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Kosova Communication 280 (96-10-08)Kosovo Information Center Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Kosova Information Center <kic_pr@zana-pr.ztn.apc.org>Kosova CommunicationBulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova5th year, No. 280 , 8 October 1996CONTENTS
[01] Rugova writes to ClintonPrishtina, 3rd October - The President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova wrote to U.S. President Bill Clinton, praising the decision to condition the removal of the "'outer wall' of sanctions on Serbia-Montenegro with a solution to the issue of Kosova."Please allow me to thank you and your Administration for deciding to maintain the 'outer wall' of sanctions on Serbia- Montenegro until the issue of Kosova is solved. We hope that you will support a solution to the issue of Kosova in accordance with the will of its people for independence, freedom and democracy", President Rugova states in his letter. [02] Kosova question has "international dimensions".Prishtina, 2nd October - The EU Council of Foreign Ministers discussed Kosova in it's yesterdays debate on the former Yugoslavia. The conclusions of the meeting state that the Council consider the question of Kosova as very important , sensitive and with "international dimensions". The Ministers emphasised the importance of a greater International presence in Kosova.[03] Kosova Government on removal of sanctionsPrishtina, 2 October - The UN Security Council recently removed trade sanction on former Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), maintaining the 'outer wall'. The Government of the Republic of Kosova, issued the following statement signed by dr. Bujar Bukoshi, Prime Minister, regarding this decision:The Government of the Republic of Kosova considers the decision of the United Nations Security Council to lift international sanction against Serbia and Montenegro as a premature step as well as rewarding the criminal Belgrade regime and President Milosevic. The lifting of sanctions is being undertaken at a time when problems in the former Yugoslav territory are not near a lasting solution, when the problem of the Albanians in former Yugoslavia has not been tackled at all, and furthermore, when the problem of Kosova, where Serbia exercises violence and suppression against two million Albanians, has largely been ignored. This can only be considered as a withdrawal of the international community from its own commitments to punishing Serbian aggression in the territory of former Yugoslavia. In this context, the Government of the Republic of Kosova is of the opinion that the message that has been sent to the ultra-nationalist Milosevic constituted a dangerous precedence for peace and stability in the region. Nevertheless, the Government considers as a positive act the sustenance of the so called 'outer wall of sanctions' and especially the engagement of the United Stated of America in this direction. It welcomes the statement of the American ambassador at the United Nations, Madeleine Albright. For the abandonment at this level of the problem of Kosova, the Government deems it necessary to mention two aspects: Firstly, the Albanian political subject has never been given full guarantees that sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro have been imposed also due to the Serbian repression in Kosova. On the contrary, guarantees have been indirect. Secondly, of greater importance, political bodies in Kosova have failed to use all their means of imposing themselves in such a way as to force the West to link the question of sanctions with the problem of Kosova as well. Indolence in the organisation of our resistance has created the wrong impression at international institutions that Belgrade has eased suppressive measures against the Albanian population in Kosova. The recent agreement on education should be mentioned in this context, which, regardless of the fact that this agreement has yet to bear results, it is being interpreted as an important step of Slobodan Milosevic for the re- instalment of institutions and the rights of the Albanians. In ending, the Government of the Republic of Kosova considers that everything possible should be done to raise the level of our resistance to the limits where we can impose our demands. The Government is convinced that without strong organisation, it will be difficult to achieve our legitimate aspirations. Kosova and its bodies must make it even more clear to the international community the true nature of the Serbian regime and our response towards the depreciating attitude of the West towards our quiet peaceful resistance. [04] Kosova's status in compliance with political will of its population"New York, 2nd October - "Kosova marked the beginning of the crisis in former Yugoslavia and one may not expect a lasting peace in the region unless the Kosova issue is addressed and solved equitably", Albania's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tritan Shehu, stated Monday in New York addressing the 51st session of the UN General Assembly. The Kosova issue, Albania's Minister went on, needs to be solved in the spirit of the Dayton Peace Accord, adding that his country believed that Kosova deserved a status in "compliance with the political will of its population and in accordance with international documents which acknowledge the right of peoples to self- determination".The Rugova Milosevic accord on education was a "promising step forward in attempts to grant fundamental human and national rights to Albanians in Kosova, continued Mr Shehu. He reiterated once more the Albanian Government view that the issue of Kosova should be solved through "a constructive dialogue in the presence of a third party with international credibility". [05] Kadare: The Decision of Kosova Government for Taking School Premises Was RightNew York, 4 October - Ismajl Kadare, the distinguished Albanian writer, while on a visit to the United States of America, on 24th September gave an interview to the Albanian-American newspapers "Illyria". In answer to a question concerning the policies pursued by the Kosova leadership and the "peaceful resistance" of Kosova Albanians, Kadare stated: "The Albanians must overcome this unfavourable period for them. They must become conscious of their state, their force, culture, and of the possibilities they possess. They must free themselves from the moral weakening, from Albanophobia, that was unfortunately implanted in recent times both in ordinary people as well as in a group of degenerated intellectuals. And the most important is for the Albanians to free themselves from the complex of fear, that was slyly cultivated also in the last few years in the name of pacification. Their adversaries on the question o Kosova, that is the Serbs, have nothing more than they (the Albanians - our remark) do. But, it often happens in life that the unjustifiable fear of one side makes the other side artificially braver. This has, unfortunately happened."Concerning the recent agreement on education, Kadare stated: "The Albanians have been given something that should have not been taken away. So, instead of euphoria, this is an occasion to ponder the dimensions of this crime committed by Serbia. Six Albanian generations have been left without school. One of the oldest European peoples has been hit miserably right in its heart. Exalting about 'gaining the right to schools' is the same as to express happiness that the occupier is allowing you to breathe, or warm yourself in the sun. Therefore, while appreciating the opening of schools, I think it is out of place to be grateful to the Serbs or, for those who reached the agreement, to be proud of it. On the contrary, this is the time to feel guilty for allowing the prolongation of this tragedy. I think that the decision of the Kosova Government to take schools through action was more just. However, I am not sure whether the schools have been opened in reality, or whether this another trick. In case schools are not open immediately, this will prove that the agreement was a bluff in favour of Serbia and in the disfavour of the Albanians." [06] Tuberculosis and Polio Spread in KosovaPrishtina, 4 October - Diseases long since irradicated have started to occur in Kosova recently due to drop in the standard of living conditions and lack of regular vaccination of the population. Ever since Albanians doctors were arbitrarily dismissed in 1990, the vast majority of the Albanian population of Kosova has remained without health care.According to Serbian trade unions, the number of those suffering from tuberculosis has increased. There are now 0.6 people suffering from tuberculosis per 1,000 inhabitants. The number of people dying from this disease has also increased. During one month only, six cases of polio have been recorded, one in Prishtina and five in Prizren. Since 1991 the vaccination of children is far below acceptable standard. In certain communes, such as Shtime and Malisheva, up to 50 per cent of children have not been vaccinated. [07] Serbian police plunder Istog marketIstog, 3rd October - Today, Serbian police sealed of the market in Istog. Serbian fiscal police plundered large amounts of goods and money from Albanian merchants. The goods were then sent to a Serbian owned depot.[08] LDMZ condemns dependence of the Legal systemUlqin, 23 September - The programme of the Democratic League in Montenegro (LDMZ) states that several Articles of the Montenegrin Constitution are discriminatory and that the Legal System depends on the ruling party. This has lead Courts in Plave and Bjello Polje to convicting several people who had obtained their degrees at the University of Prishtina.In addition, the ruling party uses state institutions, Ministry of Interior in particular, to oppress ethnic Albanian population in Ulqin and other regions. [09] Albanians are autochthonousUlqin, 1st October - Mr. Mehmet Bardhi , the Chair of LDMZ, received in Ulqin Mr. Stellen Jensson, EU observer in Podgorica.Mr. Bardhi stated that "We are an autochthonous nation, cut off from the motherland by the decisions of the 1878 Berlin Congress. Following this Congress the fate of Albanians of this region had always been decided without taking into consideration their will. He also talked on the political platform of LDMZ emphasising its determination to solve problems through political dialogue. Mr. Jensson promised to inform international institutions about the violations of human and national rights of Albanians in Montenegro. [10] Mysterious poisoningTetov, 4th October - Since mid last year the Commune of Tetova, inhabited over 80% by Albanians, has experienced three mysterious poisonings which affected only Albanian pupils. The latest occurred on 2nd October when Albanian pupils in the villages of Pirrok and Begovine were poisoned.Children complained of stomach pain and shivering consternation . In Begovina alone 136 pupils sought medical attention. [11] New College at the Tetova UniversityTetove, 24 September - The College of Physical Education opened at the University of Tetova. In its first academic year, 1996/97, the college enrolled 30 students, 10 of whom were women.[12] Destruction of Albanian LiteratureTetove, 30 September - Six years ago, during the, so called, period of "differentiation", many Albanian authors, including Ismail Kadare, Dritero Agolli and authors of the Albanian National Renaissance period, were banned and their books were removed from all libraries. Removed books were never found. According to unofficial sources over 2,500 kg of books have probably ended in Shkup's paper mill "Komuna" for recycling.Kosovo Information Center Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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