Kosova Daily Report #1383, 98-03-26

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1383
Prishtina, 26 March 1998

First Edition: 15:30 CET
Second Edition: 18:30 CET

CONTENTS

[01] Two Albanians Killed in Serb Attack in Gllogjan Tuesday Identified

[02] 11 Arrested, Villagers Have Not Returned to their Homes at Gllogjan

[03] Heavy Serb Police Presence in Mitrovica

[04] G-15 Cannot Represent the People of Kosova, Luljeta Pula-Beqiri Says

[05] Adem Dema^i Refuses Participation in the G-15 Group

[06] Fresh Contact Group Statement on Kosova, a Watered Down Version of the 9 March Declaration

[07] Contact Group Statement on Kosova, Bonn, 25 March 1998

[08] Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the Contact Group Meeting on Kosova in Bonn

[09] 22 U.S. Legislators Call For No-fly-zone Over Kosova - Request meeting with U.S. President Clinton

[10] President Rugova Receives Gelbard and Greenstock

[11] President Rugova's Statement Following Meeting with Contact Group Representatives

[12] Statements of Ambassador Gelbard and Mr. Jeremy Greenstock in Prishtina

[13] Funeral of Two Albanians Killed by Serb Forces in De^an to Take Place Friday

[01] Two Albanians Killed in Serb Attack in Gllogjan Tuesday Identified

Their bodies are at the Gjakova hospital morgue.

In the Serb forces' attack Rasim Him& Haradinaj (40), also native of Gllogjan, was wounded.

He is receiving treatment in the hospital in Gjakova.

[02] 11 Arrested, Villagers Have Not Returned to their Homes at Gllogjan

The signs of the Serb terrorist attack are everywhere, LDK leaders said, adding that the residents have not yet started getting back to their homes.

Between 2000 and 3000 people have fled their homes at Gllogjan and other surrounding villages.

As a sign of some normality returning, there was no Serb police movement there, and a bus commuted to the village. The village has not had electricity restored yet, though.

Eleven Albanians have been reported arrested, LDK branch in De^an said.

KIC was told by LDK sources in De^an that a Serb check-point was established yesterday near the Textile Factory near Junik, in the vicinity where the settlement of Serb settlers is. Albanians are being routinely ill- treated at this check-point, the LDK said.

[03] Heavy Serb Police Presence in Mitrovica

Passers-bye are routinely ill-treated by police on the street, as well as citizens in public places.

The Serb police/security have been entering A Serb military truck and a police vehicle left Mitrovica for Skenderaj ('Srbica') today at 9:50 hrs. The truck was supposedly carrying weapons.

Early in the morning today, six tanks and an APC were reported stationed at a location called P&rroi i Kamishit at the Shipkofc village. The heavy guns are said to have been pointed towards the Bair neighborhood in Mitrovica.

[04] G-15 Cannot Represent the People of Kosova, Luljeta Pula-Beqiri Says

Luljeta Pula was herself a presidential candidate in the Sunday election, but withdrew from the race a week earlier on grounds that it should be postponed for a later date.

Mrs. Pula-Beqiri said her party hopes that, in future Albanian- Serbian negotiations, true representatives of the people of Kosova will represent its political will expressed in the 1991 independence referendum.

"The PSDK considers that the Advisory Council (G-15) appointed by President of the Republic will be only an advisory group, and by no means not a negotiating team of the Albanian side in the future Albanian-Serbian negotiations" on Kosova, the PSDK leader said.

The PSDK hopes the negotiating team will be set up soon, composed of the legitimate representatives of the people of Kosova, the President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, a parliamentary committee from the Kosova Parliament elected in 1992, and the government team appointed by the Government of the Republic, chaired by Dr. Bujar Bukoshi.

"The PSDK cannot accept the G-15, appointed by President Rugova, as the legitimate representatives of the people of Kosova in Albania- Serbian negotiations", Luljeta Pula-Beqiri concluded.

[05] Adem Dema^i Refuses Participation in the G-15 Group

He (Dr. Rugova) does not trust me, and I don't trust him, the PPK leader said bluntly to the Albanian Section of the Voice of America (VOA) on Wednesday.

Mr. Adem Dema^i accused earlier this week "Rugova and his team" being poised to settle for less than an independent status for Kosova, in disregard for the political will of the people of Kosova expressed in the 1991 referendum.

Sunday's election was a vote for independence, the PPK leader told VOA.

A statement from the PPK quoted Dema^i of re-advocating the so- called 'Ballkania' during a meeting with U.S. diplomats yesterday, which is actually less than full independence of Kosova and more accommodating to the demands for not changing international borders of the so-called 'FRY'.

Luljeta Pula-Beqiri, leader of a minor party, the Social Democratic Party of Kosova (PSDK) said in a statement Wednesday her party "cannot accept the G-15, appointed by President Rugova, as the legitimate representatives of the people of Kosova in Albanian- Serbian negotiations".

President Ibrahim Rugova appointed an Advisory Group earlier this week to prepare the platform for dialogue with President Milosevic's selected representatives. The fifteen-member Group is composed of some current political leaders, former Communist politicians, professors and journalists.

[06] Fresh Contact Group Statement on Kosova, a Watered Down Version of the 9 March Declaration

The Contact Group, which had originally set a ten day deadline to the Belgrade regime on Kosova, has now given it a one month reprieve.

The stance of the statement of March 9 - very firm according to some, not that tough according to others - has been watered down in the March 25 statement on Kosova.

This is what Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov called "a balanced" outcome of the meeting yesterday. In a careful diplomatic wording - this 'balanced'- bespeaks Russian opposition to resolute action to make Belgrade comply with the Contact Group's demands.

"We have sustained the minimum degree of pressure needed", U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright told a news conference after chairing the meeting of the Contact Group.

The Reuters news said U.S. officials were frustrated with the whole "lowest common denominator" approach of the Group.

"We will retain our options to pursue additional measures including economic measures with like-minded states. The whole process of this discussion was more than a little frustrating,'' one U.S. official was quoted as saying on condition of anonymity.

The truth is, however, that Slobodan Milosevic had ten days to comply on demands on Kosova, now the new/old Milosevic-Seselj ticket has a one month reprieve in which they can engage in their notorious brinkmanship - do exactly as much as they can do away with. This "as much", as a rule, is outrageously too much. Bosnia and Kosova are proof of this.

The promise of the imposition in the Security Council of an arms embargo on 'FRY', Russia's consent having been obtained, sounds good, but has only a symbolic meaning for Kosova. Belgrade has inherited enough weapons from the JNA (former Yugoslavia's army) to level Kosova and 2 million Albanians as many times as it chooses.

[07] Contact Group Statement on Kosova, Bonn, 25 March 1998

"1. We the foreign ministers of Contact Group countries together with the deputy chairman in office of the OSCE, the chairman in office's personal representative for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and EU special representative and the representatives of the European Commission met in Bonn on March 25 to review developments in Kosovo and to follow-up decisions reached at our March 9 London meeting.

2. In London, we called on President Milosevic to take rapid and effective steps to end the violence in Kosovo and commit himself to a political solution through unconditional dialogue. We adopted an action plan to advance these goals, decided on a series of concrete measures, and agreed to reconsider these measures if President Milosevic took the steps required by the Contact Group.

3. We insist that an urgent start be made to the process of unconditional dialogue with the leadership of the Kosovo Albanian community, involving federal and republic levels of government.

Neither party should attempt to predetermine the outcome. We expect President Milosevic to implement the process of unconditional dialogue and take political responsibility for ensuring that Belgrade engages in serious negotiations on Kosovo's status.

4. Today we have reviewed the situation in Kosovo, including the degree of compliance with President Milosevic, FRY and Serbian authorities with the London statement's requirements.

5. Since our meeting in London, there has been progress in some areas of concern, notably some movement in Belgrade's position on dialogue on a range of issues including the autonomy of Kosovo and the conclusion of the long-overdue agreement on implementation of the education accord.

6. Our overall assessment is that further progress by Belgrade on certain points in paragraphs six and seven of the London statement requiring action by the FRY and Serbian governments is necessary.

Therefore we have agreed to maintain and implement the measures announced on March 9, including seeking adoption by March 31 of the arms embargo resolution currently under consideration in the United Nations Security Council. We call upon President Milosevic again to implement fully all the relevant steps in the London Statement.

7. We demand that authoritative delegations from both sides convene rapidly in order to agree a framework for a substantive negotiation process and agree to the participation in the negotiating process of an outside representative or representatives. We will accept no pretext for delaying such a process. We reaffirm the willingness of the Contact Group to facilitate talks, recognizing that international engagement in support of dialogue is essential to the achievement of a political solution.

8. We agree that the Contact Group will meet again in four weeks time to reassess the situation. Our assessment and subsequent decision will take account of a report on compliance to be submitted to the Contact Group by the troika of the OSCE, if they agree to our request to prepare such a report. If President Milosevic takes the steps specified in London, we will reconsider existing measures including action in the Security Council to terminate the arms embargo. If Belgrade fails to meet the London benchmarks, and if the dialogue does not get underway within the next four weeks because of the position of the FRY or Serbian authorities, we shall take steps to apply further measures as announced in London.

9. Unless FRY takes steps to resolve the serious political and human rights issues in Kosovo, there is no prospect of any improvement in its international standing. On the other hand, concrete progress to resolve the serious political and human rights issues in Kosovo will improve the international position of the FRY and prospects for normalisation of its international relationships and full rehabilitation in international institutions. We urge President Milosevic to cooperate fully with the mission of Mr. Felipe Gonzalez as personal representative of the OSCE chairman-in-office and EU special representative. Once the Gonzalez mission is underway, it will certainly be possible to address the potential for FRY participation in the work of the OSCE.

10. We take this opportunity to reaffirm our strong opposition to all terrorist actions. Violence does not contribute to the search for a solution in Kosovo. This applies equally to Serbian police and Kosovar Albanian extremists. We will use all appropriate elements of pressure and influence with both sides to ensure that violence does not escalate and that the serious dispute over Kosovo's status between Belgrade and the Kosovar Albanian community is resolved strictly through peaceful means. We urge those outside the FRY who are supplying financial support, arms or training for terrorist activity in Kosovo to cease doing so immediately.

11. We welcome Dr. Rugova's clear commitment to non-violence and urge others in the leadership of the Kosovar Albanian community to make their opposition to violence and terrorism both clear and public. Belgrade authorities cannot, however, justify their repression and violence in Kosovo in the name of anti-terrorist activities. We repeat that the way to combat terrorism is for Belgrade to offer the Kosovar Albanian community a genuine political process.

12. We applaud the work of Sant' Egidio and of the 3+3 commission in reaching agreement on measures to implement the 1996 Education Agreement. We call on all sides to ensure that implementation proceeds smoothly and without delay, according to the agreed timetable. We are considering what assistance we can provide to facilitate implementation. We will also consider measures if either party blocks implementation. We urge all sides to cooperate with Sant' Egidio on efforts to reduce tensions in other social sectors as well.

13. The fundamental position of the Contact Group remains the same.

We support neither independence nor the maintenance of the status quo as the end-result of negotiations between the Belgrade authorities and the Kosovo Albanian leadership on the status of Kosovo. Without prejudging what that result may be we base the principles for a solution to the Kosovo problem on the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and on OSCE standards, Helsinki principles, and the UN charter. Such a solution must also take into account the rights of the Kosovar Albanians and all those who live in Kosovo. We support a substantially greater degree of autonomy for Kosovo which must include meaningful self-administration." (end text)

[08] Statement by U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright at the Contact Group Meeting on Kosova in Bonn

"As you know, last night our political directors agreed on a statement on Bosnia. It confirms that we share the same analysis of the situation there-- and that we are determined to stay the course.

Since we are all in agreement on Bosnia, let us consider that statement approved and turn to the real reason why we are meeting for the second time in two weeks. After all, we have not felt the need to meet this often in a long time. That is because we have not faced a problem in the former Yugoslavia as dangerous as the situation in Kosovo since the last Balkan war began," said the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright after thanking Germany for hosting the meeting, the U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman reported.

"As I said on March 9th, my great fear has been that we would make the same mistakes in Kosovo that we made in Bosnia seven years ago.

My concern has been that President Milosevic would do as little as possible to meet our demands, except under pressure, and then only at the last minute.

"Fortunately, at our last meeting, we all agreed to act before it was too late--to stop the killing and to encourage both sides to start a meaningful political dialogue.

"To that end, we agreed to impose punitive measures against those responsible for the violence. We made it clear they would be lifted if and only if President Milosevic took a number of specific steps to resolve the crisis.

"Since our London meeting, Klaus and Hubert have met with President Milosevic to deliver our message, as has Yevgenyi. Bob Gelbard has been to Belgrade, Pristina and Podgorica, and will return after this meeting with Jeremy Greenstock.

"The pressure we have begun to apply has begun to produce results.

An agreement to implement the education accord was signed Monday.

We have seen a change in tone out of Belgrade.

"But the first question we must answer today is whether President Milosevic has met the specific demands of the Contact Group. I do not think any of us can credibly say that he has.

"Sixteen days ago, we called for special police units to be withdrawn from Kosovo. The Serbian authorities first claimed those units had already left. Then, in his meeting with Klaus and Hubert, President Milosevic promised they would leave. But today, they are digging in, not pulling out. As we have plainly seen on CNN, new police emplacements are being built, complete with sandbags and chimneys, where none existed a few days ago.

"Sixteen days ago, we also called on President Milosevic to allow access to Kosovo to humanitarian groups and representatives of the Contact Group. Yet diplomats and aid workers have continued to be harassed, threatened, arrested and even beaten by Serbian police.

Americans have been the special targets of this campaign, but the aim is clearly to intimidate us all.

"We also demanded in London that President Milosevic commit himself publicly to unconditional dialogue. Since then, President Milosevic has named a representative to possible talks. But only Serbian President Milutinovic has committed to anything in public. And he has insisted on preconditions that prejudge the outcome of dialogue--the very thing we said would be unacceptable. This is a proposal designed to be rejected.

"Finally, we asked sixteen days ago that President Milosevic cooperate with the initiatives the Contact Group approved.

Yesterday, we learned that President Milosevic has invited Bronislaw Geremek to discuss a resumption of the OSCE Mission of Long Duration. But has not accepted the Gonzalez mission, and on our other points he has sent contradictory signals.

How should we respond to all this bobbing and weaving?

It is possible that in the last two weeks, we have seen the first halting, grudging steps by the FRY toward a political solution to the crisis. It is also possible that we have seen nothing more than cynical half-measures, designed to divide us, or to buy time until we lose interest.

"Either way, we have to remember that progress has only come about through sustained pressure. If we want more progress, we have to stick together to maintain that pressure. For if we give President Milosevic even a glimmer of a hint that he has done enough, he will most assuredly do nothing more. If we settle for half-measures, all we will get are half-measures.

"We have to hold President Milosevic to the London benchmarks, and hold the line on the firm approach we adopted.

We must support immediate adoption of the UN arms embargo resolution by the Security Council. This is the right thing to do.

And it is what all of us promised to do when we met 16 days ago.

We must continue to insist on the Gonzalez mission as well. All this is essential for maintaining the credibility and unity of the Contact Group.

"We are also all in agreement that the only way to avoid disaster now in Kosovo is to get a serious dialogue going. In London, we all agreed that if this dialogue is to have any chance of success after nine years of unrelenting repression in Kosovo, both sides must enter it without preconditions.

"Last night, our political directors agreed that we should focus all our efforts on this goal. President Milosevic must begin the process of dialogue now; he must accept outside participation; and we will hold him accountable for any delay on the part of the FRY or Serbian authorities. We have agreed to impose additional punitive measures in four weeks if he fails to do this.

In this respect, let me propose that we set up a working group to study how we will implement an asset freeze and a ban on foreign direct investment, should that prove necessary.

I know no one relishes the prospect of more sanctions. I know it is tempting to say "positive" pressure will work better. But our experience teaches us not to be misled by our hopes.

Think of all the peace plans that were advanced during the Bosnian war.

How many times did one party or another appear to accept our proposals, only to walk away? We saw then that in the former Yugoslavia, promises mean little until they are implemented with safeguards. Incentives tend to be pocketed; warnings tend not to be believed. Leaders respond not to the distant threat of sanctions, but to the reality of sanctions.

Today we can prove that we have learned these lessons.

Let us also give serious thought today to how the Kosovar Albanians will perceive our actions. Most have stuck to non-violence. Dr. Rugova has made a commitment to unconditional dialogue. But the responsible leaders in Kosovo can persevere only as long as we back them up with pressure against Belgrade. We must be firm so that they can be flexible.

Time is not on the side of moderation. Every moment of delay on President Milosevic's part increases the likelihood of violence.

Every moment of hesitation on our part increases the likelihood that he will delay.

On March 9 we agreed on a common approach to move him forward. I expect we will have a full and open discussion about how to carry it out. But I should say that I'm more concerned about effectiveness of outcome than harmony of process. We need to stick to what we have agreed, and come away from this meeting with a statement that will be taken seriously. I can assure you the United States will do what is necessary." (End text)

[09] 22 U.S. Legislators Call For No-fly-zone Over Kosova - Request meeting with U.S. President Clinton

"While our diplomats are talking today in Bonn, Germany, Belgrade is attacking another Albanian city with helicopters and armored personnel carriers. It is time that the United States and the international community establishes a no-fly-zone to halt the Serb repression," Rep. Engel said.

Rep. Engel, along with Reps. Sue Kelly (R-NY) and Jim Moran (D-VA), returned on Monday from FYR Macedonia where the Serbs denied their entry into Kosova to monitor Sunday's elections. In FYR Macedonia, they closely monitored the vote while learning details about the recent massacre of more than 80 Albanians in Kosova.

"We are gratified to hear the recent statements made by Madeleine Albright that 'we are not going to stand by and watch the Serbian authorities do in Kosova what they can no longer get away with in Bosnia,'" the 22 Congress members wrote to President Clinton.

"However, we believe that such declarations must be backed up with concrete actions."

Rep. Engel was the co-author of a resolution (H.Con.Res. 235), which recently passed the House of Representatives, calling for new sanctions against Yugoslavia, United Nations Security Council consideration of the Kosova crisis, and a strengthened U.S. and international presence in Kosova.

Rep. Engel is co-Chair of the Congressional Albanian Issues Caucus and represents areas of the Bronx and Westchester.

[10] President Rugova Receives Gelbard and Greenstock

Attending the meeting were also Mr. Richard Miles, Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, and Mr. Brian Donelly, British Ambassador to Belgrade.

During a lengthy meeting, President Rugova and Ambassador Robert Gelbard and Jeremy Greenstock discussed about the situation in Kosova and the conclusions of the Contact Group meeting in Bonn Wednesday.

President Rugova expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the United States and Great Britain in the Contact Group in support of undertaking effective and rapid steps in facilitating a peaceful solution for Kosova.

Modalities for establishing a dialogue under third party mediation between Prishtina and Belgrade were discussed in the meeting.

Ambassador Robert Gelbard and Jeremy Greenstock also met with the members of the 15-member Advisory Council (G-15) appointed by President Rugova to design the platform for talks with the Belgrade regime.

The senior U.S. and British diplomats assessed as highly important President Rugova's decision to include people from a wide range of sections of the Kosova society in preparations and dialogue with Belgrade.

[11] President Rugova's Statement Following Meeting with Contact Group Representatives

[12] Statements of Ambassador Gelbard and Mr. Jeremy Greenstock in Prishtina

Ambassador Robert Gelbard: We have had an opportunity that has been extremely useful to meet with Dr. Rugova's advisory group which has been assembled to begin the process of talks leading to the issue of the status of Kosovo with the Government of the "FRY". We congratulate Dr. Rugova on this initiative. This follows the talks we had this morning with the representatives of the Government of the "FRY" and President Milutinovic of Serbia, and of course follows the meeting of the Contact Group which took place yesterday in Bonn. We stressed at the meeting of the Contact Group the urgency of moving ahead on these talks and there should be no doubt that within the Contact Group there is a strong feeling that this must move ahead with great urgency to a positive conclusion.

My colleague Jeremy Greenstock and I were asked to come here to relate the outcome of the Contact Group meeting and to express the very strong feelings of our ministers about this issue and the urgency of moving ahead quickly, which we're all in the process of doing. Thank you.

Mr. Jeremy Greenstock: "It has been most importance for Ambassador Gelbard and myself, representing the Contact Group, United States and the European Union to hear from the advisory council to Dr. Rugova and from Dr. Rugova himself the principal points of concern on their side that effect the starting of dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade. This is an exercise that needs to start urgently, but is going to take a long time to accomplish. And we want there to be an understanding between the representatives of Kosovar Albanian leadership here in Prishtina and the authorities in Belgrade. The international community insists on dialogue, insists on dialogue on international standards, and insists on first of all a great improvement in human and political rights in Kosovo, and a political and peaceful solution to the problems that your people face. We have made an advance today in our understanding of it and we want to thank Dr. Rugova and his colleagues for the very warm reception that we have had."

[13] Funeral of Two Albanians Killed by Serb Forces in De^an to Take Place Friday

Gazmend Hysen Mehmetaj (19) and Agron Nimon Mehmetaj (20), both from Gllogjan were killed during a Serbian attack on Gllogjan village on Tuesday.

The two Albanians will be buried in the cemetery of their native village, Gllogjan.

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