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Kosova Communication 305, 97-07-08
Kosova Communication
Bulletin of the Ministry of Information
of the Republic of Kosova
6th year, No. 305, 08 July 1997
CONTENTS
[01] Seventh Anniversary of Kosova Independence Day
[02] Seventh anniversary of seizure of Prishtina Radio-Television
[03] Rugova visits Finland
[04] Kosova Government condemns returning of refugees
[05] Round-table on Albanian-Serbian relations
[06] Separating families
[07] Greece violates Albanias territorial integrity
[08] Unification of two Albanian parties in FYROM
[09] Albanians in Montenegro demand education in Albanian
[10] Publication on solution of Albanian national issue
[01] Seventh Anniversary of Kosova Independence Day
Prishtina, 2 July - July 2nd, marks the seventh anniversary of the
Declaration of Independence of Kosova. It was passed by the Assembly of
Kosova. This was historically the first act to accomplish the will of
the Kosova citizens. The adoption of the Declaration on Independence was
a legitimate result of continuous efforts of the people of Kosova for
freedom during a century of Serbian occupation.
The Declaration was followed with the promulgation of the Republic of
Kosova Constitution on 7 September 1990, the September 1991 popular
Referendum on Kosovas sovereignty, and, finally, the 1992 free and
multiparty elections for the Parliament and the President of Kosova.
During the past years Kosova has earned an international approbation,
strong support and sympathy for the active, but non-violent, resistance
of the people of Kosova.
On this anniversary the people of Kosova are more than ever determined
to realise their independence.
[02] Seventh anniversary of seizure of Prishtina Radio-Television
Prishtina, 5 July, - On the seventh anniversary of seizure of Prishtina
Radio-Television (RTVP), the Ministry for Information of the Republic of
Kosova issued a statement.
"Seven years ago, Serbian occupiers acquired by force an important
institution of Kosova - RTVP. Serbia seized property, equipment,
terrestrial frequencies and cash, valued at several hundred millions of
German Marks, belonging to the people of Kosova. Most of 1300 RTVP
employees were left job-less and without a right to practice their
profession.
We can only admire their courage and determination for independence. Not
a single one of them surrendered. This is best illustrated by the fact
that not a single one of them accepted to work for Serbian Government
controlled Televison station."
[03] Rugova visits Finland
Helsinki, 27 June - During his stay in Finland, the President of the
Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova met with the Finish Foreign
Minister Tarja Halonen. During the meeting, President Rugova emphasised
that an independent and neutral Kosova , open to both, Albania and
Serbia, with full guarantees for Kosova Serbs would be an optimal
solution. This solution, added Rugova, would stabilise the whole region.
The people of Kosova are strongly determined to achieve their freedom,
democracy and independence by peaceful and political means continued
Rugova and expressed Kosovas leadership readiness for dialogue with
Belgrade, in presence of a third party mediators. Rugova called upon the
USA and EU to mediate in this dialogue.
President Rugova also met with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human
Rights, Ms. Elizabeth Rehn. In this meeting Mr. Rugova stated that the
situation in Kosova had become very volatile due to an increase of
arrests, unexplained killings, severe physical ill-treatment and staged
political trials against Albanians.
[04] Kosova Government condemns returning of refugees
Geneva, 4 July - Following the agreement reached between Switzerland and
Serbia on 3 July 1997 for the repatriation of 12,000 Albanian asylum
seekers to Kosova, the Government of the Republic of Kosovahas issued
the following statement:
"The exodus of Albanians is part of a Serbian strategy aimed at changing
the ethnic structure of Kosova. Continuous repression, has created an
atmosphere of insecurity and total lack of prospects for Albanian
population in Kosova.
Refugees are a consequence and not the cause of this situation. The
resaons that have forced our people to leave Kosova, including the main
one - Serbian occupation, still remain.
It is regrettable that Switzerland has signed a deal regarding asylum
seekers with those who forced them to exile (Zoran Sokolovic, who co-
signed the agreement, was a Serbian Interior Minister responsible for
killings of 111 Albanians, including women and children).
The issue of Albanian refugees should be considered in the context of a
long term project and just solution to the issue of Kosova. There cannot
be a solution as long as the right of Albanians to decide their own fate
is excluded.
The return should be internationally monitored;
People whose cases have had negative response should be returned in
safe conditions and with dignity.
Unofficial committees of Swiss and Albanian experts (governmental and
NGO) should be formed to seriously discuss this issue;
In accordance with findings of these committees, both sides should
undertake concrete acts prior to and following the return of refugees.
[05] Round-table on Albanian-Serbian relations
Ulqin, 26 June - A three-day round-table on Albanian-Serbian relations
concluded yesterday (Wednesday) in the Albanian-inhabited coastal town
of Ulqin, Montenegro, with the approval of a joint communique which
demands the concrete presence of the international community in Kosova
and the organization of an international conference on Kosova. The six-
point communique notes at the outset that participants of the Albanian-
Serb dialogue held June 23-25 1997 in Ulqin (Republic of Montenegro),
organized by the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms
based in Prishtina, and the Serbian Helsinki Committee on Human Rights
and the Belgrade Circle, concluded "the issue of Kosova is a very
difficult and serious problem, which needs an urgent solution". The
repression of the current Serbian regime in Kosova "burdens the
situation" and presents a permanent destablizing source in the region.
The participants have concluded with concern that the current
authorities in Serbia further deteriorate and radicalize the situation
and threaten escalation of violence by denying the very existence of the
Kosova problem, "which has already been internationalized".
"The participants of the dialogue support a peaceful solution of
Kosovas issue in conformity with fundamental principle of general
International Law and relevant and recognized international documents.
They are convinced that this position has the understanding and the
support of democratic forces in Kosova, in Serbia, in Montenegro, and
wider in the region, as well as the international community and its
relevant institutions", point 3 of the communique runs.
The Ulqin round-table meeting concluded the "necessity to start a
political dialogue and in this sense", adding that the Serbian
authorities bear responsibility for the beginning of the dialogue with
the legitimate representatives of the Albanian people in Kosova.
In order for a dialogue to start, all kinds of repression and injustices
in Kosova should be brought to an end immediately, the participants
said. In view of past experiences in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the participants demand a "more concrete presence of the international
community and its constructive role, which implies the organizing of an
international conference on resolution of Kosova issue".
[06] Separating families
Sknderaj, 28 June - A Kosova Albanian who has recently been repatriated
from Germany claims his wife and three children have remained there.
Bislim H. Nebihu, from Vojnik village of Sknderaj, stated that he was
deported on 18 June by the German authorities.
Beslim Nebihu said he was detained by the German authorities at his work
place and sent to the airport. He said his wife and three children were
not allowed to travel with him. The Nebihu family has been living in
Germany since 1993.
[07] Greece violates Albanias territorial integrity
Tirana, 7 July - According to a statement by the Albanian Ministry for
Interior Affairs , from 27 June to 3 July on the border between Greece
and Albania, at a place called Sopot, near Gjirokastra, between border
posts 15 and 16, several Greek civilians using a bulldozer started to
build a road and about 800 meters into Albanian territory.
On 5 July, mr. Arian Starova, Albanian Foreign Minister, summoned for an
urgent meeting the Greek Ambassador in Tirana, Mr. Costandinos
Prevendurakis, to explain this incident which represents severe
violation of Albanias territorial integrity. The Albanian Foreign
Ministry has demanded from Greek authorities a joint meeting to
investigate the incident.
[08] Unification of two Albanian parties in FYROM
Tetova, 7 July - The Congress of Unification of the Party for Democratic
Prosperity of Albanians (Partia e Prosperitetit Demokratik Shqiptar)
with Peoples Democratic Party (Partia Demokratike Popullore) was held in
Tetova. The new Party will be known as Albanian Democratic Party (Partia
Demokratike Shqiptare- PDSH). Mr. Arbr Xhaferi was elected President of
the Party.
The congress adopted the Platform of Albanian Democratic Party. Based on
UN resolutions and other declarations, this platform supports the self-
determination for political and territorial autonomy of Albanians in
FYROM.
[09] Albanians in Montenegro demand education in Albanian
Tivar (Bar), 7 July - Following a referendum on the right for education
in Albanian, Initiating Committee of the Shestan Community near Tivar,
which comprises 10 Albanian villages, has requested from the Montenegrin
Ministry for Education that in the future education should be conducted
in Albanian.
Based on the Article 68 of the Constitution of Montenegro, inhabitants
of Shestan demand that the education in Albanian commences in the next
school year 1997-98.
[10] Publication on solution of Albanian national issue
Prishtina, 5 July - The Institute for Albanian Studies and Forum of
Albanian Intellectuals in Kosova promoted the latest publication by
Academician Rexhep Qosja. "Fore-running Lectures" is a collection of
Qosjas views on present Albanian problems and permanent solution of the
Albanian national issue. This publication together with "Forbidden
Nation", "Strategy of Albanian Unification" and "Albanian issue -
History and Politics" comprise a modern project of our national program.
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