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Kosova Communication 302, 97-05-19
Kosova Communication
Bulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova
6th year, No. 302, 19 May 1997
CONTENTS
[01] Bukoshi meets Leka Ist
[02] Bildt warns over Kosova
[03] "Trepa" management and workers call for suspension of the Serb-Greek
deal
[04] Kosova Albanian killed at Kosova-Albania border zone
[05] Unbelievable sentence for a murderer
[06] Albanian inmates in Dubrava jail exposed to ill-treatment and torture
[07] Sentenced for having bought property from a Serb
[08] Serb regime overtaxes Albanians
[09] Albanian harassed by Serbian neighbour
[10] Albanian detained for the 25th time
[11] Chronicle of Violence
[12] Measles claim 5 lives in Kosova
[13] CDHRF Report on Human Rights abuses in Kosova
[01] Bukoshi meets Leka Ist
Tirana, 12 May - Bujar Bukoshi, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosova
met with the heir of the Albanian throne, Leka Zogu, the 1st..
Mr. Bukoshi stated that the situation in Kosova was very difficult and
threatening to escalate. Our movement has proven that conflict was
avoidable, but the International Community continues to make concessions to
Serbia, attempting to leave Kosova within Serbia. Our stance on an
independent Kosova is well known and we would under no circumstances accept
to remain in the present position.
Leka the 1st once more reiterated his position on ethnic Albania,
explaining that this does not necessarily mean a declaration for war. On
the contrary, diplomatic and civilised forces would understand that the
option on ethnic Albania relies on the universal right to self-
determination of the people, which was sanctioned by the United Nations
Charter, Helsinki Charter and other international documents. The most
important thing was that all Albanians, wherever they are, maintain the
same position, continued Leka the 1st . The world would understand us
better only if we have a unique stance and clearly articulate our
intentions.
[02] Bildt warns over Kosova
Prishtina, 15 May - Mr. Carl Bildt, a Swedish diplomat in charge of
monitoring the implementation of the Dayton Agreement on Bosnias, in a
statement given to the Swedish news agency TT speaks on Kosova as one of
the most sensitive political problems in the Balkans, According to
Mr. Bildt an inevitable total destruction of Serbs was to be expected in
the coming years. "Shaking of Serbian territory is unavoidable, because in
Yugoslavia I see a non-reformed, partly communist economy, an economy run
by mafia groups which has been created during the period of International
sanctions", added Bildt who went on to say that the conflict can easily
spread to Kosova, FYROM and Albania.
The Kosova Albanian leadership has waited long for a political resolution
to the Kosova issue, Carl Bildt said, noting that [President] Rugova had
been hopeful of international support, first and foremost from the United
States of America, for a kind of independence for Kosova. The Dayton
Accords and following developments have caused "Rugova and the Albanian
pacifists" great frustration, Mr. Bildt said, adding that, as a result,
militant emerging. "We have said for years that a small spark can ignite
the flames in Kosova. Dont forget, this can indeed happen", Mr. Carl Bildt
was quoted as saying.
[03] "Trepa" management and workers call for suspension of the Serb-Greek
deal
Prishtina, 13 May - The Albanian managing board of the Mitrovica-based
"Trepa" mining and metallurgical works denounced late last week the signing
by the Serb regime and the Greek Mytilineos Holdings company of a contract
worth US$ 520 million.
The legitimate "Trepa" management and the people who have been fired by the
Serbian regime called on the Greek government to ensure that the contract
is annulled. "The contract will contribute to a further increase in
political tensions and aggravation of the economic situation in Kosova",
the Trepa management board said, according to the Bujku newspaper.
Meanwhile, trade unions of the Albanian workforce at the Stari Trg mining
complex denounced the Serb-Greek deal on Trepa and said it will be "null
and void" and "not binding" to them, the legal share-holders of the Trepa
assets.
The Stari Trg Albanian workers called on authorities of the Republic of
Kosova to sue before the International Tribunal those involved in illegally
exploiting Trepa.
The contract, which was not signed by the legal owners and managers of
Trepa, should be proclaimed null and void and suspended, the trade unions
concluded. Kosova miners also called upon the Greek Mining Unions to
condemn this contract.
[04] Kosova Albanian killed at Kosova-Albania border zone
Prishtina, 12 May - A 24-year-old Kosova Albanian, Luan Ilmi Haradinaj,
fromof the village of Gllogjan near Dean, had been shot dead two weeks ago
by the Serbian army at the Kosova-Albania border zone near Has village in
unclear circumstances.
The Haradinaj family were only notified about their sons death two days
ago. Brother of the deceased Luan Haradinaj reportedly phoned his family
from Albania and told them that Luan was shot dead by Serb soldiers at the
Albania-Kosova. He was also quoted as saying that Luan Haradinaj was buried
in Albania.
Luan Haradinaj, was a physical education student at the Tirana University
(Albania).
[05] Unbelievable sentence for a murderer
Gjilan, 16 May - The Magistrates Court in Gjilan, chaired by Stanisllav
Jovanovic sentenced Zoran Markovic, member of the SerbianPolice, to one-
year imprisonment for fatally wounding Luigj Ahmeti from Bin near Vitia.
[06] Albanian inmates in Dubrava jail exposed to ill-treatment and torture
Prishtina, 16 May - Albanian inmates at Dubrava prison in Gurakoc of Istog
have been exposed to constant torture, not only by the prison wards but by
the so-called prison counsellors as well, the Prishtina- based daily
"Bujku" said today.
Quoting the Council for the Defence of Human Rights the newspaper said a
Serbian refugee from Bosnja, Milan Cvitkovic, employed in this prison camp
as a counsellor, has been harassing and ill-treating physically Albanian
prisoners. The Council says the Serb refugee lacks any training or
experience.
[07] Sentenced for having bought property from a Serb
Prishtina, 16 May - An Albanian Ahmet Halitaj has been sentenced by a Serb
court in Prishtina to 60 days imprisonment for having bought an apartment
from a Serb in the town, the Belgrade daily "Dnevni Telegraf" said in its
Friday issue.
The newspaper reports that 24 other person in Prishtina (Sait Ukshini, Besa
Ganiu, Islam Bucolli, Maria Demaj, Shukri Bakliqi, Vesel Hashani, Ymer
Alidemaj, Ilush Kurtoviqi, Ali Krasniqi, Nafije Lajiqi, Hilmi Rexha, Ahmet
Neza, Xhem Aziri, Abdyl Shkodra, Luan Hoxha, Tom Gashi, Haki Jonuzaj, Sra
Qosoviqi, Ejup Berisha, Mentor Jakupi, Ahmet Haliti Musa N.) are expected
to face prosecution for having purchased real- estate property from Serbs
in Kosova.
Several years ago the Serbian regime adopted legislation by which
Albanian-Serb transaction of real-estate in Kosova is punishable under
law. The law was introduced in order to prevent the Serbs from leaving
Kosova.
[08] Serb regime overtaxes Albanians
Prishtina, 15 May - Citizens in Kosova municipalities where Albanians make
up the majority population pay administrative taxes several times higher
than those in a several of areas where the number of Serbs is larger or
they outnumber Albanians, writes the Prishtina-based Bujku.
The newspaper said citizens in the municipality of Mitrovica and Vushtrri,
where Albanians make up an absolute majority have to pay up to 400 dinars
administrative tax for a car license. In the neighbouring municipality of
Zubin Potok, an area mainly inhabited by Serbs, one has to pay only 15
dinars for the same purpose. In Zvean, a mining village, which was given a
municipality status under a new Serbian territorial arrangement, a car
license fees cost only 5 dinars, Bujku reported.
[09] Albanian harassed by Serbian neighbour
Prishtina, 13 May - An Albanian, Murat Shala from Samadrexha village of
Vushtrri has been continuously harassed by the Serbian authorities and
his Serb neighbour, Miroslav Milincic, in connection with a plot of land
he had purchased long time ago.
22 years ago, Murat Shala had bought land from his Serb neighbor
Milincic. Mr. Shala is in possession of the supporting papers confirming
ownership and full payment for the property, yet the Serb family has been
demanding that he pays additional money or return the land.
Murat Shala has reportedly been threatened by the Serbian police several
times, and is expected to appear before the Serb-run court in Vushtrri.
[10] Albanian detained for the 25th time
Malisheva, 16 May - Banush Sahitaj from Panorc village been summoned to
police interrogations 25 times. He was exposed to severe physical torture
by the Serbian police several times.
[11] Chronicle of Violence
Istog, 13 May - Isa Bajraj local LDK activist and accountant with the local
Financial Fund was summoned on 11 May to report to the Serbian police
station in Istog. While in custody he was interrogated about the activity
of the Financial Fund and the activities of the local LDK branch.
Kaanik, 12 May : On 10 May, Serbian police arrested Kemajl Dela local LDK
activist, allegedly in connection with arms. He was reported to have been
subjected to severe physical torture.
[12] Measles claim 5 lives in Kosova
Prishtina, 12 May - There have been 1,277 registered cases of measles in
Kosova since January this year, the Albanian daily "Bujku" reported on its
issue published on 10 May.. During the past week measles have claimed
another life in Podujeva, this time of a five-year-old girl, raising the
death toll to five this year.
Cases of measles were reported in many district of Kosova during this
year. The situation seems to have improved in many of these areas, yet it
is not under complete control, says the newspaper. Doctors have stated
there could be up to 7.000 infected children throughout Kosova, which was
due to lack of proper vaccination during 1989 and 1990, when the Serbian
regime cracked down on the Kosova institutions, including the health
system.
[13] CDHRF Report on Human Rights abuses in Kosova
At least 272 persons were subjected to Serbian police in Kosova during
April alone, the Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights
and Freedoms reveals in a monthly report released Thursday.
In a long list of Serbian regime practices the CDHRF said that 41 persons
were subjected to torture, 67 persons were arbitrarily arrested, 29 were
ordered to report to the Serbian police stations, 31 Albanians had their
households raided by Serb police, 68 persons were ill-treated in connection
with arms offences.
The CDHRF states it has registered other practices of the Serbian regime
against the Kosova Albanians such as eviction from apartments (7 cases),
ill-treatment of women and children (9 cases), harassment of sportsmen and
interruption of sports events (12 cases) , harassment of political, human
rights, humanitarian activists (22) cases), police interference in schools
and institutions related to Albanian language education (11) cases, etc.
In a quarterly report (January-March 1997) the major Kosova human rights
organisation states that it has registered 1109 cases of human rights
abuses. The report said 13 people were killed and 11 others wounded by fire
arms during the same period.
Kosova Information Centre - London
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