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Kosova Comunication 282, 96-11-05Kosovo Information Center: Kosova Communication 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. 282, 5 November 1996CONTENTS
[01] Italian Ambassador visits KosovaPrishtina, 2 October - President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, received today in Prishtina Mr. Franccesco Bascone, Ambassador of Italy in Belgrade. President Rugova informed the Ambassador Bascone on the general situation in Kosova. He thanked Italy for showing interest and on understanding of the issue of Kosova and its continuos support in efforts to solve the issue through political means. The situation in Kosova has continued to be tense as a result of the systematic repression of the Serbian regime. The people of Kosova have responded to this campaign of repression with a strong peaceful and nonviolent resistance and through the setting up and maintaining of independent political and state institutions, goals deriving from the will of the Kosova people for independence, stated President Rugova. Ambassador Bascone stated his country continued to be preoccupied with the situation and the issue of Kosova. Italy is in favor of return of the OSCE mission to Kosova and in opening of a EU office, as a permanent presence here , he stated adding that his country would continue to closely monitor the situation in Kosova.During his stay in Prishtina, Mr. Basconi also met with Mr. Adem Demaci, Chair of the Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedom. Mr Demaci stated that despite all positive facts, we have some objections to the Italian Government, because Italy can do much more for the Albanian issue and has appeased to much to the occupying Belgrade regime. We had hoped that Italy would join the USA in not recognising Yugoslavia. [02] Congress Presses U.S. Administration on KosovaWashington DC, 23 October - The United States Congress has adopted a bill extending U.S. trade sanctions on Serbia- Montenegro (Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) for the next fiscal year, despite the fact that such sanctions have been suspended by the U.N. Security Council on 1 October.The comprehensive bill, which regulates foreign aid, speaks of restrictive measures which will remain in place till Congress has received an explanation in writing by the U.S. President that substantial progress on the resolution of the Kosova issue has been made (SEC 540). The establishment of a separate identity and the right to self- government for the people of Kosova, the creation of an international protectorate (trusteeship) for Kosova, as well as allowing the elected government of Kosova to carry out its mandate as the legitimately elected representative of the people of Kosova, are the key demands the U.S. Congress puts forward. [03] Massive destruction of forestsPrishtina, 28 October - The Serbian forestry company Srbijasuma has started a campaign of felling woods in an Albanian 32 square kilometres forest region near village Bellasice, north of Podujeva. The felling has been done with no criteria. Last year 4,500 cubic meters of wood were felled. This year at least 5,300 cubic meters of wood are planned to be felled. If the felling continues at this rate, a major ecological catastrophe is bound to happen.[04] German Foreign Ministrys Official visits KosovaPrishtina, 29 October - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina Mr. Bernd Borchardt, Deputy Head of the Department for South-East Europe in the German Foreign Ministry. The current situation in Kosova and the prospects for a negotiated settlement to the Kosova issue were discussed at length.The return of Kosova Albanians from Germany should be undertaken gradually, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova stated, and called upon on the German government to ensure that there was German monitoring of the repatriation process. Mr. Bernd Borchardt, Deputy Head of the Department for South- East Europe in the German Foreign Ministry, said his country was closely following the situation in Kosova. He said the German government is in favor of an increased European presence in Kosova. Germany supports a just and negotiated settlement to the Kosova issue, the German foreign ministry official stressed. Meanwhile, Mr. Bernd Borchardt had separate meetings today in Prishtina with representatives of major Albanian political parties, human rights groups, as well as representatives of Albanian- language education in Kosova. [05] Discussion on the Plight of Albanian Education in KosovaPrishtina , 30 October - The Parliamentary Party of Kosova convened recently a round-table discussion on The possibilities to free school and university premises. Representatives of Albanian political parties, associations , unions, thr Forum of Albanian Intellectuals and the Union of Students of the Prishtina University participated.All participants pressed for concrete action to see the Accord on Albanian education, which was signed two months ago, implemented. They agreed that no progress had been made towards implementation of the accord. Children and students still attend their classes in private premises. This makes it necessary to look for other ways to free school buildings and the university premises. There was a general agreement among those participating in the debate that if Albanian students and teachers were not back in their schools by the end of this winter term/semester, other ways should be looked at. [06] Further wave of arrests in KosovaPrishtina, 1 November - A month ago, Serbian authorities in Kosova issued arrest warrants for 15 Albanians for the alleged involvement in the assassinations of three Serb policemen and a civilian, wounding of 7 others and bomb planting. So far the Serbian police have three persons: Avni Smajl Nura, from Prelloc; Besim Sokol Rama (1956), from Prekaz i Eperm and Idriz Halit Asllani from Vushtrri. Others wanted are: Adem Jashari, Ali Jonuzi, Fadil Kadriu, Hasgim Thaci,Idriz Asllani, Iljaz Kadriu, Jakup Nura, Nuredin Lushtaku, Rafet Rama, Rexhep Selimi, Sabit Jashari, Sami Lushtaku and Zenun Kadriu.Although there is no sound evidence for the existence of organised terrorism in Kosova, Serbian media writes about a terrorist organisation that deals in entire Kosova. Albanian political leaders state that those allegations were used to justify the heavy military and police presence in Kosova. Last week there was another incident in Kosova. On 25 October, at about 22:00 oclock in Surkish near Podujeva, Serbian police inspector Milos Nikolic and civil servant Dragan Rakic were shot dead by an unknown person. Serbian media did not hesitate to accuse Albanians although no police findings were known. As in previous cases the Kosova Liberation Army claimed the responsibility for the killings. In a communique it states that it is not a terrorist but a liberating organisation who will not stop until definite victory. Albanian political circles point out that the origin of all misery, problems and confrontations stems from the Serbian occupation of Kosova, which threatens with new incidents that could destabilise the whole region. [07] Elections in rump Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)Prishtina, 1 November - On 3 November1996, the self-proclaimed Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) will have its federal, republican and local elections. The President of the Republic of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova, regards these elections as the affairs of a foreign country. All Albanian parties in Kosova have decided not to participate in those election as the people opted for independence in the 1991 Referendum.The Serbian authorities have been manipulating with people in order to secure fictious participation of Albanians in these election. For example Ivan Pavllovic from Cernilla near Ferizaj asked two Albanians to sign a petition for an alleged new village medical centre and improvement of the village road. However, their signatures were used by Mr. Pavllovic for nomination for a position in the coercive Ferizaj Council. Serbian authorities did not hesitate to place on the election registry even the names of dead and those who have moved. Albanian population has pledged to use all legal means to find the forgers of these registries. In the Albanian territories in Southern Serbia, outside Kosova, (Presheve, Bujanoc and Medvegje), Albanian political parties have decided to participate in local elections. The people of this region has voted in a referendum for political and territorial autonomy with the right to join Kosova. In Montenegro two Albanian political parties (The Democratic League in Montenegro and The Albanian democratic Union) have formed a coalition. They will participate only in Republican and local elections. Leaders of those parties, Mehmet Bardhi and Bajram Rexha, have stated that they do not have anything to ask for in federal elections. In ethnic Albanian territories Montenegrin parties have also nominated their candidates, who are trying to convince Albanian electorate that allegedly one-national parties can not defend their interests. Kraja, Ana e Malit, Tuzi (Malesia)and Ulqin are several constituencies where Albanians should win seats in the Montenegrin Parliament. [08] Montenegrin Police Seize Albanian FlagsUlqin, 23 October - Montenegrin police seized Albanian national flags from participants at a public meeting organised as part of the electoral campaign by the Albanian Democratic Union in Tuz. This party released e statement saying that the police intervened without a pretext, threatened those who were holding flags and grabbed the flags from them. The statement goes on to say that only a week before this meeting, in Tuz, the president of Montenegro had given guarantees for the free use of national symbols.[09] Local Election in FYROMPrishtina, 1 November - Prior to the 17 November local election for members of communal councils and mayors, the Macedonian parliament has approved a number of laws, such as the law on territorial division and the law on the status of Shkup (Skopje). Although the legislation is to the Albanian populations disfavour, Albanian political parties decided to participate in these elections and have announced their candidates both for councilors and mayors. The Party for Democratic Prosperity (PPD) and the Democratic Peoples Party (PDP) have agreed to jointly announce their candidates. PPD has come up with 853 candidates for counselors and 47 candidates for the post of mayor in 53 communes out of 122 in the whole of Macedonia. The Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians (PPDSH), another Albanian party, has announced the candidacy for the post of mayors in ten communes of Tetova and 137 candidates for the post of councilor.[10] Kadare admitted to French Acadmy of Moral and Political SciencesParis, 28 October - Today in Paris a ceremony to admit the famous Albanian writer, Ismail Kadare, in French Acadmy of Moral and Political Sciences was held. The Academy was found in 1961. Among its members are former German president Vajczeker, Vazlav Havel. Spanish King Huan Carlos, former Senegal president Leopold Sengal.Kosovo Information Center: Kosova Communication Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |