Human Rights Violations against Non-albanian Kosovars

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# Orthodox Press: Kosovo and Metohija Chronicle, September 22

Information Service of the Serbian Orthodox Church
PRAVOSLAVLJE PRESS

Belgrade, September 22, 1999

Belgrade Events

Yesterday, on September 21, the Serbian Orthodox Church solemnly celebrated the Holy Day of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God. As it is said in church chants, the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God announced the nearing of the greatest joyful event in the world: the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has brought salvation and joy to all the people. The magnificence of this Holy Day could best be comprehended precisely in this period of great afflictions. A distinctive feature of this Holy Day was the marking of 75 years of existing and service performing of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity in Belgrade. On April 20, this church was severly damaged by NATO bombs which levelled to the ground the building of the Serbian Radio Television in the vicinity, thereat killing 14 young employees of this TV station. Since then this church has not been operating due to severe damaging. Yesterday, after the Liturgy served by Rt. Rev. Atanasije - the Bishop of Hvosno - in front of the church, a prayer was performed for the beginning of the reconstruction of this wounded shrine, which is to begin today.

The first regular session of the Holy Synod of Bishops in its new member structure was held in the Serbian Patriarchate building today.

Kosovo&Metohia Events

The Serbs in Kosovo and Metohia are of the opinion that KFOR did not disarm the terrorist organization called KLA. Their conviction is confirmed by different molesting, persecuting and killing of the Serbs, that happen continuously. Actually, the Serbs are now in even bigger peril, since their killers will, from now on, be in the position to carry their weapon legally, under the protection of the International community.

On Monday, September 20, the Serbs in Orahovac and Gracanica obtained humanitarian aid from the Yugoslav Red Cross. The Serbs in Orahovac have been encircled by the Albanian terrorist for three months; they have been left without foodstuff and other vital provisions. When receiving humanitarian aid, the Serbs from Orahovac said that their biggest problem was - not being able to move around freely, being death threaten by the Albanians, and being very disturbed by KFOR that takes away the people on the basis of anonymous Albanian denouncements.

The Church-National Board of Gnjilane, when conveying statement on the Serbian afflictions in that region to Pravoslavlje Press, informed through amateur radio operators, that three days ago an immobile old woman Stanica Antic (aged 82) was killed in Kosovska Kamenica. After the murder her house was set on fire and her corpse also burned in it, and thus was found in charred condition. The burial of the late Stanica was performed the day before yesterday on the local graveyard. The old woman was continuously threatened to by the Albanians, who tried to force her and her three sons to leave their hearth. Two houses of her son had been set on fire earlier, and the third house, in which the old lady lived, was set on fire toghether with that poor woman.

Violence and evil deeds happen as before. Nikola Plecas is again among the attacked Serbs, then Jovan Milic and some other people, and Dragica Jorgic, whose apartment was plundered and moved into by an unknown Albanian.

The sorrow grows bigger as Kosovo Serbs cannot visit safely the graves of their most beloved people.

Grenades were again launched at the Serbian village Gorazdevac. Grenades were falling very close to a caf? which was full of the Serbian youths. Obviously, the Albanians knew for certain where the Serbs moved. Fortunately, there were no victims or wounded.

Thirty-five pits, each being deep about five meters, wide about 1,20 meters, and long between five and six meters, were discovered in the new Serbian graveyard in Istok, near the Gorioc Monastery. Five of them were covered with earth, hence it is possible that they were used. Unfortunately, KFOR did not conduct any investigation. Naturally, it could be presupposed that the pits have been prepared for the Serbs.

Bishop of Hvosno
Atanasije

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