Kosova Daily Report #1409, 98-04-24

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1409
Prishtina, 24 April 1998

First Edition: 15:15 hrs
Second Edition: 19:30 hrs

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova's Press Conference

[02] 1000 Kosovar Refugees Reach Albania Friday

[03] Dramatic Situation in De^an and Gjakova

[04] Local Sources in De^an and Gjakova Speak of Three Persons Killed

[05] Baballoq under Renewed Serb Fire, a Citizen Kidnapped in De^an

[06] Shelling of Suka e C&rmjanit Has Continued

[07] Serb Civilians Armed by Authorities in Peja

[08] Workers of Radioqi Dam Warn Serb Army Firing Will Shatter the Dam's Wall

[09] Dozens of Homes Burned to Ground During Serb Shelling in Drenica

[10] Serbs Harass KIC Journalist and Kosova Parliament Member

[11] Albanians Fired from Jobs and Beaten for Participation in Peaceful Protests

[12] Baballoq Village Under Continued Serb Fire Friday Afternoon

[13] Serb Forces Attack Besieged Villages in Drenica Friday

[14] Two Students Receive Serb Police Firearm Wounds in Peja

[15] 19 or 23 Albanians Killed by 'Yugoslav' Army, According to Serb Military Sources

[16] Serb Police Raids Homes, Plunders and Beats Scores of Albanians in Malisheva

[17] Serb Police Cracks Down on Jabllanica Village of Peja

[18] Serb Police Seals Off Mitrovica All Day Friday

[19] Serbian Army Garrisoned in Gjilan and Surrounding Villages

[20] Serbian Army Positions at Taraxh& Village of Vushtrri

[21] Serb Policemen and Soldiers Stationed Along Klina-Kijeva Road

[22] Heavy Serbian Forces Block Key-roads at X&rx&

[23] Serb Forces Shell Suka e Neti^it of Cermjan

[24] Albanian Families Flee Dushkaja Area of Gjakova

[25] Additional Serb Army Forces Deployed in Lipjan Municipality

[26] No Official Confirmation that 1000 Kosovar Refugees Arrived in Albania

[01] President Rugova's Press Conference

Speaking during a press conference in Prishtina today (Friday), the President took the opportunity to express his appreciation for remarks by senior U.S. and European diplomats on the significance and seriousness of the Kosova issue and the need for third party mediation in a talks process between Prishtina and Belgrade.

Rugova took note of the approval of recommendations on Kosova by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and expressed his hope "Kosova will soon join the Council" itself. He further thanked all diplomats visiting Kosova this past week, including the Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Rohan.

Speaking about the current situation in Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said it continued to be "grave and volatile".

In the wake of the Serb massacres against the local Albanian civilian population in the region of Drenica, many villages are still being under a harsh grip or under siege, the President told reporters. "This past week, the villages of Baballoq and Grama^el in the De^an municipality came under Serb attack. A number of houses were damaged. Attacks occurred yesterday in the Gjakova villages, at a time incidents on the border between Kosova and Albania. All this is aimed to spreading the conflict in the region."

President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova called for an immediate end to Serbian police and military operations.

He called on local Kosovar Serbs "not to fall prey to manipulation by extremists", and urged "all citizens of Kosova to show maximum self- restraint".

Rugova called on the international community to undertake preventative measures in Kosova, "pursuant to the UN Security Council Resolution".

President Ibrahim Rugova reconfirmed the commitment of the people of Kosova to a political and peaceful settlement to the crisis.

He denounced the violence and massacres committed by the Serbian regime and "any kind of violence that may be provoked by diverse extremists, from any quarter".

The President reconfirmed the commitment of the Kosova leadership to negotiations between Prishtina and Belgrade, "in a neutral country, with third party mediation".

The best solution is an independent and neutral Kosova, on the basis of the [1991] referendum, with all guarantees for the local Serb community, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova reaffirmed, reiterating the need for an interim civil international protectorate.

Asked by the BBC whether there has been any progress towards negotiations in the wake of recent developments in Kosova as well as how and if the U^K (the Kosova Liberation Army) will be brought to the process, President Rugova said a process of negotiations should be established. "As far as the group you refer to (the U^K), I will be investigating who they are", he said, adding that legitimate representatives of Kosova will be taking part in the negotiations.

"I condemn all kinds of violence" occurring in Kosova, the President reaffirmed, adding that "the generator of all kinds of violence in Kosova is the Serbian regime, and the atrocities it has been committing against the Kosova Albanians."

There should be increased efforts on both the part of the Kosovar society and the international NGOs to help the Albanian population displaced by the recent attacks by Serb forces in different parts of Kosova.

Asked by the Deutsche Welle about the incidents on the Kosova- Albania border - Serb military authorities having claimed to have killed 16 Albanians - Rugova said there victims there but the casualty toll was yet unknown. "Incidents there are very dangerous for the entire region", he concluded.

[02] 1000 Kosovar Refugees Reach Albania Friday

The Albanian population of the Kosovar municipalities of De^an and Gjakova, a region bordering on Albania, is reported to be panic- stricken amidst an increasing Serbian police, military and propaganda pressure.

[03] Dramatic Situation in De^an and Gjakova

In the wake of several-day long attacks by Serb forces against several villages, the persistent build-up of Serb forces equipped with heavy weaponry, and reports about scores of killed at Koshar&, a substantial part of the population has been fleeing their homes in panic.

LDK sources in the two municipalities in south-western Kosova, bordering on Albania, said the Serb regime has been engaged in a special warfare propaganda, the goal being to make the Albanian population flee the area in a bid to ethnically cleanse it.

[04] Local Sources in De^an and Gjakova Speak of Three Persons Killed

KIC sources in Gjakova said yesterday one person was killed at an incident at Koshare village, whereas the LDK branch Information Commission in De^an said today two persons are thought to have been killed and a third wounded.

Meanwhile, Reuters has quoted the Yugoslav army sources as saying that its troops killed 22 persons near the Kosova-Albania border at Koshare village on Thursday. The "22 infiltrators were killed in an overnight clash" when they tried to cross into Kosova from Albania, the agency said.

The army claimed it suffered no casualties, Reuters said.

[05] Baballoq under Renewed Serb Fire, a Citizen Kidnapped in De^an

The Baballoq and Grama^el villages have been reported under Serb forces' fire today.

The LDK branch Information Commission in De^an said several houses have suffered damages amidst Serb shelling. For the time being, it is not known whether there have been casualties.

Two helicopter gunships were reported to have reached the area from Montenegro early afternoon yesterday.

The local Albanian population is moving from the area, not only the villages under direct attack, local sources said.

Ali Ram& Hasani (35) was kidnapped by two unidentified persons yesterday (around 16:30hrs) at his workplace in the "Evropa 2000" bakery in the town of De^an. The kidnappers had a Mercedes car, without license plates. No word yet about the Albanian, resident of the Dashinovc village of De^an.

The same persons were said to have attempted the abduction of a driver of a tractor, who was halted near the bus station in De^an.

It has been reported today that four persons were spotted in the same car, in front of the LDK branch offices in De^an, after ten o'clock in the morning. One of the four was identified as a driver with the Peja "Kosovatrans" bus company, whose name is Novak, thought to be resident of the Dashinvc village. Another person of the four is suspected to be Novak's brother, an officer with the Serbian security employed in Gjakova.

Two of the four were seen getting out the Mercedes car and into the Zastava 101 car with a license plate DJ 32-59. They reportedly headed for Dashinovc village.

[06] Shelling of Suka e C&rmjanit Has Continued

Serbian military forces have continued firing grenades on the Suka e Madhe of the Zhdrella village and on the Suka e C&rmjanit. Sacred edifices have been reported damaged.

Since the early morning, helicopters have been flying over the town of Gjakova.

Meanwhile, at around 11:30, a police convoy was reported heading towards C&rmjan.

The situation is also very tense at the "Reka e Keqe", a location near the border zone.

Serb army forces have been continuing to build-up in the villages of Ponoshec, Morin&, Batush&, Koshare, Babaj-Buk&s dhe Dev&.

There are frequent police and military movement between Gjakova, Ponoshec, Junik.

Reports on casualties carried by the Serbian media today have caused confusion and concern among the local residents. In Gjakova, however, no casualties have been reported.

[07] Serb Civilians Armed by Authorities in Peja

The local police station was the venue where all this happened.

LDK sources in Peja said weapons were distributed to the Serb civilians at around 16:00 hrs.

The Serb civilians, armed with automatic rifles, paraded through the town of Peja on their way home.

[08] Workers of Radioqi Dam Warn Serb Army Firing Will Shatter the Dam's Wall

The Radoniqi workers called on the IMF and other international organizations to exercise pressure on the "Yugoslav" authorities so to bring to en end army activities in the area of the hydro-system.

The workers said they fear damage has already been caused to the dam and to the water purification system. The consequences will be huge if the detonations continue, the Independent Unions said.

The Radoniqi lake and dam is in Gjakova municipality, the venue of Serb army apportions over the past days.

[09] Dozens of Homes Burned to Ground During Serb Shelling in Drenica

Quoting the chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms in Skenderaj, Bujku said most of the houses were burned and ruined in the villages Prekaz, Qirez, Kopiliq, Broja and Turiqevc. Houses in these villages were frequently sprayed with bullets or shelled but were not all damaged entirely, the report said.

Since end-February when Serb forces embarked attacks on Drenica villages, over 100 Albanians were killed and massacred, while hundreds were beaten and maltreated brutally, the CDHRF said. 13 houses were burned to the ground in Prekaz alone as a result of Serb shelling. Virtually there isn't's a single un-hit house in this village, the human rights council said.

Over a dozens of villages in the Drenica region have been held inside a deadly siege of Serb forces for almost two months now.

Around 20 thousand people moved out of the villages, of whom 13 thousand have been sheltered in municipalities outside Skenderaj, the Council said.

Life in Drenica has been paralysed completely; over 13 thousand pupils and students have not been able to attend classes since beginning of March, the newspaper said.

[10] Serbs Harass KIC Journalist and Kosova Parliament Member

Since Monday, Serbs in plain clothes introducing themselves and reporters from Serbia, have been seen moving around the house of Shefki Ukaj in Prishtina, asking his neighbors details about him and his family. The Serbs driving a Zastava made car of Sabac (Serbia) number plates, initially said they were journalists with the Belgrade daily "Blic".

Some residents in the Avalla street where Shefki Ukaj's house is located said they could recognize at least one of the Serbs asking for KIC reporter. He is an officer with the Serb state security, they said.

Over the past days, men in cars with number plates of other towns of Serbia have been seen often moving and strolling around the house of Shefki Ukaj.

Eye-witnesses told KIC today that Serbs in plain clothes were seen again today morning moving around Ukaj's house. Holding a map in their hands, they approached his house, asked people if that was Shefki Ukaj's house. After encircling a site in the map they left, a neighbor of Mr. Ukaj said.

It is assumed that the Serbs involved in this campaign of intimidation of Shefki Ukaj have the Serb police backing. Serb police in uniforms were seen today only about 100 meters away while the Serbs were making inquiries about him and were writing things down on their map.

Shefki Ukaj has not and idea why the Serbs have been making inquiries about him. He said thee men have not approached him yet, but have only asked several residents if the area if they know him.

Some sources have told KIC that the same Serbs who asked about Shefki Ukaj on Tuesday were seen later making inquiries around the houses of two other members of the Kosova parliament, Abdyl Ramaj and Adil Pireva.

[11] Albanians Fired from Jobs and Beaten for Participation in Peaceful Protests

Prishtina, 24 April (KIC) - The Serbian police in Hani i Elezit, beat severely Dritan Loku, Avni Hasallari, Ibush Shkreta, Nexhmedin Fida and Adnan Imishti, for their participation in the peaceful rally held 13 April in this small town, LDK sources reported.

Sources said, the Serbian-installed authorities of the "Salon" company fired from work, for the same reason, Abdullah Hasallari and Nuri Lumi from Hani i Elezit.

Meanwhile, on 18 April, the Serbian army soldiers handcuffed the children Nexhat, Arben, Burhan and Mitat Suma, and Besnik Mici, while they were grazing cattle at Dimc& village. They were taken to the Serbian military barracks and harassed for half an hour.

[12] Baballoq Village Under Continued Serb Fire Friday Afternoon

There was a huge Serb police presence in crossroads along the Peja ('Pec')- De^an-Gjakova-Bec main road from 15:30 till 16:45, the LDK sources said.

Armored vehicles an APCs, buses, trucks and other cars full of Serb forces headed for the town of De^an around 17:00 hrs, reports said.

The LDK Information Commission in De^an reported that Montenegrin persons, believed to be residents of Dashinovc village of De^an, ill-treated several citizens of the municipality today. They were on the hunt for other people, apparently in a bid to abduct them, the Commission said.

These Montenegrin thugs were reported seen in front of the Gjeravica industrial compound in De^an, "where there might be abducted people", LDK sources said.

A local Albanian from Dashinvoc village was abducted in De^an yesterday by unidentified people, suspected to be Slavs from Dashinvoc.

The local Albanian population is increasingly moving out of the area amidst the dangerously escalating situation, LDK branch in De^an said.

There is urgent need for food and medical supplies being offered to the affected population, the LDK sources said.

[13] Serb Forces Attack Besieged Villages in Drenica Friday

The heavy shooting lasted for an hour. Villages Broja, Vojnika, A^areva, Kopiliq and Llausha were targeted.

After 16:00 hrs the shooting was sporadic, and a halt to it was reported at 18:30 hrs.

There have been no reports about casualties.

On 5 March, Serb paramilitary forces attacked Prekaz i Ul&t village and several other villages, killing 80 Albanians, including women, children and elderly people.

[14] Two Students Receive Serb Police Firearm Wounds in Peja

LDK Information Commission in Peja said Afrim Hajredin Berisha (17) and Burim Ali Berisha suffered firearm wounds.

The Commission said that heavy Serb police forces cracked down today at around noon in Leshan and the surrounding villages of the Lugu i Leshanit (Leshani Valley).

Sources said that pupils of the local elementary school in Kliqina were evacuated from the school and were offered refuge in the house of a local Albanian.

[15] 19 or 23 Albanians Killed by 'Yugoslav' Army, According to Serb Military Sources

Yesterday (Thursday) morning around 200 Albanians attempted an illegal entry to Kosova, Mirko Starcevic, the Serb colonel said, adding that 19 Albanians were killed by YA around 80 meters inside the territory of Kosova. 15 of the killed Albanians have been identified, he said, speaking also of arms confiscated.

No questions were taken by Starcevic. He told foreign reporters they would not be allowed to go to the border zone because of security concerns.

A press release of the "General Staff of the Yugoslav Army" dated April 24 was distributed in the Serbian regime-run Media Center.

What is important is that the casualty toll reported is different.

The YA killed 23 (7+16) Albanians in two separate incidents, according to the Yugoslav army press release.

The YA has killed 19 Albanians, according to Starecevic, or 23 Albanians, if you believe the Serb military press release.

[16] Serb Police Raids Homes, Plunders and Beats Scores of Albanians in Malisheva

LDK sources in Malisheva said Serb police in armored vehicles and APPs arrived in the town from the directions of Rahovec and Kijeva at around 9:00 and sealed off the town rigorously.

Half-a-dozen-manned Serb police patrols were soon positioned in key positions in Malisheva, halting, scrutinizing and ill- treating residents.

The police conducted a house-to-house raid on several Albanian homes of the Hoti neighborhood in the small town. Households of Murat Hoti, Muhamet Hoti, and Arife Hoti were thoroughly searched and family members harassed. The children Driton (12), Valon (10) Lulzon (11), and Edona Hoti (4) were amongst the people harassed by the police. Reportedly, Serb policemen told the kids they would be forced to swallow hand grenades in case they screamed, the LDK Information Commission in Malisheva said.

During the raid on the house of Muhamet Hoti the police plundered money and jewelry worth 2500 DM.

Bashkim Gashi, Murat Hoti and Ms Zade Hoti-Gashi who happened to be guests in one of the families raided by the police were beaten up brutally.

The Commission has named other Albanians who were beaten today by Serb police in Malisheva, including Safet Rudaj, Bekim Hoti, Zejnullah Hoti, Ejup Kryeziu, Rrahman Kryeziu, a local secondary school teacher Sefer Krasniqi, and his students M&rgim Sulejmani and Kastriot Hoti.

LDK sources in Malisheva could not tell the pretext of the Serb police crackdown in the town today.

[17] Serb Police Cracks Down on Jabllanica Village of Peja

A witness told Kosova Information Center (KIC) that Serb police ill-treated and beat up scores of Albanians at Jabllanica village for about three hours from noon to 3 p.m. Still unconfirmed reports said that in advance to the Serb police crackdown in Jabllanica village, firearm shooting was reported near the Serb police station at the neighboring village of Kliqina.

[18] Serb Police Seals Off Mitrovica All Day Friday

Sources said Serb police patrols in armored vehicles have been positioned in a several places in the town.

The LDK Information Commission in Mitrovica said scores of Albanians were beaten up and harassed on the street. The marketplace and lots of shops and businesses were closed during the whole day in Mitrovica as a result of the heavy presence and movement of Serb forces in town.

There is but a limited movement of citizens in the town because of this police show of force, the chapter of the Human Rights Council (CDHRF) said.

[19] Serbian Army Garrisoned in Gjilan and Surrounding Villages

The Serbian army has been garrisoned near the Albanian cemetery in town, as well as in Albanian private property.

The army has also built emplacements at the place called "Qenar qeshme" and the Velekinc&-Mashishev&-Gjilan triangle.

Serb soldiers have been carrying out military exercises during the whole week, LDK sources said.

[20] Serbian Army Positions at Taraxh& Village of Vushtrri

An LDK activist from Taraxh& told LDK sources the Serbian military has been trespassing Albanian gardens during their military rehearses.

[21] Serb Policemen and Soldiers Stationed Along Klina-Kijeva Road

An eye witness from Peja said the Serb forces had been distributed along the Prishtina-Peja road, at a distance of 15 kilometers between Kijeva and the Drini river in Klina.

Serb police units made up of 6-7 men could be seen all along the way in half mile distance between one another.

[22] Heavy Serbian Forces Block Key-roads at X&rx&

X&rx& is on the cross road to some of the key towns in western Kosova.

Serb forces have been equipped with multi barrelled machine-guns, sources said.

Meanwhile, Serbian forces have also built road-blocks in the roads which lead outside the town of Rahovec.

[23] Serb Forces Shell Suka e Neti^it of Cermjan

Army helicopters were involved in this military action, who carried Serbian army soldiers to the area.

The Serbian army is based at Boka e Zhdrell&s and at the vicinity of Radoniq Dam.

LDK sources in Gjakova said they could not obtain any information about possible casualties since all the road leading to the area have been blocked.

Meanwhile, a convoy of Serbian army equipped with heavy artillery went in the direction of Krelan village in Dushkaja of Gjakova.

The road Gjakova-Klina-Prishtina has been blocked by the Serbian military forces.

[24] Albanian Families Flee Dushkaja Area of Gjakova

They found shelter with Albanian families at Vranoc, Baran and other neighboring villages in the area.

Eye-witnesses said several people were wounded at a place called Boka e Suk&s.

The situation in the Dushkaja area is very difficult and there is lack of medicaments, LDK sources in Peja reported.

[25] Additional Serb Army Forces Deployed in Lipjan Municipality

During the time of their deployment two Serbian army helicopters flew over the region.

[26] No Official Confirmation that 1000 Kosovar Refugees Arrived in Albania

A senior representative of the Albanian Foreign Ministry in Tirana, referring to local media reports, told KIC by phone earlier in the day 1000 Kosovars had arrived in northern Albanian today (Friday).

The Kosova envoy to Tirana, Mr.Iljaz Ramajli, said the figure had indeed been circulated by the media, but have not been officially confirmed.

Twenty-one Kosovar Albanian refugees arrived Wednesday in Albania and found refuge at a private hotel in a small town north of the country, Tirana- based Koha Jon& daily reported Thursday.

The local Albanian population in south-western and western Kosova along the border zone with Kosova have been moving out as huge Serb military and police forces have mounted attacks against villages in the municipalities of De^an and Gjakova.

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