Kosova Daily Report #1397, 98-04-10

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

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1397

Prishtina, 10 April 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Receives Sadako Ogata

[02] Ogata Pays Visit to Displaced Albanian Family

[03] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

[04] Tens of Thousands Turn Out at Noon to Protest Serbian Violence and Terror

[05] LDK Activists Detained by Serbian Police in Lipjan

[01] President Rugova Receives Sadako Ogata

The current situation in Kosova in the wake of Serbian massacres in Drenica and the prospects for peaceful and negotiated settlement to the Kosova crisis were discussed.

President Rugova described the situation in Kosova extremely dangerous. He recalled that Serb forces committed massacres in Drenica last month, killing Albanian men, women, children and elderly in their homes.

Some villages in the region are still under a harsh grip maintained by Serbian forces, President Rugova said, adding that some 20.000 inhabitants have been displaced in the wake of the Serb armed actions in Drenica.

The Kosova leader urged international help, including the help of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to create the conditions for the displaced Albanian families to be able to return home. He called also for the return to their homes of Serb refugees from Croatia, who have found temporarily refuge in Kosova.

Expressing deep concern over the developments in Kosova, Sadako Ogata spoke of the readiness of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to help the displaced population, as well as all other refugees currently in Kosova.

She called for efforts to de-escalate the situation in Kosova, initiate serious talks between Prishtina and Belgrade, and sustain a multiethnic society in Kosova. The non-violent policy advocated by Dr. Rugova is the best way in search of a peaceful settlement in Kosova, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said.

President Ibrahim Rugova said the people of Kosova are committed to their peaceful and political struggle for the realization of their political goals. An independent and neutral Kosova, with all rights of the local Serb community, is the best arrangement for a lasting peace in the region, he said, calling for stepped-up pressure on Belgrade to engage in unconditioned dialogue with Prishtina and the acceptance of third party mediation in the process.

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said he appreciated the support and presence in Kosova of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The people of Kosova are willing to work closely with international organizations to facilitate their work in extremely difficult circumstances because of Serb police obstructions.

[02] Ogata Pays Visit to Displaced Albanian Family

The family head, Sejdi Osmani, was a baker in Skenderaj.

His wife and their four small children have been staying with an Albanian family in Prishtina.

Sadako Ogata and her aides spent ten minutes with this displaced family. She shared an interest in the circumstances that led to the family fleeing their hometown of Skenderaj as well as living conditions in their temporary home in Prishtina.

[03] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

Speaking at a press conference in Prishtina, Rugova took the opportunity to express his appreciation for the "permanent engagement" of the U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in efforts on Kosova, as well as the role of other American and European diplomats, especially those coming to Kosova.

President Ibrahim Rugova noted with delight that the OSCE Ministers, as well as senior dignitaries like Javier Solana, Klaus Kinkel, Hans Van der Broek, stand for participation of international representatives in the talks process between Prishtina and Belgrade.

The President welcomed a Declaration on Kosova passed last week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during a consultation moderated by the International Movement for a Just World.

Touching on the current situation in Kosova, Rugova said it continued to be extremely volatile. "The [Serb] siege of several Drenica villages goes on", he said, referring also to reported shooting by Serb forces earlier this week.

The systematic, daily-based Serbian campaign of violence against political activists, mostly LDK people, goes on unabated, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said.

He applauded a peaceful manifestation of tens of thousands of Albanians held in Prishtina Thursday, calling for peace, freedom and independence for Kosova.

The best solution for Kosova is independence and neutrality, with all rights of local Serbs guaranteed, President Rugova said, reiterating his call for a transitory international protectorate in Kosova pending a negotiated settlement.

"A political show for public consumption", Rugova called Serbian President Milutinovic's trip to Prishtina earlier this week. "We stand for well- prepared talks and international mediation", he said.

The Parliament of the Republic of Kosova will convene - now that the elections have been completed - and a Government will be formed to operate in Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova said. The negotiating platform for talks with Belgrade, designed by the Advisory Council (G-15), will be discussed by the legitimate institutions, the Parliament, the President, as well as the political groups, he said.

Asked whether he hoped there will be talks at top level with 'FRY' representatives now that the G-15 has come up with a platform based on independence bid, the President said that will happen eventually. The parties will enter the negotiating process with their own political/negotiating positions, he concluded.

[04] Tens of Thousands Turn Out at Noon to Protest Serbian Violence and Terror

Peaceful marches were staged in almost all municipal centers in Kosova today, too.

Following a huge manifestation in the streets of Prishtina on Thursday, the Protest Committee, a joint body of a dozen of Kosovar political parties as well as youth and women's associations, said that no demonstrations would be considered in the next days, but people were invited to only walk through the main roads of the towns in their daily activities from 12 through 12:30.

Thousands of people gathered in the Mother Teresa square at noon today with placards displayed protesting the Serb violence and calling for peace, democracy and independence for Kosova.

The half-an-hour protest ended peacefully at about 12:30. Although there was a heavy Serb police presence in many places around the venue of the protest, no incidents were reported.

Peaceful protests were reported staged today in most of other towns of Kosova, including Gjakova, Podujeva, Mitrovica, Lipjan, Peja, etc. In some of the towns the police prevented the people from marching through town centers so the manifestations were staged in back roads and other alternative venues.

Serb police as well as Serb civilians were involved in harassing and beating Albanian protesters. Sources in Lipjan said that Serb civilians beat up an Albanian while on his was back from the protest. LDK sources said Shyqri Hyseni suffered body injuries.

The Serbian police reportedly beat several people in the streets of Mitrovica in the wake of the protest march there.

Meanwhile the Protest Committee, in a statement issued today afternoon said that some media misinterpreted Thursday's initiative, namely the call for people to walk through main roads of the town around noon.

Speaking on behalf of the Committee, Mr Milazim Krasniqi (Democratic League of Kosova) praised citizens of Prishtina and other towns for their peaceful and dignified manifestations. He called on people to fully respect the recommendations of the Committee regarding the mode of manifestations.

Mr. Krasniqi reiterated that people are advised to only walk on and through main streets in the towns at the prescribed time, without turning the walking into full-fledged protest rallies with placards displayed and slogans chanted by the crowds.

Serb Soldiers Threaten and Intimidate Local Residents in Lipjan PRISHTINA, April 10 (KIC) - The Serb military units which have garrisoned at Ribar i Madh village of Lipjan since April 6th, have been threatening and intimidating the local residents, LDK sources reported.

The Serbian soldiers have been trespassing Albanian private estates, while late in the night they whistle and sing nationalist songs, provoking the local residents.

The Serbian army tanks often drive through the village and the surrounding hills.

The Serb army has brought electricity supply in the camp, which is an indication they plan to stay longer, the LDK Information Commission in Lipjan, a town 15 km east of Prishtina, said.

[05] LDK Activists Detained by Serbian Police in Lipjan

The two activists were held at the police station for several hours and interrogated. They were released the same day, but ordered to present themselves at the police station again on Friday.

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