Tagesnachrichten 13. August 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1520 August 13, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 13. August 1998
7. to call on the Commission and the Council to provide all necessary humanitarian aid to the victims of and the refugees from the acts of violence and call on member states to stop returning refugees and asylum seekers to Kosova where protection cannot be guaranteed;________________________________________________________________________
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 # 1520-B
Prishtina, 13 August 1998
President Rugova Announces Kosova Negotiating Team
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - The President of the
Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova announced today (Thursday) afternoon
the Kosova team for negotiations with Belgrade.
In a press availability in Prishtina, in which
American and European diplomats were present as well as political party
representatives of Kosova, the President of the Republic of Kosova said:
"I am honored to announce - in the presence of
the Contact Group and Ambassador Chris Hill, who has been working with
us - the Kosova negotiating team. The situation in Kosova is grave and
extremely dangerous. We have to press ahead with the negotiating process,
to create a climate conductive to negotiations, to protect the people of
Kosova and to bring an end to the dramatic developments in Kosova.
I have designated a negotiating team from the
political parties represented in the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova.
The team consists of Dr. Fehmi Agani, Fatmir Sejdiu, Tadej Rodiqi, Edita
Tahiri and Ilaz Kurteshi. There are some vacancies, which can be filled
if need arises.
We have asked to join this team also Bajram Kosumi
from the Partia Parlamentare e Kosovës (Parliamentary Party of Kosova)
and Mehmet Hajrizi from the Lëvizja Demokratike Shqiptare (Albanian
Democratic Movement). Sadly, they have not accepted to be members of the
team. We call on them to reconsider their decision and to join efforst
to bring an end to this situation in Kosova.
I urge all the citizens of Kosova to support
my decision."
Statement by Ambassador Christopher R. Hill
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - The U.S. Ambassador
to Shkup/Skopje, Chris Hill, who has been serving as mediator for Kosova,
who was present when President Rugova announced the new negotiating team
today afternoon, said there was a pressing need for negotiations on Kosova
to resume.
Following is the text of his statement read out
to reporters:
"I am here, together with representatives of
the Contact Group, the EU Presidency, and the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to
express our full support for the new negotiating team that has been announced
today. This team is prepared to resume the process of negotiations despite
the fact that violence is continuing on the ground. It is precisely because
of the violence that it is so important to restart negotiations.
With the formation of this team, Albanians are
demonstrating their readiness to engage in meaningful negotiations. The
other side must do the same. Without negotiations, the people of Kosovo
will continue to suffer. With negotiations, we can end the conflict and
allow people to resume their lives and build a new future.
I know that the international press corps is
here today in large numbers, but for a moment I want to speak through the
local press to the Albanians in Kosovo. This negotiating team has been
created to represent your interests. It is responsible to you. This team
will have the critical task of negotiating agreements that end the violence,
foster democracy, and establish the basis for a fair solution to the overall
problem of Kosovo.
These are tasks that cannot wait even one more
day, because with every passing day, people lose hope that Kosovo can be
a safe and secure place in which to live. We must restore this hope and
look to Kosovo's future.
These are tasks that cannot wait even one more
day, because with every passing day, people lose hope that Kosovo can be
a safe and secure place in which to live. We must restore this hope and
look to Kosovo's future.
Let me be very clear - the violence must stop,
and it must stop immediately. There is no military solution to Kosovo.
The only result of continued fighting will be continued suffering. Sadly,
it is ordinary people - the residents of each town and village - who suffer
the most from this conflict. They don't deserve this. Those who are displaced
deserve to come home in safety and security. They deserve a political negotiation
that will quickly yield concrete results.
We hope and expect that all elements of your
community will come to support this process. To those who - for whatever
reason - do not, I ask that they reserve their judgment and allow the process
to go forward.
The U.S. will remain an active partner in finding
a resolution to the Kosovo problem. We will not abandon the search. Together
with our colleagues in the Contact Group, we will do all we can to encourage
the peace process. In the coming days, we will work hand in hand with the
negotiating teams to push ahead. Anyone who has spent any time in Kosovo
over the recent weeks and months understands that there is simply no alternative."
Ambassador Hill took two questions.
Asked about what the next steps would be, he
said the next step is to have some people from the U.S. team coming here
and beginning to work with the negotiators immediately, "to go over various
ideas".
"We would like to build momentum quickly, to
get some early success. And we hope that with early success we can get
additional participants to the process. As Dr. Rugova said, the process
is very much open. We very much look forward to additional people to come
in.", Hill said.
Asked to say whether the UÇK (Kosova Liberation
Army) has been ignored, the U.S. envoy said: "No one has been ignored.
The door is open."
Remarks by Austrian Ambassador on Behalf of EU Presidency
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - Following are the remarks
by the Austrian Ambassador to Belgrade, Wolfgan Petrisch, after the announcement
of the new Kosova negotiating team in Prishtina today:
"I represent the European Union Presidency here
in Prishtina today. I would jus like to reiterate what Ambassador Hill
just said, that is the European Union Presidency supports the negotiating
team that was just presented to you by Mr Rugova. We hope that it will
help to stop the violence which has been the goal and what the European
Union has called for in the past couple of weeks. We hope that the basis
for negotiations are now set and that all the people from Kosova as well
as the political groups will support this negotiating process. We appeal
to the Yugoslav side to take this chance and to immediately return to the
negotiating table and start negotiations and a substantial dialogue with
the Kosovo Albanian people. Thank you."
Kosova Information Center
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Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT # 1520
Prishtina, 13 August 1998
Serbian Offensive in Border Area Continues, Intensity Lower Today
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - Gunfire was reported
continuing in the villages of the Reka e Keqe region and in the huge hill
village of Junik, but its intensity was lower today (Thursday), local LDK
sources in Gjakova said. They referred to the latest developments in the
border area with Albania, where a strong Serb military offensive, involving
scores of tanks and heavy artillery pieces, totalling 250 vehicles, has
been going on for days.
Heavy Serb attacks went on yesterday well into
the evening in the villages of Gjakova, such as Hereq, Dobrigjë and
Firajë. The main target and the scene of heaviest fighting between
Serbian troops and local Albanian resistance forces was in the villages
of Deçan, though, sources said.
The villages under Serb attack have been reported
smoldering today, smoke billowing from them.
Against this background, the heavy intensity
of the fighting in the past four days, many casualties and an immense material
damage are presumed to have been suffered by both sides.
Serb helicopter gunships flew over the town of
Gjakova, and they are presumed to have been operating yesterday in the
villages that have been the scene of armed conflicts.6
As a result of Serb military and police operations
in the past several months, over 30 Albanian villages in the municipality
of Gjakova have been deserted, whereas most of them have been turned into
scorched earth, local LDK sources said.
In the evening hours Wednesday, Serb convoys
of military and paramilitary forces paraded the streets of Gjakova, exhibiting
as their war trophy uniforms of the UÇK (Kosova Liberation Army)
and UÇK insignia. Serbs engaged in a shooting spree and sang chauvinist
songs addressed to the Albanians.
Meanwhile, there have been worrying reports that
Serb military engineering units have been involved in construction works
of an unknown nature in the Kodra e Çabratit, adjacent to the town
of Gjakova.
The humanitarian situation in Gjakova is catastrophic,
the swelled population being threatened by starvation and epidemics, local
sources said.
A certain amount of humanitarian aid supplies
reached Gjakova yesterday and today, largely inadequate to meet the needs
of the population, the LDK chapter in Gjakova said.
UÇK Says Demaçi Should Chair the Work for "Creation of the Institutions of Kosova"
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - The General Staff of
the Ushtria Çlirimtare e Kosovës (UÇK, Kosova Liberation
Army) issued today (Thursday) afternoon a statement, entitled "Political
Declaration, No. 7", in which it referred to its latest set-backs in Kosova
as "a tactical retreat", and publicized the names of six people, "the political
representatives of the UÇK", while naming a seventh, Adem Demaçi,
as the man who should lead the work for the "creation of the institutions
of Kosova".
"The tactical retreat aimed at protecting the
civilian population has proven to be successful", the statement said, adding
that the retaking of "war positions is proof of this".
Having faced also what it calls a "special warfare",
the UÇK has emerged out of this situation "stronger than ever",
the statement said. "This is the best evidence of our determination to
press ahead with the struggle till independence is achieved."
Speaking about the new political and military
conditions in Kosova, the UÇK said "institutions that will represent
a wide spectrum of the political scene" should be created.
Against this background, and "to bring an end
to manipulation regarding the creation of these institutions", the General
Staff publicized the names of its political representatives. They are Jakup
Krasniqi, Xhavit Haliti, Bardhyl Mahmuti, Haxhi Thaçi, Faton Mehmetaj
and Sokol Bashota, the statement said.
The UÇK said "speculation on the formation
of the institutions" represents "one of the forms of the special warfare
against the vital interests of the Albanian people".
"We herewith call on the proponents of such speculation
to bring an end to actions that bring disunity. If they fail to do so,
we will strike unmercifully", the statement said.
The statement said that "in order to expedite
the process of the creation of the Kosova institutions, the General Staff
of the UÇK herewith entrusts wholeheartedly Adem Demaçi with
a leading role in this process".
Being as it is, "outside any party umbrella,
the UÇK demands that Adem Demaçi give up his party activity",
the statement of the General Staff concludes.
Adem Demaçi is currently leader of the
Parliamentary Party of Kosova (PPK).
Serb Police Wages Brutal Campaign of Violence in Mitrovica
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - Scores of Albanians,
passersby and ordinary citizens, were reported brutalized in the town streets
of Mitrovica during a large-scale campaign of violence waged by the Serb
police on Wednesday afternoon.
The LDK chapter in Mitrovica reported that several
Serb patrols manning over 60 police officers sealed off both ends of the
main street in the town at around 13:45 yesterday, brutalizing dozens of
Albanians for over two hours. Random passersby and customers in shops and
cafs were attacked indiscriminately and beaten with no reason whatsoever
by the outraged Serb forces.
Many received serious body injuries and had to
seek medical treatment later. Others were taken to the Serb police station
and subjected to additional torture. At least one Albanian, Shemsi Ferizi
from Qabër village, received gunfire wounds. Serb police opened fire
in the direction of Mr. Ferizi when he attempted to avoid the unprovoked
brutality.
The local LDK chapter in Mitrovica said it could
identify some of the Albanians beaten by the Serb police, including Akif
Zeqiri (38), Behxhet Abdullahu (47), Beqir Sahiti (36), brothers Tafil
and Aziz Salihu, Fadil Veseli (31), Ismet Beka (54), Kemal Greci (43),
Naim Deva (41), Avni Zasella (27), brothers Ujkan (36) and Abedin Asllani
(40), Nexhmedin Rexha (43), Ramiz Beqiri (35), Bekim Bajrami, Hasan Deliu
(47) and his son Xhevdet Deliu (12), Avni Muharremi (40), Bashkim Hasani
(40), Muhamet Zeka (51). Identity of at least a dozens others could not
be established as they have failed to report their cases with the LDK or
human rights organizations in the town.
The following Albanians were arrested in the
streets in Mitrovica yesterday according to the local LDK chapter: Aziz
Misini (52), Skënder Sadiku (36), and Hysen Hasani, techesr with the
local secondary school in the town, Bahri Isufi, owner of a restaurant
and Abit Avdiu, proprietor of a tea-shop called "Lisi". They were all subjcted
to brutal ill-tratment while incustody.
Serb Paramilitaries Attack Albanian Village in Vushtrri
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - The village of Gllavotin
in Vushtrri ('Vucitrn') was fired upon for several hours from a neighboring
Serb village of Prilluzha last night, local villagers said.
Residents of Gllavotin told the LDK chapter in
Vushtrri that their farmhouses were attacked for over four hours with machine-guns
and snipers. Damage was caused on many houses in the village and several
haystacks were burned, they said.
The Gllavotin villagers spent the night in the
basements or other safer places in their houses. The village was
attacked on several occasions earlier during then past weeks from the neighboring
village of Prilluzha as well as other Serb bases in the area, local sources
said.
Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in
Vushtrri said a convoy of Serb army tanks drove along the villages of Okrashtica
and Pantinë yesterday. Local residents were intimidated and provoked
by Serb soldiers on top of the tanks who simulated machine-gun attacks
against them.
Serbs Open Machine-gun Fire on Obiliq Villages
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - Four villages
in the municipality of Obiliq - Graboc i Epërm, Shipitullë, Siboc,
Lajthishtë and Hamidi - were targeted with machine-gun fire
by Serbs both on Wednesday night and toady morning, sources said.
These villages were attacked from the villages
of Babimoc, Janovodë, and Milloshevë, as well as Serb police
positions at "Kosova B" power plant, the LDK Information Commission in
Obiliq reported.
Several village around the power plant in Obiliq
and the open-pit coal mine in Bellaçevc have been targeted almost
every day by the Serb troops over the past two months. The area has been
sealed of by Serb forces and local Serbs armed to the teeth in the wake
of a huge offensive by the Serb troops to regain control over the mines
from the UÇK.
Most of the local Albanian population left the
area ever since, unable to return amidst campaigns of intimidation and
intermittent firearm attacks agaisnt their homes.
Serb Police Shuts Down Warehouses of Kosovar Aid Organization
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - The Serb police shut
down Wednesday warehouses of the Council for Emergency Aid in Prishtina.
A statement issued by the Councils today said the Serb police raided its
warehouses, carried out a stock registration and closed them down.
The Council for Emergency Aid of the Republic
of Kosova was founded last spring in the wake of the Serb crackdown on
Drenica villages, central Kosova, when thousands of Albanians were made
homeless. The Serb police has raided its offices and depots in Prishtina
on a couple of occasions last and this month.
"The serious obstruction to the Council by the
Serb occupying regime will further deepen the prevailing humantarian crisis
in Kosova", the statement of the Council for Emergency Aid said amongst
others.
Armed Serb Burglarizes Bakery in Prishtina, Beats and Bullies Workers
PRISHTINA, Aug 13 (KIC) - The Prishtina-based
Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said and armed
Serb civilian broke into the "Dardania" private bakery in Prishtina on
Tuesday night, terrorizing and beating employees and robing of its owner,
Muhamet Berisha, 1800 Deutsche marks.
The CDHRF said that the first name of the Serb
was Dragan, failing to learn his secons name. He fired a volley of bullets
from an automatic rifle on the bakery before breaking into it through a
window.
Employees of the bakery were forced at gunpoint
to walk to a nearby railway road where they were beaten and intimidated,
the human rights council said.
Kosova Information Center
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RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC_______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 2, No. 155, Part II, 13 August 1998SERBS STEP UP 'MASSIVE ASSAULT.'
Serbian forces took Gllogjan, located near the Decan-Gjakova road, from the Kosova Liberation Army (UCK) on 12 August. The Serbian paramilitary police and Yugoslav army troops subjected Junik, near the Albanian border, to what Austrian Radio the next day called a "massive frontal assault" with artillery. The Kosova shadow-state authorities in Prishtina appealed for the establishment of a humanitarian aid corridor for the benefit of the civilian population of the beleaguered village. "The Guardian" wrote that Serbian forces set fire to forests along the Albanian frontier and burned abandoned villages in the central Kijeva area. Journalists subsequently "found dozens of empty bottles of barbecue lighter fuel on the ground" in the villages. The satellite broadcaster Euronews reported that the Serbs have begun to use land mines in areas other than along the Albanian border, which they mined several weeks ago. PM
EU CONDEMNS ATTACK ON JUNIK.
Following the launching of the assault on Junik on 12 August, Austrian Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schuessel, speaking in his capacity as current EU chair, called on the Yugoslav authorities to stop the violence, which, he said, could worsen an "already unbearable humanitarian situation." Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic recently promised EU envoys that his forces would not attack Junik, where some 1,000 UCK fighters and 1,000 civilians are trapped, an RFE/RL correspondent reported from Prishtina on 12 August. In London, a spokesman for the Kosovar shadow-state government told CNN that if the Western powers do not intervene soon in Kosova "we will very shortly see the whole region ablaze." In Prishtina, unnamed Western diplomats told Reuters and Euronews that time is running out for starting peace talks because winter is approaching and many crops have either been destroyed or are in need of harvesting. PM
BELGRADE REJECTS CRITICISM.
The state-run Tanjug news agency on 12 August slammed the UN Security Council's statement the previous day, which said that the Serbs have used "excessive force" in Kosova and conducted a "scorched-earth policy" (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 12 August 1998). Tanjug wrote that the statement "does not help at all to give an objective and true picture" of the situation in Kosova. The news agency added that the text ignores the role of the Kosovar leadership in the conflict and does not mention that Serbian forces are "forced to react to terrorist attacks and provocations." Tanjug also accused Slovenia, which currently holds the Security Council chair, of being "true to its anti-Yugoslav and anti-Serbian policy." Elsewhere, the Foreign Ministry in Belgrade "most energetically rejected" recent Albanian charges that Yugoslav helicopters violated Albanian airspace, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 11 August 1998). PM
JOURNALIST STICKS TO STORY OF MASS GRAVES.
Erich Rathfelder, who is a veteran Balkan correspondent for Berlin's "taz" and Vienna's "Die Presse," told an RFE/RL correspondent in a telephone interview on 12 August that he stands by his recent report of mass graves of Kosovar civilians in Rahovec (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 12 August 1998). He stressed that international forensics experts should visit the area as soon as possible. Rathfelder is in Croatia and has been barred by the Serbian authorities from returning to Kosova. FS
DUTCH LAUNCH NEW INVESTIGATION INTO SREBRENICA.
Frank de Grave, who is the recently appointed Dutch defense minister, announced in The Hague on 11 August that his Ministry will investigate the role of Dutch UNPROFOR peacekeepers in the fall of Srebrenica three years ago and the subsequent massacre by Bosnian Serb troops of up to 8,000 Muslim males. The announcement comes in response to repeated charges by legislators and UNPROFOR veterans that the Defense Ministry deliberately destroyed films and other evidence that allegedly reveals that Dutch troops helped the Serbs round up their victims. Some veterans also said that the Ministry "systematically" sought to block any investigation into what happened at Srebrenica and into the Ministry's role in any subsequent cover-up, the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" wrote on 13 August. PM
BOSNIAN SERBS SHUT DOWN NEWS AGENCY.
Republika Srpska Information Minister Rajko Vasic said in Banja Luka on 12 August that the government has ordered the closure of the Pale-based Bosnian Serb news agency, SRNA. Vasic added that the authorities made their decision because of SRNA's "fabrications, tendentious reporting, and manipulating of the speeches of top state officials." He also criticized SRNA's "apparent imbalance" in the length of the reports about officials loyal to the Banja Luka-based government and about the government's hard-line opponents in Pale. SRNA was the mouthpiece of the leadership headed by Radovan Karadzic during the 1992-1995 war. PM
AFRICAN BOMBINGS LINKED TO ARREST OF FUNDAMENTALISTS IN ALBANIA?
The "International Herald Tribune" on 12 August reported that U.S. investigators are looking into a possible link between the recent embassy bombings in Tanzania and Kenya and the earlier arrest in Albania of four Islamic fundamentalists from Egypt, who may have been employees of the wealthy Saudi expatriate Osama bin Laden. Albanian police made the arrests in late June in close cooperation with the CIA, according to the daily. Several Arabic newspapers wrote before the bombings that the CIA took the suspects out of Albania and subsequently turned them over to authorities in Egypt. The "International Herald Tribune" also quotes unidentified Western security experts as saying that Osama bin Laden may have struck an alliance with the Egyptian-based Jihad group, which had faxed a statement to news organizations before the bombings threatening retaliation for the four arrests. FS
ALBANIAN SECRET SERVICE CHIEF DENIES AFRICAN BOMBINGS LINK.
Secret service chief Fatos Klosi told "Koha Jone" of 12 August that he has no evidence that the embassy bombings in east Africa are connected to the expulsion from Albania of the four fundamentalists. Klosi admitted that some Islamic fundamentalists are active in Albania but stressed that Albania is "not a center of international terrorism." He added that in recent years, Albania has been a "very convenient place" for people fleeing prosecution in their own countries. He added that Albania "is poor and ready to accept assistance, and its borders are easy to cross." Meanwhile, the governing Socialist Party has requested a special parliamentary session to discuss the issue of Islamic fundamentalism. FS
EUROPEAN TROIKA SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ALBANIAN GOVERNMENT.
The European Troika, which consists of representatives from the European Parliament and from the parliamentary assemblies of the Council of Europe and the OSCE, visited the northern Albanian city of Bajram Curri on 12 August. Delegation leader and Austrian senior diplomat Gerhard Jandl praised Albania's Kosova policy and assured the Albanian government officials of EU support, adding that the EU will keep up diplomatic pressure on Belgrade. He stressed that Albania has improved its internal security and made progress in its fight against corruption and smuggling. The previous day, Jandl told Albanian officials that the EU will promote cooperation with Albania in trade and fishing, help attract foreign investment in the country, and encourage high-ranking international participation in a donors' conference slated for October, ATSH reported. FS
U.S. Ambassador Hill in Prishtine: "We had good talks with Rugova"_______________________________________________________________________PRISHTINE, August 12 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:
"We had good talks with Rugova" said today in Prishtine the U.S. diplomat engaged with Kosove, Christopher Hill following closed-door negotiations for more than one and a half hour with the President of the Republic of Kosove, Ibrahim Rugova.
The U.S. diplomat, who came to the capital of Kosove from Skopje where he is holds the post of the U.S. Ambassador, gave no other details for the content of the talks with Rugova.
Hill will have other meetings in Prishtine. /fh/das/xh/Kosova with a new negotiating group and a full staff government
PRISHTINE, August 12 (ata) - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports:
A new group for negotiations with Belgrade has been formed according to some sources in Kosove, but still there is no formal confirmation.
Members of the negotiating group are, according to the sources, the academician Fehmi Agani from the Democratic League of Kosove (LDK,) a close collaborator of the President of Kosove, dr. Ibrahim Rugova; Mehmet Hajrizi, secretary general of the Albanian Democratic League of the academician Rexhep Qosja; Bajram Kosumi, deputy chairman of the Parliamentary Party of Adem Demaci; Edita Tahiri and Fatmir Sejdiu from the LDK.
Still according to unofficial sources, referring to the Government of Kosove, a solution for the moment will be the restructuring of the present government of Bukoshi. /fh/das/xh/Calm situation in Tropoje
BAJRAM CURRI, August 12 (ata) - By Riza Hoxha:
Although the influx of the refugees from Kosova to the district of Tropoje has been considerably lower, still about 30 people cross the border daily, the chairman of the district council Xhevdet Hoxha told ATA.
According to Hoxha, the situation in the district continues to be calm in the recent days, which has enabled the state structures to deal more with the problems worrying the local population.
The spokesman of the district police commissariat told ATA Wednesday that no wounded people have crossed the border while on Tuesday there were three injured who came from Qafe of Morine for medical treatment in the city hospital, and now are out of danger for their life.
The people displaced from Kosove are being registered and provided identification and food cards. So far, 6 800 people have received these cards while the number of the refugees from Kosove is thought to be over 17 000.
Now work for the reconstruction of some buildings in Fierze which will be used to shelter the refugees from Kosove, has started by a German foundation.
According to local government leaders, a plan has been drafted for the creation of optimal conditions for a normal life for the refugees from Kosove. /a.ke/das/xh/
Brussels, 12 August (ARTA) 2000CET--
NATO Permanent Council, which is comprised of
the ambassadors of member states and the Secretary General of the Alliance,
discussed today in a formal meeting about the recent events in Kosova and
the military plans of NATO for intervention there. Secretary General, Javier
Solana, said that "he is deeply worried about the continuation of violence".
In one of his statements it is stated that the Council today scrutinized
the military plans which encompass a wide range of options on applying
force in order to halt the fighting in Kosova and to create grounds for
talking.
The framework of these options includes the combined
use of infantry and air forces, as well as the option for a separate use
of air force. According to the statement of NATO Secretary General, NATO
can act quickly and with determination if there is a need for it. The Council
in today’s session authorized the military authorities to contact with
the member states of the Alliance on the number of forces which they will
engage in the air operations of NATO in Kosova.
In Solana’s statement, it is stated further that
the plans of NATO have the full backing of International Community and
especially of Contact Group.
Whereas a senior NATO official declared after
the meeting of the Permanent Council that a NATO intervention in Kosova
would be conducted, as he said, "within the framework of the legal axis".
He did not elaborate the details and did not state whether the resolution
of Security Council of UN will be necessary, or is this possible to be
done through OSCE, saying that there are differences among the allies about
this, because some states have already emphasized that such a resolution
is not necessary.
He was asked by "Koha Ditore" what does he mean
with the statement that "NATO will intervene if the circumstances are such",
the NATO official said that this implies "the escalation of the conflict
in the field and the political decision of NATO about its engagement".
NATO sources stated that "this organization will
follow closely the events in Kosova, and other decisions are expected to
be made by the end of the month". According to the same sources, now the
things will depend from the standpoints of the member states. A NATO source
also after today’s meeting, repeated the stand that "they prefer a diplomatic
solution saying that none of the possibilities for NATO engagement are
excluded".
This source also indicated that one of the possibilities
is for NATO to be engaged in the quality of the peacekeeping forces. To
the remark that the peacekeeping mission can be established only if the
peace is set previously, and it ought to be intervened if the peace is
to be set, the NATO official answered "NATO intervention, of course if
the political decision is adopted, will have the task to stop the fighting
and establish peace". Of course according to him "the best thing should
be if both parties achieve the agreement for armistice. Nevertheless we
are ready to fulfill the task which is expected from us", said the NATO
official for "KOHA Ditore".
KOSOVA (possible NATO intervention)
Kohl "the possibility for NATO Intervention
even without UN mandate is not excluded"
Bonn, 12 August (ARTA) 2200CET--
Following the session of the NATO General Council
and harsh criticism to the Serb offensive and aggression in Western part
of Kosova, it seems that German attitude has significantly changed.
Accordingly, after the yesterday's statement
by Defense Minister, Ruehe, the advocate for German "Tornado" military
planes participation in air raids, today in the hall of German Chancellery,
Helmut Kohl, declared in front of numerous journalists that "the Security
Council of UN plays a very significant role in solving the problem of Kosova",
but if the situation in Kosova reaches catastrophic dimensions as those
in Bosnia, then Germany will commit itself also concretely to "get engaged
for attacks and efforts to put an end in Kosova conflict even without a
UN mandate".
KOSOVA (preparedness – Germany)
Germany offered 14 military planes for an
intervention in Kosova
Bonn, 12 August (ARTA) 1630CET--
Following the Governments meeting, yesterday
afternoon, the representative of Kohl's Government, Otto Hauser (CDU),
along with the representatives of other departments of the Government,
held the regular briefing. One of the major topics in this briefing was
among others the war in Kosova, which, as they stressed out, has taken
the features of a real tragedy.
Kohl's representative declared for the present
journalists that during this week, two senior officials of the German and
French governments, will be travelling to the region of crisis. On this
occasion, they will be starting a new initiative aiming at encouraging
the resumption of the dialogue between the two sides in conflict.
The representative of the Defense Ministry informed
the journalists that in this Government's session, the attendants reached
a decision, that in case a decision for NATO's military engagement in attacking
the Serb positions is adopted, Germany would be willing to offer 14 "Tornado"
airplanes. Other Defense Ministry sources stated to "KOHA Ditore", that
there are already six "Tornado" planes in Piacenza. They are presently
monitoring the terrain by satellite. In case of a quick decision for attacks
from the air, the Defense Ministry will be ready to immediately send eight
other "Tornados", which would complete a good part of the action organized
by the NATO commanding structures.
The spokesman also told the journalists that
according to the decision reached by the Government on the possible engagement
of the German military planes, there needs to be another vote, respectively
Germany's Bundestag consent in order to have a complete power for the engagement
of German Bundeswehr. Concerning the German infantry engagement, the Defense
Ministry representative repeated his Minister's stand that without a peaceful
process, the infantry cannot be sent over. The only time their shipping
over would have a full effect is after the negotiating process is over,
which would then be secured within the international peace keeping troops.
KOSOVA (war in Kosova)
The army and police set fire to the villages
Deçan, 12 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
Over 250 military vehicles of all types were
headed towards the villages of Deçan municipality. This fierce offensive
has taken over the villages of Glloxhan, Gramaçel, Baballoç,
Shaptej, Dubravë, Llukë e Epërme, Irzniq, Prejlep, Carrabreg
i Ulët, Beleg, Kodrali etc. Besides the infantry, the Serb forces
have also engaged in this offensive, the tank units and other Serb forces
units, particularly the heavy artillery.
This offensive claimed the lives of several Albanians
and wounded over 40.
A very tense situation has prevailed over the
Albanian civilian population, who moved out from their villages, that are
presently taken over by the conflict. Over 25.000 Albanian civilians are
sheltered in Isniq, Prapaqan, Broliq, Lumbardh, Dubovik and other villages,
as the majority of them are staying outdoors, without any food, medicine
and other basic items.
Besides this population, this area also serves
as a shelter to 80.000 other Albanians from the municipalities of Pejë,
Deçan and Gjakovë, who are fearing a possible massacre of the
Serb forces.
The Serb forces have continued with their attacks,
today also, using heavy artillery, firing from all directions of the localities
of the Dukagjin plain.
Serbs shell Fushticë e Epërme and Mirenë
Gllogoc, 12 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
Serb forces shelled today the villages of Fushticë
e Epërme and Fushticë e Poshtme (Gllogoc mun.), and the village
of Mirenë (Lipjan mun.). So far there are information that there are
several burned and damaged houses, as there is still no information about
the eventual victims. The shelling of these villages is being conducted
from the position of the Serb forces in the Golesh forest.
Shelling in Budakovë and Maçitevë
Suharekë, 12 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
Yesterday after 1500CET, the Serb forces, stationed
in Qafë e Duhlës and Biraç, shelled the villages of Budakovë
and Maçitevë (Suharekë municipality).
During the evening hours, on the other hand,
shootings were also heard in the direction of Peçan and Sllapuzhan.
The corpses of the six killed Albanians buried by force
Gjakovë, 12 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
The corpses of the six Albanians killed by the
Serb police, were buried today, under the pressure of the Serb forces at
Gjakovë's cemetery. Out of the six, only the identity of one of them
is known, LDK information sources in Gjakovë inform.
The identified victim is Hasan Osmani (24) from
Nivokaz, who was last night brought to Gjakovë's hospital morgue by
the police.
KOSOVA (villages destroyed – Klinë)
Serb police and military are destroying the
Albanian villages
Klinë, 12 August (ARTA) 1500CET--
Serb police and military are continuously burning
the Albanian properties. Albanian sources claim that Serb police and military
situated in the villages and roads of Klinë, is freely entering and
plundering the Albanian houses and afterwards burns them. In many Serb
inhabited villages markets were established for the sale of the property
plundered from the Albanian houses in villages Gorazhdec and Kastrat (known
as well as Berzhenik). They are many villages similar to Bokshiq, which
had 37 houses, which are now squared to the ground. Serb police and military
burnt and destroyed houses, cars, harvests and wheat stocks. Herd was killed
in the meadows. So one can spot nowadays more than 60 killed cattle remained
in the field, while there are no people around.
There is no information as yet about the escapees
from Bokshiq, Grabanicë and Çeskovë. However, it is known
for sure that they lack food, clothes, shelter and medical care.
KOSOVA (IDPs – Mitrovicë)
The war escapees arrested, beaten and harassed
Mitrovicë, 12 August (ARTA) 1800CET--
Same as last week, the Serb police continued
to apply violence and arrest Albanian people in Mitrovicë. Albanians
are also being trailed for "terrorist" actions. The escapees from the war
afflicted zones that are accommodated in Mitrovicë are arrested, beaten
and harassed, in particular.
In several places where the police is posted,
Albanian passersby are being harassed, hence the Albanian residents of
Mitrovicë have lately tried to avoid these places.
Yesterday, near the bus station Mitrovicë,
the police arrested Sefedin Lahu (31) and Basri Dumnishi (22), that live
in the neighborhood of Shipol. They were kept at the police station for
about four hours. They were beaten severely by the police.
Numerous military helicopters and planes, flew
at a very low altitude over the Albanian localities of Mitrovicë,
this morning.
KOSOVA (IDPs – Lipjan)
Very bad health condition of the displaced
Lipjan, 12 August (ARTA) 1640CET--
Many information sources form the field, especially
those from the localities where the displaced are sheltered speak of an
alarming health situation in Magurë village.
Because of very high temperatures that have been
prevailing these days and the lack of adequate medical check up, six-month
old baby Drilona from Fushticë, daughter of Xhavit and Shpresa Bajrami
died last week.
The installation of the snipers in the building
of the "Golesh" mine, near the local elementary school and other buildings,
prevents the people to ask for medical help in Prishtina.
The same sources further confirm that Kraishtë
village has registered the first difficulties and health complications
of pregnant women, who don’t have any kind of medical treatment. The main
problem is the epidemic of whooping cough. They are already five children
with this disease and because there is no doctor available, it is possible
that the disease will spread. In addition, in Ribar i Madh where 7.000
displaced people are sheltered, pregnant women are facing a very serious
situation. The same situation prevails also in Dobrajë e Madhe, where
4.000 displaced people have found shelter.
KOSOVA (IDPs – Viti)
"Our houses were burnt – where do we go to?"
Viti, 12 August (ARTA) 1730CET--
Sources from the ground in Viti, state that a
low intensity flux of IDPs from other areas has started. The flux of the
dislocated has been spotted lately especially in the area which borders
with Kaçanik and Ferizaj, while four families with 31 members from
Klinë municipal villages, Cerrovik and Mleçan, were sheltered
in one of the rural areas of Viti. They are mainly children, women and
elderly, however, the CDHRF in Viti there is no precise data about their
total number.
According to Fadil Ajeti (an IDP) who is sheltered
together with his wife and nine children in a local peasant house, "we
left our houses four months ago, after the continuous threat and the feeling
of panic implanted in our children. We were hoping to return after some
two-three days. However, the situation was just deteriorating and reached
the dimensions of a real war. Meanwhile the Serb military and police forces
have burnt our houses, compelling us to move from one village to another,
not to mention staying in the forests".
The escapees were helped immediately by the locals
in Viti, municipal political and humanitarian subjects which provided them
food, clothes and medical assistance.
KOSOVA (military movements – Prizren)
Reinforcement of the military forces in Gorozhub
border point
Prizren, 12 August (ARTA) 1700CET--
According to "Koha Ditore" sources from Planejë
village (Prizren Has region), in the Gorozhub border point, between Kosovë
and Albania, bursts of automatic weapons have been heard in the past days.
The same sources say that one Albanian was killed, while another one is
wounded.
Further according to the same sources, more than
100 non-regular military troops are situated in this area.
They are staying in Trojet e Martinëve,
a suburb with no inhabitants and are reported to behave strangely.
A grenade which fell in the meadows has lighted
up a fire, and now it is spreading all over since the locals of this area
do not dare to fade it away, because of the police forces.
Four Serb policemen wounded in the offensive
in Gjakovë and Deçan, were brought yesterday in Prizren hospital,
while the District Court of Prizren has detained Adil Kollari (1968) from
Rahovec, who has been treated as a missing person.
This Court also accuses Tahir Adem Ibrahimaj
(1977) from Llapçevë (Rahovec mun.), who is wounded since 27
July and is undergoing medical treatment at the Prizren hospital, of "association
for hostile activities". According to information from the hospital, Ibrahimaj
was sent to Lipjan Prison hospital.
KOSOVA (burial – Kaçanik)
The three killed buried
Kaçanik, 12 August (ARTA) 1830CET--
Xheladin Kurtaj (22) and two other unidentified
persons, killed by the Serb police on 10 August, were buried yesterday
afternoon in the cemetery of the village Gabrricë, in the presence
of the family members and a large number of the residents of Kaçanik
and the surrounding villages.
Danush Kurtaj (37), Xheladin's brother and Fatmir
Kurtaj (36) his cousin, are still being held in prison, inform the Kurtaj
family members. On the other hand, Danush's wife, Bygjezare (31) and his
sister in law Danushe (39) were released from prison yesterday.
The Serb police arrested yesterday at around
0500CET and is still keeping under arrest the following persons: Mejdi
Dalloshi (54) from Kaçanik, chairman of the Municipal Education
Council, Tefik Reka (59), from the village Bob, municipal education inspector,
Avdylgafurr Luma (37) from the village Glloboçicë, member of
the LDK leadership branch in Kaçanik and a former political prisoner
and Hasan Dalloshi, teacher in the village Soponicë.
All of them were arrested inside their houses,
which were previously surrounded by the police and raided. The reasons
of their arrests are unknown.
On the other hand Agron Raka (27), who was arrested
with his father T. Raka, was released yesterday.
The current killings and arrests, besides causing
a great dissatisfaction among the residents, have made the situation in
the municipality of Kaçanik tenser.
KOSOVA (Contact Group proposal)
What are the contents of the document?
Cologne, 12 August (ARTA) 1800CET--
"All the options in the text have been proposed
by all members of 'Contact Group' which is an innovation in the plan and
the engagement of this group", said a western diplomat, even though it
was stated that the 'menu' which has been handed to Belgrade and Prishtina
by British Ambassador Donelly will be secret until the parties study the
proposals.
According to this source, the first proposal
is "Republic of Kosova minus", or the "autonomy of Kosova plus within "FRY",
without that constitutional ambiguity, respectively without applying any
changes in the status of Kosova in regard to Serbia.
The same source states further that the option
of South Tyrol comprises the second proposal which is suggested by the
Institute for International Relations and Politics in Belgrade. The authors
of this project are Predrag Simic and several experts of this institution
on Italian Alto Adigio. This project was approved and scrutinized by the
"FRY" Foreign Ministry and Milosevic himself, state sources close to the
western diplomacy.
According to this diplomatic source, the third
proposal has to deal with Aaland Islands in Finland. International experts
gave the same proposal, but Elizabeth Rehn who comes herself from Aaland
Islands, declared some time ago that this proposal is not appropriate for
Kosova.
The Russian proposal is the fourth one, and it
pretends the problem of Kosova to be resolved according to the model of
Tataristan. This state is linked to the Russian Federation through a treaty
with Russian President, the Russian Government and the State of Tataristan.
The state of Tataristan is Independent according
to its Constitution, however it has no competencies to decide upon the
gold mines and any commerce with it, because everything goes through the
Russian government.
The most stable proposal which does not define
the status of Kosova, but provides a space to decide in a near future,
is the option of "the silent trusteeship", as it was labeled diplomatically
by this diplomat, which is probably an American or German proposal. This
proposal provides possibilities that during these three upcoming years
an atmosphere of mutual understanding is to be established, and that Kosova’s
status will be decided upon after three years. Some American Institutes
and a part of State Department have proposed this option.
The same diplomatic source remarks further that
it is very probable that both parties will be determined for the most favorable
option. For further developments of situation it remains to be seen, when
negotiations start.
The International Community does not enhance
the creation of Republic of Kosova as a third republic within the "Yugoslav"
framework, stated on Tuesday, the spokesman of Russian Ministry of Exterior,
Valery Nesterushkin. Trying to elaborate further his statement that the
solution of the Kosova problem is a necessary compromise for both sides
which implies also the change of the "FRY" constitution, Nesterushkin emphasized
that the Contact Group has offered some proposals and some of them require
the change of the "FRY" and Serbian constitutions.
Asked whether the "FRY" President will be ready
to recognize the third Republic, namely Kosova, within the "FRY" framework,
Nesterushkin answered that he is not entitled to give any comments on whether
the leaders of both parties will recognize or not something. By this, Nesterushkin
has notified that one of the options of Contact Group proposal is Republic
of Kosova within the "FRY" framework.
The German Foreign Ministry still keeps as secret
the variant of the proposal. According to this Ministry, it is true that
the status of Republic is mentioned as a variant, but also other models
like the one of Alto Adigio province (or South Tyrol) are mentioned as
well.
Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry has declared
that the international Community thinks that "Kosova is an internal problem
of the "FRY" and the best thing is if both parties will reach a compromise,
and we will recognize the agreement which may be reached between both sides".
Finally, Wolfgang Petrich, the Austrian Ambassador
to Belgrade, says that "the special status is the only model and solution
for Kosova problem and in the upcoming talks, KLA has to be included in
all these above mentioned variants".
KOSOVA (new negotiating group)
Dr. Rugova announces the new group of negotiators
tomorrow?!
Prishtina, 12 August (ARTA) 2100CET--
While waiting for KLA's official reply on the
coalition Government of Kosova, which was said would come these days, the
developments in the political scene in Kosova have undertaken a totally
opposite direction.
Ibrahim Rugova called the meeting of the LDK
Leadership, during which they discussed a new initiative for the foundation
of a second group of negotiators. This initiative, according to the diplomatic
sources, was "launched" by the Americans, respectively by the American
Ambassador to Shkup, Christopher Hill. The latter came with a strict order
from the American Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, to mediate in
the urgent creation of a new group of negotiators, during this week.
The following were proposed as members of this
group: Fehmi Agani, Mehmet Hajrizi, Bajram Kosumi, Edita Tahiri and Tadej
Rodiqi. The list of names that should compose this group also includes
Veton Surroi, Mahmut Bakalli and Fatmir Sejdiu.
In this function, Rugova, met with Mehmet Hajrizi,
the candidate for the president of the still not formed coalition Government,
who has been communicated the decision for the creation of this group and
was asked the naming of the persons from his party to participate in it.
The same sources state that Rugova has personally drafted the list of the
new group's members. Although it has been claimed that the discussions
on this plane, will proceed tomorrow and all the proposed have been invited
at the Writers Association seat to discuss about this, the Albanian Democratic
Movement (LDSH) notifies that this party still hasn't reached a decision
to accept such an initiative, if it does not claim at least KLA's consent.
Parliamentarian Party of Kosova (PPK), on the other hand, states that according
to this party, such an initiative is absolutely unacceptable. Its vice-chairman,
Bajram Kosumi highlights that "the members of the former G-15, have themselves
claimed that this was a terrible mistake, its repetition, under the present
circumstances, would be even a more drastic mistake". Asked what if KLA
and LDSH accept this new group, PPK vice-chairman, recalling that his party
is a body of its own, replies: "It would be a big mistake for KLA or LDSH,
if they were to get engaged in such a group. We as a party are against
this initiative. If we are able to do something about Kosova, we will do
it, but to joke around on the expense of the people, this we cannot accept".
Presently, it is still not clear where KLA fits
into all this. Otherwise, one of the major reasons of the collapse of Rugova’s
first negotiating group, respectively "G-15", was the necessity of KLA's
engagement in it, as well as the newly created circumstances, about which
it is said that they made its functioning impossible. These circumstances
have not changed, except for the "pressure" of the American friends.
Nevertheless, the announcement of the new negotiating
group, is expected to take place tomorrow, sources claim. On the other
hand, some of the proposed negotiators claim that they will not accept
the participation if a political consensus is not achieved on this group.
The issue of the creation of the Coalition Government has been put aside
by Rugova, despite the fact that KLA's official pronunciation is expected
precisely now. Even LDK and the parliamentarian parties seem to have changed
their "mood" concerning the initiative for the creation of "all-parties
executive", where all the political and national bodies would be included.
KOSOVA (emergency council blocked again)
The police closes down the warehouse of the
Emergency Council of Kosova
Prishtina, 12 August (ARTA) 2300CET--
Today the police raided, registered and closed
down the warehouse of the Emergency Council of Kosova (KRNE).
At around 1115CET, the financial inspectors,
escorted by the police, entered the KRNE premises and arrested the Secretary
of the Republican Council and acting president of this council, Dibran
Bajraktari, who was released later.
In front the KRNE warehouse, stood two tractors
loaded with food that were being unloaded in the warehouse, where the Serb
financial inspectors were in, registering the wares and saying that "this
warehouse is going to be closed down for as long as it is not registered".
KOSOVA (war in Deçan)
What is NATO doing today?
Irzniq, 12 August (ARTA) 2230CET--
"What is NATO doing today" was the only thing
it could be heard all over Bistricë e Deçanit, in Lluka e Ulët,
Pozhare and Kodrali, where the shelling was shaking the ground.
Even Irzniq, after 1400 shelled grenades 25 surface
to surface missiles and many projectiles, in five minutes alone, was asking
about NATO.
At the center of Irzniq stood Milaim, a man who
knew nothing about his family "sheltered" in Prishtina.
His transistor had run off batteries, and now
he couldn't hear any news, as he was standing with perseverance behind
his heavy machine gun, without trenches, under the 1401th grenade.
The villages of Irzniq, Prejlep, Shaptej, Gllogjan,
Gramaçel, Baballoç,... names we have heard and read about
so much, were burning up in flames, in the fourth week of the Serb offensive.
"The Serb forces attacked us with over 110 fighting
vehicles, mainly tanks, APCs, rocket systems", Milaim was saying, as he
continued to "fire" with his "Gulinov".
"Over 25 surface to surface were fired in an
interval of 5 seconds" he was saying, pointing with his finger in the direction
of the villages of Gllogjan and Prejlep, from where smoke was coming up.
Unfortunately, it was not the grain of mister Christopher Hill that was
on fire, but rather the houses of thousand Albanians, who escaped for God
knows what time.
Milaim was saying that the Serb forces entered
Gllogjan from Shaptej. They did not manage to come through Prejlep and
Irzniq to Gllogjan.
Side by side with Milaim Bujar, Naser... were
also fighting. Naser's brother was killed. He was buried by the road, 'because
it was such a heat that the body started decomposing immediately. We couldn't
even make it to the cemetery".
They were all telling how the grenades fell over
the hospital where their compatriots and their fellow combatants... were
hospitalized.
"The improvised hospital was destroyed, the school,
the KLA headquarter, the mosque, they were all shelled", they tell, showing
the craters a meter deep, with a diameter of two meters each.
"These are from the rockets", said they, in one
voice.
However, "…they got even as well. They killed
thousands and destroyed around 10 tanks."
Irzniq had about 20.000 civilians who were sheltered
there following the offensive in Deçan, in their attempt to find
a roof over their heads and a little security. All of them could now be
seen somewhere along the hill of Bistricë e Deçanit. They were
moving for the third time, from one village to another, from one house
to another.
Some of them were headed to Isniq, where there
are presently over 15.000 people.
"Presently the entire Dukagjin is concentrated
in almost villages alone", says Dr. Syla, as he was standing by his surgery
desk, in the village Isniq.
In addition, the desk was standing on four logs,
by the closet with some paracetamol and a very few "needles".
"This is our pharmacy", Dr. Syla was saying.
Even Dr. Syla, after thousands of patients, asked "what was NATO doing
today".
Convoys
Two convoys went out on Tuesday. The first went to Klina and UNHCR was the lead vehicle. Two 25-ton trucks, two 10-ton trucks and three 4WD vehicles representing Mercy Corps International, Children's Aid Direct, Doctors of the World, Handicap International and the Mother Theresa Society made the delivery. Mercy Corps delivered 48 metric tons of wheat flour. Other commodities included 2,300 famliy packs, 1,080 hygiene packs, blankets, shoes, clothing, and various other commodities.
At the same time, a convoy made distributions in Bajince and Cirez. Two 25-ton trucks, five 10-ton trucks and three 4WD vehicles made the distribution in which the World Food Program was the lead vehicle. Mercy Corps International, Save the Children Fund, Handicap International, Doctors of the World, Catholic Relief Services, Mother Theresa Society and the World Food Program all participated. Mercy Corps delivered 48 metric tons of wheat flour. Other commodities delivered included plastic sheeting, family packs and various handicapped materials. Police at all checkpoints were polite and courteous.
New IDP Count
The Mother Theresa Society has issued new figures on internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kosovo. The figures issued yesterday, August 12, relect an overall increase of slightly over 20,000 from their August 4 count. This increase has not been as dramatic as the previous difference (over 44,000). It should be noted that tens of thousands of IDPs are still camped outside in the woods and hills throughout Kosovo while others continue to shift from host family to host family.
The MTS count (by municipality) for August 12 is:
8,000 Serbica/Skenderaj
12,000 Glogovac/Gllogovc
46,500 Mitrovica
10,000 Lipjan
28,000 Vushtri/Vucitern
450
Obilic/Obiliq
13,668 Pristina
35,000 Malisevo/Malisheva
11,300 Istog
N/A
Runik
27,000 Pec/Peja
15,000 Klina
35,000 Djakovica/Gjakova
N/A
Fushe Kosove
10,000 Ferizaj
28,000 Decan
N/A
Junik
25,000 Suhareke
3,573 Magure
N/A
Isniq
3,500 Shtimje
N/A
Rahovec
135
Mramor
15,000 Prizren
N/A
Caber
327,625 Total
We will continue to keep you updated on this humanitarian crisis as it unfolds.
LINK to further press news
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