Tagesnachrichten 20. August 1998
von ALBANEWS und anderen
Daily Report No 1527 August 20, 1998
Kosova Information Center
Tagesnachrichten 20. August 1998
Erneut 62 Serben und Kosovo-Albaner nach Belgrad abgeschobenDüsseldorf (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;________________________________________________________________________
President Rugova Receives EU Commissioner Bonino and UNHCR Official
PRISHTINA, Aug (KIC) - The President of the Republic
of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received yesterday afternoon in Prishtina
Ms Emma Bonino, the European Union (EU) Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner,
and her aides, accompanied by Austria's ambassador to Belgrade, Wolfgang
Petritsch.
The grave situation in Kosova, with particular
emphasis on the humanitarian aspect and the plight of displaced people,
was discussed in the meeting.
President Ibrahim Rugova said the Serbian offensive
should be stopped, and called for an urgent international intervention
to protect the people of Kosova. He urged for humanitarian action to relieve
the suffering of the hundreds of thousands of Albanians displaced from
their homes in the wake of the Serbian military and police offensive.
The EU Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner Emma
Bonino said she followed closely the situation in Kosova and expressed
her readiness to assist the displaced population. Preventative measures
should be taken in Kosova so that we do not end up dealing only with the
consequences, she stressed.
President Rugova appreciated her visit to Kosova
and called for EU to step in urgently with humanitarian operations here.
Meanwhile, the Kosova President received yesterday
the deputy of the UN High Commissioner, Soren-Jensen Petersen, to discuss
the humanitarian situation and ways to address it.
380,000 Albanians Displaced from their Homes in Kosova, LDK Says
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - As a result of the Serbian
military and police shelling, destruction and looting of Albanian homes
and property this year, 380,246 have been displaced from their homes in
Kosova, the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) said in a statement today.
17 municipalities of Kosova with a total of 346
villages have been affected by the Serb aggression, which has turned so
many Albanians into internally-displaced persons (IDP) and refugees, according
to the LDK.
Some 50,000 Albanians are living rough in the
open in hills and fields, unable to get out of rings of steel enforced
by Serbian troops, the Presidency of the LDK, the main political force
in Kosova, said today.
Overnight Artillery Fire Reported in Gjakova and Deçan Areas
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - Serb artillery fire
was reported last evening and overnight in wester Kosova, in the border
area with Albania and in the villages straddling the Deçan-Gjakova
roadway, from Prejlep to the villages just outside the town of Gjakova.
Local LDK sources said there was artillery fire
launched last evening from Serb positions on Suka e Biteshit in the direction
of the villages in the Deçan area.
An Albanian, whose name has not been made known,
was reported wounded near Prejlep.
A motorized convoy of Serb military and police
troops left today Gjakova for the Qafa e Prushit, near the Kosova-Albania
border, whereas Serb snipers have been positioned along the Gjakovë-Deçan
roadway.
The humanitarian situation of the displaced population
scattered about the hills in the region of Dushkajë is appalling,
reports said.
LDK sources in Gjakova said Hasan Rama, resident
of Ponoshec village of Gjakovë, has been transferred to the Prishtina
hospital in a state of coma. His family members, who have been prevented
from contacting him in the past few days, fear for his life. Hasan has
been reported beaten up severely in Serb custody.
Meanwhile, Serb police arrested the Koha Ditore
correspondent, Musa Kurhasku, yesterday afternoon at his place in Gjakova.
He had his home raided, and was held for several hours in detention. He
was ordered to report back to the Serb police on 21 August.
Serb Forces Shell Rahovec and Suhareka Villages
One killed and eight wounded Albanians
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - Serbian forces resumed
today shelling the villages of Zoçishtë and Opterushë,
municipality of Rahovec, and Samadraxhë of Suhareka municipality,
local sources said. Today's intensity of the shelling was lower today compared
to yesterday's.
LDK sources in Suhareka said the shelling is
being done from Serb positions in Hoçë e Madhe and Landovicë.
Reports said Bekim Dalip Bekteshi (27) from Samadraxhë
was killed yesterday, whereas eight other Albanians wounded - Bajram Bekteshi,
Selim Kusha, Ibrahim Mamaj, Nexhat Cikaçi, Fatmir Bala, Osman Cikaçi,
Visar Bala, and Muharrem Kryeziu.
Serbian paramilitary units torched the village
of Zoçishtë last evening. Flames and smoke could be seen billowing
from the village.
Meanwhile, three Albanians, Hazir Selimaj (44),
Zenel Curraj (25) and Sabit Lushaj (23), who were killed two days ago at
Gorozhup near the Kosova-Albanian border, were buried last evening in their
native village if Grejkoc of Suhareka.
Serb Troops Pound with Artillery Fire Vushtrri Villages
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - The Serbian police/army
troops pounded with artillery guns the Pantina village and adjacent hamlets
in the municipality of Vushtrri ('Vicitrn') today (Thursday) morning.
The LDK Information Commission in Vushtrri said
the Albanian settlements were attacked for about one hour, from 5:30 through
6:30 a.m., today. The Commission could not say anything about possible
casualties by midday. It reported, however, about a continued campaign
of provocations and intimidation by armed Serb civilians in the area.
Yesterday afternoon, a group of Serb civilians
from Prilluzha village set afire four haystacks belonging to two local
Albanians in Stanoc i Epërm, Nebih Duraku and Abdullah Duraku, local
LDK sources said.
Humanitarian Activists Tortured in Serb Custody
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - Four local humanitarian
workers in the Kamenica municipality, southern Kosova, were reported detained
and subject to severe torture by the Serbian police on Wednesday.
The LDK chapter in Kamenica said Refik N. Kryeziu,
dr. Faredin Sh. Kryeziu and Ibrahim D. Shurdhani in Rogaçica village,
and dr. Izet H. Keka in Muçivërca village, had their homes
raided by Serb police before actually being detained. They were taken to
the police station in the town, where they were held for several hours
and subjected to questioning and beating. The four activists received grave
body injuries and had to be seek medical treatment, the LDK said.
Serb Police Detains "Koha Ditore" Correspondent in Gjakova
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - Musa Kurhasku, the Gjakova
correspondent with the Prishtina-based Koha Ditore newspaper, was held
in Serb custody for several hours on Wednesday afternoon.
The LDK chapter in Gjakova said Serb policemen
searched thoroughly the house of Musa Kurhasku and seized his equipment
and materials, including a camera and a fax machine he needed to report
to his newspaper and the Albanian Television. According to the Koha Ditore,
Musa Kurhasku had been summoned to the Serb police station in Gjakova earlier
on Wednesday, to intervene about the release of a Serb allegedly captured
by members of the Kosova Liberation Army (UÇK). He refused to go
there, saying that it was not a journalist's responsibility to act as a
broker, because such offices are commonly done by the Red Cross.
Serb Police Raids "Mother Teresa" Premises
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - The Serbian police broke
Wednesday afternoon into a warehouse of the "Mother Teresa" Charity Organization
in Kodra e Trimave neighborhood in Prishtina. Ismail Gashi, in charge of
the organization's warehouse, was summoned to show up in the Serb police
station in the neighborhood today.
There were some 130 sponge mattresses in the
warehouse, dedicated to the uprooted people sheltered in Prishtina. The
Serb policemen reportedly told the activist that they would face consequences
if they actually distributed the mattresses to the refugees.
1,500 Albanian Refugees Arrive in Overcrowded Mitrovica Today
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - At least 1,500 Albanians
displaced from their home villages in Skenderaj municipality arrived in
the town of Mitrovica today (Thursday) morning, sources reported.
The LDK chapter in Mitrovica said they were mostly
from the villages of Prekazi i Epërm, Mikushnica, Lubavec, Galica
and the villages along the Çiçavica footmountains.
According to estimates of the local LDK chapter
and human rights workers in Mitrovica, at last 30.000 Albanians from war-torn
areas in central Kosova have sought shelter in the town and adjacent villages
in the wake of the latest Serb offensives in the area.
Local Albanian structures said food and medical
supplies are desperately needed in the town, which has 21,000 Albanians
already dependent on the Kosova welfare system. If such supplies are not
delivered in a couple of days time, a humanitarian catastrophe is in the
making, they warned.
Four Young Albanian Refugees Arrested in Mitrovica
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - Four young Albanians
from the villages of Skenderaj ('Srbica') were arrested by the Serbian
police in Mitrovica on Wednesday.
The LDK chapter in Mitrovica said Behxhet Sejdiu
(23) and Bekim Sejdiu (21) from Runik of Skënderaj, Zekim Istogu (25)
from Polluzha, and Bahri Hyseni (25), a student from Izbica, had fled their
homes earlier and were sheltered with their relatives in the town.
Police Arrests Albanian in Prishtina
Albanian arrested on obscure charges of collaboration
with the UÇK
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - Serbian police arrested
today Salih Zariqi in the Bregu i Diellit neighbourhood in Prishtina, a
family member told the KIC. He said three days ago the police arrested
Salih's brother, Vehbi Zariqi, as well as Salih's sons, Gazmend and Shkëlzen,
and their relatives, Albert Shala and Ekrem Krasniqi.
Salih Zariqi has been arrested on obscure charges
of collaboration with the UÇK (Kosova Liberation Army). His house
has been reported raided after his arrest today.
A senior Serbian security officer announced earlier
in the week that a huge campaign of arrests of Albanians ('terrorists')
would be carried out in Prishtina, Podujeva and Mitrovica.
The Case for an Independent Kosova
Janusz Bugajski, associate director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, in The Christian Science Monitor, August 19, 1998
PRISHTINA, Aug 20 (KIC) - If Kosova ever slips
out of Serbia's grip, the international community will need to weigh the
regional impact of the region's independence, with most policymakers still
believing that a sovereign Kosovo will destabilize the Balkans, Janusz
Bugajski notes at the very outset of his article, echoing what he calls
'conventional wisdom'. "But an alternative scenario must now be seriously
considered: that without independence the unresolved Albanian question
will traumatize Europe for many years to come."
The director of East European studies at the
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington and
a frequent visitor to the Balkans said conventional wisdom contends that
statehood for Kosova will ignite a series of ethnic and territorial conflicts
in the south Balkans, radicalizing the large Albanian minority in Macedonia
and precipitating the disintegration of this linchpin state.
"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.",
Bugajski writes, adding that a 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.", concludes
the 'conventional wisdom' argument.
"But an alternative view on the Kosovo crisis
must now be seriously weighed: the independence option.", Janusz Bugajski
writes. He argues that Kosova's detachment from Serbia could deal a fatal
blow to President Slobodan Milosevic of 'FRY' 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.", he stresses, adding
that Milosevic manipulates the Kosova 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.", Bugajski
points out, adding that the loss of Kosova 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 [U.S.] obsolete policies in 1991 when
four of the eight federal units declared independence.", the CSIS associate
director says. Kosova 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, he
notes.
Milosevic's Yugoslavia is not "the successor
to the Titoist state and cannot be treated as a normal legal entity", Bugajski
writes. "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.", the CSIS associate
director sums up his idea, the 'case for an independent Kosovo'.
He goes on to elaborate, noting that once Belgrade
is forced to withdraw its forces from Kosova 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 Kosovar administration and this must
be accomplished in a much more resolute manner than in Bosnia-Herzegovina."
Under international supervision, "the Prishtina
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."
Janusz Bugajski maintains the Ushtria Çlirimtare
e Kosovës (KLA) could then develop into a Kosova 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, whereas 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."
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 Kosova, Bugajski argues.
The international Contact Group has failed to come up with a credible plan
for Kosova, the director of East European studies at the CSIS in Washington
says. "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 concludes his 'case
for an independent Kosovo" in the Christian Science Monitor.
Kosova Information Center
Last page!
_______________________________________________________________________Serbs burn down 31 villages in Kline commune
PRISHTINEA, August 20 (ATA)-In the commune of Kline (Central Kosova), the Serb forces have burnt down more than 31 villages, now almost emptied of some 33 000 inhabitants.
The Albanian population has also fled the city of Kline, where many houses have been torched, while vehicles do not move on the Kline-Prishtine, Kline-Gjakova amd Kline-Skenderaj roads as they are blocked by Serbian military and police roadblocks.
Over the past three days shelling has continued non-stop in many villages of the Kline commune and Albanian self-defence forces have put up resistance in the villages of Leskoc, Kosh, and Vranoc.
Fighting is going on also in the areas of Jashanice, Jelloc, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Doberdol, Ujmir and Cabiq, according to the Kosova Information Centre. /pas/lm/Religious communities in Shkoder condemn explosion in Orthodox Church
SHKODER, August 20 (ATA)-The religious communities in Shkoder, through a joint statement, on Thursday, condemned the explosion in the city's Orthodox Church on Wednesday morning.
The three religious communities in the city considered this act "deliberate, which aims to damage the harmony and peaceful cohabitation among religious".
In a press release, the pastor of the only Orthodox Church in Shkoder, Father Aleksander Petani, condemned this ugly act, which, he said, "was committed by irresponsible people, inhabitants of the dark".
Petani expressed the belief that "despite aims of those who placed the explosive, we the orthodox will follow the road of understanding ans sincere will that has always characterized the relations among the three religions in our city".
He said that today the workers have begun to repair the damages to the church and in two-three days will resume religious services.
The Orthodox Church of Shkoder was built two years ago with timber material at the city's centre.
The works for the construction of a new church are expected to begin soon on the same site.
The explosion which took place at 02.50 on Wednesday has damaged the alter and the back part of the church. /pas/lm/Milo says Albanian political factor in Kosova should be unified
TIRANA, August 19(ATA)-By Irena Luto,
The chief of the Albanian diplomacy, Paskal Milo, on Wednesday told ATA that the Albanian political factor in Kosova should be unified, traditional differences be left aside and clear options on the status of Kosova be formulated.
Foreign Minister Milo, in an in exclusive interview with ATA said that the situation in Kosova is very grave and the military machine of Milosevic is not putting an end to its atrocities.
"Milosevic's provocations have, for several times, also reached Albania's territory and intend to involve it in the conflict, but we have responded to this situation with calm and self-restraint, avoiding these traps erected by Belgrade," said Milo.
Commenting the political developments in Kosova and the problems of its political class, Milo said: "The Albanian political factor is showing its own traditional shortcomings, that in the most delicate moments is does not know to orientate itself, to be unified. It is now facing more difficult days than several months ago, which has caused that in the western chancelleries credibility in this policy is waning. We will support the negotiating team of Rugova for as long as it is considered a kernel which can be joined by other political elements, such as those of the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA)".
Referring to the political status of Kosova, Milo said that this is in the hands of the political leadership of the Kosova Albanians and that the Albanian government has often given its own advise in this respect, but the Albanian political factor of Kosova should as soon as possible formulate a clear proposal for the political status of Kosova, so that the International Community, too, is clear about the options of the Albanians.
As to the temporary suspension of the diplomatic activity of the U.S. embassy in Tirana, Milo said:
"We have official guarantee that the reduction of work in this embassy is aimed only at protecting the lives of the U.S. citizens in Albania and that this measure was taken after anonymous warnings of possible acts of terrorism. Such warnings have also troubled our embassies in various countries of the world, confirming the possibility of violent acts against the U.S. embassy and Albania".
Milo said that the level of relations between Albania and the U.S. continues to be very good and the U.S. fully supports Albania in its efforts to stabilise the situation at home, resolve the Kosova issue and further develop democracy.
"No U.S. project for Albania has been suspended. A concrete aid is also be ing given in the preparations for the International Conference on Albania, expec ted to be held in Tirana in the last ten days of October," said Milo, stressing that the Albanian government is taking measures to secure all the foreign embassies in Tirana.
Referring to the law on the visa regime for the foreign citizens coming to Albania Milo said:
"The irresponsible, emotional and subjective policy of Berisha lifted without motive the visa regime for all foreigners, also for those coming from countries of no economic benefit for Albania. As a result of this uncontrolled flood of foreigners, suspected elements and commodities took shelter in Albania."
Milo said that the change of this law is urgent, therefore the Ministry of Institutional Reform is preparing a new draft-law on the regime of checking entry to Albania.
"Our position on the occurring incidents was also endorsed by the Arab countries (also on the extradition of the Egyptian citizens) whose ambassadors were met at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the head of the department covering the Arabian countries.
The ambassadors confirmed the support of the countries they represent for the Albanian government stands and the wish to further develop the relations between Albania and the Arabian countries which make up a considerable potential," said Milo. /pas/lm/
_______________________________________________________________________Hajdaraga: Cooperation with NATO an important factor of stability
TIRANE, 19 August /ATA - Enkelejda Koraqe/ - Albanian minister of Defence, Luan Hajdaraga, highly evaluated the role of cooperation with NATO in the settlement of stability in the region, spokesman of ministry of Defence told ATA.
"Relations of Albania with NATO are excellent and we are ready to fulfill all our engagements, which consists from our participation in Partnership for Peace program, but even from the individual program between Albania and NATO", stressed Hajdaraga during a meeting he had Wednesday with admiral Daniel Murphy, Commander in chief of the troops participating in the military exercises "Cooperative Assembly".
Cooperation with you, said Hajdaraga, is considered by us an important factor of stability.
"I make use of the chance to express my personal thanks and those of my colleagues, for the correct measures of security taken on your part, about the joint exercises we are holding in Bize", said Hajdaraga to admiral Murphy.
"We are very pleased with the procedure and rhythm of the integration of Albanian armed forces into NATO", said admiral Murphy, expressing at the same time his confidence in the restructuring of Albanian army.
Hajdaraga after a briefing on the situation in Kosova, said that Kosova issue should be solved by political means, but with every passing day we are becoming aware that Milosevic knows only the language of force.
"He is using his army and police to realise an ethnic cleansening. He is striking with artillery, tanks and military air force without any difference to many villages and thus burning and destroying everything, from innocent people to the crops", finished Hajdaraga./das/fh/Armed forces on high alert to safeguard territorial integrity
TIRANA, August 19 (ATA)-By E. Koraqi,
Tuesday's incident on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, where Serb military troops fired 11 artillery shells about 1000 meters inside Albanian territory, in the Padesh village, has prompted immediate reaction on the part of the senior officials of the Albanian government cabinet.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Minister of Public Order Perikli Teta said that "The Albanian side has made known its reaction on Tuesday's incident to the Yugoslav party, but the latter, not respecting the cross-border procedures, has absolutely not reacted."
Defence Minister Luan Hajdaraga, at a meeting on Wednesday with Admiral Daniel Murphy, commander of the forces participating in the "Cooperative Assembly" exercise on Wednesday, said that since the beginning of the tense situation in Kosova until now, with the latest incidents on the Albanian-Yugoslav border, the Albanian army has taken all measures to raise the alert level in safeguarding the territorial integrity.
On the other hand, Hajdaraga said, "our units have been ordered to avoid in the maximum any kind of provocation by the Serbs."
At the same time on Wednesday, Albania's Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, on behalf of the Albanian government, addressed to the Yugoslav government a note of protest, which expresses Albanian government's deep indignation at Belgrade's policy. /das/lm/Heavy clashes in Drenica
PRISHTINE, 19 August /ATA correspondent B.Jashari reports:
- New heavy clashes continued on Wednesday between forces of Kosova Liberation Army (KIA) and aggressive forces of Serbia in Llaushe, Acareve (Skenderaj), Cerovik and surrounding of Klina commune, during which the Serbian forces have suffered loses in military forces and equipment, sources of Council for the Defence of Human Rights in Likofc report.
With a lower intensity the fighting went on along the border line between Kosova and Albania, where heavy artillery of the Yugoslav army have shelled villages in the Dezani region.
Sources of Democratic League of Kosova (DLK) report that on Tuesday evening the Serbian military forces have shelled Banja village, where one Albanian was killed and three others were wounded, all members of one family. While on Wednesday in the villages Bubavec and Drenovc the Serbian forces torched houses of Albanians./fh/EU ready to help Kosova's displaced population
PRISHTINE, August 19 (ATA)-The European Union (EU) Humanitarian Affairs Commissioner, Emma Bonino, in Prishtine on Wednesday expressed the EU readiness to provide humanitarian aid for Kosova's displaced population as a result of the Serbian offensive.
"Preventive measures should be taken in Kosova to avoid a catastrophe," said Bonino at a meeting on Wednesday with the President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova.
Bonino is visiting Kosova at the head of a delegation which also includes the ambassador of Austria in Belgrade, Volfgang Petric.
Rugova said that the situation in Kosova continues to be very grave, due to the offensive of the Serb military and police forces and asked a powerful international humanitarian intervention in Kosova to help the civilian population and avoid a catastrophe. /b.j/mima/lm/Fourteen Kosova Albanians arrive in Has
TIRANA, August 20 (ATA)-Fourteen Kosova Albanians, mainly old people, women and children, crossed the Albanian-Yugoslav state border on Wednesday and are settled in the district of Has (Northeastern Albania), the spokesman of the Public Order Ministry told ATA.
The new comers were immediately enrolled and accommodated by the local power authorities in families.
The number of the Kosova refugees, escaping Serb violence and terror, settled in the district of Has, has reached some 300 people. /pas/lm/
RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY, PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC_______________________________________________________________________
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RFE/RL NEWSLINE Vol. 2, No. 160 Part II, 20 August 1998SESELJ SAYS SERBS NEED NOT HURRY TO TALK.
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Vojislav Seselj said in Nis that the Serbs should wait one year for a more favorable international negotiating atmosphere on Kosova, the Belgrade daily "Danas" reported on 20 August. He charged that the "Americans and Germans" have decided to reduce the size of Serbia and will raise the question of Vojvodina once the Kosova issue is settled. "The Germans are already planning to seek the return of the property of the ethnic Germans," whom the Yugoslav communists expelled in the wake of World War II, he added. Seselj said that the Serbian government has been careful not to provoke a NATO intervention in Kosova and that it has "successfully concluded the police and military action aimed at wiping out Albanian terrorism. We have not yet destroyed all the terrorists, but all that remains is to finish them off in the forests and small localities, which the police will do soon." PM
UNHCR'S FOUR-POINT PLAN FOR AVERTING REFUGEE DISASTER.
Soeren Jessen Petersen, a deputy to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said in Prishtina on 19 August that it is likely that "many, many people [will die in Kosova] during the coming winter. Humanitarian action must not, once again, as happened in Bosnia four or five years ago, become a substitute for political action." Petersen recommended four steps to avert a major humanitarian disaster, AP reported. First, hostilities must end and negotiations start. Second, journalists and aid agencies must have better access to Kosova. Third, the 170,000 displaced persons within the province and the 50,000 refugees outside it must be able to go home. And fourth, the UN aid operation must receive more support. PM
BONINO SAYS NO HUMANITARIAN RELIEF WITHOUT POLITICAL SOLUTION.
Emma Bonino, who is the EU's chief official for human rights, said in Prishtina on 19 August that Kosova is headed for a major "humanitarian catastrophe" in the coming months unless a political solution is found. She warned that the rainy season will begin soon, followed by the winter, and that the worsening weather conditions will make the thousands of displaced persons' temporary shelters useless. She added that the "international community must face reality" and seek a political solution in order to avert the crisis. Bonino stressed that it will not be possible to carry out a humanitarian relief mission while fighting is going on, as the international community attempted to do during the recent wars in Croatia and Bosnia. Elsewhere, the Council for the Defense of Human Rights in Prishtina published the names of 800 Kosovars whom the Council claims the Serbian authorities have abducted since the beginning of 1998. PM
ALBANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER URGES KOSOVARS TO UNITE.
Paskal Milo told Reuters in Tirana on 19 August that the divisions between President Ibrahim Rugova's shadow state and the Kosova Liberation Army (UCK) are undermining the Kosovars' international credibility. Milo added that ethnic Albanian political groups need to develop a coordinated strategy, and he urged individual factions to put aside their differences. Milo also said that the UCK has lost political influence as a result of its recent military setbacks and that the five- member negotiating team that Rugova appointed last week should serve as a nucleus for uniting all Kosovar political forces. Meanwhile, the Albanian Foreign Ministry sent a protest note to the federal Yugoslav embassy on 19 August condemning Serbian troops for firing 15 shells on the border town of Padesh the previous day, "Gazeta Shqiptare" reported on 20 August. FS
MONTENEGRIN MINISTER DEFENDS TALKS WITH CROATIA.
Montenegrin Foreign Minister Branko Perovic said in Podgorica on 19 August that he is pleased with the results of the previous day's Yugoslav-Croatian talks (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 19 August 1998). He stressed that Montenegrin representatives participated in all stages of the negotiations. Representatives of the smaller parties in the governing coalition had said that the talks did not serve Montenegro's interests because Serbian diplomats failed to give priority to opening border crossings between Croatia and Montenegro, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported. PM
SERBIAN NGO PRESENTS BOSNIAN WAR EVIDENCE.
Representatives of the Fund for Humanitarian Justice sent documents to the Hague-based war crimes tribunal on 19 August, RFE/RL's South Slavic Service reported. The texts allegedly prove the involvement of top officials of the Serbian Interior Ministry in the 1992-1995 Bosnian conflict, a spokesman for the fund said in Belgrade. Slobodan Miljkovic "Lugar," who recently died in a bar-room shoot-out, allegedly played a key role in Serbia's involvement in the war (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 10 August 1998). PM
ALBANIA, U.S. HUNT TERRORISTS.
An unidentified Albanian Interior Ministry official told AP on 19 August that U.S. and Albanian secret service agents have launched a "intensive search" across Albania for suspected members of an international Islamist terrorist group. The official added that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has found "serious evidence" that the suspected terrorists planned to blow up the American embassy in Tirana (see "RFE/RL Newsline" 19 August 1998). An anonymous Albanian-speaking caller made several phone calls to the embassy last week in which he threatened to drive a car bomb into the building. Each time he spoke only for a few seconds and gave no explanation for his threat, the official said. Unknown persons have also given bomb threats recently to Albania's embassies in France, Italy, and Germany, as well as the offices of the daily "Shekulli," which has written about Islamist activities in Albania. FS
EXPLOSION DAMAGES ALBANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH.
A bomb heavily damaged an Orthodox church in Shkodra on 19 August, "Gazeta Shqiptare" reported. The blast caused no casualties. Police said they have not been able to identify who was behind the attack or what were the motives. They added, however, that they are looking into all possibilities, including a land dispute. Local politicians and representatives from all religious communities condemned the bombing. The wooden church was built in 1996 in a park near the university. The previous day, unidentified criminals attacked a depot for heavy arms in Palikesht, near Berat. The attackers used machine guns and grenades but failed to take the building. They fled after a shoot-out that lasted over half an hour, "Gazeta Shqiptare" reported on 19 August. FS
KOSOVA (escapees and killings – Montenegrin border)_______________________________________________________________________
Ten Albanians killed in an attempt to cross the border with MontenegroPrishtina, 19 August (ARTA) 1600CET--
Albanian sources from Deçan inform that the Serb forces killed over ten Albanians in their attempt to flee the war zones to Montenegro during the past week.
The LDK Information Commission notifies that a large number of Albanians headed to Montenegro, today as well.
There are reports that the humanitarian situation in the municipality of Deçan is very hard and that the residents are seriously threatened by a humanitarian catastrophe. Presently, over 10 Albanian civilians are sheltered in the forest of Strellc without any food, medicine, or other basic living items.
Albanian sources have reported more than 220 killed Albanians, as Serb forces issued a report claiming that 25 policemen had been killed since the beginning of the largest Serb force operation in the region of Drenica, Deçan, Gjakovë and Pejë.
The CDHRF in Prishtina assessed that during the last two weeks, over 330 thousand Albanians, mainly women, children and elderly, were displaced from their homes and were sheltered in the surrounding forests. The Council notifies that a part of them also fled to Albania and Montenegro.KOSOVA (victims – Malishevë)
One Albanian killed and three members of his family woundedPrishtina, 19 August (ARTA) 1630CET --
LDK sources from the village of Banjë, municipality of Malishevë, notify that one Albanian was killed and three members of his family were wounded, including an 8 year-old child. These sources claim that the four Albanians suffered as a result of yesterday's shelling of the village. There are reports that the victim was buried last night.
According to Albanian daily "Koha Ditore" sources, much material damage was caused in the village during the shelling which the Serb forces.
There are claims that shooting also took place in the region, starting from early morning hours today.
According to the latest reports, the operation undertaken by Serb forces is still taking place, particularly in the villages of the municipalities of Malishevë, Rahovec and Prizren.
Malishevë is now empty of inhabitants, as sources claim that only a few people returned to Rahovec following the large-scale police\military onslaught in July.
Albanian sources inform that over 200 Albanians were killed in Rahovec, although the death toll is claimed to be well-exceeding.KOSOVA (victims – Prizren)
Five unidentified corpses brought to the hospital morgue in PrizrenPrizren, 19 August (ARTA) 1530CET--
Albanian sources notify that the Serb Army killed five Albanians yesterday morning, at the border crossing-point of Gorozhub, under mysterious circumstances. These corpses were brought to the hospital morgue in Prizren hospital morgue by helicopter last evening. It has been confirmed that Adem Berisha (34) from the municipal village of Opojë, died last night, because of the severe tortures he underwent at the police station in Prizren. Apparently, he was tormented with electric shocks, what was proven to some extent after the medical expertise, which indicated that his brain was disfigured.
The situation in the district is deteriorating. Serb police, military and paramilitary forces, continue to cruise around town on daily basis, becoming "routine" for the locals.
Nevertheless, the LDK Information Commission in Suharekë informs that Serb forces have been using heavy artillery to attack the villages of Zoçishtë and Opterushë starting from early morning hours today.KOSOVA (burnt land – Malishevë)
After the international delegation passed, the police burned the houses in Bubavec and DrenocMalishevë, 19 August (ARTA) 2000CET --
Only sporadic shooting could be heard in Malishevë, last night, as a visit of a senior international delegation was expected there. The Serb police set fire to the villages of Bubavec and Drenoc only three hours after the convoy of 18 vehicles of this delegation, which included many foreign journalists, passed down the Malishevë-Kijevë road at 1100CET, today.
On the other hand, there are reports that a resident of Llozicë was severely wounded by a Serb sniper on 17 August, as he was on his way back home. Sources close to the "Mother Theresa" Humanitarian Association in Malishevë, inform that a contingent of humanitarian aid arrived yesterday in the southeastern region of the municipality.
Sources from the ground notify about a very bad material situation among the IDPs sheltered in the southwest and northern part of the municipality. They are suffering great shortage of flour and medicine. As a result of the lack of medicine, an 8 years old child from Drenoc and an eight-month-old baby from Dremnik, died on 17 August. These two cases of death as a result of the lack of medicine and medical treatment increase the number of the killed during the last three months to 11, which were mainly children and pregnant women.KOSOVA (burnt land - Mitrovicë)
The last Albanian house in the village of Frashër on fireMitrovicë, 19 August (ARTA) 2100CET --
"Serb neighbors" living in the village of Frashër (municipality of Mitrovicë), burned the houses of Kurtan Hasani, Milazim Hasani and Fejzullah Rexhepi two nights ago. They set fire to the last, untouched, Albanian houses in the village last night.
Thus, this morning dawned over the village of Frashër without any Albanian house, as the 90 acres of grain fields of this village have not been harvested.
There are reports that the Serb military\police and paramilitary forces cruised down town today, at 1050CET, in a sign of victory. They threatened Albanians by pointing their weapons at them and saying "we will terminate all the Albanians just as we terminated KLA", raising KLA emblems above their hands.
Locals also claim that Serb civilians have been helping the Serb police keep the order in the neighborhood of "Kroi i Vitakut", which is resided by Serbs and Albanians, for the past few days.KOSOVA (clashes - Klinë)
Clashes continue for the third dayKlinë, 19 August (ARTA) 2000CET--
During the course of the three previous days, shooting has not stopped in the villages in the municipality of Klinë, informs the local LDK Information Commission.
There are claims that Albanian defense units resisted attacks for three days in villages Leskoc, Kosh, and Vranoc, while clashes took place in Jashanicë, Jelloc, Gjurgjevik I Madh, Dobërdol, Ujëmirë and Çabiq.
Serb forces burnt many villages in Klinë, like Gllarevë, Rigjevë, Stapanicë, Zabërgjë, Cerrovik, Çabiq, Dobërdol, Ujëmirë, Siçevë, Shatricë, Jashanicë e Epër, Jashanicë e Poshtme, Dush, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Jelloc, Resnik, Pogragjë, Shtupel, Kërrnicë, Zajm, Klinaç, Drenoc, Grabanicë, Dollovë, Bokshiq, Këpuz, Çeskovë, Rastok, Gremnik, Dollc, Grapc etc.
There are reports that this part of Kosova, which used to have a population of 33,000, is now empty, except for some invalid old men.
Dislocated Albanians and burnt houses are also present in the town of Klinë, while no vehicle drives through the road axis Klinë-Prishtina, Klinë-Gjakovë, and Klinë-Skënderaj --since they are blocked with Serb police and military checkpoints. Similar roadblocks have also been installed in some destroyed Albanian villages. The Serb police and military gangs, who patrol there, continuously loot Albanian houses, burning them afterwards.KOSOVA (renewed attacks - Gjakovë)
The villages of Deçan shelled from Kodra e ZhdrellësGjakovë, 19 August (ARTA) 2130CET--
Serb forces used heavy artillery to attack the villages in the region of Deçan from their military positions in Kodra e Zhdrellës, today morning. Shooting was also heard in the narrow bordering belt, the LDK Information Commission in Gjakovë informs. There are claims that one part of the military forces positioned on Kodra e Zhdrellës withdrew and are now substituted by the police forces.
Isuf Ahmeti (53), from the village of Stubëll, was killed during the Serb force offensive in the villages of Gjakovë. LDK information sources claim that he was killed in his house in Stubëll and that his body was brought to the hospital morgue in Gjakovë, two days ago. He was buried in the town's cemetery as ordered by the Serb police.KOSOVA (CDHRF - report)
"There is information on 201 Albanians killed during August"Prishtina, 19 August (ARTA) 1630CET --
"There is information about 201 Albanians who were killed, executed or massacred during the month of August in Kosova", says the latest report issued by the CDHRF office in Prishtina.
The CDHRF report also states that Serb police\military offensives continued throughout the month of July in all the front lines of Kosova. It stresses that many were wounded, arrested and mistreated, adding that many also fled their homes or suffered from Serb violence otherwise.
The CDHRF has registered 350,000 IDPs until the beginning of August. The CDHRF claims that 152 Albanians were wounded during the month of July in Kosova, adding that 185 persons were taken hostage, kidnapped or went missing, 296 persons were arrested, and 275 persons were severely beaten. According to the CDHRF data, 1,566 Albanians were mistreated last month, 102 of which were women and 12 children.
"All of these actions were undertaken aiming at ethnic cleansing, which has been achieved up to an extent", says the report.
The CDHRF states that the data is not complete, adding that there are probably more such cases.
The report also claims that it notified different humanitarian organizations and other relevant factors on the developments in Kosova.KOSOVA (humanitarian difficulties - Mitrovicë)
The symbolic amount of aid does suffice even the minimal needs of the shelteredMitrovicë, 19 August (ARTA) 1900CET --
Over 40.000 IDPs from Drenica and Dukagjin are presently sheltered in Mitrovicë. Before being flooded by the wave of escapees, this municipality provided social assistance to more than 25.000 local residents. There are cases in which one family shelters more than 100 persons. The situation in which the IDPs are presently living is extremely unfavorable. There is a great shortage of food, medicine and hygienic items.
During the last few days, the ICRC, the humanitarian association "Mother Theresa" and by the Municipal Council for Emergency Aid sent a convoy of aid to Mitrovicë.
Nevertheless, this symbolic amount of aid does not suffice even the minimal needs of the needy in Mitrovicë, not to mention the evacuated from the war afflicted areas. The warehouses of the humanitarian help in Mitrovicë are completely empty, while the premises of "Mother Theresa" and its health stations have only a small amount of medicine.KOSOVA (EU Commissioner for Humanitarian issues)
Bonino: "Many people will die if peace is not achieved"Prishtina, 19 August (ARTA) 2030CET --
"Many of the 200,000 ethnic Albanian IDPs in Kosova can die this coming winter if peace is not achieved soon", stated the EU Commissioner for Human Rights, Emma Bonino, on Wednesday.
"I am only warning the international community that there is no possibility, in the humanitarian aspect, for all these people to survive winter if there is no political solution", stressed Bonino during her visit to IDPs in the village of Qirez in the region of Drenica. Escorted by a large number of reporters and representatives of different humanitarian organizations, Bonino visited several villages, which were targeted by Serb forces.
She traveled through Malishevë, Kijevë, and Skënderaj today, making a stop in Qirez, where local authorities claim that 326 Albanians were currently sheltered.
The representative of the local Emergency Council told Bonino that those people had not eaten for the past three days.
"We need bread and water urgently", said this official, stressing that the warehouse in Qirez has enough stocks to cover other items. Bonino visited the local elementary school "Jeta e Re", where she met with four adolescent children, the mother of which had died three days ago while giving birth to her fifth child.
The EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Issues also talked to Miftar Tafil Zogaj (52), who had been staying in the school's premises for the past month.
"The conditions are not all that bad, although we do sleep on straw", he said, pointing towards a heap of straw at the corner of the classroom. "I hope someone can help, otherwise we are done for", he said, with signs of despair in his coarse voice.
Bonino, on the other hand, stated that the IDPs, which were forced to flee their homes because of the Serb offensives, couldn’t return home without a guarantee for their safety. She also said that international pressure must be mounted on Belgrade aiming at stopping its onslaughts.KOSOVA (incidents - Kosova-Albanian border)
Serb shelling over PadeshTirana, 19 August (ARTA) 1600CET--
A serious incident occurred in the border belt with Kosova, in the area "C\2", near the Padesh village in the district of Tropojë yesterday. A considerable quantity of shells from Serb heavy artillery fell within the administrative territory of Albania, 1.000 m far from the line of demarcation between Albania and Kosova. Albanian army sources from Tropojë claim that 11 Serb shells have been detected so far, but it is believed that about 17 of them burst in the Albanian territory. According to the same source, the attack carried out by Serb artillery commenced at 0900CET and lasted until 1030CET, jeopardizing the lives of local inhabitants.
Sources close to the Police Commissioner in Tropojë district claimed to have heard shooting coming from the territory of Kosova today, which Serb forces used against Kosovar order villages. Consequently, because of Serb shells falling in the vicinity of the village of Padesh, local authorities in the frontier belt have undertaken measures aiming at evacuating children, women and elderly from some houses which are situated near the border line Padesh-Kamenicë.
Furthermore, police units from the Kukës municipal village of Has, required to meet the Serb side in order to enlighten this incident, but the Serb side has not responded as yet.
The incident that occurred yesterday is the most serious one up to now in Padesh since the one on Thursday, when Serb forces targeted the Albanian border point in Padesh. Padesh has become a very "heated" point lately. Serb artillery shells have fallen in several times and Albanian villages have been provoked.KOSOVA (incidents - Kosova-Albanian border)
"Put an end to provocations, at once"Tirana, 19 August (ARTA) 2230CET –
The Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the "FRY" Charge D’Affaires, Stanimir Vukicevic today. He was given a letter of protest, which reflected the vigorous disapproval of the Albanian Government towards the recent events at the Kosova-Albania border. As it is stated on 18.08.1998 starting from 0920CET and until 1100CET, "Yugoslav" frontier units situated in the area C/3 Padesh, Tropojë fired from artillery weapons in the direction of Albanian territory.
Fifteen shells fell 1.2 km within the territory of the Republic of Albania, and one of them exploded 100 m near the dwellings of Padesh village. The Albanian side demanded an immediate halt of artillery fire against Albanian territory when it met with the "Yugoslav" one in Qafa e Prushit. After investigations were conducted in the scene, 15 holes from the shells and 7 shells of Yugoslav production were found, as well as other proofs, which put blame on the "Yugoslav" side. OSCE representatives witnessed the incident, as they were close to the place, at the time when it occurred.
In the letter of protest which was handed to the "Yugoslav" Charge D’Affaires by the Albanian Ministry of Exterior, the "FRY" is reminded that similar cases have become frequent taking the shape of open military provocation and they directly breach the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Albania.
Moreover, it emphasizes the clear stance of the Albanian Government, which requests from the "Yugoslav" side to quit the provocations immediately.KOSOVA (Kosovar Ministry of Information)
The people’s efforts to live in freedom and independence cannot be imagined without the funds of the RepublicGeneva, 19 August (ARTA) 1930CET --
Yesterday, on 18 August 1998, in conformity to the previous accord, the Swiss Confederation Prosecutor, Carla Del Ponte, decided to abrogate measures which were undertaken in 23 July 1998 on the Fund of Republic of Kosova.
Beforehand, Guy Fontanet, a lawyer, and one of the Administrators of the Fund of the Republic of Kosova, Xhafer Shatri, had the opportunity to provide the necessary explanations concerning the destination of Fund's assets.
In a meeting which Fontanet and Shatri held with the representatives of the Federal Department for Internal Affairs, they achieved an agreement for supplementary measures which would enable the Swiss Government to verify, at any time, whether the activity of the Fund is compatible with the dispositions.
According to the dispositions of the Fund: "It intents to take part in financing the humanitarian, social, cultural, educational, health etc. stocks and shares, and others, which meet the needs of Kosova Albanians in the country".
It is apparent that the Fund of Republic of Kosova had an important role in perseverance of the people of Kosova, and it has been a reliable base for creating an independent financial system, which indulges the efforts of one people to live freely and independently.
We want to use this occasion to express our deep gratitude to Swiss and world media for their support to the Fund, as well as Federal authorities for their understanding.
The abrogation of measures imposed on the Fund of the Republic of Kosova, is a testimony of the influence that Kosova Albanians and their representatives in this country posses", states a communiqué issued by the Ministry of Information of Republic of Kosova, signed by Xhafer Shatri.KOSOVA (National Liberation Movement of Kosova – communique)
The KLA General Headquarters should have consulted the National Liberation Movement of Kosova...Prishtina, 19 August (ARTA) 2145CET –
Following the newly created situation in Kosova and the 7th political statement of the KLA General Headquarters, the National Liberation Movement of Kosova (LKÇK) issued a communiqué criticizing the Albanian leadership in Kosova for creating so-called quasi institutions and their fight for authority. "LKÇK expresses its fear that the new policy - the liberation policy of Kosova is taking after the mistaken methods of LDK, which failed because of those working methods. There were some indications about this earlier, however we think that what was published in the 7th political statement of the KLA General Headquarters, is a step that gives grounds for our concern. The statement claimed the following: "The newly created circumstances imposed the creation of new institutions where the political spectrum of Kosova will receive its representation. In an attempt to avoid any forms of manipulations in the process of creating these institutions, the KLA will make its team of political representatives public".
"Aiming at speeding up the process of creating the institutions of Kosova, the KLA General Headquarters thus gives complete faith to Adem Demaçi to take the leading position in this process".
Which imposing circumstances and which institutions are we referring to?
If it was state institutions that were referred to, then they were already created by a pacifist policy, which failed just because they were created before the country was liberated. We wish it were the talking about creating the basis of institutions, the war front, which would lead the policy of liberation and war. A broader basis of bodies should have been used for the initiative to be more convincing and. This could have been achieved. However, a "close group" gave birth to another, which in turn became the source of institutions.
The KLA General Headquarters should have consulted the LKÇK General Council before making such a statement, since it signed an agreement with this LKÇK body. This agreement has one objective, creating a front line of war, as supreme body of Kosova for which the KLA itself was determined.
It is not good, it is even dangerous for one body to try to push the "national issue" forward by itself. This happened with the LDK, which planted the spirit of political dictatorship in occupied Kosova and abstinently chose the wrong way, which resulted with nothing less than a political clan that now crawls along the political scene. The policy of neglecting others could be dangerous if it is practiced by any body, even if that body is the KLA", says a communiqué issued by the LKÇK General Headquarters. The communiqué adds that "LKÇK is working very hard to achieve unity, just as it will continue to act in accordance with the agreement with KLA, always hoping that one wrong step does not mean a whole wrong path".
For your information the Albanian guerilla (KLA)
attacked the Serbian Orthodox Monastery in Zociste, Kosovo on July 21.
During the attack the monks and the refugees did not make any resistance
but gathered on prayer in the church. After the prayer the monks and the
refugees surrendered to KLA and were given over to IRCR a day later. Many
other villagers who did not find refuge in the monastery in time were arrested
and taken away to KLA camps.
This afternoon we received an information that
the police reentered the village again and that the KLA retreated from
Zociste and neighboring villages. I talked to Bishop Artemije yesterday
and he told me that Fr. Myron reported from the monastery and this morning,
God willing, he would be serving there the first Holy Liturgy after 60
days of occupation. There is no damage in the monastery and the church
was not desecrated, thank God. The special prayer will be offered for the
local Serb villagers abducted by the KLA and all the suffering people in
Kosovo. At the moment nothing is known about the abducted Serb villagers
from Orahovac area, and we all fear that they were killed. Even the IRCR
has no information about them. Among the abductees there are elderly people,
women and children.
Saint Cosma and Damian, the patrons of Zociste
monastery, pray for us all!
In Christ
hieromonk Sava
Info on events in Zociste monastery and the latest
news:
http://www.decani.yunet.com/zociste.html
PS The names of 40 Serb villagers abducted
from Orahovac area. Lord Jesus Chirst have mercy on them: (surname+name)
Djinovic Dusko, Baljosevic Djordje, Dolasevic
Dusko, Jovicic Damian, Vitosevic Srdjan, Baljosevic Tomislav, Baljosevic
Sasa, Kostic Lazar, Kostic Todor, Kostic Miodrag, Kostic Svetoslav, Kostic
Dimitrije, Kostic Vjekoslav, Kostic Ljubomir, Kostic Mladen, Kostic Nebojsa,
Kostic Zivko, Kostic Srecko, Kostic Vitomir, Bozanic Novica, Bozanic Nemanja,
Bozanic Bosko, Bozanic Mladen, Burdjic Miodrag, Burdjic Spasa, Banzic Spasa,
Simic Srecko, Nikolic Cvetko, Nikolic Rajko, Lazic Veselin, Lukic Sinisa,
Jelic Aisa, Jelic Dragomir, Cabarkapa Cedo, Djoric Djordje, Stanojevic
Krsta, Vitosevic Srecko, Simic Ivica i Fildjokic Milorad.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We are repeating the news about Devic monastery
which we posted yesterday:
Devic: August 18, 1998.
After eight months of living under a blockade
by the KLA the access to the Serbian Orthodox monastery of Devic in Drenica
was normalized again on August 5. The nine-member sisterhood of this Serbian
monastery is relieved after months of molestation, Blic daily writes in
its today's issue. The monastery abbess Anastasija says: "I have
been in Devic monastery for 38 years, but there has not been a more
difficult period in my life than these past eight months. We believe that
a person without faith could not have been able to endure all the things
we have endured". Abbes Anastasija said that not a single window was left
whole on monastery farm facilities. She also complained that eggs from
hen-houses were stolen, fences burned, agricultural machinery taken away,
and that the monastery was shelled during the retreat of the KLA, which
made damage on the church roof.
-END-
----------------------------------------------------------
News on abducted persons from August 4, 1998.
Reuters Aug 06, 1998
Kosovo Serbs plea for return of abductees
PRISTINA, Serbia, Aug 6 (Reuters) - More than
50 relatives of Kosovo Serbs pleaded on Thursday for the return of family
members they say have been abducted by ethnic Albanian separatists.
"I want my brothers
back. They have killed my father but I want my brothers alive," said Zivka
Kostic through tears.
Her two brothers are
among 171 Serbs who have been reported abducted by separatists since the
beginning of March when clashes began in Kosovo, a Serbian province with
a 90 percent ethnic Albanian majority.
International observers
say most public attention has been paid to the plight of ethnic Albanian
refugees, tens of thousands of whom are now cowering from the fighting
in Kosovos hills.
But, they say, the fighting
has taken its toll on both sides.
The desperate Serbian
families protested outside the media centre in Pristina, Kosovos provincial
capital.
They accused international
agencies and local authorities of not helping them in their search for
their fathers, sons, husbands and brothers.
"What are they (the
international organisations) doing? What is the state doing? I want my
husband and the father of my three small children back," said Zivana Patrnogic
from Velike Hoce near Orahovac.
"No one cares about
us," she said.
Patrnogic said her husband
was abducted during an attack by ethnic Albanian separatists on July 16
from a medical centre in Orahovac where he worked.
"My husband walked to
work every day and was not afraid of anyone as he was helping all the people
equally," she said.
"I just want him back,
my children have nothing to eat, I cannot work," she said.
The protesters also
planned to protest to U.S. officials in Pristina.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Dated : August 06, 1998 at 13:12:42
Subject: AP photograph
http://www.decani.yunet.com/refugees8.jpeg
An unidentified Serb woman comforts Radmila Savelic, left, Thursday, Aug. 6 in Pristina, the capital of Yugoslavia's Kosovo province. These women are part of more than 40 Serbs from Orahovac, the village 31 miles southwest of Pristina which was the scene of fierce battles in July between Serb forces and Albanian rebels of Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). They arrived in Pristina to complain to Serbian authorities and international the Red Cross about their 140 relatives allegedly kidnapped by the KLA during fighting.
AP Photo/Srdjan Ilic
--------------------------------------
B92 News:
Pristina August 6, 1998
According to the special reporter of B92 Radio,
Antonella Richa, a group of 50 Serbs whose family memberw were abducted
in Orahovac came to Pristina today in organization of the IRCR. From July
17, since the armed Albanians attacked villages Ratimlje, Otprerusa and
Velika Hoca, as well as during the fights in Orahovac, it is not known
what happened to 30 Serbs whose relatives came to Pristina.
The women which were abducted were set free but
the men were taken in unknown direction. Only the Serbs from Zociste village
managed to flee in time but still cannot go back to their homes. After
the talk in the American Information Center and the Provincial Government
office where, as we heard, the minister Andrea Milosavljevic received them,
it is still not known what is the result of their today's appeal.
Nevertheless, they managed to tell the journalists
what happened to their relatives.
- I am from Ratimlje village, municipality of
Orahovac. We did not leave but sixteen of us from Retimlje were forcefully
driven away while one man was killed. All men were taken away. -
- I am a son of the deceased Andjelko Kostic.
We were attacked by the Albanian terrorists and our neighbours -
Beatrise Weber from the IRCR tod us about the
official records about the abducted persons.
We know for 138 cases of abducted Serbs and 400
cases of abducted Albanians who are supposed to be inprisoned. It is very
difficult to say how many Serbs were kidnapped during the offensive in
Orahovac. We have record about 50 Serbs who are thought to be abducted."
On our question, whether is it possible for the IRCR to get into contact
with them and help them, Ms Weber answered that it was extremely difficult
because the situation had been changed. She added:" We have to make new
contacts with both sides and ascertain where these people are. Then we
have to visit them and help them to get into contact with their families."
Ms Weber pointed out that so far the IRCR has managed to set free the abducteed
Serbs from the KLA only in two occasions.
---------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL NEWS
Pristina July 31, 1998
Jovanka, Borka, Radoslav, Bojan, Roksanda, Slavka,
Snezana and the 13 months old baby Ninoslav Baljosevic from Orahovac were
set free after 14 days of imprisonment in the KLA run camp in Junik. They
believe that other Serbs who were abducted in Orahovac are still alive.
These 8 Serbs belong to the group of 59 Serbs who were kidnapped by the
armed Albanians during the recent fights in Orahovac area. (Politika news)
---END----
--
The message posted by:
Decani Monastery 38322
Decani, Serbia, Yugoslavia http://www.decani.yunet.com
E-mail: decani@EUnet.yu
tel (fax) +381 390 61543 +381 390 61567
ON THE WIDESPREAD REPRESSION AND HARASSMENT PERPETRATED
BY
THE SERBIAN POLICE AND OTHER AUTHORITIES IN KOSOVA
FROM AUGUST 9, UNTIL AUGUST 13, 1998
The text you can read at week430.htm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 1998
For more information:
Fred Abrahams, (212) 216-1270
ETHNIC ALBANIAN JOURNALIST ARRESTED IN KOSOVO
(New
York, August 19) Human Rights Watch today expressed deep concern about
the most recent arrest of an ethnic Albanian journalist in the war-torn
province of Kosovo.
Musa
Kurhasku, correspondent for the largest Albanian-language daily newspaper,
Koha Ditore, was taken into police custody today around 3:00 p.m. from
his home in Dakovica. Five policemen reportedly raided his home and
confiscated articles, documents, his telephone book and telex machine.
According
to the Koha Ditore editorial offices in Prishtina, Mr. Kurhasku had been
summoned to the Dakovica police station Wednesday morning. The police
allegedly told him to go to another city, Orahovac, in order to negotiate
the release of an ethnic Serb who had been captured by members of the Kosova
Liberation Army (KLA). Mr. Kurhasku reportedly refused to go, saying that
it was not a journalist's responsibility to act as a broker or to do the
work of the Red Cross.
Although
Human Rights Watch could not confirm this story, it is consistent with
other reports of Serbian police ordering ethnic Albanian civilians to negotiate
with the KLA.
Human
Rights Watch called today for Mr. Kurhasku's immediate release. The
diplomatic missions of the Contact Group were also urged to apply pressure
on the Yugoslav government to ensure his release and to guarantee full
respect for freedom of the press.
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