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Kosova Communication # 266Kosovo News Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)Kosova CommunicationBulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova5th year, No. 266, 27 May 1996CONTENTS
[01] Elections in Kosova postponedPrishtina 23 May - In a presidential decree signed by the Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova, parliamentary elections in Kosova, due for May 1996, have been postponed for a year. The following is the text of the decree:Based on the Constitution of the Republic of Kosova, Amendment III, item 2, and in agreement with the political parties represented in the Parliament of the Republic, I have Decreed: I. The mandate of the deputies to the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova, elected in the multiparty parliamentary elections on 24 May 1992, is extended. II. Their mandate will last until 24 May 1997. III. Until the Parliament meets [in its plenary session], its commissions will continue working as they have done so far. IV. This ruling comes into force immediately. [02] Central Council of LDK meets in PrishtinaPrishtina 21 May - The Central Council of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK), meeting today in Prishtina, discussed the current situation in Kosova and ways to further its political activities. President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, also President of LDK, said the recent escalation of the situation in Kosova in the wake of the April incidents has been overcome owing by and large to persistent efforts to avoid the worst. Despite the grave situation, we are committed to a resolution of the Kosova issue based on the political will of the people for independence, Dr. Rugova said. The Kosova issue has been internationalized and Kosova has been affirmed, President Rugova said, calling it an approbation of Kosova. The outer wall of sanctions will be in place and conditional on the settlement of the Kosova issue.Commenting on the recent recognition of Belgrade by several Western countries, Dr. Rugova stated that diplomatic relations would not be fully normalised without a solution to the Kosova issue, noting that Kosova, as one of the eight units of the former Yugoslav federation, was entitled to its right as one of the successors. We have been calling for an increased international presence in Kosova, Dr. Rugova said, stating that the USA would be opening an office soon, and calling on others, first and foremost EU countries, to do the same. He also stated that there were indications that the EU was also set to open an office in Prishtina while the UN and other countries were researching possibilities for a greater presence in Kosova. An independent and neutral Kosova is our goal, President Rugova said, recalling that the 1991 national referendum and the 1992 elections have confirmed that. A talks process is needed to ensure a negotiated settlement to the Kosova issue, he said, adding that a third party is necessary as facilitator and guarantor of the outcome. The world has been supportive of our non-violent policies, President of the Republic of Kosova said. [03] Carl Bildt expresses concern over KosovaPrishtina 23 May - The role of the High Representative is limited to Bosnia, but I have taken on certain functions from the International Conference on the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Carl Bildt said in an interview with the Belgrade-based Radio B 92, in reply to a question related to his mandate in Kosova and Sandjak.The daily Nasa Borba quoted Mr. Bildt on Wednesday to have said that Ambassador Martin Lutz, his aide, was very active with the Kosova crisis and the minorities. The High Representative of the international community for former Yugoslavia, Carl Bildt, said he was very much concerned about Kosova, and suggested ways which should ensure that dialogue in Kosova does not end up in the kind of dialogue seen here before the Yugoslav war started. The establishment of confidence building measures should start, Mr. Bildt said, adding that somebody should initiate a peaceful resolution to the situation. We are working on some measures which we will perhaps recommend so that such a process may start, Mr. Bildt stated according to Nasa Borba. [04] A partial solution - impossible for KosovaIn an interview given to the journal Srpska Rec (20 May issue), Vlado Dapcevic, a Montenegrian WW2 commander and former high profile military and political leader and former political prisoner, stated that should an armed conflict happen in Kosova, all cards would be in a genuine mess.Talking about the Kosova Serbs, Mr. Dapcevic stated that they had never constituted a majority there. He points out that the core of the problem lies in Kosova itself and it would be solved by acknowledging the right of Albanians to freely decide their fate, otherwise a dreadful war would start. A partial solution is not possible for Kosova, continued Mr. Dapcevic. Today in Europe there is no nation whose political, cultural and economic rights have been so outrageously abused. In the FYROM the position of Albanians is even worse. How can 800,000 people be denied the right to have a University. Why should they be taught in Macedonian language. Albanians there are not a minority. They are more than Macedonians concluded Mr. Dapcevic [05] Bonn should work closely with Prishtina to tackle plight of Albanian refugeesPrishtina 21 May -There cannot be a resolution of the refugee crisis as long as there is no political and equitable solution to the Kosova issue, Dr. Rifat Blaku, chair of the Commission on Emigration of the Parliament of Kosova, stated in a statement for the Kosova Information Centre (KIC) today. The steps announced by Foreign German Minister Klaus Kinkel in the aftermath of his meeting last week with President Milosevic of Serbia, related to the repatriation of some 120,000 people, most of them Kosova Albanians whose applications for asylum have been rejected. Dr. Rifat Blaku, who is also vice-chairman of the Parliamentary Party of Kosova (PPK) called the steps premature. The one-sided agreement, reached behind closed doors during the meeting Kinkel had with Milosevic, may result in unprecedented implications for Kosova and the entire region, Dr. Blaku stated, noting that the preliminary accord had been reached at a time when conditions for the return of those people have not been created, and the causes forcing them to flee in the first place have not been removed. On the contrary, the Serbian regime has now stepped up its repressive practices against Albanians, the chair of the Commission on Emigration said. This situation of unbearable tyranny has forced the unprotected Albanians to continue seeking refuge elsewhere, mainly in Germany, Dr. Blaku stated, and called on the German authorities to review the premature accord on the plight of tens of thousands of Kosova Albanians.Though we have no information on the modalities of the Kinkel deal for the return of Kosova Albanian asylum-seekers, we hope that it will not turn out to be a deportation of Albanians, a forced movement, but rather an action which will be realized in conformity and spirit with internationally-recognized standards, Dr. Blaku stated. The Kosova Parliament Emigration Commissions chair stated he hoped the German Bundestag, organizations dealing with immigration, and other democratic forces will exert their influence towards reviewing the announced plan for a speedy repatriation of Kosova Albanians. We expect that in tackling this problem the German authorities will consult and work closely with the Albanian side in Prishtina, Dr. Rifat Blaku stated. The modalities of the repatriation of the Kosova citizens should be sought, while creating the conditions for a normal return, he said, adding that government funds for repatriation as well as other humanitarian sources should be used for job creation and boosting privatization in Kosova, thus assisting a political and comprehensive solution to the Kosova issue. The main road towards the resolution of the refugee crisis passes through Prishtina, and not Belgrade, Dr. Rifat Blaku concluded. [06] EU delegation visits UlqinUlqin, 21 May - Mehmet Bardhi, Chair of the Democratic League of Albanians in Montenegro received a European Union delegation, led by Giovani Batista Makanti. Mr. Bardhi informed EU officials that ethnic Albanians, who live in their own territory in Montenegro, have been divided in several communes regardless of ethnic principle. He also informed them on the centralisation of local government, affecting Albanians on issues concerning education, health, ,judicial system, economy, and police. This actually annuls the election results. EU officials pledged to use their influence to persuade Montenegrin government to improve local government.[07] A German Bundestag delegation visits TetovaMr. Ismet Ramadani, coordinator of the Party for Democratic Prosperity (PPD) group at the FYROM Parliament and Mr. Xheladin Murati, member of the FYROM Parliament, received German Bundestag members Mr. Herman Hack and Mr. Eberhard Breh, who were accompanied by Claus Schramaher German ambasador to the FYROM.The German delegation was informed on the difficult position of Albanians in the FYROM. Judicial position of Albanians, status of the Albanian language, treatment of Tetova University and other issues such as education, culture and participation of Albanians in government structures were discussed. The German parliamentarians also met with Mr. Abdullah Veseli, member of the PPD parliamentary Committee to promote relations with the German Bundestag and member of the Tetova University Senate. Mr. Veseli raised the issue of recognition and institutionalisation of the University of Tetova. [08] NEWS IN BRIEFPresident Rugova receives ICRC representatives Prishtina 17 May - President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina Mr. Fransoa Belon, Head of the ICRC Delegation in Belgrade, and Mr. Fransoa Stamm, Head of the ICRC office in Prishtina.The humanitarian situation in Kosova was discussed in the meeting. Dr. Ibrahim Rugova informed the ICRC representatives about the difficult situation in Kosova and continuing Serbian regimes repression. Recent incidents have further aggravated the situation in Kosova, President Rugova said. Mr. Belon, stated that the ICRC had been closely watching the situation in Kosova and that they had been making efforts to see an improvement of the situation in Kosova. [09] USIA representative arrives in PrishtinaPrishtina 23 May - Mr. Michael McClellan, the U.S. officer who will be running the U.S. Information Office in Prishtina, arrived today in Kosovas capital, Prishtina. Accompanying him was Dr. Elizabeth Bonkowsky, Second Secretary to the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade. The U.S. office in Prishtina is expected to open in early June. He was received today by the Kosova President, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova.[10] Kosova Albanians in Bonn demonstrate against apartheid in KosovaBonn, 22 May -Stop apartheid in Kosova was the slogan some 1000 Albanians shouted today in a demonstration organized by the Society for Threatened Peoples and LDK in Germany, on the occasion of the visit to this country by Nelson Mandela. After the demonstration participants delivered a petition to the President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, asking him to raise his voice against apartheid in Kosova.[11] Trepa Imports work force from Poland!Prishtina 22 May - According to the Belgrade-based Serbian daily Politika, the Serbian-installed director of Trepa Mines has recently signed an agreement with the director of Kopeks Mines in Katovica in Poland, Pjoter Vinicki, which will bring Polish miners and other mining experts from this company, as well as equipment for exploitation of mines.The Serbian director told the newspaper that he has failed to secure qualified work-force for the mine in the past. Trepa mines used to employ a work-force of 20,000, mainly Albanians by 1990. Following the general strike in Kosova in September 1990, the Serbian authorities dismissed the majority Albanian work force. The Trepa mines and enterprises now currently employ only about 130 Albanian workers, mainly in administration. [12] Young Albanians Forcefully Drafted into Serbian ArmyKamenice, 23 May - Vesel Emini (27) was arrested on Monday evening in Kamenica and sent to the Serbian army barracks in Vranje (Serbia). The Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) stated that Vesel Emini was arrested under the pretext of having deserted the former Yugoslav Army (JNA) in 1990. Mr. Emini is to be brought before the Serbian military Court in Nis. Kosova Albanian Convicted for Organizing Concert Prishtina, 23 May - Osman Berisha, leader of the local branch of the Parliamentary Party of Kosova (PPK) at Breznica village of Prishtina was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment for having organized a concert in his village on 19 May this year. Mitrovica, 23 May - Without any explanation Serbian police banned a boxing tournament Mitrovica 96, which was scheduled for 26 May in Mitrovica.[13] Serbian Police Arrests Albanian Education OfficialSuharek, 17 May - Serbian state security inspectors arrested on Thursday Agim Rrai, an official of the Education Bureau in Suhareka and former school principal. Mr. Rrai was questioned about the activities of Albanian-language teaching schools and the work of other educational institutions.[14] Serb Refugees from Rumania Settled in KosovaKlina, 23 May - Over the past few days, Serbian-installed authorities in Klina have settled some 60 Serb refugees from Timishoara (Rumania) in the premises of the local agricultural cooperative at Budisalc village of Klina. Sources in Klina said Serb settlers have been given jobs in firms in the area, now run by Serbs.[15] Serbian Police Loot MarketplacePrizren, 22 May -Yesterday (Wednesday), Serbian so-called fiscal police, backed up by regular Serbian police forces, sealed off the market place in Prizren, LDK sources reported. Large amounts of goods were reported seized by the Serbian police.Kosovo News Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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