Kosova Daily Report #1353, 98-02-24

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From: Kosova Information Center <kic_pr@zana-pr.ztn.apc.org>

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1353

Prishtina, 24 February 1998

CONTENTS

[01] LDK Convention to Be Held Wednesday

[02] EU Foreign Ministers Urge for Restraint in Kosova

[03] Increased Movements of Serb Forces in Mitrovica and Skenderaj Since Last Night

[04] LDK Leaders in Skenderaj Warn Over Critical Situation in the Region

[05] Albanian Teachers in Kijeva Face Constant Serb Police Threats

[06] Two Repatriated Kosova Albanians Tortured Severely

[07] Serbian Police Force Kosova Albanian Out of His House

[01] LDK Convention to Be Held Wednesday

It is expected that party documents (the program and statute) will be amended.

The LDK will elect its president as well as the top executive body, the General Council.

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova has been leader of the LDK since its establishment on December 23, 1989.

The LDK has been in the forefront of the struggle of the people of Kosova for democracy, freedom and independence.

The LDK won most of the seats in the May 1992 parliamentary elections. Its leader, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, was elected President of the Republic of Kosova with an overwhelming majority.

[02] EU Foreign Ministers Urge for Restraint in Kosova

The Office of the Republic of Kosova in Brussels said that during the afternoon proceedings yesterday, foreign ministers of the European Union paid a great deal of attention to the deteriorating crisis in Kosova. The Council adopted a set of conclusions on Kosova in which the EU pledges substantial support for "actions on confidence-building measures". Following is the text of the conclusions on Kosova: "The Council reiterated its deep concerns at the continuing deterioration of the situation in Kosovo, and called on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and refrain from acts of violence to achieve political goals or to suppress the legitimate democratic expression of views.

The Council called on the authorities in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovo Albanian community urgently to begin a full and constructive dialogue. It agreed that implementation of the Education Agreement would be an important step, which the EU would be prepared to support substantially and noted that there was scope for actions on other confidence-building measures.

The EU will support any settlement reached by mutual agreement, and recalls its position in favour of the effective granting of a large degree of autonomy to Kosovo within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."

[03] Increased Movements of Serb Forces in Mitrovica and Skenderaj Since Last Night

The LDK Information Commission in Mitrovica said that three Serb police armored vehicles with heavily armed policemen on board drove for a couple of hours on the streets of the town on Monday evening.

On the top of one of the vehicles a Serb police with the machine gun on the ready intimidated and provoked citizens. Scores of passersby were halted on the streets, had their ID checked and were scrutinized, the report said.

Meanwhile, sources in Mitrovica said that today morning a convoy of 17 Serb army vehicles with soldiers on board was seen moving towards Skenderaj. The convoy was seen earlier coming from Leposaviq, a municipality in north Kosova bordering on Serbia.

For over a month now, heavy Serb forces have been deployed in a couple of municipalities in central and north-west Kosova, Skenderaj, Mitrovica, Klina, Vushtrri, Gllogovc and Istog. Scores of Albanians have been maltreated routinely in many existing as well as newly established police check-points in the area.

[04] LDK Leaders in Skenderaj Warn Over Critical Situation in the Region

In a statement issued following the meeting the LDK in Sk&nderaj said Serb police repression over the last three months has been immense. Four Albanians were killed by the Serbian police in this period.

The local LDK leaders warn that if violence does not end there is a danger the situation may slip out of their [LDK] control. In such a case all the responsibility will fall on the Serbian regime, which has been provoking a conflict systematically.

"We are convinced that the Serbian police apparatus has been trying to create preconditions for an all-out armed attack against the Albanian innocent and unprotected population in Drenica region, under the pretext of hunting down the U^K members", said the statement, and called "on relevant political factors to prevent with all the means such an attack."

[05] Albanian Teachers in Kijeva Face Constant Serb Police Threats

Nebih Toplana, Nysret Toplana and Hasan Toplana were beaten up severely, said a report provided by the LDK Information Commission in Malisheva.

The police threatened the Albanian teachers that in case their pupils do not salute them [the police] on their way to school, they will suffer serious consequences.

Same evening the Serbian police arrested at his home in Kijeva Zahir Bacaliu (22), took him to the police station and held him there until midnight. Mr. Bacaliu was reported subjected to severe torture while in police custody. He was accused of having ties with the so-called U^K.

Kijeva residents said their small town was completely under siege by Serbian police and local Serbian population.

The Serbian police stationed in Kijeva have been threatening the secondary school students constantly. They beat student Baki for not having saluted them.

Sources in Kijeva said the life here has become very difficult and insecure. All the shops in the area where the police had established a check-point have closed their businesses.

Sources in Malisheva reported that the Serbian ill-treated local LDK activist, Gani Krasniqi, on Monday. He was held on the road and intimidated for several hours.

Meanwhile, the police beat up severely Jeton B. Krasniqi, secondary school student in Malisheva. He was threatened never to be seen again.

[06] Two Repatriated Kosova Albanians Tortured Severely

Ramiz Mahaj was inflected grave injuries on his right arm, whereas Hamza Halitaj was broken his teeth, says the report.

Their taxi driver was also beaten severely, who had his jaw broken.

The report says the pretext for their torture was the fact that they were coming back from Germany.

[07] Serbian Police Force Kosova Albanian Out of His House

Mr. Rexhepi had bought the house in 1993 from a local Serb resident.

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