims that other villages of this municipality
are also being attacked, but presently there is no further information.
Three loud detonations were heard in Llaushë
(municipality of Skënderaj). They were believed to be a result of
the explosion of the surface to surface missiles, CDHRF in Skënderaj
informs. No information has been issued about the victims. The blasts caused
large craters, and broke almost all the windows in village.
The Serb forces today undertook a large-scale
attack almost against all the villages of Drenica. CDHRF in Likovc informs
that four grenades fell today in this village, where a large number of
IDPs have found shelter. Fortunately, the grenades did not hit any house,
and no human victims were registered.
The village of Izbicë (municipality of Skënderaj),
in which more than 8000 people reside was also put under a siege. So far,
there are no reports informing whether the Serb forces have entered this
region, but there is fear that these inhabitants could suffer a possible
action.
KOSOVA (Serb offensive on Drenica)
Long queues of escapees
Drenica , 3 August (ARTA) 2030CET--
"We come from Leçinë and some families
are also from Çitak .Ten days ago they torched our houses. We spent
some time in the forests, then we found shelter in Likovc, but the shelling
started there today as well", said Ferat Konjuha (41), who was going toward
the upper villages of Drenica with his family. He said that these villages
have been attacked without any warning. After the first grenades, these
families ran away from their houses. However, after the shootings and shelling
from "Serbs in blue and military uniforms" stopped, the inhabitants turned
back to the outskirts of the village. As they claim, nothing remains from
their properties. The houses, with the harvests have been burnt from the
Serb police and military.
According to the hosts, parts of the dislocated
people experience shortage of bread and water, not to speak for sanitary
material. They said also that because of lacking the possibilities to shelter
all the dislocated, some of them had to spend the night outside. There
were 40 tractors piled with children, women, and elderly, which were parked
outside. In the morning, according to the witnesses, they left toward the
mountains. The inhabitants of these villages continuously speak of the
massacring of 6 members of one family from the village Shtuticë. According
to the witnesses who subsequently went to the spot, one pregnant woman,
three girls and two boys were killed, while three other children (one baby
of 8 months) were gravely wounded.
Thirty-seven shells were launched on Shtuticë.
"We have buried the corpses, but the soil has remained covered with blood.
One can see also parts of the corpses dispersed from the blows of the rockets",
state the villagers of Drenica. From what could be heard in the still not
attacked part of Drenica, the fighting is going on today in Rezallë,
Llaushë, Marinë, Krushec villages the other neighboring villages
are being bombarded with rockets from Polac and Mokna. In Rezallë,
as eyewitnesses state, only the Serb military are involved. They have engaged
heavy armament, tanks included.
Unconfirmed sources, close to the scene of crime,
speak of a destroyed "VJ" tank. Since the clashes commenced with almost
the same intensity throughout the day, it was almost impossible to estimate
the number of the killed and wounded and the damages that today's clashes
caused to the Serb side. The inhabitants fear about a large number of killed
Albanian civilians. The foreign journalist teams were prevented from entering
the Prishtina-Pejë road at the checkpoint of Komoran.
"You can't go anywhere today. Turn back", was
the police order at the checkpoint. The road to Gllogoc was also blocked.
Many policemen, riding on a truck, came from Gllogoc at around 1100CET,
joined the other group of policemen coming from the Komoran-Prishtina road
and stationed at this checkpoint.
A similar situation seems to have been going
on in the villages near Lipjan as well. A UNICEF team was prevented from
going to Ribar i Madh, where more than 10.000 IDPs coming from the villages
of the Malishevë surrounding and from one part of the region of Drenica,
have settled in very bad conditions.
KOSOVA (forced movement of the population – Mitrovicë)
Over 30.000 people arrived in Mitrovicë
until 8 o'clock in the morning
Mitrovicë 3 August (ARTA) 1555CET--
The flux of dislocated people from the flash
points toward Mitrovicë and its vicinity is continuing since 5 days.
The escapees are mainly from the villages Polac, Kastriot, Izbicë,
Burojë, Kopiliq, Rezallë, Rezallë e Re, Shtuticë, Dashec,
Morinë and Likovc (Skënderaj municipality). However, there are
also people coming from the villages of Klinë and Gllogoc municipalities.
The stream of tractors, cars, carriages and hikers mainly carrying exhausted
and hungry children, sick women and elderly.
Based on current estimations, until 0800CET over
30.000 people have arrived today in Mitrovicë, while the flux is still
continuing. "Mother Teresa Society" appeals to the international humanitarian
organizations to help the escapees from the endangered areas in these critical
moments.
The stream of the dislocated have overwhelmed
Mitrovicë, even though it is known that "the city of the miners" has
already 5.000 families with over 21.000 members under "Mother Teresa" social
assistance. There is a great need for flour, oil, blankets, mattresses,
medicines etc.
Today, the fifth day since the flux began, foreign
observers from Prishtina finally arrived. They went directly into the village
Vaganicë and were astonished when they saw the number of the escapees,
which was arriving in Mitrovicë. The observers saw horrible images,
painful to be explained before they returned to Prishtina.
Furthermore, the Serb police are still keeping
Mitrovicë under the iron siege. Police patrols are everywhere in the
city, while in the village Brabaniq near the highway Mitrovicë-Prishtina
they have established a new police checkpoint. The Brabaniq village has
more than 2.000 inhabitants who have become isolated since two days ago.
KOSOVA (no-pass zone – Shtime)
Framed up fighting over the checkpoints –
to prevent foreign observers, humanitarian organizations and foreign journalists
entering the destroyed areas
Shtime 3 August (ARTA) 1900CET--
The Serb police shot in the direction of the
nearby forest, in the framed up fighting allegedly between KLA and Serb
military in the police checkpoint in Shtime, in the time when 4 vehicles
of IRC loaded with humanitarian aid were trying to pass the checkpoint.
This is the third time that the same justification, of an alleged fighting
zone, is being used in order to prevent the entry of the humanitarian organizations.
In today’s case, police shot with automatic weapons
from Kodra e Gështenjave, Kryqi i Belincit and the police station.
In fact, the isolated zones are being shelled
with such powerful fire, that the Serb authorities are quite aware that
every penetration in those zones would actually reveal the tragedy of Albanian
civilians dislocated from their homes. They could also see the killed and
mutilated people, still unburied.
Similar pretexts have been used previously when
the international observers came, as well as in two cases when foreign
journalists tried unsuccessfully to get into the zone.
KOSOVA (shelling – Deçan)
All the villages of the Deçan municipality
shelled
Deçan, 3 August (ARTA) 1800CET--
The villages of the municipality of Deçan
are under an iron siege by the Serb forces and are constantly being shelled
with heavy artillery. The population has started fleeing the attacked villages,
however it is still threatened by the possible massacres of the Serb forces,
Albanian sources claim.
Local Albanian sources inform that the Serb forces
failed to enter the villages of Deçan, despite the fierce attacks.
The Serb forces shelled the villages of the surrounding
of Dushkajë, Smolicë up to Junik (municipality of Deçan)
ever since 0300CET. Shelling was also evidenced in the villages of the
area of Gjakovë Has. Thousands of residents have fled the villages
of the bordering area and presently many Albanian villages are completely
empty.
The Gjakovë hospital morgue received the
corpses of the two killed, as the real number of the victims is believed
to be much higher.
KOSOVA (clashes – Gjakovë)
Has i Gjakovës shot at from air
Gjakovë, 3 August (ARTA) 1915CET--
The Serb military, police and paramilitary forces
conducted today a fierce offensive against the villages of the region of
Gjakovë. In the villages of Has i Gjakovës, in Prush, Goden,
Zylfaj etc., the Serb forces also shot from the air. Harsh clashes are
still taking place in the villages of Dushkajë e Gjakovës, even
after 35 hours of intensive fighting. The village of Cërmjan was attacked
by thousands of heavy artillery arms, resulting with the destruction of
many houses and of the Muslim temple in Suka e Cërmjanit.
Victims are evident, however their precise number
is unknown. Two corpses were brought in the town’s morgue today from Malësia
e Gjakovës.
On the other hand, five wounded, two old women,
two old men and a girl were brought from Berjahë at the surgical department.
The civilian population has been cleared off from the villages of Rekë
e Keqe, in Ramoc, Smolicë, Bërjah, Nivokaz, Dobrosh and many
other surrounding villages.
Almost all of them are headed in the direction
of Gjakovë proper. Their number has passed 20.000.
Presently, only KLA units have remained in this
fighting zone. These villages are left with nothing but burned and destroyed
houses, as a result of yesterday's fierce clashes.
KOSOVA (shelling – Klinë)
The villages of the municipality of Klinë
cannot be seen from the smoke and fire
Klinë, 3 August (ARTA) 1845CET--
Over 30 villages of the municipality of Klinë
were burned and destroyed. The villages if Cerrovik, Çabiq, Zabërgjë,
Dobërdol, Ujëmirë and Shatricë were damaged the most.
So far, there is information about two killed, but it is suspected that
their number is much higher.
The offensive that began ever since last Friday
against the villages of Cerrovik, Çabiq, Dobërdol, Siçevë
and Ujëmirë is the most ferocious so far. The villages of Gllarevë,
Rixhevë, Stapanicë, Jashanicë, Pogragjë, Dush, Gjurgjevik
i Madh, Kërrnicë, Jellovc, Resnik, Gjurgjevik i Vogël, Açarevë,
were the target of the "Yugoslav" army.
The attack started yesterday at 0500CET, continuing
throughout the day with occasional shootings during the night and this
morning.
None of these villages could be seen from the
smoke and fire.
The Serb army is looting, shelling and finally
burning the Albanian houses.
There are reports about one killed Albanian in
Jashanicë and another in Çabiq. There are many wounded Albanian
civilians in other villages of this municipality also.
Many tanks and APCs were stationed throughout
these villages. 12 were settled in the village of Çabiq only.
The unarmed Albanian population, serving as a
target to thousands of Serb Artillery grenades, for several weeks now is
living under the wide open sky, without any food or medicine. The local
population is surrounded from all sides and they fear a possible massacre.
KOSOVA (shelling – Lipjan)
Magurë and Shala e Drenicës shelledb
Lipjan, 3 August (ARTA) 1830CET--
Loud detonations were heard coming from Carralevë
in the direction of Magurë and Shala e Drenicës, ever since 0300CET.
The Serb police have blocked any movement on the Lipjan-Magurë and
Lipjan-Shtime line, Albanian sources from Lipjan inform.
According to local sources, the village of Kleçkë
was also subjected to Serb shelling ever since the early morning hours.
KOSOVA (provocations – Podujevë)
Tank parades through some villages of Llap
region
Podujevë, 3 august (ARTA) 1915CET--
Local sources from the ground inform that "one
military convoy with 10 tanks, from military field base in Llaushë
(municipality of Podujevë), paraded through Bajçincë and
Peran villages and stationed near the school of Dobërdol. On their
way back to the crossroad Podujevë-Kërpimeh, the tanks damaged
the tractor, belonging to Gani Hoxha from Obranxhë.
According to these sources, "the soldiers in
the tanks, provoked the pedestrians by pointing their guns toward them".
On the other hand, tank caterpillars damage the blocked road Podujevë-Kërpimeh
seriously.
Around 1030CET , "two lorries, one belonging
to police the other with civilian license plates" crusaded through the
city and went subsequently in the direction of the brick factory in the
periphery of the town.
KOSOVA (criminal proceedings – Prizren)
Incriminated for offering first aid
Prizren, 3 August (ARTA) 1820CET--
By decision of the Investigation Judge of the
Regional Court in Prizren, Jugoslav Skenderi, the investigating procedure
started against Nasip Fetiu (1958), physician from Peçan village
(municipality of Suharekë). Fetiu was arrested by Serb security officers
at work, in the Health Unit in Suharekë.
According to the decision, Fetiu is suspected
of "organizing the provision of first aid and treatment to 6 citizens who
were wounded following the shelling of Serb military conducted some time
ago in Peçan".
According to this, he has committed crime, as
it is stated, "Association for hostile activities" in conjunction with
"terrorism".
Accordingly, he has been set a 30 days’ detention
term, although the Criminal Code of Serbia proper states that "the doctor
who refuses to provide medical assistance to persons in need, can be punished
with one year imprisonment".
According to the Engjëll Çetta –
the defending attorney of the doctor, Nasip Fetiu, "was subjected to physical
violence, even electroshock included".
KOSOVA (criminal proceedings)
Criminal proceedings against 54 Albanians
began
Kaçanik, 3 August (ARTA) 1600CET--
The Regional Court in Prokuplje initiated the
criminal proceedings against 54 Albanians arrested on 20 July, while they
were on bus travelling from Ljubljana to Kosova. They are all suspected
of "Association for hostile activities", aiming at conducting "terrorist"
actions.
Hysni Bytyçi, an Albanian attorney from
Zemun (Serbia), stated for `KOHA Ditore’: "On 29, 30 and 31 July, the 54
detained were interrogated by the investigating judge". He also adds that:
"…their statements prove that we are not dealing with a criminal activity.
I came to a conclusion that those who deprived these people from their
freedom suffer from paranoia, because only paranoid people could come to
such conclusions". Bytyçi, further notified that during the arrest,
these people were confiscated over 250 thousand DM, which they did not
hide, on the contrary they had them in their pockets and reported them
at the customs, upon entering "FRY". The majority of the detained are from
the municipalities of Suharekë, Malishevë, Klinë, Gllogoc
and Prizren.
KOSOVA (trenches – Prizren)
New trenches being dug in the highway Prizren-Gjakovë
Prizren, 3 August (ARTA) 1630CET --
Albanian sources from Prizren inform that yesterday
in the Prizren-Gjakovë road, near Landovicë vine-stock, a new
police checkpoint was erected.
The same sources claim that since yesterday,
works for digging new trenches are going on here and that many sand sacks
were placed all around.
KOSOVA (looting & burning – Suharekë)
Serb forces loot and burn the villages of
Suharekë
Suharekë, 3 August (ARTA) 1840CET--
This is the fourth day the Serb police, positioned
in the villages of Bllacë and Duhël, is looting the Albanian
owned houses. Albanian sources assess the value of the looted goods to
be worth tens of thousands DM. The police were carrying them on tractors,
trucks and other transporting vehicles. After looting the houses, the police
then burnt them with gas, witnesses from the neighboring villages, claim.
Yesterday, the Serb forces opened fire at some
of the inhabitants of these villages as they were trying to return back
home.
KOSOVA (NATO)
NATO Council reviews the intervention options
on Wednesday
Brussels, 3 August (ARTA) 1700CET--
In an informal conversation with "KOHA Ditore",
a considerable number of diplomats in Brussels, evaluated that "KLA should
hold a large responsibility for the current events", not wanting to justify
the Serb violence and Milosevic's actions. According to them, KLA failed
to protect the people the way they aspired to. On the other hand, the same
diplomats, in their official statements "condemn the violence and make
appeals to both sides to restrain themselves, expressing deep concern about
the civilians and the refugees".
A NATO official claimed that during this week,
NATO would end its planning of the military options in case it engages
in Kosova. According to these sources, NATO could meet on Wednesday to
once more review these options.
NATO sources refused to give any further details
about a possible engagement in Kosova, as they blame both sides about the
current events. Besides the preparations for the military actions in Kosova,
there are claims that NATO has conducted all the preparations for the joint
maneuvers of the Alliance... that will be taking place in Albania during
the second half of this month and in Macedonia, in September.
NATO still fears about the possibility of the
spillover of the conflict to other parts of the region and hence it will
continue the close collaboration with Albania and Macedonia within the
frames of Partnership for Peace, NATO sources in Brussels claim.
KOSOVA (Hill in Prishtina again)
"I do not care how many roads will you block
or unblock - but this is not the way to solve the problem of Kosova"
Prishtina 3 august (ARTA) 1650CET --
"It is very clear that a Serb offensive is being
carried on, an offensive which will not play any important role to find
a political solution", declared the American ambassador to Macedonia, Christopher
Hill, after meeting president Rugova in Prishtina today.
The American diplomat visited Prishtina again
today, in the course of his regular visits as the mediator. However, according
to him, this time he will be engaged "particularly in creating conditions
for the return of the dislocated people to their homes".
The Serb offensive, according to Hill, is "an
effort to find a military solution for Kosova, but, these efforts are absolutely
in vane".
"There is no military solution for Kosova , there
is a political solution and USA are ready to be part of it, they are ready
to help seeking of such a solution, they are ready to take part toward
the implementation of such a solution, and the future is here", stated
the American diplomat.
"I don't care how many roads you block or unblock,
but this is not the way to find solution for Kosova problem, it only pushes
backwards the task to find a political solution, while the only thing which
is being created are a bigger and bigger number of refugees and dislocated
people", which according to the American diplomat, represents an extraordinary
anxiety.
"Some minutes ago, I met a group of people from
Rahovec who told me how were they dislocated", he said and added, "I was
interested particularly in the aspect how to return them back home"
"Nevertheless, this is not an easy process",
said Hill.
"They do not feel safe returning back, we have
to find the way to make them feel safe, and this is an aspect I'll be working
during the upcoming days" stated Hill.
In this sense, Hill expressed his opinion that
the situation is "on the eve of a humanitarian catastrophe, if the dislocated
people are not returned homes"
The American ambassador is authorized by the
Contact Group to mediate between Prishtina and Belgrade. In this quality,
he has met with the Yugoslav president Milosevic yesterday in Belgrade.
The Yugoslav president told him that the return
of the people to their homes will be allowed, and free access to the field,
especially for diplomatic observers, will also be secured. Hill said the
he is not interested in rumors but rather in the facts from the field.
"Still it is a great problem how to guarantee
the safety to those who want to go back", emphasized Hill promising he
will work on that issue during the upcoming days.
KOSOVA (Parliament appeals)
An appeal of the Presidency of the Parliament
of the Republic of Kosova addressed to the relevant international factors
Prishtina, 3 August (ARTA) 2130CET--
The Presidency of the Parliament of the Republic
of Kosova sent today an appeal to the international factors initially highlighting
that the measures of the bloody conflict in Kosova have taken over a large
part of its territory, threatening to spillover to other parts. The communiqué
adds that over 500 civilians were killed, over 400 are abducted and missing
and many burials have taken place leaving no marks on the mass graves.
The number of the displaced has reached a figure
of 300 thousand, among which the majority are women, children, pregnant
women and elderly. There are about 8.000 shelled and ruined houses.
With numerous arguments about the massacres of
the population and the catastrophe which is approaching, the Parliament
of Kosova appeals to the UN Security Council, EU, the European Parliament,
OSCE, Contact Group, the parliaments and the governments of the important
states especially the USA and EU countries, to:
-Do all what is possible to immediately stop
the campaign of ethnocide of Serb terrorist government;
-Undertake the immediate steps for an urgent
international intervention for the demilitarization of Kosova and the withdrawal
of the Serb police and military forces, thus creating the preconditions
for a temporary international administration;
-Recognize the natural right of the Albanian
people to live free and independent, and to respect its national dignity;
- To support and encourage the will and the persistence
of Kosova people to build the independent state of Kosova, on grounds of
the right to self-determination in its determined borders recognized in
the disintegrated former federation - (Kosova used to be its constituent);
-Stationing of the peacekeeping troops and preventive
NATO intervention with international mandate around Kosova and not within
it, according to Serbia’s behavior, do not guarantee sufficient safety
to halt the further streams of the conflict", it is stated in the communiqué
of the Parliament of Kosova, signed by Speaker, academician Idriz Ajeti.
LINK to further press news_______________________________________________________________________
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