Human Rights Violations against Non-albanian Kosovars

Link to new albanian map of Kosova Link to detailed new map of Kosova  197 KB

# Orthodox Press: Kosovo and Metohija Chronicle, August 27

Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church
PRAVOSLAVLJE PRESS

Belgrade, August 27, 1999
Kosovo & Metohia Events

On Wednesday, August 25, Rt. Rev. Atanasije, the Bishop of Zahumlje and Herzegovina, visited the region of Vucitrn and northern Metohia, and made the latest report on the situation in the villages: Gojbulja, Suvo Grlo, Banja, Rudnik, Dren, Crkolez, Priluzje, Zubin Potok and others.

A physician - a Serb from Priluzje village, who has come there from Nis with the intention to help the Serbian people, visits Gojbulja village three times a week. The villagers informed Bishop Atanasije that, three days ago, a Serb from Banjska village (near Vucitrn) had been kidnapped from his car. Zubin Potok village obtained humanitarian aid from the Diocese of Zica. Dren village numbers 48 Serbian houses, Crkolez 17 houses, Suvo Grlo 20 houses, and Banja village 56 houses. All these villages obtained humanitarian aid from the Serbian Orthodox Church. A beautiful church of St. John painted in frescoes (dating from 14th century) has been maintained in the existing state in Crkolez village. The Bishop took pictures of it (external and internal appearance) as he did with other churches. St. Nicola’s church in Banja village, has also been perserved - the French soldiers protect well both of the churches.

The Serbs from Suvo Grlo village and Banja village are very upset because of the recent killing of their neighbour Damjan Kovacevic (born in 1940), and wounding of Milosav Kovacevic. Actually, these two men drove cattle to pasture near Banja village where the Albanian extremists attacked them. Although the French soldiers have implemented stricter control in these villages after this incident, they have not totally calmed the worried Serbs who have said they would not leave their hearths after all.

In Rudnik village, as we have reported earlier, the interior of St. George’s church (which was built in 14th century) was set on flames and mostly destroyed by explosive.

Mr Alain Le Roille, the head of the civil mission for the area of Pec, visited yesterday the monastery of the Patriarchate of Pec, where he spoke with monk David Perovic from Pec; therat Mr Roille expressed hope and assurance that very soon the conditions would be made for the safe return of the expelled Serbs to this region.

Yesterday, Dejan Sedlarevic’s corpse was found; he was from Kosovska Mitrovica, and disappeared from the northern part of town in the evening of August 24. It has been confirmed in the Medical Centre in Kosovska Mitrovica that Dejan has a stab in the chest and a bullet wound in the back. A greater number of the Serbs have been detained by KFOR in Kosovska Mitrovica on the basis of the Albanians’ anonymous reports, which creates additional feeling of insecurity and tension among the Serbs.

The Russian soldiers within KFOR have not yet entered Orahovac, having been prevented from it by the Albanians.

Belgrade Events

His Holiness Pavle, the Serbian Patriarch, will perform the evening service on August 27, i.e in the eve of the Holy Day - Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God - in Rakovica monastery, and on the Holy Day, August 28, he will serve the Holy Hierarchal Liturgy in the same monastery.

Bishop of Hvosno
Atanasije

Mail senden