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Kosova Communication 249 - 21/01/96From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)Kosovo News DirectoryKosova CommunicationBulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova5th year; No 249; 21 January 1996CONTENTS[01] Kosova has exercised right to self-determination[02] Albanian President Discusses Kosova with Chinese Leader[03] Rugova Receives German Foreign Ministry Officials[04] European Parliamentarians meet Kosova politicians[05] Kosova political establishment discuss Kosova future[06] Question of Kosova must be seen in United Europe context[07] Serbian reaction to American presence in Kosova[08] Macedonia: Constitution - an obstacle[09] Third person shot on the Kosova-Albanian border identified[10] News in Brief[01] Kosova has exercised right to self-determinationIn a meeting with Mr. Mihalis Spinelis, Charge dAffaires of the Greek Embassy in Belgrade, the Kosova President stated that following the disintegration of the former Yugoslav federation, Kosova, as one of its constituive members, has exercised its right to self- determination and through a referendum opted for independence.People of Kosova are determined to solve the issue of Kosova by peaceful means, with dialogue in the presence of a third authorised party added Rugova. Mr. Spinelis confirmed that his country was closely monitoring the situation in Kosova and supported a peaceful solution of the issue. Peacefully towards Independence Prishtina , 15 January - President Rugova of Kosova, met yesterday with Mr. Ivor Roberts , Charge dAffaires of the British Embassy in Belgrade who was accompanied by Mr. Net Dobarn, First Secretary . Mr Rugova reiterated the position of the Kosova leadership and Albanian people for peaceful solution of the problem of Kosova in accordance with its peoples will for independence. Mr. Roberts stated that Britain was carefully observing and was very concerned about the situation in Kosova. [02] Albanian President Discusses Kosova with Chinese LeaderPrishtina, 17 January (Bujku) - The President of Albania, Dr. Sali Berisha on a visit to the Peoples Republic of China discussed the Kosova issue with the Chinese President, Dzian Tze Min.Mr. Berisha informed the Chinese President about Albanias efforts to solve the issue. The Chinese leader was reported to have said that he appreciated the peaceful policies Albania has been pursuing in the Balkans, particularly towards a settlement of the Kosova problem. [03] Rugova Receives German Foreign Ministry OfficialsPrishtina, 17 January - President Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received yesterday in Prishtina a delegation of the German Foreign Ministry, consisting of Dr. Gottfried Haas, Director of the south-east European Section, Mr. Jorn Rosenberg, an aide, and Mr. Gerhard Shrombgens, Charge dAffaires of the German Embassy in Belgrade. Dr. Ibrahim Rugova reasserted the commitment of the Kosova leadership and the people itself to a political and negotiated settlement of the Kosova issue based on the expred will of the people for independence. German officials said that their country had been following the developments in Kosova closely. They expressed the concern of Germany about the situation in Kosova and its interest to see a resolution to the Kosova issue. German delegation met also with representatives of Albanian public life. Aspects of the Kosova reality and society in general were discussed at length. Mr. Has stated that Germany was well acquainted with the Kosova problem and was aware of the consequences that an irresponsible attitude may bring.[04] European Parliamentarians meet Kosova politiciansTirana - 16 January (ATA) - Georgio La Malfa and Richard Moore , Members of the European Parliament recently finished their visit to former Yugoslavia during which they also visited Kosova where they met with top Kosova politicians including President Rugova. Albanian politicians told the Euro MP s that there was a consensus of all Albanian political parties for Kosovas independence. They requested that pressure be put on Serbia to accept equal dialogue with Kosova leadership.Mr. La Malfa stated that the essence of the political problem was the enormous gap between standings: Belgrade opts for wide autonomy within the Republic of Serbia whereas ethnic Albanians say that they will never stop requesting independence for Kosova; only political analysts are talking about a federal system. [05] Kosova political establishment discuss Kosova futurePrishtina, 15 January - Initiated by the Parliamentary Party of Kosova, a meeting of Albanian political forces in Kosova on the Political situation and prospective of Kosova was held today in Prishtina. The meeting was held behind closed doors. Bajram Kosumi, chair of the Parliamentary Party of Kosova, stated that following the Dayton agreement and Paris Conference, Albanian political subjects should reconfirm their determination for just solution of the issue of Kosova, regardless of possible pressures. According, to Mr. Kosumi the participants agreed on the following agenda: actual political situation in Kosova, necessity for more active Albanian policies, readiness to engage all available Albanian forces to pursue independence.[06] Question of Kosova must be seen in United Europe contextVienna 18 January - Speaking at 54th plenary meeting of OSBE, Albanian ambassador Zef Mazi stated: At a time when Slav states, former constituent elements of SFRY opted for and won independence, it is quite logical and there is no reason why the Albanians and their question should remain politically hostage to and be used as a means for a new equilibriums in the Balkans. More and more efforts are being put into the construction of a united Europe. The question of Kosova must be seen in that context. It must not be postponed to the Greek Calendas - continued Mazi.The question of Kosova is a major one, not only for the Albanians and Albania, but for entire Balkans. There seems to be no reason why the wish of its two million strong population should not be recognised. If even the Slav peoples themselves had not wished to remain in the former Federation, a simple question arises: why should the Albanians, who are not Slavs? [07] Serbian reaction to American presence in KosovaPrishtina 18 January - The American announcement to open an American office in Prishtina has provoked several reaction of various Serb associations. On 11 January daily newspaper Borba wrote that no one can deny Holbrooke (and the might supporting him) the right to require something as well as the right to take care of the Kosova Albanians. Borba wonders why Americans did not worry about the Krajina Serbs. Vuk Draskovics Serbian Movement for Restoration issued an official statement, stating that bearing in mind that Milosevic has repeatedly stated that Albanians in Kosova enjoy all individual and collective rights in accordance with the international standards and that there is no police terror, there is no reason for our country (Serbia) to refuse the opening of an American Information Centre in Prishtina.Zoran Djindjic, Chair of the Serbian Democratic Party, stated that the opening of an American office in Prishtina is a direct interference of a foreign power in Serbias and Yugoslavias internal affairs. According to him, the opening of an American office would tell international community that Kosova is not a constituent part of Serbia. Vesna Pesic of Serbias Civic Alliance stated that opening of an American Information Office in Kosova was a possibility. She said that the Belgrade regime was incapable for solving its own problems , to whom any outside interference seems aggressive. Cedomir Mirkovic, Vice-Chair of New Democracy (who form the ruling coalition with the Socialists) , stated that his party supports the Washington announcement to open an USIA office in Prishtina. Slobodan Rakitic, president of the National Parliamentary Party, stated that an American office in Prishtina could be opened only if America uses its authority to persuade the Albanian minority to participate in Serbia elections. But, according to him in essence, the American request is clear pressure on Serbia and encouragement for Albanians. The opening of an American office in Prishtina is unacceptable for the leader of Serbian Radical Party, Seselj, as long as relations between Belgrade and Washington are undetermined. [08] Macedonia: Constitution - an obstacleShkup (Skopje), 15 January - A meeting took place recently in Shkup(Skopje) between Albanian representatives and the representatives of the Macedonia government at the presence of Ambassador Gert Ahrens, president of the Working Group for National Minorities and Ethnic Communities, established within the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia.Albanian representatives stated that regarding the fulfillment of the demands of the Albanians in general very little has been done and requested that collective rights of the Albanians be guaranteed. In this aspect, according to them, nothing has been achieved. Macedonia representatives reiterated that their government has assured all the rights that belong to minorities adding that these demands of the Albanians cannot be fulfilled as they have not been anticipated by the constitution of Macedonia. [09] Third person shot on the Kosova-Albanian border identifiedTirana, 15 January - According to the ATA (Albanian Telegraphic Agency) the third victim found shot dead last month on the border between Albanian and Kosova, near the town of Gjakova (see Communication No. 247, 8 Jan. 96) is identified. The victim, Arben Kraja, was a citizen of Albania from the village of Vlana (Albania). His body was delivered to the Albanian authorities at the border point of Verenica.Kraja was killed on 17th December 1995 together with Elhami Qenaj and Ibrahim Krasniqi, both Albanians from Kosova who were trying to return home from Croatia. As they did not have passports, they tried to get across the border secretly. [10] News in BriefAround 1pm, Serbian police robbed several tradesmen in the periphery of Prizren. These included goods they had brought from Albania (cigarettes, clothes and food products) despite the fact that they had all the necessary documentation.On 12th January Serbian, authorities usurped several classrooms from the one of the biggest elementary schools in the avenue of Shipol, in Mitrovica. On 12 January in Ivangrad around 20 Montenegrin policemen stopped 13 busses full of Albanian passengers returning to Kosova having bought goods at the market of Tuz (near Podgorica). Many Albanian passengers were ill-treated, some neededing medical assistance. Police also seized their money and goods. From one bus only the police seized goods valued at around 1.500 DM. On 17 January, the Albanian community in Germany held, commemorative meetings in memory of the Albanian martyrs Jusuf and Bardhosh Gervalla and Kadri Zeka who were shot dead by the Former Yugoslav secret police on 17 January 1982 in Untergruppenbach, Germany. Ibrahim Rugova, President of Kosova, received today Gert Ahrens, president of the Group for Kosova established by the International Conference on Former Yugoslavia. Mr. Ahrens had separate meetings with representatives of the main Albanian political parties of Kosova. Talks concentrated on the current situation in Kosova and the possibilities for a just and final solution of the problem. January marks the fifth anniversary of the Albanian daily independent newspaper BUJKU. This newspaper started when Serbia had created a complete information blackout by violently closing down TV Prishtina and the only Albanian daily newspaper, RILINDJA. |
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