Tagesnachrichten 19. August 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1526 August 19, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 19. August 1998
Erneut 62 Serben und Kosovo-Albaner nach Belgrad abgeschoben________________________________________________________________________Düsseldorf (dpa) - Die nordrhein-westfälische Regional-Regierung hat am Mittwoch erneut gemeinsam mit dem Bundesland Niedersachsen 62 Serben und Kosovo-Albaner von Düsseldorf nach Belgrad abgeschoben. Dies teilte der Sprecher des Innenministeriums, Ludger Harmeier, mit. Aus Nordrhein-Westfalen seien sieben straffällig gewordene Kosovo-Albaner und 37 weitere abgelehnte Asylbewerber aus Jugoslawien an Bord eines Flugzeugs der jugoslawischen Fluggesellschaft «JAT» gebracht worden. Unter den Abgeschobenen sei auch eine Mutter mit vier Kindern gewesen.
Bereits Ende Juli hatte Nordrhein-Westfalen gemeinsan mit Niedersachsen 93 abgelehnte jugoslawische Asylbewerber nach Belgrad abgeschoben.
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;________________________________________________________________________
EU Commissioner Bonino in Kosova Today
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - The European Union (EU)
Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino, is on a trip to Kosova
today (Wednesday).
She was scheduled to visit the Malisheva area
today, and meet later in the day in Prishtina with President Ibrahim Rugova
of Kosova. "Many humanitarian agencies are by now denouncing the ethnic
cleansing plan carried out by the Yugoslav army [in Kosova], but we do
not hear the same vigorous denunciation, let alone more determinate reaction,
from capitals," the EU Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Emma Bonino said
in a statement in Belgrade yesterday.
U.S. Government Has Responded to the Kosova
Crisis with over $10 Million in Aid
EU earlier this month pledged humanitarian aid
worth five million ECU ($5.5 million) to victims of the Kosova crisis.
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - Assistant Secretary
of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, Julia V. Taft, outlined
the U.S. government's response to the humanitarian situation related to
the conflict in Kosova at a public forum with representatives of non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) on 18 August.
The humanitarian situation in Kosova has deteriorated
so rapidly in the last several weeks "that we find ourselves on the brink
of what may soon be a 'humanitarian crisis'", Julia Taft said. She said,
"the USG has responded to the crisis with over $10 million in aid," most
of which is channeled through NGOs. The United States, Taft said, continues
"to maintain pressure on Serb officials to allow unfettered access for
humanitarian organizations in Kosovo." While humanitarian support is important,
it alone will not solve the problem, in Kosova, the senior official said.
"That is why we have been actively engaged in Kosovo on a political level.
Humanitarian concern has always been and will continue to be an important
component of our political strategy in Kosovo."
Reports of an artificial food shortage continue
to trouble the United States, Taft said. "We have publicly condemned any
artificial food shortage and have asked Ambassador Hill to address this
issue with [President] Milosevic of the 'FRY' personally. We will continue
to investigate this and other allegations until we have resolved them."
Another cause of concern to the United States
is the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes. Taft
said that the United States is "encouraging a bolstered international presence"
and that it will "intensify pressure on Milosevic to fulfill his promise
of return."
Following Taft's remarks, Eileen Malloy, deputy
assistant secretary of state for European and Canadian affairs, took part
in the exchange with NGO representatives and stressed that the United States
is following a multi-track approach to the situation in Kosovo.
The humanitarian aspect of the crisis, while
it has the most immediacy in terms of relieving people's suffering, is
"just one of three tracks we're working very hard on," Malloy said. Equally
important in the long run is the track of negotiations for a peaceful settlement
of the Kosovo conflict, according to Malloy. And a third track that is
"extremely important" involves assuring that "all of the allies at NATO
finalize their planning" for potential action, she said.
The United States Government has provided direct
financial contributions, commodities and equipment to international and
non-governmental organizations responding to the humanitarian needs related
to the Kosovo conflict.
Below is a list of USG response to the conflict,
as of August 13, 1998:
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
-- $2.6 million to support emergency appeal
-- 185,000 Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs)
International Committee of the Red Cross
-- $700,000 to support emergency appeal
United Nations Children's Emergency Fund
-- $250,000 to support emergency appeal
World Food Program
-- $830,000 in commodities
-- 8 surplus vehicles for use in Albania
Non-Governmental Organizations
-- close to $5.3 million for humanitarian aid
delivery and shelter projects
-- 265,000 Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs)
Other contributions are forthcoming. USG will
respond to the future UN appeal, expected in late August 1998, the Prishtina
USIS Office Washington File reported.
Meanwhile, a statement released by the European
Union office in Belgrade said the EU earlier this month pledged humanitarian
aid worth five million ECU ($5.5 million) to victims of the Kosova crisis.
"Many humanitarian agencies are by now denouncing
the ethnic cleansing plan carried out by the Yugoslav army [in Kosova],
but we do not hear the same vigorous denunciation, let alone more determinate
reaction, from capitals," the EU Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Emma
Bonino said in a statement in Belgrade yesterday.
Albanian Detainee Dies from Serb Police Torture
Adem Berisha is the second Albanian to have died
in Serb custody in three days
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - A 33-year-old Kosovar
Albanian, Adem Berisha, died Tuesday evening in the surgery department
of the Prishtina Hospital after having been subjected to torture in Serb
security hands.
He is the second Albanian to have died in Serb
custody in three days.
Adem Berisha, from Buqë village of Dragash,
father of two, was arrested by Serbian police last Thursday to only be
taken to hospital the next day. Badly tortured, he was first taken to the
Prizren town hospital, and was transferred in a coma to the Prishtina hospital
later in the day. Reportedly, the now late Adem Berisha taken to the Prishtina
hospital in a coma having suffered, inter alia, grave kidney injuries,
and never came to senses until he died last evening at around 18:10. The
room he was being held in the hospital was tightly guarded by the Serb
security, witnesses said.
Another Kosovar Albanian, Cen Dugolli, an LDK
activist from Ferizaj, died Monday in the Prishtina hospital. Arrested
on 21 June 1998, he was likewise taken from Serb jail to the hospital in
a critical condition, where he died a day later. He had sustained injuries
on vital parts of his body, with doctors unable to save his life, sources
in the Prishtina hospital claimed.
Another human rights activist from Ferizaj, Rexhep
Bislimi, died in hospital on 22 July, also after having been subjected
to outrageous torture for two weeks in Serb custody.
Sources told the KIC last Monday that there were
several arrested Albanians, tortured in Serb jails, being treated in the
Serb- administered Prishtina Hospital clinics. Sources named them as Adem
Berisha (who died on Tuesday), Fatmir Duga and Mejdi Limani, as well as
Arsim Hasani, Agim Jaha and Qerim Jetishi, who were taken away by police
on Monday. Such patients are commonly guarded by Serb police.
Albanian School Principal Killed During Serb
Offensive
Isuf Ahmeti was head of LDK sub-chapter in Ponoshec
village of Gjakova
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - During the most recent
Serb offensive against the villages of the municipality of Gjakova, Isuf
Ahmeti (53), resident of Stubëll village, school principle of the
local elementary school "Ganimete Tërbeshi" at Ponoshec, and chairman
of LDK chapter at Ponoshec, was killed, LDK sources said.
He was killed in his home at Stubëll, and
brought two days ago to the Gjakova hospital morgue. He was buried yesterday
in the town cemetery in Gjakova, at the order of the Serb police, LDK sources
said.
Serb Troops Open Artillery Fire from Kodra e Zhdrellës
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - From their positions
on Kodra e Zhdrellës, Serb troops opened heavy artillery fire in the
direction of the Deçan area early in the morning today (Wednesday),
local LDK sources in Gjakova said.
Gunfire was reported in the border belt area
overnight, they added. Reports said meanwhile that part of the military
troops deployed in Kodra e Zhdrellës has been withdrawn, and replaced
by Serb police forces.
A Number of Albanians Arrested in Osek-Hylë Village
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - Five native Albanians
of the village of Osek-Hylë, near Gjakova, were arrested Monday by
Serb police, LDK sources said, naming them as Zog Lulaj, Sahit Thaqi and
his son Qamil, and Muhamet Arifi and his son. Their whereabouts are unknown.
A few days ago Serb media said the residents
of the village had surrendered their weapons. Now it is in this very village
that Albanians are arrested and ill- treated and have their homes raided
by police, local sources said.
Gunfire, Fighting Reported Continuing in Klina
Villages
More than thirty villages destroyed and burned
by Serb forces, 33,000 Albanians displaced
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - Gunfire has been reported
in the past three days in many villages of the municipality of Klina.
Local sources said there has been resistance
put up by local Albanian defense forces in the villages of Leskoc, Kosh
and Vranoc, while fighting was reported also in Jashanicë, Jellovc,
Gjurgjevik i Madh, Dobërdol, Ujmir and Çabiq.
In the municipality of Klina, Serbian forces
have in the past months burned many villages, including Gllarevë,
Rigjevë, Stapanicë, Zabërgjë, Cerovik, Çabiq,
Dobërdol, Ujmir, Siçevë, Shtaricë, Jashanicë
e Epërme, Jashanicë e Poshtme, Dush, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Jellovc,
Resnik, Pogragjë, Shtupel, Kërrnicë, Zajm, Klinaç,
Drenoc, Grabanicë, Dollovë, Bokshiq, Këpuz, Çeskovë,
Rastokë, Grebnik, Dollc, Grapc.
The 33,000 Albanian population of these villages
has fled away.
Part of the Albanian population has fled the
town of Klina itself, too, where there have been cases of Albanian houses
burned and destroyed also.
There is no traffic on the Klina-Prishtina, Klina-Gjakova
and Klina-Skenderaj ('Srbica') roadways which are littered with Serb military
and police roadblocks.
Such roadblocks have been put in places in destroyed
Albanian villages also. It is troops manning roadblocks that have been
engaged in looting and burning of Albanian villages.
The population of the municipality of Klina has
been scattered in other parts of Kosova and exposed to appalling security
and humanitarian conditions.
One Albanian Dies, Four Wounded, as Serbs Pound Malisheva Village with Artillery
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - A 45-year old Albanian,
Ibrahim Begaj, was killed Tuesday afternoon, when his Banja village near
Malisheva came under heavy Serb fire. His wife Subhije Begaj and his son
Agim Begaj, and a 7-year-old girl in the village, received shrapnel wounds.
Sources in Malisheva sad Serb troops launched
a heavy artillery attack against Banja village at around 4 p.m. yesterday.
Immense damage was caused in the village, which had not been the target
of serious attacks earlier.
The LDK Information Commission in Malisheva said
shooting from machine and artillery guns was heard today morning coming
from the village in the neighboring municipality of Rahovec.
The commission could not obtain immediate information
about the exact location and the extent of possible fighting there.
Five Bodies Brought to the Prizren Hospital Morgue
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - Serbian forces brought
last night five bodies to the hospital morgue in Prizren, local LDK sources
said.
The bodies have not yet been identified, but
are they presumed to be Albanians killed by Serb military at the border
are with Albania, near Gorozhup.
'Yugoslav' military sources said yesterday they
killed five 'Albanian terrorists' near Gorozhup.
Serb Security Gun Down Fleeing Kosovar Refugees
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - Around a dozen Albanians
were killed by Serb forces over the past week while on their way
to flee to the neighboring republic of Montenegro, the LDK chapter in Deçan
reported today. Local LDK sources did not offer details, though.
Reports said an increasing number of people from
areas affected by the recent Serb offensive in Peja and Deçan have
been attempting to make it to safer areas in Kosova and Montenegro. The
refugees who take mountainous routes have been reported ambushed and commonly
subjected to unwarranted firearms attacks by Serbs security.
The Democratic League of Albanians in Montenegro
(LDSHMZ) said 25 Albanians from Deçan area were ambushed last week
on the hills between Kosova and Montenegro. The LDSHMZ named two Albanians,
Idriz Imeri and Ali Zuki from Isniq village of Deçan, who were wounded
in such an ambush.
Meanwhile, the VOA Albanian Section said two
Kosovar Albanians were killed by Yugoslav army near Plava region in Montenegro.
One of the killed Albanians was identified as Shkelzen Berisha (14) from
Pozhar village of Deçan, while the identity of the second victim
could not be established as his head was badly mutilated.
Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in
Deçan warned today again of a critical humanitarian situation prevailing
in the municipality. At least 10 thousand refugees have been for days living
rough in the open on Strellc hills, drastically running short of basic
food and medical supplies.
Serbs Set Afire Houses of Their Albanian Neighbors
PRISHTINA, Aug 19 (KIC) - Armed Serb civilians
have set afire five houses of Albanians in the Frashër i Madh ('Svinjare')
village of Mitrovica in the past two days, local sources said.
LDK sources in Mitrovica said the houses of the
following Albanians in Frashër were burned by their Serb neighbors:
Kurtan Hasani, Miran Hasani, Fejzullah Rexhepi, and Bejtullah Rexhepi and
Azem Rexhepi.
Most of the local Albanian population has fled
the village of Frashër i Madh amidst a growing campaign of intimidation
and violence by both Serb police and armed civilians.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
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The views expressed in the news reports and texts forwarded to the List are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policy or position of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Quoting is allowed only if the source of the information is specified.
***********************************************************************MEDIA CENTER REPORT
http://www.mediacentar.org/vesti_centra_e.htm9 August 1998 17:30 PRISTINA - The police forces took control of Zociste village, nearby Orahovac, today afternoon, local municipal authorities confirmed to Media Centar.
Following the attack of Orahovac, July 18, 1998, Albanian extremists kidnapped 27 old men and 8 monks from the local monastery, who were released, thanks to the International Red Cross.
Serbs and citizens who fled Zociste, can return to their houses now, Orahovac municipal authorities reported.
One of the oldest Serbian Orthodox Church monasteries in Kosovo and Metohija is situated in Zociste.
Armed Albanian extremists from the village attacked police positions in the nearby village, called Velika Hoca, early this morning. The police fired back and the Albanian extremists started retreating towards Opterusa and Retimlje villages.
Then the police took control of Zociste village, and the clashes are underway.
During the attack against Orahovac, July 18, 1998, the Albanian extremists kidnapped a certain number of Serbs from Opterusa and Retimlje villages and took them away in an unknown direction.
-END-
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_______________________________________________________________________"Cooperative Assembly" military exercises continue in Albania
- Albanian units represented with dignity among NATO troops -BIZE, 19 August /ATA - Enkelejda Koraqi/ - The second day of the military exercises "Cooperative Assembly", continued its procedure with joint military demonstrations of peace support troops.
All the region where the exercises are held, resemble a theatre of war, where all troops present act in a synchronized way.
Albanian unit of commando troops, has accomplished Tuesday, together with Turkish forces an operation on the clearing of mined areas, with the duty of detecting mined areas, finding out the kind of mine and ways of their discharging and their destruction.
Later on the exercises continued with demonstrations of climbers units. From a height of 30-40 metre, in a rocky area almost in a vertical line, with a high rate of danger, the Albanian units, in cooperation with Italian troops, demonstrated ways of descending together with alpine equipment.
During these demonstrations Albanian units showed that are able to coordinate their actions in equal conditions with armies of the NATO countries, fulfilling successfully all elements of the program of these exercises./fh/French troops lead humanitarian NATO project in Albania
TIRANA, August 19 (ATA)-By E. Koraqi,
In the context of joint exercises "Cooperative Assembly" in the town of Kruja, the engineers' company of the French army are heading the project for the construction of a school.
The building of the school shows that the training unfolds both a military and a humanitarian character.
Some 245 engineers and soldiers from four countries are working to realise this project successfully.
The team participating in the plan for school repair includes a French company of 139 soldiers, several Albanian engineers, 39 Italian troops and 37 U.S. troops.
The fund for all works exceeds $120 000. The leader of this project, French Lieutenant-Colonel Michel Bioret said that he was much impressed of the cooperation of all those involved in this humanitarian plan. /das/lm/Parliament to convene in emergency session on Kosova situation
-Gjinushi, Dokle and Godo meet-TIRANA, August 19 (ATA)-By Y.Pata,
Albania's parliament is expected to meet soon in an emergency session to discuss the latest developments in Kosova.
This was confirmed by the chairman of the parliament's Foreign Policy Commission, Sabri Godo, who on Wednesday met with the Parliament's Speaker, Skender Gjinushi, and deputy speaker Namik Dokle.
The objective of today's meeting was the grave situation created along the northern border with Serbia, where besides the aggravation of the situation of the Kosova refugees, there is an increase of Belgrade's provocations against the Republic of Albania, which reached the climax on Tuesday with a number of shells of the Yugoslav army violating the territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania.
As the chairman of the Foreign Policy commission told reporters, today's meeting decided that a meeting of the presidency of the People's Assembly with the chairmen of the parliamentary commissions be called on Monday which will also decide on an emergency session.
Godo said that parliament will examine the situation created and take the appropriate measures, also consulting the government.
"Parliament should declare state of emergency in Tropoje and approve a special law on administering the situation of the Kosova refugees," said Godo, who asked that the presence of the government representatives in Tropoje be increased and they be given more powers.
In the meantime, Godo asked for a session of question and answers with Deputy Minister and Minister of Local Government Bashkim Fino, who, according to Godo, should report on the government's possibilities to come to the aid of the Kosova refugees. /das/lm/Albanian government protests against Padesh incident
-Charge d'affaires of FRY embassy summoned to Albania's Foreign Ministry-TIRANA, August 19 (ATA)-By I. Luto,
The Albanian government on Wednesday sent a "strong" note of protest to the Yugoslav government concerning the latest incident on the Yugoslav-Albanian border, Albania's Foreign Ministry press department reports.
The note of protest, which was handed over to the charge d'affaires of the FRY embassy to Albania, Stanimir Vukicevic, expresses the Albanian government's deep indignation at Belgrade's policy which, through the latest repeated provocations, has attempted to share the blame on the crisis in Kosova with the Republic of Albania and to involve Albania in a conflict it does not want.
The latest incident took place yesterday, in the region of the border post C3 in Padesh-Tropoje, where 15 artillery shells landed about 1.2 km inside Albanian territory. One of the shells exploded 100 m near the Padesh village houses, causing panic among the inhabitants of the village and forcing them to find shelter inside territory.
"Such grave incidents, which have recently been repeated systematically, are an expression of the same logic of war and confrontation our region has suffered and continues to suffer from."
Reaffirming the categorical stand of the Albanian government towards these provocations, the Albanian Foreign Ministry asks the Yugoslav side, through the note of protest, to put an end to the hitherto policy towards Albania. /das/lm/
At least 800 persons lost, dispersed and abducted in Kosova_______________________________________________________________________
- Committee for Defence of Human Rights in Prishtina -PRISHTINA, 18 August - ATA correspondent Behlul Jashari reports from Prishtina: -
At least 800 people have been taken hostage or abducted by the Serbian military forces, during military operations of this year in Kosova.
Council for the Defence of Human Rights in Prishtina published today their names and issued a call to the people to declare and gather evidence for other such cases.
The Council has addressed a call to all international organizations to engage in the actions for the liberation of all the missing people, for investigation into the missing and the massive graves in Kosova, in which many Albanians whose fate is not yet known, are believed to have been placed./fh/
THE JOINT MILITARY MANOVRES TROOPS ARE SPECIAL ONES_______________________________________________________________________TIRANE,19 AUGUST, ENTER/-Sources of Defence Ministry of Albania said to Enter Tuesday that all troops participating in the joint manoeuvres of the NATO troops, PFP and Albanian troops are special troops.The sources said that the American soldiers, after the end of one day manoeuvres will move to the NATO base at the Adriatic sea, because they are marines and due to the high security measures at this base.
The sources said that a military unit of the Americans actually are protecting the American embassy in Tirana, side by side with the forces of the Albanian police which are guarding out of the territory of the embassy. The sources said that the guarding of the American embassy was planned before the beginning of the manoeuvres, but the reduction of the American troops in the manoeuvres had resulted in the reduction of the militarymen guarding the embassy.
The sources said that high security measures had been taken at the hotel "Tirana International", where the main offices of the NATO troops are located.BELKGRADE KEEPS A DUMP EAR TO THE ALBANIAN PROTESTS FOR TERRITORY VIOLATIONS
TIRANE, 19 august/ENTER/- The Yugoslav party has refused meeting the Albanian party following the incident of Tuesday on the state border between the two countries in Tropoje district. "With regard to yesterday's incident, where three artillery shells fell nearly 1000 meters near villages Padesh and Kamenice of Tropoje, the Public Order Ministry said in official comunique.The Albanian party handed over a letter to the Yugoslav party. The latter said "We shall inform our commission and will give a formal response." But the Yugoslav party not only did not appear in the meeting, said the spokesman, but it sent to the border point two trucks with soldiers. It is not the first time that Yugoslav authorities do not come in meetings, the spokesman added.
It was reported that two Serb shells had violated the Albanian territory in the district of Tropoje.THE PEACE TALKS IN PRISTINA FAILED
PRISHTINE,19 August/ENTER/ The meeting of the Kosova and Belgrade negotiators, planned for Tuesday failed. "If the deputy head of the Serbia government, Ratko Markovic, (head of the Serb delegation), has nothing to say about halting violence and withdrawing Serbia forces, then, we have nothing to talk about," Dr. Fehmi Agani, head of the Kosova negotiating team, told media . Agani said that Markovic leaves these things aside and invites Albanians to a meeting Tuesday. "The invitation of the Serbian government head has been timed for propaganda," said Agani, adding that the way of continuing talks will be decided by U.S. ambassador Hill, who was in Belgrade yesterday and in Pristine Tuesday.
Agani made this statement after a meeting of the Kosova negotiating team Tuesday, which is also expected to meet with the U.S. diplomat engaged in Kosova, Christopher Hill. Hill is also expected to meet today with the President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova.
European commissioner on humanitarian affairs, Ema Bonino, arrives in Prishtine this afternoon to see the situation of the Albanian refugees and the existing conditions for the humanitarian aids.GODO: NATO MANOVRES DO NO THREAT MILOSHEVIC
TIRANE,19 AUGUST, ENTER/-The republican deputy and the chairman of the Foreign policy parliamentary commission Sabri Godo, hailed Tuesday the NATO manoeuvres in Albania.Godo said that these manoeuvres are organised not only by NATO, but by the paternership for peace, are of great importance for Albania, but this does not present a serious risk for Miloshevic, because they are organised within the Albanian territory.
Godo greeted the statement of the NATO officers who have said that their presence in Albania is a threat for Belgrade.
Asked about his meeting with the opposition leader Berisha, Godo said that he had no comment.ALBANIAN FOREING MINISTRY CONDEMNS THE SERB TERRITORY VIOLATIONS
TIRANE, 19AUGUST, ENTER/-Officials of the Albanian foreign ministry declared that the Tuesday incident in the Albanian territory is a continuation of the Serb forces against the Albanian border forces and the Albanian border villages.The officials of the Albanian foreign ministry said that in a time when the Nato manoeuvres are organised in Albania the incidents of the Serb troops are a open provocation even to NATO and are a challenge.
They said that this is not the first time that the Serb violate the Albanian territory and the Serb authorities take no measures to prevent such interborder incidents.They accused the Serbs of not presenting in the joint border commissions to discuss about these incidents.
They said that the Albanian government could not do more than the protests against such incidents and ask the international organisations to intervene to stop such incidents.
On the present situation in Kosova they said that a immediate NATO intervention is necessary to end the violence and to open the talk process.
Serb forces shell 1000 meters within Albanian territory_______________________________________________________________________BAJRAM CURRI, August 18 - Three shells of the Serb army fell up to 1000 meters in the Albanian territory in Tropoje district, near the border villages Padesh and Kamenice. The chief of police commissariat of Tropoje district, Fatmir Meta told ATA that at about 9.10 a.m. on Tuesday and later Serb army has opened artillery fire on the border line between Albania and Yugoslavia. The shells falling near the villages have forced the residents there to take away the children and women and be ready for anything to happen.
Sources from the Public order ministry stressed that the villages of Padesh and Kamenice had been objects of these shells and the shootings were heard during all the night and morning along the Albanian border. The sources said that the forces of the local police and special troops are following closely the situation. Fierce attacks and bombing by Serb forces have turned to "a scorched earth" and have applied an ethnic cleansing among the Albanians on the zones bordering Albania, in the suburbs of Gjakove and Decan.
Also Junik, a village with more than 8 000 inhabitants, quite near the border, the biggest in Kosova, has been evacuated two days ago following the latest Serb offensive. The great ethnic cleansing has been extended in the areas bordering Albania in the outskirts of Prizren and Dragash, after the attacks by Serb forces in the villages of Verrin and Opoje. Today's reports say that the Albanian population in the village Ragove i Has of Prizren is leaving because of the concentrations of and threats by Serb forces."Coordinative Assembly" parachutists land on military base of Bize -
The Albanian officials talk about a force demonstration to Belgrade , whereas the NATO official are prudentBIZE, August 18 - Concrete fighting operations of the joint NATO exercises codenamed "Coordinative Assembly" started on Monday. After the opening ceremony at Rinas airport, the first operations programmed for Monday were concentrated on the international base of Bize. The peacekeeping troops were installed in the location prepared long ago in the biggest military base of Albania. At about 1 p.m. a NATO Harrier transport aircraft flew on the Albanian space and in a two-hour time nearly 60 parachutists demonstrated their landing. On the first day of the exercise, the program included medical evacuation, close air support and air- drop procedures.
The exercise will end on August 22, 1998. Taking part in the exercise are about 2000 naval troops, pilots and marines of NATO, 300 of whom are Albanian commandos. 75 planes and helicopters will also take part in the exercise. The Cooperative Assembly is directed by commander-in-chief of Southern Europe Allied Forces, Admiral T. Joseph Lopez. On the second day of the exercise, the NATO troops are expected to realize a mine-sweeping demonstration in Kruje, search and rescue operations and other operations.
Admiral Lopez said that he "hopes that Belgrade and any warmonger in the region will receive the same message -that NATO is ready. We are using the lessons received in Bosnia". Admiral spoke on a number of possibilities and alternatives be used, including the fighting operations by NATO. "We always plan ahead, if the decision making organs in Brussels and other capitals would ask such thing? said Lopez.
The Albanian leaders said openly that the maneuvers are a pressure on the Belgrade government to end the fighting in Kosova. The Albanian premier Fatos Nano said to the journalists that these maneuvers send the necessary messages to the people that are massacred and say to them to work for a peaceful solution.Different opinions about NATO intervention and final status of Kosova on intellectual world circles
Associated Press - Given the dire situation in Kosova, a considerable number of commentators contended that military intervention by NATO seems imminent. Debate continued to rage regarding the need for a UN mandate for such an operation. Most opinionmakers believed that the Alliance would be making a grave mistake should it move without the international body's "blessing." Many pointed out that the situation, however, is complicated by the fact that pro-Serbia Russia is sure to veto any NATO proposal put before the UNSC to intervene in Kosova. Several editorialists judged that the international community's stated position--that Kosova be granted autonomy within the FRY-- is "moving further away from reality." Some suggested that the best solution would be to "upgrade Kosova to a full-fledged member of the Yugoslav Federation, the same way Serbia and Montenegro are." Others reckoned that "the moment has perhaps come to redraw the Balkan map."
This survey is based on 54 reports from 19 countries.
Gjakovë, 18 August (ARTA) 1615CET --
The Serb police and military attacks recommenced
in the villages of the municipality of Gjakovë, Albanian sources from
the ground inform. Loud detonations caused by the Serb police and military
heavy artillery could be heard in the town of Gjakovë, since early
morning hours. Sources claim that the villages of Has and Anadrini are
being shelled. There are no details about the results of this shelling,
although large material damage has been reported. There are claims that
fire was also seen coming from the direction of the border between Kosova
and Albania.
Albanian sources said that a corpse was brought
from the village of Stubëll to the hospital morgue of Gjakovë
yesterday, adding that the identity is unknown so far.
On the other hand, the LDK Information Commission
in Gjakovë informs about a new wave of arrests by the Serb police.
This source informs that over 30 Albanians from the war afflicted bordering
area, which had been sheltered in Gjakovë, were arrested last night.
Their identity and the reason of their arrest are still unclear.
Over 10 thousand IDPs, currently seeking shelter
in the forests of Dushkajë and Anadrini are reportedly in a very alarming
state. The conditions in which they are living are now disastrous because
they are suffering great shortage of food and medicine, since the police
and army have blocked all the roads leading in their direction. The children,
pregnant women and elderly are particularly threatened.
KOSOVA (fighting aftermath - Prizren)
A senior KLA officer killed
Prizren, 18 August (ARTA) 1800CET --
The KLA headquarters in Prizren confirmed that
senior KLA officer from Zhur, Remzi Ademaj, who was known by the war name
Petrit, was killed on 15 August in Grazhdanik of Prizren municipality.
Adem was politically persecuted and was a notable humanitarian activist.
On the other hand, it has been reported that
the Serb police continue with its policy of repression in Prizren proper
and in the surrounding villages.
Lazim Thaqi from Petrovë was physically
mistreated at his work, while Shaban Mazreku, a taxi driver from Dushanovë
was arrested with the pretext that he evacuated escapees from the war zones.
Almost all the passersby were reported harassed
at the police checkpoints at a place called Bodrumi i Landovicës and
near the "Farmakos" factory.
Local sources say that the police improvised
a new checkpoint at the crossing between the villages of Petrovë and
Dushanovë, where they say that they register all passersby.
KOSOVA (fighting - Suharekë)
Several Serb policemen killed
Suharekë, 18 August (ARTA) 1545CET --
Shooting and detonations took place throughout
last night in the conflict-struck territory of the municipality of Suharekë.
Sources close to the KLA claim that several policemen were killed and that
quantities of weapons were confiscated after clashes, which took place
between the KLA and Serb police\military forces in the village of Bllacë
yesterday. Serb sources on the other hand, confirmed the death of one police
officer and the wounding of another in the same clashes.
Serb police\military forces shelled KLA positions
in the villages of Sllapuzhan, Bllacë and Duhël, today as sporadic
automatic gunfire has been reported in the town of Suharekë as well.
The occasional confrontations between armed Albanian forces and Serb police\military
units in the region are becoming increasingly frequent and with higher
intensity. The fighting territory, which is now expanding, engulfing the
village of Maqitevë, shows signs of an escalation of violence. The
humanitarian aspect of the situation is also deteriorating with a large
number of IDPs seeking shelter in the nearby villages of Studeçan,
Samadraxhë, Semetish, and Nishor. Despite the help offered to the
IDPs by the locals and some humanitarian associations, they are now facing
many problems, especially after being struck with epidemics.
KOSOVA (tension mounts - Prizren)
Strict police control around Prizren
Prizren, 18 August (ARTA) 1500CET --
Other than the checkpoints in Landovicë
and Lubizhdë, a new checkpoint has been installed in the suburbs of
Bajram Curr, in the highway Prizren-Kukës.
Accordingly, all the highways and regional roads
that lead toward Prizren are strictly controlled by the Serb police as
many Albanian civilians, especially youths have been reported mistreated.
There are claims that the Serb police arrested two Albanians.
A tense situation has also been reported in the
border belt with Albania. Heavy artillery fire can be heard coming from
the direction of the village of Vërmicë every night.
A new flux of dislocated people from Rogovë
has overwhelmed Prizren. The Serb police threatened the locals to hand
over their weapons days ago. Most of the region is under tight police control,
including the villages of Nashec and Hatmaxhë, where clashes between
Serb and Albanian forces took place only two days ago.
KOSOVA (tension mounts - Mitrovicë)
43 trucks loaded with soldiers head for Skënderaj
Mitrovicë, 18 August (ARTA) 1530CET --
"Yugoslav" army planes were seen flying at very
low altitude over the town of Mitrovicë, from early morning to late
afternoon hours. This caused much panic among the residents of Mitrovicë
proper and of the surrounding villages, in particular, the villages of
Bajgorë.
A military convoy including 4 empty trucks, 4
trucks loaded with soldiers, 5 buses and a jeep carrying policemen, departed
from Skënderaj and settled in the military barrack in Mitrovicë
at 1045CET today.
On the other hand, 1 APC, 47 trucks, 6 "Landrovers"
and 4 vehicles "Zastave 101", loaded with policemen, took off from the
military barrack in Mitrovicë, at 1115CET.
Both convoys provoked passersby as they cruised
around town, insulting them and singing Chetnik songs. They were also carrying
Serb national flags.
"KOHA Ditore" sources notify that the corpse
of a policeman and another severely wounded police officer were taken to
the hospital in Mitrovicë yesterday afternoon.
KOSOVA (tension mounts - Istog)
Many inhabitants fled their houses
Istog, 18 August (ARTA) 2030CET--
The situation in the municipality of Istog has
deteriorated even more, as a result of the ultimatum to give up
weapons addressed to the locals by the Serb police.
The worst situation is in Vrellë and Saradran, as well as in the villages
bordered with Drenica. There are claims that many activists from Vrellë,
Saradran, Uçë, Suhogërllë and other villages were
summoned to the police station last weekend.
In the meantime, many special police forces were
spotted moving in the area accompanied by police patrols, military helicopters
and planes that made extremely low flights. These elements are reminiscent
of a psychological war and pressure which is being applied against the
local Albanian population.
All this resulted in the evacuation of a large
number of families from the village of Vrellë, which consists of over
600 Albanian houses.
The deadline of the ultimatum expired yesterday,
and it was characterized with police forces being positioned in vantage
coins of these localities. Two trucks loaded filled with Serbs in plainclothes
were also seen, driving in the direction of the prison in Dubravë.
KOSOVA (KD reportage - Dukagjin plain)
"I was determined not to flee"
Broliq, Isniq, Lumbardh, 18 August (ARTA) 1900CET
--
Over 40 refugees were sheltered in an old castle
in the village of Lumbardh. The family of Nazmi Haziri from Carrabreg was
among them.
Nazmi and eight members of his family were living
in Carrabreg until seven days ago. He claims that "he was determined to
stay home until the end". However, his village experienced the same fate
as many other villages of Kosova soon after. It also turned into ruins.
"The Serb infantry entered the village on Tuesday.
They started burning the houses, each-and-every one of them. We had no
other alternative but to try to escape the hell that was ahead of us. We
found sheltered here and we are very grateful to the hosts that accepted
us, but we cannot take our minds off the other people who are sleeping
outdoors, in the fields and forests".
The living conditions of the locals were pitiful
even without the IDPs settled here. In a conversation with the residents,
we found out that their flour stocks can last from 4-5 days.
A 9 months old girl, Valide Shala from the village
of Loxhë near Pejë was also sheltered by a family in Lumbardh.
A grenade that exploded injured the girl in her house. Her mother was also
severely injured in the head. She was taken to the hospital in Prishtina
by a group of foreign journalists that visited the village two days ago.
Not far from Lumbardh is the village of Isniq.
The regular population of Isniq reaches 6 thousand residents. Presently
over 17.000 IDPs are accommodated in Isniq. "It was horrifying to hear
the grenade, the missile or whatever that was, flying above the roof as
I had no place to hide", Tafil recalled, as he smoked a cigarette with
longing.
Further along was an improvised hospital, which
was being used to give medical help to the wounded. An old man and two
youngsters were there. "This is where we treat the wounded, who are then
returned home to receive medical treatment there. We do this for safety
reasons", said a nurse who presented herself as Vlera. She claimed that
such a medical "center" had been attacked in the village of Irzniq. "This
happened to us in Irzniq. The improvised hospital in that village was shelled
and completely destroyed. We managed to save some equipment and the little
medicine we had. There are 10 doctors working in shifts at the present.
We do our best keep the Hypocrate’s oath, by which we are obliged".
In the meantime, the humanitarian organization
"Les Mediciens Sans Frontiers", opened a health station in the village
of Broliq to satisfy the needs of the large number of escapees sheltered
in this village. A large number of people were waiting just in front of
the health unit, the majority of which were children. As a result of spending
the night in the banks of the river Bistricë, the children were infected
by dermatological diseases. The local doctors say that a humanitarian catastrophe
lies ahead if no measures are undertaken to heal them and if these living
conditions prevail. Thus, every person appealed to humanitarian organizations
to show a little attention to the ones not guilty.
KOSOVA (tension mounts - Kaçanik)
Son taken hostage instead of his father
Kaçanik, 18 August (ARTA) 1800CET --
The LDK Information Commission branch in Kaçanik
reports that the Serb police, who had been searching for Hamit Elmaz Berisha
(1952), a teacher from Doganaj, took his son Arben (1979) for hostage since
they did not find father at home. Before leaving, police told members of
the Berisha family that Arben would be kept in the police station until
his father appears.
It is still not clear why the police is looking
for Hamit Berisha. There is also no information whether Arben is released.
KOSOVA (US Ambassador to Macedonia)
Hill: "This is going to be a long process"
Prishtina, 18 August (ARTA) 1730CET --
"The process has just begun. We have a long way
ahead of us, but the process has begun", stated the US Ambassador to Macedonia,
Christopher Hill, after meeting with Kosova Albanian representatives in
Prishtina today.
The American Ambassador, whom the Contact Group
appointed mediator between Prishtina and Belgrade, met with Kosovar President
Rugova, negotiating team members, as well as the representative of KLA,
Adem Demaçi, during his visit to Prishtina.
"I stress that Rugova is taking the responsibility
for pushing the process forward and this is one of the key issues since
we need someone to take the responsibility", said Hill in a press conference
held at the USIS premises today. "It will be a long process and it will
not be easy", he stated. He added that they are contemplating the possibilities
of conceiving "a two-stage process". He went on to say that the first stage
would consist of efforts to bring institutions in Kosova back to life as
means for democratization.
"We might discuss other more important and substantial
issues, which have to do with the status, later", stressed Hill. He stated
that he is aware that there is not much time left. "It is a difficult process
", he said, "and there are substantial differences between both sides,
but we will work on it".
Hill said that he met with KLA representative,
Adem Demaçi. Concerning the meeting, he quoted Rugova: "The door
is open for everyone who wants to join in (the process)". "We want for
the process to be open and hope that others will also participate", he
said.
"We think that the best way to bring others to
the negotiating table is to make them understand that this is a process
which is backed by the international community and that it can be one of
the most important and fundamental issues if it is proven successful",
he said.
On the other hand, Adem Demaçi commented
the meeting saying that it was open and very interesting. "We parted with
each keeping their own convictions. Each made their recommendations, I
conveyed mine to Hill and Hill conveyed his to me and we parted as friends",
said Demaçi.
The KLA representative stressed that he is not
ready for dialogue with Belgrade, saying that this was the point where
they "disagreed".
The US Ambassador to Macedonia traveled to Belgrade
in the afternoon. He will continue his journey to Shkup, only to return
in Prishtina on Thursday.
KOSOVA (Government of the Republic of Kosova)
Hajrizi: "The initiative for creating the
Government was frozen without reason"
Prishtina, 18 August (ARTA) 1720CET--
The Secretary General of the Albanian Democratic
Movement (LDSH), Mehmet Hajrizi, issued a communiqué commenting
the public debates about the new Government of Kosova and the relation
between his name and its creation. The communiqué claims that "the
intensive attempts to form of an all-party executive body, were an expression
of responsibility towards the present situation". He commented the efforts
as being in accordance with the demand and the increasingly stronger persistency
of the international factor for the establishment of common political institution
of all Kosovar subjects.
The initiative to form a new government of unity
bears in itself the historical chance to materialize this idea, but also
the threat of a failure that could result with unforeseen consequences
for the future of the Albanian National Movement of Kosova.
The Government of the Republic of Kosova ensured
wide international support from the beginning. Another factor that made
this Government sustainable and acceptable was the principal base on which
it was built, meaning the complete consensus of the political parties of
Kosova.
"The initiative for creating the Government was
frozen without any reason and it contributed to the loss of Kosova. I consider
that it is not only possible, but also necessary to continue with the project
of establishing a joint Government. This is the way to institutionalizing
unity and avoiding the risk of the single party monopoly, as well as divergences
among Albanian political factors", said the communiqué issued by
LDSH Secretary General, Mehmet Hajrizi.
KOSOVA (NATO intervention)
Undetermined attitudes concerning intervention
in Kosova
Brussels, 18 August (ARTA) 1600CET --
There is still no news concerning possible NATO
intervention in Kosova because of the maneuvers, which are being held in
Albania. Albanian daily "Koha Ditore" talked to several high ranking officials
of the alliance and asked them to comment the statement made by the American
Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, who claimed that: "NATO ought to undertake
operations in Kosova even without a UN Security Council mandate".
One of the NATO officials refused to make any
statement, stressing that he cannot comment statements made by foreign
ministers. Nevertheless this official admitted that "they are somehow confused
since President Clinton stated just the opposite in a phone conversation
he had with French President Chirac some days ago".
"A similar thing is happening in Germany, where
the standpoints of political leaders (Ruehe and Kohl on one side, and Kinkel
on the other) concerning the intervention of NATO in Kosova, differ from
one another", stated the senior NATO official.
NATO sources repeat the stand that "they support
Rugova because of his peaceful policy, adding that the NATO Secretary General,
Javier Solana, saluted the negotiating team appointed by him.
NATO sources inform that "the NATO General Council
might hold a new session in these two upcoming weeks", adding that this
still depends from the attitudes of member states".
One thing is clear, NATO has prepared its options
for intervention and it is ready to intervene, something that the ongoing
maneuvers in Albania prove.
JANUSZ BUGAJSKI: The case for an independent Kosovo
Copyright © 1998 Nando.net
Copyright © 1998 The Christian Science Monitor
(August 19, 1998 10:01 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com)
--
If Kosovo ever slips out of Serbia's grip, the
international community will need to weigh the regional impact of the region's
independence. Most policymakers still believe that a sovereign Kosovo will
destabilize the Balkans. But an alternative scenario must now be seriously
considered: that without independence the unresolved Albanian question
will traumatize Europe for many years to come.
Conventional wisdom
contends that statehood for Kosovo will ignite a series of ethnic and territorial
conflicts in the south Balkans. It will radicalize the large Albanian minority
in Macedonia and precipitate the disintegration of this linchpin state.
Indeed, some leaders of the guerrilla Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) have
asserted that their ultimate objective is the "unification" of all Albanian
lands.
The destabilization
of any state bordering Kosovo would have wider ramifications. Analysts
worry about the unraveling of the Dayton accords through the revival of
Serb separatism in Bosnia. Meanwhile, conflict in Macedonia could embroil
Bulgaria, Serbia, Albania, Greece, and Turkey in a replay of the Second
Balkan War. In order to avoid such scenarios, NATO leaders have adamantly
opposed Kosovo's independence. The main fear in any planned NATO bombing
campaign is not the Yugoslav military reaction but the political impact
on Kosovo's status if Belgrade withdraws its security forces from the province.
But an alternative view
on the Kosovo crisis must now be seriously weighed: the independence option.
Kosovo's detachment from Serbia could deal a fatal blow to President Slobodan
Milosevic and unleash potentially more constructive forces in Serbian politics.
It is the absence of Kosovo's statehood that can be seen as destabilizing
the region by providing opportunities for militant gunmen and criminal
organizations to prosper. Milosevic manipulates the Kosovo question to
keep himself in power and to stifle any chances for political or economic
reform throughout rump Yugoslavia.
Milosevic bears primary
responsibility for four wars in the past decade and if left unchecked he
could spark further conflicts in Montenegro and Macedonia by manipulating
the Albanian question. The loss of Kosovo and the collapse of the moribund
Yugoslav economy could provoke an internal conflict in Serbia. This would
weaken Belgrade's expansionist pretensions and may bring new democrats
or pro-Western figures to the forefront. Even if this fails, then a truncated
Serbia will remain a weak pariah state that no longer threatens its neighbors.
The legal arguments
for maintaining an integral Yugoslavia are reminiscent of our obsolete
policies in 1991 when four of the eight federal units declared independence.
Kosovo is simply the fifth unit that has opted for sovereignty, and Montenegro
may be the next in line, particularly as President Milo Djukanovic has
already threatened to hold a referendum on secession. Milosevic's Yugoslavia
is not the successor to the Titoist state and cannot be treated as a normal
legal entity given Milosevic's disregard for international human rights
conventions.
Kosovo's statehood,
if handled adroitly by the international community, could help resolve
the simmering Albanian question in the south Balkans. Instead of provoking
calls for a Greater Albania it could actually pacify Albanian demands and
allow Europe to increase its influence in the region. But in order for
Kosovo to become a source of regional stability, NATO must control the
process from the very beginning.
Once Belgrade is forced
to withdraw its forces from the province through some combination of NATO
intervention and Albanian resistance, then Kosovo should be declared an
international protectorate. Washington and London must take charge in overseeing
the creation of any new Kosovor administration and this must be accomplished
in a much more resolute manner than in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Under international
supervision, the Pristina government would need to commit itself to ensuring
a full range of minority rights for Serbs, Montenegrins, Muslims, and Romas.
It would have to renounce any potential territorial claims to Macedonia,
Serbia, or Montenegro, and indeed sign treaties with its three Slavic neighbors
to that effect. It would also need to commit itself to democratic pluralism,
the rule of law, a market economy, and European integration.
The KLA could then develop
into a Kosovo Security Force under a NATO arm and train program similar
to the one in Bosnia. NATO itself would disarm any rogue units and help
patrol the Macedonian and Serbian borders. Meanwhile, the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union could dispatch
teams of monitors to the country. Their long-term presence under a NATO
umbrella would help ensure Pristina's compliance with democratic norms
in a range of arenas.
Beyond Kosovo, the international
community would need to make a much firmer commitment to both Macedonia
and Albania, in terms of ensuring their territorial integrity and domestic
development. In Macedonia a multi-ethnic polity must be promoted with expanded
rights for the Albanian population that would undercut the demands of militants
for unification with Kosovo. Albania itself must be rebuilt as a secure
and law-abiding state while eliminating gun-runners, smugglers, and other
criminal organizations.
The international Contact
Group has failed to come up with a credible plan for Kosovo. Instead, its
empty statements have simply encouraged both Belgrade and the KLA to continue
the war.
Now is the time to lay
the foundations for a lasting political and regional solution, one that
will guarantee self-determination for the Albanian majority while simultaneously
pushing Milosevic toward a long-overdue political suicide.
JANUSZ BUGAJSKI is director of East European studies
at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington and
a frequent visitor to the Balkans.
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