Kosova Communication 213

From: "Demetrios E. Paneras" <dep@bu.edu>

CONTENTS

  • [01] Massive Kosova Albanian protest through Europe

  • [02] Rugova telegram to the Bern rally

  • [03] Rugova receives Norwegian and French Diplomats

  • [04] Serbian Violence in Kosova Risks Balkan peace

  • [05] Half of Albanian Nation Outside Borders

  • [06] Law that discriminates and robs

  • [07] A ICFTU office to be opened in Prishtina

  • [08] Serbian Government Reports on Violence in Kosova

  • [09] News in Brief

    •  

    From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)

    Newsgroups: soc.culture.albanian 

    Subject: Kosova Communication 213

    Date: 27 Mar 1995 10:04:43 -0600

    KOSOVA COMMUNICATION Bulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova 4th Year; No213, 27 March 1995

    [01] Massive Kosova Albanian protest through Europe

    The Democratic League of Kosova, the largest political party of Albanians in Yugoslavia, on 25 March organised protest rallies . Tens of thousands of Albanians in Bon (Germany), Bern (Switzerland), London (Britain), Paris (France), Vienna(Austria), Stockholm(Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), The Hague (Netherlands) Melbourne (Australia), and Toronto (Canada) demanded the recognition of Kosova as an independents and neutral state. A just solution for the Kosova issue would be a peace factor in the Balkans. The German President Herman Hertzog and the President of the German Bundestag sent their greeting to the participants of the rally in Bon. A petition signed by 100,000 people was handed to German authorities. 'We strongly support the right of Kosova people for self-determination'- Peter Volner , a Swiss MP stated addressing the Bern rally. Swiss writer Manfred Zulfi said: 'it is a big opportunity and great honor for the Balkans and Europe to have a personality such as Mr. Rugova, who rightly represents a shining symbol of peace."

    [02] Rugova telegram to the Bern rally

    The President of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, sent the following telegram of support to the participants of the rally in Bern: 'I salute and thank you in the name of the people of Kosova for your gathering in support of Kosova's independence. We thank Switzerland and the Swiss people for admitting Albanians from Kosova and former Yugoslavia in last 20 years as workers, who helped develop Kosova and other regions. We also thank the Swiss Government for showing understanding towards our youngsters who left the Serbian army refusing to fight against others. We also thank Switzerland for showing understanding towards other Kosova citizens who ran away from violence and repression. I ask you to behave in accordance with the Swiss and Swiss peoples laws and standards. I am aware of your difficulties on foreign soil, especially as you are victims of violence, but with your help and with the non-violent resistance of the Kosova people, we will work together for a free, independent and neutral Kosova. We hope that Switzerland will continue to support the political will of the people of Kosova, because an independent and neutral Kosova is a stability factor in the Balkans and Europe. I would also like to personally salute the Foreign Minister of the Helvetic Confederation, Mr. Koti."

    [03] Rugova receives Norwegian and French Diplomats

    The President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, received on the 21st and 22nd March in Prishtina Tryne Skymoen, Charge d'Affaires of the Norwegian Royal Embassy in Belgrade, and Stefano Sanino, First Secretary of the Italian Embassy in Belgrade.

    President Rugova expounded the plight of the people of Kosova in view of the continued and systematic Serbian regime's crackdown.

    Dr. Ibrahim Rugova reiterated the position of the Kosova leadership regarding the commitment to see a peaceful resolution to the Kosova issue, while respecting the will of the people for an independent state.

    In these meetings, Rugova called for the demilitarisation of Kosova and the placement of an international civil administration as the first step in the normalisation of life in Kosova, and ensuring the preconditions for a genuine dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade, under a third authorized party.

    The diplomats also expressed interest in other aspects of the situation and developments in Kosova.

    [04] Serbian Violence in Kosova Risks Balkan peace

    According to the monthly bulletin of the Parliamentary Party of Kosova (PPK) , No. 22 dated 11.03.95, in a regular meeting with the representatives of their branches, Bajram Kosumi, President of the PPK, stated that it was not possible to talk about the present situation in Kosova without mentioning the systematic, institutionalised Serbian violence, which threatened not only the situation in Kosova but also in the Balkans. This violence is part of the political inclination of the Serbian leadership. As in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia is also applying violence as a means for the solution of political issues in Kosova, but not in the form of a declared war due to the international community's attitude towards her. For as long as Serbia is not interested in avoiding war in Kosova, her aim will be to to continue exercising constant violence against ordinary citizens, to separate them from the movement, to frighten and force them out of the country, therefore performing quiet 'ethnic cleansing'. Serbian violence is accompanied with a cruel campaign for the colonisation of Kosova, a process destined to fail as did similar attempts in the past. These Serbian actions show not her force, but her insecurity. The colonisation of Kosova is Serbia's last stride to cling to Kosova and convince Serbs there of her presence. Serbs of Kosova should, therefore, realise that they are simply being manipulated by the Belgrade regime. Recently, stated Kosumi, a census of property has been announced by Serbia. This is expected to support the 'ethnic cleansing' of Kosova, it aims to repossess properties owned by Albanians and hand them over to Serb colonists. This process should be completed by the year 2002. Regarding the latest Serbian press speculations on the division of Kosova, Kosumi stated that it would be the most tragic variant of the solution of the Kosova problem which Albanians would never allow.

    [05] Half of Albanian Nation Outside Borders

    In a recent visit to Germany the Albanian writer Ismail Kadare gave an interview to journalists of the German radio station Deutche Welle. Answering questions regarding the situation in Albania , Kosova and FYROM, Kadare stated that half of the Albanians live outside their national state borders. "In this case, the figures play a major role. Can you imagine 70 million Germans living outside Germany. I do not support an adventurous solution or the violation of peace in Europe. But a way should be found to end this deception and find a just solution . Of course, most important would be the emancipation of the whole of the Balkans, but this is to far off. In Kosova there are no schools for children. In FYROM people were killed just because they wanted to open an university. They were not killed because they wanted to overthrow the government and impose Islamic fundamentalism, or something else, but because they wanted to open an university. FYROM police shot at crowds and killed.

    [06] Law that discriminates and robs

    In an interview given to Radio Deutche Welle on 20 March, commenting the new Serbian law governing foreign currencies, Dr. Mustafe Blakaj, Chairman of the Central Council for Financing Social Activities in the Republic of Kosova stated: 'After the occupation of Kosova, Albanians were dismissed from their jobs. Because of this they were forced to go abroad, where they provided existential means for their families. In the absence of banking mechanism, the money transfer was irregular. Serbia is now trying to abolish these methods and to direct the transfers via banks, which up to date actually robbed the population. This law ensures the continuation of this robbery. This law targets Albanians in particular, trying to make their life in Kosova impossible. The new Serbian law on governing foreign currency is not a regular law, it is robbing, punishing and putting into a discriminated position a whole nation', concluded Dr. Blakaj.

    [07] A ICFTU office to be opened in Prishtina

    In an interview given to the BBC on 19 March, following his second visit to Kosova, Jean Mari Cheval, the International Representative of Independent Trade Unions, spoke about the destitute position of the Albanian population under occupation, the dismissal of Albanians from their jobs and the closure of schools and university. She stated that 'in Gjakova region the land is being illegally taken from Albanians and is given to Serbs. Another fact is the persecution of former policemen, members of the trade union. 200 of them were arrested, ill-treated and tortured, and in two-three cases even killed. The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions wants to provide permanent aid to Kosova Independent Trade Unions, as a confederation democratically chosen in Kosova.' She also stated that the international confederation will financially help its member from Kosova, and will make efforts to send as many delegates possible to Kosova to monitor the situation. She revealed that there was a will on both sides to open an International Confederation office in Prishtina. Ending Ms. Cheval stated that an inter-ethnic conflict in Kosova would compromise the whole Balkans, when it would become to late. Thus, the actions by the International Confederation of Trade Unions to help their colleagues in Kosova, are being seriously understood, and moral and material support would not be found lacking.

    [08] Serbian Government Reports on Violence in Kosova

    In a Serbian government crime report in the self proclaimed Yugoslavia, published by the Serbian press on 22 March, it is said that in Kosova the 'formation of a base' which would have become a 'factor of organised terrorism of extremists and separatists' was obstructed. 172 people were charged for the alleged formation of the 'Republic of Kosova Interior Ministry'. Another 18 people were charged for 'illegal paramilitary organisation and, possession of arms' while 29 others have been charged with 'participation in military training in Albania'. 19 members of Balli Kombetar, the Kosova National Movement (LPK) and the National Unity Party (UNIKOMB) were also charged. 69 people were charged for alleged possession of fire arms. The report informs that for dealings with foreign currencies 10,854 people were detained, from whom 4.7 m DEM and 1.6 m Dinars were seized.

    [09] News in Brief

    On March 18 in Ferizaj, around 10 p.m., three armed and masked people wearing the military uniform of the Serbian army entered the house of the brothers Ixhri and Sahadi Maloku and proceeded to maltreat the families of both men and stole hard currency valued at over 10,000 DM and other family valuables. During the raid, which lasted 15 minutes, all three spoke Serbian. Police and military authorities later visited the site of crime.

    On the evening of 21 March, Serbian police gave Vehap Shita (72) formal notification to report to a police station in Prishtina for "informative discussions". Mr Shita, writer and activist and translator for the Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms in Prishtina, reported to the police station expecting to be questioned on his activities for the Human Rights Council. Surprisingly he was given several hours to hand in a weapon. Mr. Shita replied that he does not posses one neither can he afford to buy one.

    On March 22, in Gjakova, around 8 am, five Serbian police entered the home of Avni Brovina, former employee with the Kosova Bureau for textbooks Publishers, and confiscated the equivalent of one lorry load of school textbooks in the Albanian language. Mr. Brovina was held for over eight hours at the local police station were he was questioned on the activities of the Bureau.

    For several days there has been an increase of military low level flights over Prishtina . These flights coincide with a recent increase in Belgrade's attempts to provoke fear amongst Albanians and encourage Serbian nationalist extremists. Recently there has also been an increase in the distribution of draft orders for young Albanians throughout Kosova as well as call ups for reservist forces.

    In line with the declaration by Belgrade to settle Kosova with 100,000 Slav colonisers, yesterday in Kamenica construction was begun on 30 homes. According to the Serbian newspaper Jedinstvo, construction is to be completed within nine months and will cost over 2 million Dinars. Serbian authorities hope that among the colonisers will be 'much needed experts' for the 'revival' of the Kamenica economy.

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