Kosova Daily Report #1375, 98-03-18

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From: Kosova Information Center <http://www.kosova.com/>

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1375
Prishtina, 18 March 1998

First Edition: 13:45 hrs
Second Edition: 18:30 hrs

CONTENTS

[01] Serb Police Kills Albanian Protester in Peja Today

[02] Tens of Thousands Call for Peace, Protest Against Serbian Violence in Prishtina

[03] Press Conference of the Republican Electoral Commission

[04] President Rugova Receives Ambassador Robert S. Gelbard

[05] President Rugova and Ambassador Gelbard to the Press

[06] President Rugova Receives British Diplomats

[07] Serbian Police Shoots Dead One, Wounds Five, and Beats Scores of Protesters

[08] Serbs Ralliers in Prishtina Support Serbian Operations in Drenica

[09] EU to Offer Authority and Resources to Back Mediation Between Belgrade, Cook Said Friday

[01] Serb Police Kills Albanian Protester in Peja Today

The killed Albanian was identified as Qerim Uk& Muriqi (50), resident of Peja.

Mr. Muriqi was reported shot and killed in the Railway Str. in Peja. A number of other protesters received gunshot wounds there, but the KIC could not obtain their names so far.

Popular, peaceful protests against Serbian terror and violence, in support of freedom and independence for Kosova, were staged up and down Kosova today.

Tens of thousands of Albanians rallied today in Prishtina, the capital of Kosova, for half an hour (from 11 through 11:30 hrs).

[02] Tens of Thousands Call for Peace, Protest Against Serbian Violence in Prishtina

Peaceful protests were also reported staged in all the municipal centers and small towns of Kosova, including Peja, Mitrovica, Ferizaj, Gjakova, Podujeva, Gllogovc, Prizren, Kamenica, Ka^anik, Gjilan, Ferizaj, De^an.

Half-hour peaceful manifestations under the motto "Against Serb Violence and Terror, for Peace, Freedom and Independence" were called for today by the LDK Youth Forum and other organization of Kosovar young people.

The protest in Prishtina was scheduled to begin at 11 o'clock today, yet thousands of citizens began pouring into the Mother Teresa square in Prishtina before the hour. Holding anti-war posters like " Stop Serb violence in Kosova", "Free Kosova", "We Are Not Terrorists", the ralliers chanted slogans deploring the Serb violence and terror in Kosova. The prevailing slogan chanted by the crowd were, however, cries in support of the Drenica people, President Rugova, as well as demands for freedom and independence for Kosova.

The Serb police did not obstruct the today's manifestation in Prishtina. A large number of the Serb security forces in plain clothes stood on both sides of the square scrutinizing the people and filming the protest.

[03] Press Conference of the Republican Electoral Commission

29 municipal electoral commissions have been appointed, and they will during the course of today designate electoral boards and the polling stations, Mr. Rodiqi said.

The central electoral commission said the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) has candidates in 95 out of the 100 zones. In two zones the LDK will be in coalition with the Liberal Party of Kosova (PLK) and the Party of Democratic Action (PAD, a party of Bosniaks).

Mr. Tadej Rodiqi said the Liberal Party of Kosova (PLK) has candidates in 80 zones, the Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosova (PSHDK) in 70 zones, the Social Democratic Party of Kosova (PSDK - Kaqusha Jashari) in 69 zones, the National Democratic Party (PND) in 45 zones, the Albanian National Democratic Party of Kosova (PNDSH) in 40 zones, the Republican Party of Kosova (PRK) in 26 zones, the Albanian Republican Party (PRK) in 6 zones, the Albanian Popular Party (PPSH in 3 zones, the Independent Association of Jurists (SHPJ) in 32 zones, and the Greens League (LGJK) in 18 zones.

There are four independent candidates for seats in the Kosova Parliament, in Dragash, De^an, Peja, and Fush& Kosova, respectively.

Tadej Rodiqi told the press Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, the encumbent President of the Republic of Kosova, will run in the presidential race as the candidate of the LDK. Dr. Rugova's candidacy has been supported also by the PNDSH, PLK, PSHDK and PRK, the chairman of the central commission said.

Mrs Luljeta Pula-Beqiri, the other presidential candidate, has withdrawn her candidacy for the 22 March election. Her faction of the Social Democratic Party (PSDK), as well as two other parties, the Parliamentary Party of Kosova (PPK) and the Party of National Unity (UNIKOMB) will not take part in the parliamentary elections, Tadej Rodiqi said.

Bajram Kelmendi, member of the Commission, said the parties have also submitted lists for the proportional system, up to 20 each. which is the legal maximum according to the Election Law.

The Election Law has been amended, but the amendments do not alter it essentially, Tadej Rodiqi said.

Mr. Tadej Rodiqi was formerly head of the Kosova Supreme Court, and he is fully qualified to be chairman of the Republican Electoral Commission, Mr. Bajram Kelmendi said, in reply to a questioner who maintained Mr. Rodiqi, being vice-chairman of the PSHDK, could not serve in the Commission.

President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova appointed the central electoral commission.

Tadej Rodiqi was chairman of the Republican Electoral Commission in the May 24, 1992, parliamentary and presidential elections.

[04] President Rugova Receives Ambassador Robert S. Gelbard

Accompanying him were aslo James Swigert, Director, Office of South Central European Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, Ms Kathleen M. Redgate from the Office of the Special Representative, Ambassador Richard Miles, chief of U.S. Mission in Belgrade, Nicholas Hill, First Secretary in the Embassy, and Richard Huckaby, director of the USIS office in Prishtina.

President Ibrahim Rugova and Ambassador Gelbard discussed at length about the most recent developments in Kosova, as well as the prospects for establishing dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade in pursuit of a peaceful and negotiated settlement to the Kosova issue.

The situation in Kosova continues to be extremely grave and dangerous as a result of the massacre of Serb police and military forces in several Drenica villages, President Rugova said. He denounced in the strongest terms the Serb state terror and pressed for urgent and strong international pressure to get Belgrade withdraw its troops from the Drenica region and allow humanitarian and medical teams enter the affected area and assist those in need.

President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova underlined the unrelenting efforts of the Kosova leadership to handle this difficult situation and urge the people exercise restraint. The people of Kosova are committed to their peaceful struggle for freedom, democracy and independence, he said.

The resolution of the Kosova should be sought in an equitable talks process, unconditioned, and under effective mediation from the international community, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova pointed out.

Ambassador Robert Gelbard emphasized the strong U.S. engagement in stepping up international efforts on Kosova. He said the Administration is willing to work with the European allies and the Contact Group to encourage an unconditional, meaningful and well- prepared dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.

President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said he was greatly appreciative of the U.S. administration support for Kosova, and stressed the significance of friendly ties between Kosova and the United States of America.

[05] President Rugova and Ambassador Gelbard to the Press

President Ibrahim Rugova made this statement to a huge number of representatives of the press, domestic and international: "In my discussion today with President Clinton's Special Representative, Ambassador Gelbard, I reaffirmed my strong commitment to dialogue as the only means to resolve the pressing problems in Kosova.

To be successful, dialogue would necessarily involve an open and unconditional exchange between selected representatives of the Kosovar leadership and representatives of President Milosevic, as called for by Contact Group Foreign Ministers last week in London.

We want such an exchange as soon as possible but only if it is serious and carefully prepared.

The Serbian authorities' offer to open a public dialogue with representatives of the so-called "Albanian minority" is not serious. To engage in talks along the line thus far proposed by Belgrade would only make the situation worse, not better.

We are prepared to engage in a sincere process. In order to prepare for early talks, I intend to appoint in advance of our own elections on March 22 an advisory council composed of a number of our most prominent citizens, representing all of Kosova's society.

We must prepare ourselves now for a real dialogue even if Belgrade is not yet prepared for serious talks. We look to the international community to continue to increase the pressure on Belgrade to do so.

A successful resolution to the Kosova problem will also require international assistance. Following the recent violence in the Drenica region, the level of confidence in the Kosovar community regarding Serb intentions in simply too low. The international community must assist in facilitating dialogue and in providing guarantees for a negotiated agreement. I asked Ambassador Gelbard for the United States to facilitate talks.

While change is critical, there is no reason why violence must be used to affect that change. I urge all citizens of Kosova to employ peaceful, non- confrontational means of protest and demonstration against Serb repression."

The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said at the end of his statement that he was thankful to Ambassador Gelbard, who came to Prishtina for a second time within a week, as well as U.S. President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Ambassador Robert Gelbard, President Clinton's Special Representative, had this to say to the press: "Dr. Rugova and I have had an extremely productive, extremely useful discussion this afternoon, following the discussions we had just one week ago. As Dr. Rugova said, he has proposed the rapid movement for serious meaningful dialogue aimed at establishing a very different kind of discussion with President Milosevic. It has certainly been the position of the United States for some time that it is critical to begin urgently discussions aimed at developing enhanced status for Kosovo with, as I have said previously, significantly greater self- administration. Any talks must be unconditional, and in that sense, I welcomed very much Dr. Rugova's call and plan to establish an advisory group, based on a broad base of the Kosovar Albanian leadership, and to begin talks on an unconditional basis. United States is of course willing and eager to help facilitate such talks, or participate as the parties would wish. We, of course, will be consulting with our Contact Group colleagues and allies on an urgent basis and in fact we intend to have e meeting of the Contact Group political directors this Friday to asses what the results are so far from Belgrade since Contact Group ministers met in London on the 9th of March.

We look forward to working, as I say on an urgent basis, with others of our colleagues, to try to make this successful quickly, to lower tensions to build confidence and to develop the right kind of political atmosphere and results.

Let me also say that Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia is here in Prishtina today and has been engaged in his continued efforts, his continued extraordinarily positive efforts, to achieve implementation of the Education Agreement, an agreement that was signed a year and a half ago but is yet to be implemented. We continue to believe that Monsignor Paglia's efforts are absolutely superb, and we've been very pleased with the participation here of the representatives of the Italian Government, and the British Government. Without getting into details, let me say that I feel that there has been very important progress made, and we certainly are extremely hopeful that implementation of this agreement will be achieved shortly.

Overall again, my government and I are extremely pleased by the discussions my colleagues and I had with Dr. Rugova and his associates and we feel that it is very important now to move with great urgency to achieve highly positive results that are needed for Kosova right now."

A questioner said the situation in Drenica has not changed - "people need food, women and children need food, medicines, and the [Serb] police is still there; nothing has changed" - and asked the U.S. diplomat's comments on this.

In his reply, Ambassador Gelbard said: "I'm sure that Russian Foreign Minister Primakov, and that foreign ministers Vedrine and Kinkel, who will be meeting with President Milosevic this week, will be putting extremely high priority on this issue, because it was one of the fundamental points in the Contact Group declaration of the 9th. Now, I have heard that some humanitarian organizations have begun to enter this area, but I don't have any proof of it. I think it is absolutely outrageous and despicable that humanitarian groups are not able to move freely. As you know one of the primary points raised by the Contact Group was the free access by humanitarian organizations, by diplomats, by journalists [that they] have access to all of Kosovo, and we feel that is essential.

The United States, of course, contributes a significant amount of funds, approximately 6 million dollars annually, for humanitarian assistance in Kosovo. We have just increased our assistance and it is one of the fundamental points of international law that humanitarian aid must be delivered to those in need.

I've stressed this in my most recent meeting with Yugoslav charge in Washington, and I have full confidence that those three foreign ministers are making the same point. The reason we're meeting with Contact Group at my level this Friday will be to asses exactly this, whether Yugoslavia is complying with what we have been insisting. And I assure you that if, as I expect, implementation of what we have demanded has not been full - certainly speaking for my government, the United States - we will insist that there be additional sanctions."

Asked by a questioner about his assessment, as of today, of Milosevic's compliance to what the Contact Group has called for, Gelbard put it in a nutshell: "Extremely poor."

[06] President Rugova Receives British Diplomats

President Rugova and the British diplomats exchanged views about the recent developments in Kosova.

Ambassador Donnelly presented Dr. Rugova with a letter by Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, the chairman of the Council of Ministers of the European Union.

The possibilities of establishing a meaningful dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade were discussed.

President Ibrahim Rugova thanked the government in London for its efforts on Kosova.

[07] Serbian Police Shoots Dead One, Wounds Five, and Beats Scores of Protesters

The killed Albanian was identified as Qerim Uk& Muriqi (50), resident of Peja.

Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in Peja has named the following Albanians who received fire-arm wounds during the protest in the streets of Peja today: Sadri Beqiri (58) from Lutogllava, Miss. Mejreme Avdiaj (18) from Pogragja of Klina, Rexhep Shkreli (48) from Treboviq, Faton Muriqi (19) from Peja and Bekim Muriqi (23) from Peja.

Peaceful protests against Serbian terror and violence, in support of freedom and independence for Kosova, were staged up and down Kosova today. Tens of thousands of Albanians rallied today in Prishtina, the capital of Kosova, for half an hour (from 11 through 11:30 hrs).

While the police did not obstruct the peaceful rallies in most of the places, a number of Albanians were reported ill-treated and/or beaten up afterwards.

Sources in Klina have named the following Albanians beaten up by the Serb police in the town in the wake of the protest: Sadri Doqi Fatos Raci, Ham&z Dushi, Genc Marku, Gazmend Tahiri.

At Nadakovc village of Vushtrri, the Serbian police halted all the Albanians returning from the rally staged in the town this morning.

Over a dozen were reportedly beaten up severely.

The LDK Information Commission in Prizren said that Ramiz Hoti and Urim Rizanaj from Zhur were beaten up brutally by the police while on their way back home from a protest in Prizren.

[08] Serbs Ralliers in Prishtina Support Serbian Operations in Drenica

The Serb ralliers held up the Serb national flag and chanted "Serbia, Serbia", "Drenica is ours", "We will not give up Kosovo", "Let's go to war, to war". "We want kalashnjikovs", "Kosovo is Serbia", "We have killed Jashari", etc.

They made the three-finger Serb sign and sang the pro-Greater Serbia song, "Who is lying that Serbia is a small country".

The Serb protesters went to Dragodan neighborhood, where they smashed up windows and damaged several cars.

The Serb crowd of protesters halted near the building where the seat of President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova's office is. Rugova was at the time holding talks with Ambassador Robert Gelbard, U.S. President's Special Representative, and Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia from the San't Egidio Community.

The protest was apparently orchestrated by the Serb regime, to coincide with Ambassador Gelbard's visit to Prishtina. Serb police not only followed, but also guided protesters.

It was this very police, the Serbian police, which opened fire on Albanian peaceful protesters in Peja ('Pec'), killing one and wounding several others.

Tens of thousands of Albanians staged a half-hour protest rally in Prishtina late in the morning today, calling for an end to Serbian terror and violence, and freedom and independence for Kosova.

Similar protests were held in all key towns in Kosova.

Meanwhile, the office of the Serb-installed rector of the Prishtina University, Radivoje Papovic, called for a demonstration in Prishtina tomorrow (Thursday).

Serb students from several towns in Serbia are expected to join their colleagues in Prishtina. They will be reportedly travelling to Kosova by special buses, organized for the occasion to demonstrate for the "protection" of Kosova.

It is feared that the buses will bring in not only Serb students, but criminals and Serb members of paramilitary forces, too.

[09] EU to Offer Authority and Resources to Back Mediation Between Belgrade, Cook Said Friday

Following are excerpts from transcripts carried today by the USIS- USIS- Prishtina bulletin.

"We had a good discussion which lasted for three hours in which all the foreign ministers took part as well as the Commission", Cook said at the beginning, and went on to say: "As a result of that discussion, we have reached a number of points of action which I will be following up as the Presidency of the European Union.

Our starting point is that the European Union fully supports and endorses the clear and firm statement of the Contact Group last Monday. All the countries present at today's discussion endorsed those conclusions and back the steps contained in that statement.

Secondly, because of our support for the statement from the Contact Group, we have resolved for urgent work within the European Union to put in place our contribution to the measures of pressure on Belgrade which that statement contained. Next week, officials will be meeting to take forward the implementation of specific sanctions which the Contact Group committed itself to, in particular the visa ban and the refusal of government credit for investment in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

We also agreed today that the Presidency of the European Union should take forward the proposal of the Contact Group for a conference of countries of the region to explore with them the concerns about the situation within Serbia and to discuss with them how we can work together to meet their concerns and to prevent the repression which we have seen in Kosovo becoming a source of instability throughout the region. That conference will be held in Paris on the invitation of Britain as the Presidency of the European Union, and we will also be inviting the presence of Russia and the United States as members of the Contact Group.

Fourthly we have agreed to designate a special representative of the European Union to offer our authority and our resources to back mediation between Belgrade and the Kosovo people. I will be consulting with other colleagues over the next day of two and would home within the next 24-48 hours to be able to announce the specific person whom we have in mind.

Next, we agreed that there should be an increased European Union presence in Kosovo and elsewhere in the region. We have re-opened our demand for a European Union office in Pristina, we believe that it is important that the international community is able to monitor what happens in Kosovo and our ability to observe is one of the best guarantees that we deter unacceptable behavior on the part of the security forces.

We also decided that we would expand the European Community monitoring mission in Albania and pursue how it can, through its increased presence, improve monitoring on the border with Kosovo as a clear sign of the European Union's commitment to the territorial integrity of Albania.

Finally, in relation to Kosovo we agree that I should send as the Presidency of the European Union a message to Dr. Rugova in Pristina which would stress the European Union's commitment for Kosovo but our clear position of not supporting independence for Kosovo. I will assure him that we will continue our pressure on Belgrade to make a meaningful offer of dialogue with the leaders of the Kosovo people and that we hope both Belgrade and Dr. Rugova will be willing to enter into a dialogue without preconditions being set by either side".

Replying to a questioner about the special envoy in Kosova, after the nomination of Felipe Gonzalez, Foreign Secretary Cook said Gonzales is not nominated by the European Union, but by the OSCE chairman. "We do want to make it clear that the European Union is as fully engaged in this as the OSCE and that we want to make exactly the same contribution to the effort at mediation in Kosovo, and that whoever mediates, mediates not just with the authority of the OSCE chairman but with the authority of 15 European Union countries."

It is certainly the case that "Kosovo did enjoy much more autonomy under the Communists that it currently enjoys under President Milosevic,", Robin Cook said. "Times have changed since 1989, Serbia is not the former Yugoslavia, and it does not necessary therefore mean that what was appropriate in 1989 is exactly the right package for 1999", he concluded, in reply to a question regarding Kosova's enhanced status, proposed by the Contact Group meeting.

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