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Kosova Communication 264From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)Kosovo News DirectoryKosova CommunicationBulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova5th year, No. 264 , 13 May 1996CONTENTS[01] President Rugova Receives Swedish and Finnish Diplomats[02] World should act to prevent Kosova escalation[03] Christopher orders immediate opening of US Mission[04] Carl Bildt for preventive diplomacy for Kosovo[05] Gligorov on Kosova situation[06] Teachers demand their school buildings back[07] Time for negotiations[08] CSCE Mission should return to Kosova[09] Kosova situation very repressive, very tense[10] Lets act before it becomes to late[11] Violence on Kosova journalists condemned[12] Montenegrin authorities aim to colonise Albanian regions[13] Serbian fires upon Albanian home[14] In the Function of Ethnic Cleansing[01] President Rugova Receives Swedish and Finnish DiplomatsPrishtina, 9 May - President of Kosova Dr. Rugova today received in Prishtina Belgrade-based Swedish and Finnish diplomats: Dr. Gran Jacobsson, Charg dAffaires of the Swedish Embassy, and Mr. Ilpo Manninen, Charg dAffaires of the Finnish Embassy.The situation in Kosova has been tense amid the stepped up Serbian regimes provocations in the aftermath of the shooting incidents late last month, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova stated. Despite continuing Serb repression, the people of Kosova have committed themselves and will persist in their peaceful drive to independence, Mr. Rugova added. Mr. Jacobsson and Mr. Manninen praised the non-violent policies of the people of Kosova and stated that their governments were in favor of a peaceful and just solution to the Kosova issue. [02] World should act to prevent Kosova escalationPrishtina, 8 may - Kosova is a powder-keg, and the issue is that it exists and not who can ignite it, the Kosova Prime Minister, Dr. Bujar Bukoshi, said in an interview with the Swedish radio station, Studio TT, carried in todays (Wednesday) issue of the Prishtina-based newspaper Bujku.The Kosova Prime Minister stated that recognition of the Belgrade regime by some European countries, without pressing for a settlement for Kosova, had angered Kosova Albanians. Albanians feel the international community has cherished double standards by unrewarding their peaceful resistance and rewarding aggressors instead, said Dr. Bukoshi.. Dr. Bukoshi added that the Kosova Albanians had been endeavoring for years to avert armed conflicts in Kosova, but if it happens, Albanians will have no other choice but to defend themselves. It is not a threat but rather a warning said Kosova Premier, calling on the international community to undertake prompt action to prevent an escalation of the situation regarding armed conflict in Kosova. [03] Christopher orders immediate opening of US MissionWashington D.C. , 9 may (USIS Geneva Daily Bulletin) - Secretary of State Warren Christopher, in his discussions with the Albanian foreign minister, expressed US concern regarding increased violence and tension in Kosovo, and reaffirmed strong US support for a political dialogue that would lead to a peaceful political solution that guaranties full human and political rights for the people of Kosovo. According to Burns, a State Department spokesmen, Christopher also said the government of Belgrade would have to show substantial progress on Kosovo before the so-call outer wall of sanctions would be removed by the United States. He has also ordered the immediate opening of a diplomatic mission in Kosovo.[04] Carl Bildt for preventive diplomacy for KosovoShkup (Skopje), 9 may - UN Special Envoy on Civil Issues in Bosnia Carl Bildt, in his interview for 'Nova Makedonija' stated that any de-stabilization of Kosovo could seriously affect the whole region, 'which includes the countries in the south of it, i.e. Macedonia.' He expressed his deep concern on the situation in Kosova, announcing an initiative to lower tensions and to encourage dialogue between the representatives of Albanians and Serbian authorities. He said it was 'important at the moment to turn to preventive diplomacy'.[05] Gligorov on Kosova situationPrishtina, 9 may - In an interview given to BBC Radio Kiro Gligorov, President of the FYROM, talked about the general situation in the Balkans in the aftermath of the Dayton Agreement and possible dangers that an armed conflict in Kosova would represent for Macedonia. Mr. Gligorov stated that the dangers of a possible armed conflict in Kosova which would create new situation in the Balkans and would include other Balkan states was obvious. That is why the issue of Kosova should be treated seriously and no time should be wasted before a dialogue is started for the seeking of tolerance and mutual understanding, added Mr. Gligorov.[06] Teachers demand their school buildings backPrishtina, 9 may - Dr. Agim Hyseni, chair of the Kosova Teachers Union, stated at a press conference that primary and secondary school teachers in Vushtrri have been imprisoned under the pretext of holding illegal classes. The following teachers have been sentenced fro 15 to 40 days imprisonment: Miran Halili, Sabri Kadriu, Beqir Haxhiu, Fadil Beqiri, Ragip Maxhuni, Ali Osmani, Nader Sarai, Valbon Mulaku, Shefqet Zeqiri, Shefki Ibishi, Sabri Kadriu, Vehmi Xhema, Xhabir Hajredini, Halil Musa, AbedinSalihu, Ferat Muli, Gani Ismajli and Riza Bilalli (headmaster). Mr. Hyseni proposed putting necessary pressure in order to make possible the return of Albanian pupils and teachers to their school buildings which they were forced to leave, by the beginning of the next school year.[07] Time for negotiationsPrishtina, 2 may - The UN Human Rights Rapporteur for former Yugoslavia, Mrs. Elisabeth Rehn held a press conference at the Prishtina Grand Hotel. She told reporters that she believes that the time is for negotiations to start, which is in the interest for both, Albanian and Serbian sides in Kosova. She also stated that under no circumstances should we allow start of a war.[08] CSCE Mission should return to KosovaTirana, 2 May - Answering a question on the position and strategy of NATO should war erupt in Kosova, General Secretary Havier Solana stated that NATO had its strategy for the whole region, which has preventive nature, informs ATSH new agency. He also said that it was important that OSCE mission returns to Kosova.[09] Kosova situation very repressive, very tenseWashington D.C. 6 May (Kosova InfoFAX) - A three member Commission on Security and Corporation in Europe (Helsinki Commission) fact-finding mission to Kosova, Sanjak, Serbia and Montenegro April 22-27 reported on its return that our observations left little doubt that the situation in Kosova is very repressive, very tense. Bob Hand, a CSCE staff adviser, said last Thursday that the recent killings coupled with recognition by some European countries of Serbia-Montenegro may mean trouble in Kosova. There is the possibility that the Albanian population could abandon its passive approach as a result, he told a briefing. The trip was led by Sam Wise, the Commissions international policy director.[10] Lets act before it becomes to latePrishtina, 6 May - Adem Demai, chair of the CDHRF today held a press conference in which expressed his political views on solution of the Kosova issue. He presented an appeal entitled Lets act before becomes to late, which states that the last bloody decade of April 96 was the most brutal warning for all of us. Thats why all of us, without any exemption, should consider this most seriously and act before it becomes too late. Referring to the latest tragic incidents Demai wrote: everybody agrees that the tragic incidents were organised and I think that both Serbian extremists or members of Albanian angry, disillusioned and discouraged groups could have been involved. Mr. Demai called for all individuals, parties and various groups abandon their narrow interests and make possible the unification of Albanian political forces and everybody be given tasks that they can competently perform. According to Mr. Demai this would impossible for any un- institutional, uncontrolled and chaotic groups to show of revolt by various groups of our occupied nation. In ending Mr. Demai urges our friend in the World to reconsider their position on Kosova, by taking into consideration the will of our people.[11] Violence on Kosova journalists condemnedPrishtina, 7 May - The International Organisation of Independent Journalists Reporters without frontiers recently issued its yearly report for 1995. In the report the violations of the rights of Kosova journalists were also presented. The report states that Kosova journalists experience continuos and secret pressure. Many of them are summoned to the so- called informative talks. The report includes cases of following Albanian journalists: Berat Selman Luzha, Ramadan Muolli, erkin Ibishi, Curr Mazrekaj, Riza Grajevci, Daut Maliqi, Gani Kosumi, Zek Gecaj and Astrit Salihu.[12] Montenegrin authorities aim to colonise Albanian regionsTuz, 7 May - This March Montenegrin authorities in Podgorica have decided to give 430 plots in the Albanian villages Dinosh and Milesh for free to Serbs and Montenegrins. Following this decision the population of the two villages have signed a petition in protest. Their representatives have had talks with authorities without any success. They have also formed a Protesting Council, chaired by Xhemal Nikaj who stated: We can not allow that in our land in Malsi, which authorities prevent us from buying to be settled by 4000 Montenegrins and Serbs. This would entirely change the ethnic structure of the region.[13] Serbian fires upon Albanian homePrizren, 6 May The house of Ali Zogiani, located at Brezovica street in Prizren, was reported shot at and hit early morning today from the house of a Serb neighbor, Dragan Arsic. A bullet hit the room where Ali's daughters, Lindita (22) and Belekize (20) were sleeping. Sources stated no one was hurt.[14] In the Function of Ethnic CleansingDuring the second week of May repression was exercised especially under the pretext of arms searches. In ten different localities of Kosova, there were 14 police interventions and many Albanian citizens were maltreated. The homes of many Albanian families were searched in the villages around Gllogovc and Gjakova. Repression against Albanian political activists continued as well as the eviction of Albanians from their flats where Serb families moved in. Open markets were also plundered.Use of Arms On 2nd of May, around midnight, in the centre of Prishtina near the Municipal Court, fire arms were fired from a police vehicle in the direction of two Albanian youngsters, Alban Ismajli from Prishtina and his friend Ismajl Jusufi. Both they escaped unhurt. Eviction Three Serbian policemen and a housing inspector confiscated on 9th of May the flat of Enver H. Jashari in Kodra e Minatoreve in Mitrovica. Mr. Jashari has lived in the flat for fourteen years. On 8th of May several Serbian policemen accompanied by a Serbian judge broke into Xhemajl Shefkius flat in Ferizaj and seized all his furniture and other belongings. The flat will be given to a Serb. On 7th of May, around 12 oclock, Sarnet Krasniqis family was evicted from their flat in Prishtina. Mr. Krasniqi has five children. A Serbian family moved in immediately. Plunder Serbian police intervened in the Ferizaj market on 4th May and seized property to the value of several thousand DEM. Torture Muharrem Bytyci from Deva, near Gjakova, for three consecutive days was tortured badly in the Prizren prison. He was arrested during Serbian police searches in Deva on 3rd May. Searches On May 3rd, around four oclock in the morning, a Serbian police squad, accompanied by an armored vehicle and other cars, searched under the pretext of looking for arms the families of Sefer Qorri, Ferat Hoti, Hajdar Zogiani and Sherife \Islami from Poklek i Ri near Gllogovc. Heads of families were taken to the police station. Sefer Qorri was physically ill-treated. Searches were also carried out in Poklek i Vjeter and Fushtica e Eperme. Considerable damage was caused by the police as they demolished furniture in the houses that were searched. Land Colonisation Serb authorities in Kamenica, according to the Serbian daily Jedinstvo, have appropriated four hectares of greenhouses for Serb colonists employed at Juko. Further land has been promised to them. |