Kosova Daily Report #1388, 98-03-31

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

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1388

Prishtina, 31 March 1998

CONTENTS

[01] EU Foreign Ministers Council Urges for Meaningful and Unconditional Dialogue on Status of Kosova

[02] Shooting Reported in Morina, Krushevc and Rezalla Villages of Drenica

[03] Serb Forces Provoke and Threaten Residents in Gllogovc and Skenderaj

[04] Serb Students Protest Against Re-entry of Albanians into Institute of Albanology in Prishtina

[05] Serb-Installed Authorities Coerce Albanian Health Workers Swear Loyalty to Serbia

[06] Serb Repression in Kosova

[01] EU Foreign Ministers Council Urges for Meaningful and Unconditional Dialogue on Status of Kosova

The Council discussed the continuing tension in Kosova, underlining its concern at the further incidents of violence within the last few days.

"It (the Council) reaffirmed its insistence that the Serbian special police force be immediately withdrawn," and condemned all terrorist acts, "notably those by the Kosova Liberation Army".

The Council welcomed the statement of 25 March by the Foreign Ministers of the Contact Group, and expressed the view that the steps taken by Belgrade authorities since 9 March were "insufficient to meet the full range of requirements set out on that date and reiterated on 25 March."

The EU Council of Ministers underlined that the measures set out in its Common Position of 19 March would not be lifted, and others would need to be considered unless these requirements had been met in full.

The Council reaffirmed "its conviction that meaningful dialogue without preconditions must begin urgently between the parties (Prishtina and Belgrade)" on the status of Kosova. It welcomed the steps already taken by Dr. Ibrahim Rugova to prepare for negotiations and "encouraged him to announce his negotiating team without delay."

The Council welcomed the agreement reached in the 3+3 Commission on the implementation of the Education Agreement and thanked Monsignor Paglia of Sant' Egidio for all his efforts in this field. The Council called for rapid implementation by both sides of this new agreement and affirmed "the European Union's readiness to give substantial assistance to this process."

It asked for a rapid follow up to the recommendations of the Presidency/Commission fact-finding team currently in Kosova.

The Council expressed its full support for the mission of Mr.Felipe Gonzales as Personal Representative for the 'Federal Republic of Yugoslavia' (Serbia and Montenegro) of the OSCE Chairman in Office and Special Representative of the European Union.

The Council underlined its intention to continue to follow developments closely and asked "the competent instances to develop further the European Union's line on this issue within the framework of the European Union's regional approach."

It underlined that concrete progress to resolve the serious political and human rights issue in Kosova will improve the international position of the 'FRY' and prospects for normalization of its international relationships and full rehabilitation in international institutions.

[02] Shooting Reported in Morina, Krushevc and Rezalla Villages of Drenica

The shooting which began at about 4:30 a.m lasted for about one hour.

Several villages of the Drenica region have been kept under siege by the Serbian forces since end-February. Heavy presence of police forces with paramilitary equipment, including heavy artillery, has been garrisoned in the Morina area.

Sources in Skenderaj said the lessons in the Albanian schools have not began today as scheduled as a result of this morning shooting, although a good number of pupils and students turned out to schools.

[03] Serb Forces Provoke and Threaten Residents in Gllogovc and Skenderaj

While marching through Gllogovc and villages along the road, the Serb forces had their guns pointed towards the residents of this area.

On their way back, the Serb forces convoy stopped at T&rstenik village of Skenderaj, rambling around the Bylykbashi and Bazaj neighborhoods. Serb policemen threw stones at some of the local residents, said the report.

[04] Serb Students Protest Against Re-entry of Albanians into Institute of Albanology in Prishtina

Today is the day when the Institute should be reopened to its previous occupants, who were four years ago forcefully kicked out by Serb occupation authorities.

Agreed measures for the implementation of the long overdue Education Accord envision that Albanians be allowed back to their Institute.

The Serb students protesting today were said to be mostly biology students, who have been using the Institute's premises. Serb rector of the University in Prishtina, Radivoje Papovic, is their professor and mentor.

A University of Nis (in southern Serbia) student leader was quoted as saying the Serb students in Prishtina, supported by their colleagues from Serbia, will prevent the re-entry of Albanians into the building of the Institute of Albanian studies.

'Don't give them (Kosova Albanians) pens' has been the dominant slogan of local Serb protesters in Kosova opposing the right of the 90 percent of the people of Kosova to education in their mother tongue, in their own country!

[05] Serb-Installed Authorities Coerce Albanian Health Workers Swear Loyalty to Serbia

Albanians who still have a job in the Kosovar health care have been pressurized and blackmailed to accept the Serb rule or be fired from jobs, the ITUHK statement said, warning that such a move "may produce manyfold and dangerous implications".

The Kosovar trade-union organization of medical workers warns its membership to be vigilant about what they sign, for "in case they swear such a loyalty to the Serb regime, it [Serb regime] would manipulate with their signatures in the face of the world community by portraying Albanians as divided and as discordant in fundamental issues".

The ITUHK statement said that the latest Serb regime pressure against Albanian medical workers is very much reminiscent to measures introduced half a dozen a years ago when over 2000 Albanians working in the Kosova health care were fired on ethnic grounds by the Serb regime.

[06] Serb Repression in Kosova

Ka^anik: On 28 March, the Serbian police in Ka^anik arrested in the street a local Albanian Idriz O. Beqiraj from Ka^anik. He was sent to the police station and beaten there severely.

The pretext for his arrest was alleged illegal trading of cigarettes.

Last week the Serbian police raided on the homes of Ramush Loku, a retired person from Ka^anik, and Hamit N. Lika also from Ka^anik.

The police seized a licensed hunting riffle from Mr. Lika.

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