Kosova Daily Report #1402, 98-04-16

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Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1402

Prishtina, 16 April 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Receives Swedish and British Diplomats

[02] President Rugova Receives Polish Foreign Minister Special Envoy

[03] Shooting Reported in Gjakova Municipality

[04] Formation of New Political Party, the New Democratic League of Kosova, Announced

[05] Serb Obstructionism at Work - Implementation of Education Accord Deadlocked

[06] Lawyer Urges Action over His Client Being Held Incommunicado in Serb Custody

[07] Albanian Old Lady Dies of Shock as Witnesses Her Grandsons Arrested

[08] Albanian Catholic Priest Harassed and Threatened with Imprisonment

[09] Bridges in Three Villages Damaged

[10] Repression Chronicle

[01] President Rugova Receives Swedish and British Diplomats

Ambassador Staffansson and Mr. Moore expressed condolences on the death of innocent people during the events in Drenica. They shared an interest in diverse aspects of the situation in Kosova, and prospects for the beginning of talks for the solution of the Kosova issue.

President Rugova described the prevailing developments in Kosova as very dangerous. Apart from the systematic oppression of the Kosova citizens, the Serb regime has engaged in further repressive practices in the country, several municipalities in western and central Kosova being mostly targeted, he said.

The people of Kosova are committed to peaceful approaches in the struggle for independence, President Ibrahim Rugova said, stressing that independence for Kosova, coupled with neutrality and guarantees for Serbs, is an optimal and feasible solution. An unconditional dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade, under the mediation of a third international party, is critical for reaching a peaceful and lasting solution to the Kosova issue, Dr. Rugova underlined.

President Rugova thanked Ambassador Staffansson and Mr. Moore for the visit and for the concern over the situation in Kosova. He appreciated the efforts of their countries to help peaceful resolution to the Kosova crisis.

[02] President Rugova Receives Polish Foreign Minister Special Envoy

The current developments in Kosova the prospects for a negotiated and peaceful settlement to the Kosova issue were discussed.

President Rugova said the situation in Kosova is extremely grave in the wake of actions by Serbian forces against the local Albanian population in some parts of Kosova, which left scores of people killed in their homes.

Dr. Rugova said there is still a heavy Serbian police and (para)military presence in Drenica. He called for increased international pressure to make Belgrade withdraw its special police and paramilitary troops.

The people of Kosova are steadfast on their peaceful struggle for freedom and independence, the President said, adding that an independent Kosova would stabilize the entire region. Negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade, under third party mediation, are critical in pursuit of a just solution for Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova underlined.

The senior Polish diplomat conveyed the concern of his government over the situation in Kosova. The current situation is unacceptable, Mr. Klinger said, adding that a peaceful and negotiated resolution to the Kosova crisis should be pursued by all.

The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said he was delighted to meet Polish Foreign Minister Geremek in Prishtina earlier this month. He urged for further Polish efforts on Kosova within international fora.

[03] Shooting Reported in Gjakova Municipality

The area borders on Albania.

The Information Commission of the LDK in Gjakova said sound of shooting was being heard at 14:00.

Other details regarding the situation are lacking.

Serb forces are reported to have sealed off the area around Ponoshec and Morina villages.

Sources in Gjakova said Serb military reinforcements headed for the villages at 6 o'clock in the morning today.

Elementary schools at Ponoshec and Morina villages have discontinued classes, reports said.

[04] Formation of New Political Party, the New Democratic League of Kosova, Announced

On behalf of the Council for the establishment of the New Democratic League of Kosova spoke Mehmet Hajrizi, formerly a senior member of the biggest political force in Kosova, the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK). [The LDK leader is Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, also President of the Republic of Kosova.] Chairman of the Council of this New LDK is Rexhep Qosja, vice- chairman Hydajet Hyseni, formerly LDK vice-chairman.

This new political group assembles members of the Forum of Albanian Intellectuals (FISH), the para-political organization chaired by Qosja himself, as well as former members of the LDK, leading people of the Kosova Council of Finances.

A Declaration issued today by this newly-established grouping said the need for the founding of such an organization rose with the crisis of the LDK, which "culminated in its Third Convention on 25 February 1998".

Although the grouping has a new name, the New LDK, the people chairing it claim they stand for "consolidation" of the existing LDK.

The press conference Mehmet Hajrizi gave today left many questions unanswered. He could not make it clear whether this was a new fully-fledged party, or a fraction of the LDK.

"We have not founded a party, we have only established a council for the re- organization of the LDK", Hajrizi said, implying that future developments might lead to the emergence of a new party.

He criticized Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, the LDK leader and President of Kosova. "He (Rugova) cannot lead the entire membership of the LDK", Hajrizi said.

The New LDK will be a centrist party, he told reporters, adding that it is but natural that it will elect a new leader.

Asked whether they will register with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kosova, Hajrizi said "we are the LDK, and this is how we see ourselves", implying that there is no need for a new registration.

[05] Serb Obstructionism at Work - Implementation of Education Accord Deadlocked

The Institute of Albanology was re-opened to its previous occupants on March 31, after four years of illegal take-over by the Serb regime.

This was taken to be the first sign of implementation of the Education Accord, although the Institute was not part of the University of Prishtina structures.

Premises of a few secondary and elementary schools were given back to Albanians, after seven years of arbitrary closure by Serb regime.

The first three faculties of the University of Prishtina in which Albanian students and teachers are to return by April 30 have not been chosen yet. According to Agreed Measures for the Implementation of the Accord, adopted March 23, March 31 was the date by which this decision should have been made by the intermediator, after hearing proposals by the two parties. This has not been done to this day!

In due time, the Kosova side has proposed that the first group of faculties be the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Philosophy and the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences.

It has not been known what the proposal of the Serbian side is.

Till today.

The Prishtina-based Koha ditore daily said in its today's edition "Sant' Egidio community [the Vatican-based intermediator] has proposed, this being supported by the Serb side too, that the [Albanian] students re-enter in the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of Physical Education, and the Faculty of Metallurgy in Mitrovica".

It should be seen what Sant' Egidio's decision will be.

What is clear, though, is that such a proposal is but a mockery of efforts to see that the Accord is implemented at long last.

The premises of the faculties of Arts, Physical Education, and Metallurgy combined do not amount to half of the premises of any other faculty alone - the Faculty of Economics, for instance. This applies for the number of student population, too.

The question arises: Are we going to see genuine efforts to insure that Albanian students attend classes normally, or tactics to boost the image of the Serbian regime, namely its alleged willingness to comply by its obligations regarding Kosova, especially now, in the run-up to the Contact Group Meeting in less than ten days' time.

If the proposal said to be shared by both the Serb side and the Sant' Egidio Community prevails, then the latter seems to be the case. Regrettably enough.

[06] Lawyer Urges Action over His Client Being Held Incommunicado in Serb Custody

Dr. Hafir Shala (38) from Krajkova village of Gllogovc, a physician with the medical center in Gllogovc, was arrested by the Serbian police last Friday morning.

In a letter sent Thursday to the Serb Public Prosecutor's Office, Destan Rukiqi said his client Dr. Hafir Shala was arrested by the Serbian police at Sllatina village of Prishtina on 10 April 1998 at around 8 a.m. He was initially halted by a Serb police patrol while driving from Prishtina to Gllogovc with two other men, Hetem Sinani and Shaban Neziri, both of them LDK and human rights activists. The two companions of Dr. Shala were released after being held in custody for about six hours, whereas he was held incommunicado ever since, the letter said.

The lawyer noted that had attempted continuously, but in vain, to find out where his client was being held. The authorities at Serb police station in Prishtina where his client was seen last have refused to tell whether he was being held in their custody or not.

The Serb court authorities have not yet initiated any legal charges against Hafir Shala either, he said.

The Serb law provides for a maximum of three days in custody of a detainee without having charges brought against.

The lawyer further clarified in his letter that when arrested last Friday Dr. Shala was halted by the Serb police in uniforms but was handed over to civilians who drove him to Prishtina in a black jeep with Prishtina (PR 689- 16) plate number. Two companions of his were driven in a police vehicle. The policemen who halted the three Albanians in Sllatina village continued to stay there.

Destan Rukiqi said that the black jeep Dr. Hafir Shala was in was seen entering the Serb police headquarters in Prishtina, but no word about his fate ever since.

The lawyers urges the Serb Public Prosecutor's Office to urgently intervene with the Serb police and court authorities in Prishtina to either release his client or initiate legal proceedings if he is suspected to having committed an offense.

The way Dr. Hafir Shala is being held is in violation with Serb law on legal proceedings, Destan Rukiqi said in his letter addressed to the Office of the Serb Prosecutor in Belgrade.

[07] Albanian Old Lady Dies of Shock as Witnesses Her Grandsons Arrested

The search lasted for one hour, on which occasion the Serbian police demolished home furniture. After the raid the police arrested four sons of Mr. Shigjeqi, brothers Bajram, Ismet, Reshit and Kadri Shigjeqi.

The tragic moment of this police intervention was the death of the eighty- year-old Fatime Shigjeqi, grandmother to the arrested persons. She died of shock and traumas received during the police intervention.

The same police expedition raided under the pretext of searching for arms the home of Alush Maloku. After the raid the Serbian police arrested the 18- year-old Ymer Maloku.

Sources said that during the police raid on Alush Maloku's home fire arms shootings were heard from inside.

No reports whether the arrested persons were released has reached KIC so far.

[08] Albanian Catholic Priest Harassed and Threatened with Imprisonment

Yet, the purpose of all this was clearly evident, to expose Kosova as a region where Albanians are generally of Muslim confession.

In connection with this the Serb-installed administration of Klina summoned the Albanian catholic priest of "Zoja e K&shillit t& Mir&" church in Klina, and the rector of the Albanian Catholic Church in Dukagjin, dom. Fran& Sopi. The Serb mayor of Klina municipality S.

Doncic who summoned the Albanian priest for "discussion", instead of discussing the disputed issues between the Albanian Catholic Church and the Serb-installed authorities threatened dom. Fran& Sopi with imprisonment for, as he put it, "his activities against Serbia".

When Father Sopi asked Doncic whether he was in front of a prosecutor or local officials, Doncic refused to answer and discuss any further, Bujku correspondent said.

[09] Bridges in Three Villages Damaged

The villages have been named as Leshan, Rasuj and Jabllanica e Leshanit.

No details have been made known about the extent of damage, or who did it.

[10] Repression Chronicle

Peja: A Serbian police patrol stopped at Radavc village the 63- year-old Ymer Elezaj, while riding the bike to Peja. He was beaten brutally after having refused to respond to the police's question "whether he liked Milosevic or Rugova!". Mr. Elezaj was inflicted heavy body injuries and has been placed under medical treatment, sources in Peja said.

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