Tagesnachrichten 11. August 1998
                  von ALBANEWS und anderen
                                    
         Daily Report No 1518  August 11, 1998
                  Kosova Information Center

1. Reports about deportation and persons repatriated to Kosova
    if possible in German and in English
2. Daily Reports from KIC (Kosova Information Center)
3. news from ARTA /ATA / RFE/RL NEWSLINE and so on
4. Reports from Human Rights Organisations
    especially CDHRF (Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms, Prishtina)
5. eventual additional press news
6. Background-information
7. earlier news - so far as room is given by my provider on the server
8. The Bible says
 
• Nachrichten ueber Abschiebungen und Abgeschobene nach Kosova

   nach Moeglichkeit in deutsch und in englisch
• Nachrichten des KIC (Kosova Information Center) in englisch
• Nachrichten von ARTA /ATA / RFE/RL NEWSLINE usw. in englisch
• Berichte von Menschenrechtsorganisationen in englisch -

insbesondere von CDHRF (Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms)
• eventuell weitere Presse-Nachrichten in englisch
• Hintergrund-Informationen - in englisch, zum Teil Uebersetzung in deutsch
• fruehere Nachrichten - soweit dafuer Platz ist auf dem Server des Providers
• Die Bibel sagt

      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;

Derzeit werden zwar keine Kosova-Albaner abgeschoben, aber:
Leider gibt es immer noch keinen Abschiebe-Stop !
_______________________________________________________________________

In these times no Kosova-Albanians will be deported, but:
Still there is no stop of deportations !

******************************************************************
What Bayern  München "spy"  Michael Henke did not say:
******************************************************************

German football team Bayern München announced that it is is going to play against notorious and internationaly wanted war criminal suspect Zeljko Raznjatovic - Arkan´s football team "FK Obilic".

(See: UN Commission on Human Rights Thematic Reports  - Use of Mercenaries - Special Rapporteur's Report <"http://mprofaca.cro.net/kosovo04.html">)

Look what Bayern  München "spy" Michael Henke said about FK Obilic:
(quot----------------------------------------------------------------
          "Das ist eine sehr gute Mannschaft. Sehr laufstark,
           sehr geschlossen und mit einer sehr guten Ordnung".
------------------------------------------------------------- (unquot)

So, at Bayern München web site now you could find out who are proud  Bayern München Sponsors: <"http://www.sport1.de/vereine/bayern/verein/sponsoren.html">

Here they are:
- Adam Opel AG,
- adidas,
- Bayerische Landesbank,
- Coca-Cola,
- Erdinger Weißbräu,
- Frubiase,
- Hewlett Packard,
- Panasonic,
- SKL,
- TV Spielfilm,
- Warsteiner,
- Würth,
- Konica,
- SAP

<"http://www.sport1.de/vereine/bayern/verein/obilic.html">:
Unangenehme Aufgabe für Bayern München in der Qualifikation zur Champions League: Am 12. und 26. August tritt der FC Bayern gegen den jugoslawischen  Meister FK Obilic Belgrad an.  "Das ist eine sehr gute Mannschaft. Sehr laufstark,  sehr geschlossen und mit einer sehr guten Ordnung" , berichtete  "Spion" Michael Henke.

Obilice siegte beim isländischen Meister IBV Vestmannaeyja mit  2:1. Auch das Hinspiel hatte die Jugoslawen 2:0 gewonnen. FK Obilic Belgrad schaffte in Jugoslawien, was der 1. FC Kaiserslautern in der Bundesliga vollbrachte: Als Aufsteiger in die erste Liga marschierten sie durch zur Meisterschaft.

 "Wir müssen gewaltig aufpassen, die haben ein paar große Namen wie Roter Stern oder Partizan Belgrad hinter sich gelassen" , warnte Henke, der die Jugoslawen im Hinspiel beobachtet hatte. "Jugoslawien hat bei der Weltmeisterschaft bewiesen, daß es eine Fußball-Nation ist. Wir werden dem jugoslawischen Vertreter Obilic mit großen Respekt begegnen", meint auch Ottmar  Hitzfeld.

 Allerdings hat Henke im Spiel der *Balkan-Pfälzer*  auch Schwächen ausgemacht.  "Sie haben mit Lustic und Krostic zwei zentrale Persönlichkeiten, über die alles läuft" , analysierte der Co-Trainer. "Sie haben eine fast deutsche Spielweise, aber sie haben sich schwer getan, die Stürmer ins Spiel zu bringen.

Wir müssen im Heimspiel in Vorlage treten, um gelassen nach Belgrad reisen zu können. Dort empfängt uns sicher eine heiße  Atmosphäre", erläuterte Henke seine Bedenken. Rund 50.000 Zuschauer werden den FK Obilic im Rückspiel anfeuern. Giovane Elber blickt da schon viel weiter: "Vielleicht  können wir die Champions League sogar gewinnen, aber das wird schwer.

*** Mr. Anders Wessman, Swedish-Albanian Friendship Ties
       <"aswn@mailbox.uddevalla.se"> wrote to me:

"Please spread the word around for a boycott of the match and urge people to send protests by e-mail (look at BM´s homepage)
or by fax:  +49 89 64 41 65
or make a protest telephone call to the President of  FC Bayern München
Franz Beckenbauer:  +49 89 699 31-0

If they refuse to stop the game, at lest they can have a silent minute for all the victims from the genocide in Croatia, BiH and Kosova at the beginning of the match.
That´s what I am going to tell mr. Beckenbauer!"

 Yours sincerely

 Anders Wessman
 Swedish-Albanian Friendship Ties
 E-mail: <"aswn@mailbox.uddevalla.se">

Thanks Anders. I sign that too.

 Mario Profaca,
 freelance journalist
 <mprofaca@reporters.net>
 Zagreb, Croatia

 * * * Mario's Cyberspace Station
 <http://mprofaca.cro.net>
__________
"Yes, the world is a sick place, and
Mario Profaca is its webmaster."
      The New York Times, Cybertimes,
      <http://mprofaca.cro.net/refnyt.html>

Aus Schweden hat mich die Nachricht erreicht
From Sweden I got message::

Geplant sind Fußball-Begegnungen zwischen FC Bayern München und FK Obilic Belgrad am 12. und am 26. August. - An sich schön,  a b e r
Scheduled are football-maches between FC Bayern München and FK Obilic Belgrad on 12th and 26th August. - Very nice,  b u t

"If you look at:  http://www.sport1.de/vereine/bayern/verein/obilic.html  you will find that Bayern Munchen is writing NOTHING at all about the background that the leader of FK Obilic Belgrad is having !!!!!
... About -Arkan-, official name Zeljko Raznjatovic´, You can read about him in the final report of the United Nations Commission of Experts established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 780 (1992). For futher info about this facts please look at: http://mprofaca.cro.net/kosovo04.html

This man is a
- wellknown criminal,
- member of the Serbian Parliament,
- Leader of the notorius pramilitarian force the Serbian Tigers who are accused for
   murdering 200 croatian patients when they were still lying in their hospital bed
   at the hospital of Vukovar in Croatia,
- international wanted by INTERPOL for heavy robbery and suspected for other
   things in Sweden as f.e. organizing to Sweden heavy smuggling of ciggarets;
   alcohol;narcotica and so on,
- on the run from a prison sentence in Belgium,
- accused for murder in Holland, Croatia, Bosnia-Hercegovina and Kosova."

                     P R O T E S T !

Protest against the football match between FC Bayern Munchen and
Arkan´s propaganda weapon, the team FK Obilic.

If FC Bayern Munchen refuses to boycott the match, urge them to have a
SILENT MINUTE for all the victims of the
GENOCIDE IN KOSOVA, CROATIA and BOSNIA-HERCEGOVINA
( all the countries that Arkan is suspected of conducting genocide)
before the  match starts as an emphasis of their feeling.

Please protest by e-mail :       info@bayernmuenchen.de   Mail   senden

or by FC Bayern Munchen Treffpunkt -Forum at internet
          http://www.sport1.de/vereine/bayern/treffpunkt/index_treffpunkt.html
 
or by fax:       +49 (0) 89 64 41 65

or make a protest telephone call to the President of  FC Bayern Munchen
                                                      Franz Beckenbauer:  +49 (0) 89 699 31-0
or at the address:
                                                      FC Bayern Munchen
                                                      Postfach 900451
                                                      D-81504 Munchen
                                                      Germany

Thank you for your support to the people of Kosova !

                      Anders Wessman
             member of the council of the
         Swedish Albanians Friendship Ties

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1518-B
Prishtina, 11 August 1998

Second Edition: 17:00 hrs

Kosova Should Be Independent, a Free Nation, Rugova Says
"Only through independence can democracy and human rights be accomplished," President Rugova said in his chat session on the MSNBC on Monday

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, had a chat session with the MSNBC Monday, August 10th.
Rugova took part in an exclusive MSNBC on the Internet live chat from his offices in Prishtina, the capital of the Republic of Kosova.
"I greet everyone in the chat and everyone in MSNBC from the Republic of Kosova. We thank you very much for your interest in Kosova, especially during these difficult times.", Ibrahim Rugova said at the outset. He added that he hoped this would contribute to a better understanding for the Kosova issue.
"Our goal is independence for the Republic of Kosova. This is based on the 1991 referendum. We have not called for a change of Kosova borders and namely for the external borders of the former Yugoslavia.", Rugova said in reply to a question regarding what the Kosovars' goal was: federation with Albania, an eventual reunification, or total automony and independence for Kosova. Independence is the will of the people of Kosova, he said, adding that the desire (for Albanians) to live in one State was there, "but the current balance in the region is quite complicated."
In reply to further questions, President Rugova elaborated that the best solution for south-seas Europe was and independent state of Kosova. "This solution will calm down Macedonia, Albania and Serbia.", he said.
Asked whether Kosova could settle for a status with a FRY federation, Rugova said "federations in this part of Europe have not been so successful."
An optimal solution for the Albanian issue is independence for Kosova, the President said.
"The basic goals of my policy are human welfare, freedom, human rights and the independence of Kosova.", Rugova said. The Kosova problem does not have any religious background whatsoever, he insisted. "Albanians in general belong to a pro-western culture and preference." Albanians are Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Muslim, he recalled, adding that "religion does not have that much influence" on the life of Kosovars.
Asked about the likelihood of achieving a resolution to the conflict in Kosova, President Rugova said it is of the utmost importance to have a cessation of the Serbian offensive in Kosova in order to reach peace for Kosova. He stressed the need for an increase in the international presence in Kosova, for an international protectorate, "something I have been urging for several years now." An interim stage international protectorate would bring about the demilitarization of Kosova and "help with democracy being instituted for all citizens of Kosova."
What there has been here in Kosova is not a conflict, bur rather "massacres" against the unprotected civilians, which should lead eventually to a massive ethnic cleansing of this country, Rugova said.
Asked about the formation of a new government of Kosova, the President recalled that there is a government of Kosova in exile, but "these days we have been talking about the creation of a government here in Kosova, in the wake of the March 22nd elections." He said a coalition government would be formed to include all political forces in Kosova.
Asked about the contacts the Kosova presidency presently has with the KLA (Kosova Liberation Army), who controls them, and whether they had agreed to join the Kosova coalition government, President Rugova said it was "very difficult for us to have any contact with the KLA. It is isolated by the Serbian police force." There have been contacts, mostly indirect ones, he said. "We have some kind of contact with them, and (we) will eventually bring them closer." President Rugova said the KLA will "certainly have a say in our institution."
Asked how can the U.S. and other nations assist in achieving that Kosova regains its independent status, Rugova said the United States and other countries can help in this course. "One way of helping (us) is establishing an international protectorate in Kosova with the help of the United Nations, United States, and other international forces." "I think that it is about the time to recognize (the) independence of Kosova and take us under protection."
Asked about the contents of a document British Ambassador Donelly delivered to him last week, Rugova said it contained a few proposals of the Contact Group, and "it as sort of working paper." "It is more suggestions and options -- mainly topics for discussion."
Asked about his stance, Rugova said the position was well-known: independence for Kosova.
Asked about the probability of war between Yugoslavia and Albania because of the Kosovo "problem", Ibrahim Rugova said that the Kosova problem cannot be isolated. "If a massive scale conflict ensues we will see masses of people heading towards Macedonia, and Albania, and elsewhere and that will eventually destabilize this portion of Europe."
If such a war breaks out, "if anything like that happens, it is the people of Kosova who will suffer most." Rugova said It could be that the intention of Belgrade was to attack Albania, "so the problems of Kosova will be neglected and overlooked, as was the case in 1920." It is but natural to expect help from Albania, but "Albania itself is in a difficult situation.", the President said. He said it was not difficult to assemble a negotiating team for talks for Belgrade. "It is not difficult at all -- too much noise has been raised about all that."
Asked to say what has been achieved in Kosova, Rugova said that in spite of the Serbian violence, "we have been successful in establishing a democracy in Kosova." There will always be people who object, but it is the democratic order "that will save Kosova", President Rugova said. "The critical point for the U.S. to understand is that independence for Kosova is indispensable.", he said, and added: "The United States is a symbol of independence and freedom, and we would like to see independence of Kosova like the United States, Western Europe and open cultures." "Only through independence can democracy and human rights be accomplished, President Rugova said, and pointed out that Kosova was part of a country (Yugoslavia) that has fallen apart and does not exist any longer. Therefore, we are entitled to be recognized as an independent county and live in freedom, he added. Kosova would be a free nation, "a small nation, as many such nations in the world." As a nation it will capable of sustaining itself. "It has a very hardworking people, and has large natural resources." As an independent country, Kosova should and must have close ties with the United States and the European Union, President Rugova said. "We see Kosova in the future, as an open market economy state." Kosova would be a small, but independent country, the size of Connecticut, Rugova said, reaffirming that it would bring stability and calm down this part of the world. "The people of Kosova should be provided a window of opportunity to be themselves, and become a member of free nations."
At the close of the chat, President Rugova described the environment the Albanian people live in Kosova, with lots of satellite dishes to watch the world, but unfortunately, with the Prishtina Albanian language TV closed down here in Kosova. The satellite dishes have helped a lot over the past several years, especially with regard to the young generation. "It is a spiritual link between Kosova and the Western world."

Serb Attacks on Gjakova Area Continue Unabated
21 Albanians killed in ten days, bodies of 5 killed Albanians in Hereq identified

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - The Serbian offensive against the villages in the municipality of Gjakova has not relented a bit, local sources said today. Serb military, paramilitary and police troops have been attacking the border area villages in Gjakova and Deçan, including the huge village of Junik. Overnight and today, Serb troops have been attacking from all sides. The village of Hereq has been levelled to the ground. The plight of Planqor is much the same, and the villages of Firajë and Dobrigje are being shelled, too.
Sources from Gjakova confirm that the scene of heaviest fighting today was in the municipality of Deçan, especially in the villages of Gramaqel, Gllogjan, Dubravë, Baballoq, Prejlep, and elsewhere, which have been reported pounded by Serb forces with heavy artillery from Suka e Biteshit, Kodra e Zhdrellës and other positions.
Convoys of Serb motorized units headed at five and seven o'clock, respectively, to the war front along the Gjakovë-Deçan roadway.
The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said the village of Junik, which lies halfway between Gjakova and Deçan, has been attacked by Serb forces today. Local Albanian resistance have been battling hard to repel the strong Serb attacks. Both sides have suffered casualties, local sources said, failing to offer details on the figures. 21 Albanians killed in the past ten days
Meanwhile, local sources said on 9 August Hysen Malë Arifi (38), a padogogue with the local elementary school in Sheremetaj of Gjakova, died of wounds he had received a few days earlier in defense of the Reka e Keqe region. Another Albanian, Mark Sokoli, resident of Nec village, has died also of wounds he had received during the Serb offensive.
During the Serb offensive in the past ten days, 21 Albanians have been killed, local LDK sources said.
Part of the population along the Gjakovë - Deçan area, which was attacked yesterday and today, have been running for their lives.
Some 15.000 residents of these villages have been living between the villages of Skivjan and Novosellë, rough in the open, without food and water. Most of them are women, children, and the elderly.
A number of Albanians have been arrested and missing in Gjakova and Deçan area, local sources said, listing as arrested Muhamet Zenunaj, Shaban Fetaj, Haxhi Isufaj and Myrtë Shabanaj, all from the village of Hereç, and as rounded up the families of Sali Maloku and Ukë Maloku from Gramaçel, Deçan. Pjetër Krasniqi (66), resident of Meqë, Gjakova, has been reported unaccounted for.
Some 100 Serb policemen, stationed in the village of Bishtazhin, 7 km away from Gjakova, on the roadway to Prizren, have taken up combat position. All travellers heading to Gjakova have been turned back today.
The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said five bodies taken last night to the town morgue in Gjakova were Albanians killed during the Serb shelling of the village of Hereq.
They have been identified as Musë Bajrami (80), Asllan Bajrami (15), Dinë Rexhepi (63), Metë Dervishi (80) and Haxhi Tahiri. They were all noncombatants, killed in their homes.

Body of Albanian, Slaughtered by Serbs, Buried with Missing Head

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - The mutilated body of an Albanian, Feriz Selimi, was found Monday in a forest outside his native village of Radisheva, municipality of Skenderaj ('Srbica'). Feriz Selimi, 44, father to eight, was slain several days earlier. He was buried in the very place he was found dead in the forest, the LDK chapter in Skenderaj said.
Meanwhile, the Prishtina-based Bujku said yesterday that seven other villagers of Radisheva village, in Skenderaj, were buried last weekend in a forest nearby their native village. Shyqri Ahmeti (56), Haxhi Ahmeti (65) Alban Ahmeti (17), Sabit Ahmeti (27), Beqir Hajrizi (65) and his two sons Azem Hajrizi (32) and Faik Hajrizi (28), were killed during last week's Serb offensive in the Drenica villages, in central Kosova. Bujku said that three of the killed Albanians - Shyqri Ahmeti, Haxhi Ahmeti and Alban Ahmeti, had their heads cut off by Serbs. The body of Shyqri Ahmeti was buried without his head, as it was missing.
Witnesses who buried the slain Albanians in Radisheva have told the newspaper that their bodies were mutilated. The Serbs had dragged them near a road so they could be spotted by local residents or passersby, who, trying to collect their bodies, could be trapped and killed themselves. Serbs had probably waited quite long for other hunt games there, as heaps of garbage and bottles of alcohol could be seen not far from the place the dead bodies were laid, said witnesses.

Over 20 Albanians Killed in Latest Serb Offensive in Drenica

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - A local human rights organization in Skenderaj ('Srbica') has established the identity of 13 Albanians killed during a Serb offensive in the Drenica villages, central Kosova, last weekend.
The Skenderaj chapter of the Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said the casualty figures may be much higher, for it is impossible yet to figure out the extent of the Serb onslaught. It is feared that dead bodies lay scattered in the forests and fields, as it was the case with the mutilated Albanians near Radisheva village.
The human rights council said it could identify the following victims of the latest Serb offensive in central and north part of Drenica: Sami Veliqi (16) from Polac, Elmi Kadiru (51) from Likoc (retarded person), Sokol Gashi (60) from Rezalla, Havë Zabeli from Rezalla, (paralysed old woman), another old woman named Rabë from Llusha, Zekë Durmishi (52) from Rakinica, Dibran Idrizi (70) from Kopiliq i Ulët, Shyqri Ahmeti (56), Haxhi Ahmeti (65) Alban Ahmeti (17), Sabit Ahmeti (27), Beqir Hajrizi (65) and his two sons Azem Hajrizi (32) and Faik Hajrizi (28).
Witnesses have told the CDHRF that in Llausha village the Serb forces have slain Jakup Geci's mother and sister, as well as a (female) family guest and her daughter from Vitak village.
The CDHRF said that the bodies of two still unidentified men have been found in the area. One of them is presumed to be from Turiqec village and the other from Rakinica, but they have not been buried yet until they are possibly identified.
Many people have been missing since the Serb latest crackdown in Drenica late last week. Others are believed to be apprehended by Serb forces, including Sadri Geci (67), Sami Geci (25), Mustafë Hazir Geci (28), all from Llausha.
LDK sources in Skenderaj reported of a calmer situation in the area today. The Serb police has withdrawn from several positions, such as the villages of Likoc, Makërmal, Rezallë, as well a bases at Rakinica from where vast parts of Drenica were bombarded over the past days.

Serbs Kill Two, Wound Six Albanians, at Petrova Village of Shtime

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - Two Albanians were killed and six others wounded yesterday (Monday) in Petrova village of Shtime, 25 km south of Prishtina. The village came under Serb artillery and machine-gun fire for several hours yesterday, sources said.
The local LDK chapter in Shtime said Avni Hysenaj (15) and his 2- year-old sister Mejreme Hysenaj (2) died during the Serb shelling of their village. Their mother sustained life-threatening injuries. Five other persons were wounded in the village: Shëndrit Hysenaj (3) from Petrova, Bujar Beqaj (15) resident of Carraleva sheltered with his relatives in Petrova, Fatmir Duga (15) from Shtime, Halit Luma from Kraishta village, Abedin Beqaj from Shtime (13. They had likewise fled their homes earlier and were  sheltering in the village.
Sources in Shtime said there was a lower intensity shelling of villages today in the Gryka e Carralevës (the Carraleva Gorge) area, along the Shtime-Prizren road.

Returnees Flee Rahovec for a Second Time as Serbs Step Up Campaign of Violence

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - At least 300 Albanians have fled the town of Rahovec ('Orahovac') during the course of last night and today morning, local sources said today.
The return of Albanians in Rahovec following a large-scale Serb onslaught in mid-July was highly-publicized by both Serb and foreign media featuring stories about the alleged safe return of Albanians to their burned or half-burned houses.
Witnesses told the KIC that many returnees were forced to flee again amidst growing intimidation by the Serb forces and armed civilians. Dozens of hapless Albanians left the town over the past couple of days seeing what was left from their property being plundered in front of their noses.
People have quoted Serb policemen based in Rahovec as calling the town "the second Kosova's Trepça", referring to the Trepça mines north of Prishtina. Shani Dërguti, owner of e jewelry shop in the town was robed of 100 'putli', gold pieces worth several tens of thousand of DM.
A witness from Rahovec, Xhelal Thaçi, claimed that Serbs have burned down 14 houses in the Tuneli suburbs. The houses were first looted, then doused with gasoline and set ablaze, he said. He named some of the Albanians whose houses were burned that way: Arif Thaqi, Magjun Thaqi, Ramiz Thaqi, Ramadan Thaqi, Xhelal Thaçit. 96 houses of Albanians have been leveled in the Bellacërkë village near Rahovec, he said.

Serb Troops Station in Obrançë Village, North-eastern Kosova

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - Serb military troops have been deployed yesterday and today in the village of Obrançë, two km away from the town of Podujeva, the main town in north-eastern Kosova.
Serb military troops with scores of tanks and other combat equipment have been deployed for weeks in Llaushë, another village in the municipality, six km north of Podujeva.
In Obrançë, 7 lorries and other cars full of soldiers were stationed yesterday. Some 60 other vehicles arrived today.
These Serb troop reinforcements have arrived from Serbia. They seem intent to stay for some time, for they started digging in, local sources said.
Serb military aircraft flew today low overhead the territory of Podujeva, a municipality bordering on Serbia, which has a 99 percent Albanian population.

Physicians for Human Rights Urges Clinton to Take Decisive Action over Kosova
PHR calls for U.S. government to "support the establishment of an international peacemaking force, organized under NATO auspices, in Kosova requiring all Serb forces (army, police, special police, and paramilitary) to withdraw from Kosova at once

PRISHTINA, Aug 11(KIC) - The Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) sent 7 August a letter to U.S. President Clinton regarding the current Serb atrocities in Kosova and the evidence of mass graves in Kosova.
Following is the full text of the letter to President Clinton, signed by Leonard S. Rubenstein.
(Begin text)
Dear Mr. President:
Your strong leadership three years ago this month brought an end to the war and massive human rights abuses in Bosnia. Your administration galvanized support among NATO allies to use its military strength to bring about peace in the Balkans.
Atrocities reminiscent of the war in Bosnia are now occurring in Kosovo. President Milosevic has unleashed his military, police, and paramilitary forces against ethnic Albanians in Kosovo and will not desist until confronted with NATO's concerted military strength.
Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) strongly urges you to uphold your 1993 pledge to intervene in Kosovo should President Milosevic ever besiege this province and use whatever means necessary to stop further bloodshed in Kosovo.
Meanwhile, the suffering of hundreds of thousands of civilians continues, and increasing reports of human rights atrocities emanate from the field. This week allegations of mass graves in Kosovo surfaced in the press. Without conclusive forensic evidence of such atrocities, many disbelieve the possibility that hundreds of civilians from Orahovac were slaughtered and bulldozed into mass graves.
Yesterday, however, PHR received credible reports from a local health and human rights organization that had just conducted interviews with displaced families from Orahovac. They report witnessing 12 trucks filled with cadavers being hauled out of their town immediately following the July 21st Serb offensive. They further testify that Serb forces killed more than 500 civilians during this fighting, who are now believed to be buried in mass graves.
To avoid the Bosnian outcome where thousands needlessly died before NATO finally took military recourse, the United States must lead the international community in taking decisive action now that will save countless lives.
We urge the United States government, by using any unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral means available, to take the following actions:
- Act immediately and decisively to stop the fighting in Kosovo where civilian populations are the target of brutal and systematic abuse.
- Support the establishment of an international peacemaking force, organized under NATO auspices, in Kosovo requiring all Serb forces (army, police, special police, and paramilitary) to withdraw from Kosovo at once and requiring KLA units to cease their military activities.
- Monitor with satellite photography possible mass grave sites in and around the town of Orahovac; maintain aerial reconnaissance of specific sites of reported mass graves to determine whether these sites are tampered with in the future and immediately make public these photographs.
- Insist that Yugoslav authorities permit impartial forensic investigations under the auspices of the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia to gather evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Those army, paramilitary, or police officials responsible for atrocities must be held accountable.
- Secure with military force reported sites of mass graves to safeguard material evidence that would be furnished to the ICTY.
- Prepare for the delivery and distribution of needed humanitarian aid, through respected local and international organizations, to the hundreds of thousands of displaced Kosovars immediately once appropriate military intervention brings a halt to the current fighting.
- Once stability is achieved in Kosovo, support the establishment of a robust human rights monitoring mission under UNHCHR auspices that would work in collaboration with local human rights groups to monitor and investigate abuses.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
/signed/
Leonard S. Rubenstein
cc: Madeleine K. Albright
     U.S. Secretary of State
(End text)

Kosova Information Center
Last page!

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1518-A
Prishtina, 11 August 1998
First Edition: 12:00 hrs

Serbian Troops Launch Full-scale Offensive in Deçan Villages Today Morning

As many as 80,000 civilian Albanians holed up, besieged by Serb forces in a few villages

PRISHTINA, Aug 11 (KIC) - Serbian military and police troops, backed up by tens of tanks and heavy armament, have embarked today (Tuesday) on a full-scale offensive against a number of Albanian villages in the municipality of Deçan, in western Kosova, local sources said.
The villages of Dubravë, Gramaçel and Gllogjan are bearing the brunt of the Serb offensive today, sources said, adding that all kinds of heavy guns were being used by Serbs to shell the villages.
Zekë Sinanaj, a local journalist, said a convoy of Serb troops and hardware involving 110 vehicles, including 36 tanks, trailing heavy guns, left the town of Peja ('Pec') for the Deçan area today morning.
At 8 o'clock, they started shelling the village of Gramaçel, whereas a bit later the other outlying villages were targeted, too. The LDK Information Commission in Deçan said there are killed and wounded in the latest offensive, especially amongst the civilians, but failed to offer details.
Yesterday, Serb troops with 60 tanks, 40 armoured vehicles and other combat equipment, pounded the villages of Gramaçel, Baballoq, Dubravë, Llukë e Epërme, Shaptej, Prejlep, Glloxhan and Irzniq, LDK sources said. (The name of a killed, Nexhat Humaj, killed in Baballoq, was made known only.)
Some 15,000 Albanians have been holed up in the three villages under attack today - Gramaçel, Baballoq and Dubravë - LDK sources said, adding that they have been living rough in the open. Now they may well be targeted by Serbs who have been shelling indiscriminately, they added.
Local sources in Deçan cried foul today over the plight of some 80,000 Albanians, displaced from their homes, who have been all clustered in the village of Isniq and the vicinity, mainly in the villages of Irzniq, Prapaqan, and Strellc i Ulët villages. They are by and large the population of the municipality of Deçan, but also people who fled the Reka e Keqe region of Gjakova, as well as the municipalities of Peja ('Pec') and Malisheva. "Virtually all the civilian population of our (Deçan) municipality is there", Osman Cacaj, the LDK Information head in Deçan told the KIC by phone.
If the Serbian offensive is not brought to a halt, there is danger of a massacre being committed against the population, which is besieged from all sides by Serb forces, the Commission said.
The LDK chapter in Deçan made dramatic appeals for help today. It called on the Kosova leadership, the Albanian Government and the international community to do their utmost, to intervene urgently so as to avert a large-scale massacre, "a crime foretold", as they put it.

Kosova Information Center
Last page!

International monitorin mission reaches Decan

      PRISHTINE, August 11 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:
A mission of international monitors for the developments in Kosove arrived today in the commune of Decan where Serb forces have embarked on one of the fiercest offensives since the beginning of the war in Kosove.
      Sources in the field say that the mission was welcomed by KLA members, it has observed some of the fighting places and the great influx of the displaced civil population and war refugees who are in a very grave and dangerous situation. /fh/das/xh/

Tense situation prevails in Dezan area

      PRISHTINE, Aug 11 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that new and dangerous developments continued in the Dezan area and the border line region with new reinforcements of the Yugoslav army, Serb police and paramilitary sent in.
      A convoy with over 110 tanks and other heavy equipment was moved in early in the morning from Peja to Dezan (Western Kosova, near the Albanian border).
      Sources on the ground said that the Gramazel village came under shelling at 8.00. while dozens and thousands Albanian civilians mostly women, children and elderly people who fled attacked areas, were gathered in Izniq and surrounding villages.
     Sources of the Kosova Information Center said that they are under siege from the Serb forces and cannot escape in any direction. pta/ak/

Yugoslav warplanes fly over Prishtina

      PRISHTINA, Aug 11 - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reported that Yugoslav warplanes flew over Prishtina in low altitude and Serb forces marched through the streets in readiness.
      The warplanes continued flights early in the morning on Tuesday even in other parts of Kosova and a Serb convoy with dozens of transport carriers and tanks roared past Prishtina on 8.30. a.m. /pta/ak/

Bodies of five killed Albanians sent to morgue

      PRISHTINE, August 11 (ata) -  ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports: The bodies of five Albanians killed by Serb forces were sent late last night in the morgue of the hospital of Gjakove, LDK sources report.
      According to these sources, in the outskirts of Gjakove where fighting is going on, there were ambulances and helicopters moving frequently carrying the killed and the wounded among the Serb forces. /p.ta/xh/

RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
___________________________________________________________
RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 2, No. 153 Part II, 11 August 1998

UCK VOWS TO FIGHT ON.

Fighting continued in western Kosova on 10 August between Serbian forces and the Kosova Liberation Army (UCK). In Prishtina the next day, the guerrillas issued a statement  pledging to fight on despite their recent losses. The text noted that the battlefield setbacks have "only strengthened our resolve to bravely continue on the road to freedom." It also called on Kosovars to "unite with the UCK and help us in our just fight for freedom," AP reported. The statement warned NATO not to station troops along the Albanian-Kosovar border, across which the guerrillas' supplies pass, "because we would consider this the second offensive against our freedom and our national pride." PM

ALBANIA PROTESTS AIRSPACE VIOLATIONS.

The Foreign Ministry in Tirana on 10 August issued a strongly worded protest to the Yugoslav authorities  over three alleged violations of its airspace by Serbian helicopters near Tropoja and Kukes over the previous two days. The statement said that "such incidents carry the risk of escalating the conflict [in Kosova].... If Belgrade wants to apply such a confrontational policy with regional implications, then it will have to fully bear the responsibilities and the consequences of this conflict." The ministry also denied Serbian charges that UCK fighters have training facilities on Albanian territory. The statement stressed that Belgrade seeks "to justify its own military actions of ethnic cleansing in Kosova [by spreading] disinformation" and by blaming Albania for certain problems.
The statement conceded that the UCK has arms supply routes on Albanian territory but stressed that Tirana is trying to halt the flow of those supplies. FS

NUMBER OF REFUGEES GROWING.

A spokesman for the Albanian Foreign Ministry said in Tirana on 11 August that some 70 Kosovars crossed into Albania during the previous 24 hours. In Prishtina on 10 August, a representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported that the number of displaced persons within Kosova stands at 167,000. An additional 64,000 persons from Kosova are refugees in Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia, or elsewhere, he added. Meanwhile, a Slovenian ship left the port of Koper with   humanitarian relief worth $100,000 for Kosovar refugees in Albania. In Tirana, State Secretary Franko Juri of the Slovenian Foreign Ministry said that the conflict in Kosova is not an ethnic one but rather a political issue involving the democratization of Yugoslav society and the establishment of human and ethnic rights. PM

ARKAN APPEALS TO CLINTON.

Zeljko Raznatovic "Arkan," who is the Serbian nationalist leader of the paramilitary "Tigers," appealed on 10 August in a letter to U.S. President Bill Clinton for Washington's help in fighting "terrorism" on Serbian territory. Arkan, whom many in Croatia and Bosnia regard as a war criminal, told Clinton that the U.S. should not allow bombings similar to those that took place in Kenya and Tanzania on 7 August to happen anywhere else in the world, AP reported from Belgrade. "Mr. President, don't let...terrorism in this part of the Balkans continue, in the Serbian state that for centuries has been a friend to your state," Arkan wrote. PM

HAGUE INMATES CHARGE DUTCH WITH NEGLIGENCE.

Slobodan Ivanovic, a Serbian medical doctor who regularly visits the indicted war criminals held by the Hague-based tribunal, said that inmates, regardless of nationality, are enraged by the recent death from a heart attack of Milan Kovacevic, who was also a physician, "The Daily Telegraph" reported on 11 August. Ivanovic added that the inmates may be planning a revolt as a result. The inmates told Ivanovic that Kovacevic "died a slow and painful death as a result of a ruptured aorta despite repeated calls for help to jailers over a period of five hours." A hospital is only five minutes drive from the prison, where Croatian inmate General Tihomir Blaskic tried to revive Kovacevic. Dutch officials denied the charges of neglect and argued that the inmates receive better care than they would in prisons in the former Yugoslavia. PM

ABSENTEE VOTING BEGINS FOR BOSNIA.

Bosnian refugees living outside Bosnia, Croatia, and federal Yugoslavia  have begun casting their ballots in the 12-13 September general elections, an RFE/RL correspondent reported from Sarajevo on 10 August. The Election Commission had earlier processed 148,000 requests for absentee ballots, which voters must complete and send by mail to the OSCE in Vienna. Most Bosnian refugees live in Croatia and federal Yugoslavia and will be able to vote there at special polling stations. PM

ALBANIA, GREECE LAUNCH JOINT COAST GUARD PATROLS.

Greek maritime police began joint patrols with their Albanian colleagues in the Ionian Sea on 10 August. The Greek police officers are based in the Albanian port of Saranda near Corfu and work as part of an Albanian Coast Guard unit. The joint patrols will continue for six months, ATSH news agency reported. Meanwhile near Vlora the previous day, patrol boats of the Italian financial police intercepted two speed boats bound for Italy carrying some  50 illegal immigrants . Most of the refugees were Kurdish women and children. During the past four weeks or so, Italian patrols have intercepted  52 speed-boats carrying a total of some 1,500 refugees, mostly from Kosova and Turkey. FS

ALBANIAN ORGANIZATION CRITICIZES STATE TELEVISION.

Spokesmen for the Society for Democratic Culture announced the results of their five month-long monitoring of state television (TVSH) on 10 August in Tirana. They concluded that TVSH gives too much coverage to events involving the capital's political elite and  neglects the interests of the broader public, with only few reports about local, economic, and social issues. The observers noted that several independent newspapers provide more balanced coverage and deal with a wider range of issues than TVSH. FS

Slovenia backs any solution to stop bloodshed in Kosova

      TIRANA, Aug 10 (ATA) - By Irena Luto: Slovenian Secretary of State Frank Juri met on Monday with Rexhep Meidani, the Albanian president to express his support for every solution that would stop bloodshed in Kosova and his country's full support for the policy followed by Albania in the international relations.
      Press and information office at the presidency quoted Juri as saying that his visit is of humanitarian character to express the solidarity of his country with the grave situation in Kosova and the Albanian people who are massively displaced from their land.
      President Meidani said that Albania until now has supported the stand of the international community hoping for an energetic intervention against the Serb military machine but precipitation of Kosova events, massive massacres and incalculable material damages are very discouraging.
      "To close the eyes in front of Kosova it means to allow the Serb military machine to exert inhuman genocide against civil and defenceless population," Meidani said.
      Present at the meeting was Albanian State Secretary Ilir Meta. ypa/pas/ak/

NATO discusses problems of Kosova refugees with Albanians

      TIRANA, Aug 10 (ATA) -  By E. Koraqi: An NATO delegation discussed on Monday with Albanian specialists of the Defence Ministry cases of humanitarian emergency arising among Albanians coming from Kosova, Behar Metohu, at the ministry's Public Relations Directorate said to ATA.
      Great number of problems appearing before the coming winter, urges not only clearness but also a great engagement, NATO experts said expressing their engagement in sensitizing and drawing up special aid programmes.
      Present at the meeting held in the NATO office at the premises of the Albanian Defence Ministry were officials of Civil Defence of the Republic, Council of Ministers, Defence Ministry, Ministry of Local Government, international organisations such as Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), U.N. commission and others.
      In the special meeting for the NATO guests, deputy defence minister Ilir Bozka, dwelt at length on the special role played by the Civil Defence of the Republic which, according to him, urges a new concept, a legal base and creation of a wider structure to carry out many tasks. This can be achieved through an assistance by NATO, Bozka said.
      NATO official Stephen Oross expressed more advanced views on that offering closer cooperation in the framework of the Partnership for Peace program. ypa/pas/ak/

Delegation of EU troika arrives in Tirana

      TIRANA, Aug 11 (ATA) - By I. Luto: A Troika of the European Union will arrive on Tuesday midday for a two-day visit in the framework of the efforts of the international community for the solution of the Kosova crisis.
      Press and information office at the Albanian Foreign Ministry said that the agenda of the delegation includes a coordinating meeting in Rogner hotel in the midday. Later in the day the E.U. senior diplomats were expected to meet with Albanian deputy prime minister Kastriot Islami.
      The E.U. troika delegation will visit the city of Bajram Curri on Wednesday and hold talks with deputy minister at the Defence Ministry Ilir Bozka and E.U. member states ambassadors in Tirana. ypa/pas/ak/

Cooperative Assembly military exercises to start soon

      TIRANA, Aug 10 (ATA) - By E. Koraqi: Cooperative Assembly military exercises will be held from August 17 to 22 in Central Albania in the framework of Partnership for Peace.
      The exercises will be based in weapons of tactical training in team and platoon, the spokesman of the Defence Ministry Albert Mullai said to ATA.
      It includes air support in medical and humanitarian aid, engineering operations to help repair infrastructure of local communities and others.
      Asked about the organisation way, Mullai said that from nine states planned to take part in the exercises, the NATO press office confirmed the participation of 14 states.
      The forces will be positioned in the Bize-Kruje-Rinas-Durres area. Infantry forces will be installed in Bize, engineering forces in Kruja, air forces in Rinas and navy in Durres. ypa/pas/ak/

Albania, Slovenia share view on peaceful solution to conflict

      TIRANA, Aug 10 (ATA) - The Kosova issue was on the focus of Monday's negotiations between the deputy prime minister Kastriot Islami and Secretary of State at the Slovenian Foreign Ministry Frank Juri.
      Deputy prime minister Islami said to number two of the Slovenian diplomacy that the latest offensive of the Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic reduces the options for a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue.
      Juri shared the same view saying that the strategy of Milosevic is a criminal one and the Kosova problem is only the top of the iceberg. Juri backed a peaceful solution to Kosova, without change of international borders adding that a spill over of the conflict would engulf other border states.
      Islami and Juri discussed the issue of refugees in the northeastern border of Albania and measures undertaken by the Albanian government as well as difficulties they will face with the approach of winter.
      Briefing the guest on the work of the Albanian government, Islami said that the process of constitution is over, a constitution which has been praised by the Venice commission, and it is expected to be approved during September and October by parliament. He also said them that an action plan in fight against corruption will be approved by the Council of Ministers within the week. ake/pas/ak/

KOSOVA (large-scale attack – Deçan)
All the villages of the Deçan municipality under attack

Deçan, 10 August (ARTA) 1830CET--
The town of Deçan and the surrounding villages of Carrabreg i Poshtëm, Prejlep, Llukë e Epërme, Rastavicë, Beleg, Baballoç, Shaptej, Gramaçel, Junik, Gllogjan, Irzniq and Kodrali, were attacked from all sides yesterday starting from 0930CET until 2000CET, the CDHRF chairman in Deçan informs. The same source notifies that they were stricken by all kinds of weaponry, including the surface to surface missiles. The clashes along all these front lines lasted for about 12 hours and during the whole time, the infantry of the Serb forces made constant attempts to enter these villages. These forces later used all their heavy artillery to continue with the shelling from their military bases in "Hulaj", "Podi i Gështenjave", "Suka e Biteshit", "Kodra e Prejlepit" etc. The CDHRF branch informs that one killed and several wounded resulted from this shelling.
Two helicopters were seen flying over the territory of the municipality of Deçan, this morning at 0700CET, the same sources inform. One of them came from the direction of Pejë and the other from the direction of Gjakovë, cruising in the skies over the villages of this region until about 1200CET.
The village of Gllogjan was stricken again from "Ura e Bajramhasanëve" and "Podi i Gështenjave", from 0845CET until 1030CET.
One of the greatest problems is presently the moving of the population from the war afflicted areas to the ones that have not been stricken by the clashes yet. As the larger part of the population from the attacked villages has already found shelter, many other thousands have remained under the open sky, without receiving any assistance.
The CDHRF branch, chairman, claims that at around 1315CET, Serb forces attacked again the village of Gllogjan, using surface to surface missiles.

KOSOVA (clashes – Gjakovë)
Four Albanians are killed in the fighting of yesterday and today in Here

Gjakovë, 10 August (ARTA) 1600CET--
Bloody clashes between local armed forces and Serb military and police, went on today continuously in the Gjakovë municipal villages Planqor, Hereç, Dujakë and Vraniq. In yesterday's battle which continued today with the same intensity, three elderly from Hereç were killed as well as one youngster (19), while dozens of others were wounded. The field sources confirm that Serb forces have three killed and several others wounded.
The Serbs are using a heavy military arsenal, they shelled continuously for 10 hours from Suka e Biteshit, Kodra e "Çabratit", and from all positions, they hold.
Consequently, more than 15.000 local inhabitants were dislocated from the villages. In addition, the inhabitants of Skivjan village were dislocated after the Serb forces threatened them. All these dislocated people are situated in the forests and meadows between Skivjan and Novosellë. On the other hand, the Serb police in Piskotë and Osek checkpoints are not allowing the dislocated people to enter the town. If this bloody drama continues, Gjakovë will probably be the first municipality left without inhabitants in its municipal villages and surroundings.

KOSOVA (killing – Gllogoc)
An 85 years old man killed in front of his house

Gllogoc, 10 August (ARTA) 1630CET—
Following the Serb military\police offensive two weeks ago, the villagers of the villages facing "Gryka e Llapushnikut" in Drenica and those of the area of Llapushë in Malishevë, are still massively fleeing their houses, due to the lack of security.
In the village of Llapushnik, ever since the first day of the Serb offensive, Zeqir Gashi (85), was determined not to leave his home. Yesterday, the Serb forces killed him in front of his house. Because of the insecurity and the fact that the village of Llapushnik is abandoned entirely, Zeqir Gashi will be buried at the cemetery of one of the neighboring villages.
Upon the arrival of the new tanks in Çuka e Komoranit, the situation is getting more and more threatening for the villages of southern Drenica, from where the villages of Sankoc, Kizharekê, Nekoc and Fushicê e Poshtme, are shelled every evening.

KOSOVA (killings – Kaçanik)
Serb police kill three Albanians

Kaçanik, 10 August (ARTA) 1045CET--
A large police expedition, surrounded today at 0730CET, the neighborhood of Kostaj in the village of Gabrricë, municipality of Kaçanik, that extends along the Doganaj-Brezovicë road axis. The house of Miftar Kurtaj, was the Serb police's target. Two hand grenade explosions were heard initially, then they were followed by bursts of automatic arms and heavy police machine guns. The shooting lasted for about 45 minutes.
Afrim Kurtaj, a history teacher, claims that the police withdrew from the village at around 1000CET and on this occasion, they arrested his brother, Danush along with his wife Bylgjyzare and sister Havushë. Fatmir Kurtaj, a teacher from this village was also arrested.
Blood spots, automatic gun and revolver bullet shells could be seen in the yard. Only one of the rooms was burned as the fire stopped before it reached the roof. The walls and the ceiling of this room had many bullet holes. The other rooms were demolished during the raid, and a bad smell could be felt, supposedly caused from the teargas.
A car from the Islamic Union Council from Prizren, brought three corpses of the three killed during today's clashes. Naser Kosumi, mullah at the mosque in Ferizaj, who came in this car, stated that the police handed him the corpses. Only one of the corpses was identified and one of the two other unidentified was wearing a KLA uniform.

KOSOVA (raids – Klinë)
The raid into the Albanian apartments in Klinë continues

Klinë, 10 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
In Klinë, the Serb police and civilians continue raiding empty Albanian apartments. The apartment of the vice-chairman of LDK Main Leadership was raided last night.
In the meantime, many villages of the municipality of Klinë are burned. The village of Kërrnicë, for example, resembles a large ruin with over 20 burned houses, among which the local elementary school, which was built a year ago.
The village is cleansed of population. The only remaining Albanian, Kadri Boja, claims that upon his return, he found two killed Albanians and three killed Serbs who are supposed to be from either Grabç or Binçë.
Albanian sources inform how the Albanian workers abroad, are being harassed by the Montenegrin authorities on their way back to Kosova. Yesterday, seven workers in Switzerland who were returning on a ferryboat from Italy to Montenegro, were maltreated for 6 hours and are now in a very critical health condition.

KOSOVA (wounded – Mitrovicë)
A 7 years old child wounded

Mitrovicë,10 August (ARTA)2000CET--
Yesterday night from 2120CET through 0040CET, Serb citizens and soldiers in the army barracks fired bursts with automatic weapons and even with heavy machine guns. Crowds of sport "fans" went outside in the streets all nights longs and "celebrated" the victory over the Russians, even by swearing at Albanians.
The escapees from the flashpoints paid the heavy toll. One bullet hit 7 years old Endrit (Sahit) Berani. Fortunately, this bullet hit the frames of the balcony prior to hitting Endrit who was looking around. Endrit was given medical assistance and now he is recuperating at home.

KOSOVA (clashes – Likovc)
"Serbs stayed in Likovc for only an hour"

Likovc, 10 August (ARTA) 1900CET--
The smoke caused by the Serb forces' shelling and burning in Likovc, several days ago, was still coming out from the house where Christopher Hill, the American mediator in Kosova, for the first time officially met with the KLA senior representatives. The house now had no roof and the flag that once wove on top of it, is now gone.
Even though, a few days ago the reports stated that the Serb army and police was inside this village, as for today, these claims are false. KLA soldiers, were patrolling along these roads of this hamlet, known as the place where the operating headquarter of the region of Drenica, was situated. Fortunately, the population was already evacuated, thus the number of the victims of the Serb offensive over this village is not so high.
Halil Kadriu, the principal of the elementary school "Emin Duraku" in Likovc, claims that this is the oldest school in Drenica. Today, from this school, built in 1925 and destroyed on 6 August 1998, all it could be seen, were the remaining ruins from the fallen roof and the burned inventory. The bust of Emin Duraku, a partisan hero, was still standing in the grounds of the former school, which for some time served as a shelter for the people who escaped from the endangered regions of Drenica. "This school never served as a shelter to KLA forces and yet it was the first to be stricken, tells Halil, "inspecting" some of the school's carbonated areas. According to him, this school provided shelter for 270 IDPs, who were again forced to flee before this Serb offensive. "This school survived through four wars, and no one ever made any attempts to damage it. Serbs, on the other hand wanted to uproot it, tells he going back to the school's history and explaining how during the World War II, this school held classes in two languages, always trying not to personify the school with any feeling of hatred. Halil is seeking help from the international humanitarian institutions, to rebuild whatever it can be rebuilt from this school.
"The Serbs stayed in Likovc for only about an hour. During this time, all they did was burn and shoot at whatever they ran into, declared a KLA senior officer for "KOHA Ditore". According to him, during the clashes with the Serb forces, who came to Likovc from the direction of Rezallë and Llaushë, KLA suffered only one victim. The Serb violence has left traces along all the streets they passed through. A large number of houses are left without roofs. As for the population, even if they come back, they'll have no place to go back to. In Likovc proper, besides the headquarters building and the school, all the houses are burned, including the health facility, stores...
On 5 August, at around 2200CET, four missiles "S-30" missiles, claims a senior KLA officer, stroke the headquarters building. According to him, this was a sign to evacuate the civilians. He claims that these missiles were launched from the military base in Mokna, near Istog. The artillery shelling of the entire village and the surrounding followed in the morning.
"Serbs might have the strength to forcefully enter our territory, but they once more proved that they cannot put it under control, for a longer period of time", stated the KLA senior officer, who wished to remain anonymous.
Clouds of dust were going up in the streets leading to Likovc, which were flooded by tractors filled with people, who in a considerable number have now started going back to their ruined houses. The villagers with bags in their hands, were walking down the cobble stone rods, with their desperate looks in their faces almost as if they were expressing their condolences in front of each ruined house.

KOSOVA (besieged – Llaushë)
400 villagers of Llaushë still under a Serb police siege

Mitrovicë, 10 August (ARTA) 2030CET--
Yesterday, Veli, Muharrem, Sheremet and Hasim Geci, managed to escape from the siege of the Serb police\military forces in the village of Llaushë (Skënderaj mun.), the CDHRF branch in Mitrovicë informs. These persons informed that for the 8th day now, 400 people are trapped in the village of Llaushë, respectively in the neighborhoods of Gecaj, Shatri and Lani. The majority of them are children, women and elderly, who are every day increasingly threatened by hunger and diseases. Among them, there are also wounded.
They also inform about a number of corpses of the killed during the punishing Serb expedition, among which there are also bodies of killed women. A male corpse of the age around 45, has been lying for more than ten days in the forest of Paratam near Llaushë, the same sources claim.

KOSOVA (military movements – Podujevë)
The military forces stationed at "Tabja e Llapashticës" in Podujevë

Podujevë, 10 August (ARTA) 2015CET--
One part of the military force, that was previously stationed in Llaushë of Podujevë municipality, today at 1400CET settled at the place called "Tabet e Llapashticës", about 2 km far from town, LDK and CDHRF information sources in Podujevë inform.
There are three military APCs, one military vehicle "Praga", 6 military trucks and terrain vehicles with military equipment and soldiers. They were posted on both sides of the Podujevë - Llapashticë e Epërme road and stayed there until the late afternoon hours.
The same sources inform about Serb force movements in the direction of Kosova. A Serb military convoy made of 3 buses and several trucks filled with soldiers and fighting equipment, arrived in Kosova from the direction of Serbia. Small groups' movements of the Serb police\military forces were evidenced around the town many times today.
Added Serb police movements were also witnessed in Podujevë proper. The police groups today were larger than usual.

KOSOVA (trial – Prizren)
The trial of the 9 arrested students, starts

Prizren, 10 August (ARTA) 1600CET--
The trial of 9 arrested leaders of Independent Students Union (UPS) of the "Xhevdet Doda" College in Prizren starts tomorrow.
According to the statements of attorneys "this is a framed up political trial against Albanians, because there is no proof that the accused "associated for hostile activities". They were arrested because they organized a first aid course. As it is known, such an action is legal and guaranteed with all International Covenants.
It is expected this trial will be presided by Serb Judge Jovica Mitrovic. According to "Koha Ditore" sources, the students have been gravely maltreated physically and psychically at the State security.

KOSOVA (communiqué of the Housing trade-union)
Fourteen thousand buildings destroyed

Prishtina, 10 August (ARTA) 1500CET--
"...According to the data issued by the Trade Union, at least 317.000 inhabitants are temporary dislocated from their homes, while 14.000 buildings were destroyed during this period in Kosova, because of the violence applied by the Serb forces.
The number of the escapees and destruction has increased, especially after the latest Serb offensive. The Trade Union data from one month ago provide figures of about 200.000 dislocated and for 7.000 destroyed buildings, while the actual figures are almost doubled compared to the previous ones.
" They are 251 residences encompassed in the war", states the record of the Trade Union, while only a month ago there were information about 163 of them .
The Housing Independent Trade Union (SP) estimates that 40.000 dislocated out of total 317.000, have abandoned Kosova, while the rest 280.000 are being sheltered in Pejë, Gjakovë, Mitrovicë, Prishtina, Prizren, Vushtrri and other areas which as yet are not caught by the war. SP states that some of them are still staying in the forests , where "life conditions are below every minimum".
The overall balance of material damages, as estimated by SP reaches 3 billion Deutsche Marks, which is twice bigger compared with statistics from one month ago.
According to SP, the committed agricultural determent and the quantity of the plundered wares conducted by Serbs, is impossible to be evaluated at the moment.
The most endangered area according further to SP is Drenica region. The SP's data inform for 46.000 dislocated people from Skënderaj municipality and 2.400 buildings ruined, while in Gllogoc municipal area , they are around 1.000 ruined buildings.
The information indicate that in Deçan Municipality, 3.200 houses and shops are destroyed. In Klinë 1.800 buildings are damaged. Rahovec, which has been the target of recent Serb attacks, has been the most damaged one compared to the data from the previous month. SP sources state that they are 1.800 buildings destroyed in Rahovec.

KOSOVA (Contact Group proposal)
The Contact Group document has a few ideas that are not so relevant

Prishtina, 10 August (ARTA) 1715CET—
The American Ambassador to Shkup, Christopher Hill, who came to Prishtina once again, evaluated that "the document" which the British Ambassador, Robert Donelly, brought to Belgrade a few days ago, includes a few ideas that are not so relevant.
According to the American diplomat, the document contains "many ideas", some of which he evaluated as "very relevant" as the others "maybe not as much relevant".
The American Ambassador, who is mediating between Prishtina and Belgrade with the authorization of the Contact Group, met today Kosova Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova.
"We had highly significant conversations", stated Hill, concerning his meeting with Rugova.
We talked about the present situation, particularly about the situation in the field and about the ongoing problem of the displaced persons. We also had very important conversation about the negotiating process and the need to recommence with the negotiations as soon as possible", emphasized Hill.
Asked as to whether he also served as a mediator between the Albanian political parties and KLA, Hill replied: "I am here to look and see if I can contribute to finding a solution for this horrifying problem in Kosova, hence I am doing many things in this aspect".
On the question as to whether the beginning of the negotiating process is anywhere close, the mediator claimed that "during these two past weeks, the conditions to carry on with the negotiations were very difficult", however, he also claims that there is also the conviction that "there is no other solution but the negotiations".

KOSOVA (KLA communiqué)
A message to the Albanian People from the KLA General Headquarters

Drenica, 10 August (ARTA) 1800CET --
"Albanian People, the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) which was created in the flames of the Liberation War is capable to carry on further the struggle until victory, even following the vandal offensive of the primitive Carpatians.
The offensive of the enemy with its destructive dimensions has not changed our determination to follow the way of honor and national dignity, but on the contrary, it has strengthened our conviction and obligation keep on persistently and continue bravely the struggle for freedom. It has persuaded us that with more qualitative and professional organizing, by enlarging our rows with brave and faithful soldiers, we will defeat our enemy and will liberate our occupied territories. KLA contended bravely and perseveringly (also in this massive offensive) the heavy artillery and machinery of the enemy, causing it considerable losses in soldiers and warfare technique.
We, the KLA have never had the illusion that our war for freedom will be short, will be won or lost in one battle, or offensive, but we were and we are still convinced that its destiny depends on our unification and acting as one entire nation.
Therefore, in this historical turning point we appeal to the Albanian nation from all ethnic territories to join Kosova Liberation Army, to uphold and support it, in its all-encompassing, just and liberating war. Let us all feel the wounds, which are being inflicted to the people of Kosova by the barbarian occupier, as one body.
We invite the political subjects of three Albanian centers and all the mechanisms of the Albanian State to act quickly and concretely as a nation, because now it is the high time for it. Do not be afraid from the unification for the struggle for freedom, because we won't lose anything and we will win what we deserve. We appeal to the International Community to stop equalizing the criminal with the victim. The barbarian criminals (who transformed a big part of Former Yugoslav federation into ruins and mass graves, and they are continuing to do it in Kosova) must be condemned more vigorously and with determined means.
We want to make NATO aware that we are not against any military intervention anywhere where it is necessary, but every intervention in the border between Kosova and Albania we will understand as a second offensive against freedom and our national honor and dignity. The crime must be stopped, as well as those who float on the blood of nations.
The Albanian people has not chosen the war by itself, but it was imposed to us after a long wait. The way we are following is not covered with red roses or Persian carpets, all the people in the world that strive for freedom have followed this way.
Albanian people, the KLA soldiers with full conscience and determination, are choosing freedom or death rather than life under slavery on our soil. We will prefer better living in the mountains and forests, than hearing the evil barks of Serbian hyenas and their envoys. Our salvation is in our unification and determination", is stated in the message of KLA General Headquarters, delivered by KLA representative Jakup Krasniqi.
 

KOSOVA (KD interview – Shaban Shala)
"KLA agrees with a War or a Coalition Government - The general KLA Headquarters have the ultimate word"

Likovc, 10 August (ARTA) 1930CET--
Shaban Shala was staying in a makeshift office, tired from the latest fighting and the journalists who wanted to know what was going on. He answers with a keen smile on the face.

KD: In the last weeks, there were many rumors about the failures of KLA. What’s happening in fact?

SHALA: We are in war, and the war has many battles. It happens for one battle to be lost, but one nation that fights for liberation and a liberation army, cannot lose. KLA has not failed.

KD: More than 100.000 people have lost the houses, since war started in Kosova. How do you express condolence to these people?

SHALA: So far, more than 250.000 people including the escapees of the latest Serb military offensive have moved out from their houses. Serbs used even surface to surface missiles, like S-30 from the military and rocket base in Mokna. So, we were forced to evacuate the people in order to save them, because the attack was focused mainly onto the dislocated people and civil buildings. What can we say? The people know what Belgrade thinks and does in this aspect. The people are aware that as long as the war continues, until we win freedom, we may experience burning, killings, massacres and persecutions by the Serb government and military.

KD: Does KLA still have support in these areas?

SHALA: Yes. Maybe not individual support, but the people back us. And, this is because this army has emerged from this people.

KD: Do you plan to undertake any counteroffensive?

SHALA: KLA is strong after surpassing this offensive. Its lines are becoming larger. Of course it will act and attack, and will expand wider in the near future.

KD: What do you think about the negotiations with Serb side? We know that you have met Christopher Hill recently...?

SHALA: In the meeting with Hill, KLA has agreed in principle with the project of a War Government or a Coalition Government. The KLA general Headquarters will say the last word in a communiqué, a meeting or through its representative.

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