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Kosova Communication 240 - 3/11/95From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)Kosovo News DirectoryKosova CommunicationBulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova4th year, No 240, 3 November 1995CONTENTS[01] President Rugova Receives Russian Diplomats[02] Kosova Government Statement on Ohio talks[03] Bukoshi writes to Dehane[04] Hans Ficher addresses Albanian Parliament[05] U.S. House, Senate Approve $6 million in Humanitarian Assistance for Kosova[06] Albanian Americans Rally in Dayton[07] Statement by Parliamentarian Party of Kosova[08] Statement by Kosova Liberal Party[09] A meeting on Cultural life in Kosova[10] Premises of Kosova charitable organisations closed[11] Data on Kosova companies[12] Repression in Ferizaj during October[01] President Rugova Receives Russian DiplomatsThe President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received on 1 November in Prishtina Mr. Vladimir P. Oulassevitch, Head of the Political Division, Mr. Sergej Cetverikov , Counsellor, and Mr. Anatolij Bocarov, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Belgrade. President Rugova briefed the Russian diplomats about the situation in Kosova, the systematic repression of the Serbian regime and Serbian efforts to colonize Kosova through the forceful change of its ethnic distribution and by settling Serb refugees from Croatia and other parts of former Yugoslavia.Speaking on the political aspect of the Kosova issue, President Rugova said that following the disintegration of the former Yugoslav Federation, of which Kosova was a constitutive part, the people of Kosova had declared their independence in a Referendum. Dr. Rugova said that an independent and neutral Kosova, open towards both Albania and Serbia, was the optimum solution to the issue. He said, however, that an international civil administration, as an interim stage, would facilitate the finding of a negotiated solution. Russian Embassy officials said the situation in Kosova was not normal and emphasized the need to find an acceptable solution through dialogue.
[02] Kosova Government Statement on Ohio talksIn a statement dated 31 October 1995, the government of the Republic of Kosova welcomed the initiation of the proximity talks on Bosnia-Herzegovina that have started in Ohio, United States of America, and saw them as a stepping stone toward confidence building, a necessary ingredient to a successful outcome of negotiations. After hailing the efforts of the United States and European Union the statement emphesized the fact that it was in Kosova that everything started, and that unless the issue was allotted due attention and deep understanding, followed by intense international pressure on Belgrade, the prospects were rather bleakCommenting on the adoption of a policy paper on former Yugoslavia by the Council of Ministers of the European Union on 31 October 1995 , a documet which commits the UE countries to exercising pressure upon Belgrade to grant a large degree of autonomy to Kosova , the Government of Kosova stated that autonomy for Kosova was not an equitable and lasting solution, and therefore would not be accepted. In this context, the government reiterated its stance that it would only be bound by the expressed will of the population of Kosova for an independent republic, and would work towards this end only. On the committment of UE Ministers to respect the internationally recognised borders of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia the Government of Kosova warned that neither has the self-proclaimed Federal Republic of Yugoslavia been recognised internationally, nor had its borders, adding that Kosova, with its defined borders, was a reality to be recognised. Finally the Government Kosova stated that it would be ready to talk to Belgrade, in the presence of a third party, on a range of issues covering Albanian self-government in Kosova, convinced that Serbian oppressors and Serbs in general would eventually come to appreciate the benefits of letting Kosova go free.
[03] Bukoshi writes to DehaneOn 1 November, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova, Bujar Bukoshi, wrote to the Prime Minister of Belgium, Jean-Luc Dehane demanding from the government of Belgium to undertake a determined act in order to ensure that Darko Asanin, the assassin of Albanian Human Rights activist Enver Hadri, be extradited to Belgium. Darko Asanin was arrested at the beginning of October and is currently being kept in custody by Greek police Mr Bukoshi reminded the Belgian PM that Mr. Hadri, who had lived in Belgium for over 15 years was murdered on 25 February 1990 in Saint Gilles, by 3 commandos. Mr. Bukoshi stated that the time had arrived to support and encourage Belgium justice towards the resolution of this case, which was only a link in the chain of crimes against the Albanian nation.
[04] Hans Ficher addresses Albanian ParliamentOn 27 October the President of the Austrian Parliament Hans Fischer addressed the National Assembly of Albania. Speaking on the situation in the region he stated that Austria had been informed of the injustices in Kosova and promised that Austria would intervene in all international bodies to restore the rights of Albanians in Kosova.
[05] U.S. House, Senate Approve $6 million in Humanitarian Assistance for KosovaThe U.S. Senate last evening approved the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 1996 that includes $6 million in earmarked humanitarian assistance for Kosova. The House had earlier approved the bill that emerged from a HouseSenate conference earlier this week. Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) successfully amended the Senate version to provide the funding, and the conferees retained the assistance. The bill now faces an uncertain future at the White House.(RUDER-FINN)
[06] Albanian Americans Rally in DaytonHundreds of Albanian Americans rallied yesterday in front of the Wright- Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton on the opening day of the Bosnia peace talks. The protestors demanded that Kosova with its two million Albanians under Serbian repression, be included in negotiations. The Dayton all-day rally focused public attention on the human, civil and national rights violations in Kosova.(Ruder-Finn)
[07] Statement by Parliamentarian Party of KosovaThe Parliamentarian Party of Kosova (PPK) wrote to the UN, Contact group on former Yugoslavia, US envoy Richard Holebrook, and to several Belgrade based Embassies.PPK states that Albanians of Kosova are encouraged by the latest steps against Serbian militarism in Bosnia. The letter further says that the latest approaches and projects of the international community for the bringing to an end of conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and the option of finding a partial solution to the problem, as well as giving priorty to problems that occurred later than that of Kosova - which is being viewed with indifference - have led Albanians to believe that this represents a breech of a repeatedly promoted principle: the principle for the necessity of a comprehensive solution to all the problems in the former Yugoslavia. The reality at present is adding to the disappointment of the Albanians as their peaceful policy is not being rewarded with the expected results. International factors, who desire peace in the Balkans, should bear in mind the consequences that may occur in the event of total disappointment of the Albanians of Kosova, who continue to be the only party maintaining peace in Serbian occupied Kosova. Taking into consideration the fact that Kosova represents the most difficult and complicated problem in the former Yugoslavia the solution of which is a necessity, every attempt to placate it through offering partial solutions for conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, implies the leaving in existence of a flash point ready to explode at any moment. continues PPK adding that the participation of the Albanians in the process of seeking a solution to the former Yugoslav conflicts would not only be a valuable contribution for peace and stability in the region, but also a vital necessity.
[08] Statement by Kosova Liberal PartyOn 30 October the Liberal Party of Kosova (LPK) issued a statement against the increasing tendencies to ignore and deny the political will of the people of Kosova. Kosova Liberals think that the increased number of statements by individuals and groups on Kosova aims to shrink peoples determination and to marginalise the legal institutions of the Republic of Kosova. Kosova can be represented only by those elected in general elections. LPK goes on to warn that the latest attempts of Serbia for a negative selection of Albanians is aimed at hoping to form an opinion of failure.
[09] A meeting on Cultural life in KosovaOn 2 November in Prishtina The Writers Association of Kosova and Albanian PEN Centre organised a meeting on cultural life. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Milazim Krasniqi. The tribunal issued a memorandum to the UN, the Contact Group, the Dayton Peace Conference, the International PEN Centre and to the presidents of Albania and Kosova. The memorandum demands the support of the international community for the aspirations of the people of Kosova for independence .From Official Albania and Albanian people it demands acknowledgement of the decision of the Referendum in Kosova and the Resolution of Albanian Parliament to recognise Kosova. The memorandum states that Kosova demands a quick and just solution, thus avoiding a conflict which would ignitte the whole region In view of the fact that to force a whole nation to accept slavery is a direct encouragement for war, the memorandum calls on the UN, US and EU to support the peaceful policies of Albanians and punish Serbian aggression.The Memorandum concludes that only a free , independent and democratic Kosova, guaranteeing equal rights to all its citizens, is a solution that can bring peace to the region.
[10] Premises of Kosova charitable organisations closedOn 1 November, the Serbian communal headquarters for refugees ordered all charitable organisations to cease their activities. It is not known what has happened with the equipment and documentation. This Serbian order resulted in a loss of over 150,000 DM for the Kosova League for the Blind. Not long ago Serbian authorities also closed a Peja based Special School for the Blind in order to make way for Serbian colonists. The functioning and activity of all Kosova charitable organisations has now been halted.
[11] Data on Kosova companiesIn the territory of the Republic of Kosova there are about 19,089 registered private companies. Most of them are in handcraft (8028), trading (4,482) and catering (22300) businesses. The Serbian paper Jedinstvo admits that 90% of them are Albanian owned and that only 560 are manufacturing goods.
[12] Repression in Ferizaj during OctoberThe followingng is an account of police violence and repression in Ferizaj during October. 34 Albanians were taken into police custody; under the pretext of alleged weapons offences 7 people have been physically ill- treated; 4 people have been arrested; police raided two schools; 7 family houses searched. 280 Albanian owned companies and shops were raided by police who seized about 63,400 DM in goods and currency. 117 Albanians workers were dismissed from their jobs. The Sutjeska hotel company recently dismissed its last 17 Albanian worker, and now employs an ethnically pure Serb staff. |