Kosova Daily Report #1410, 98-04-25

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1410
Prishtina, 25 April 1998

First Edition: 12:30 hrs
Second Edition: 18:00 hrs

CONTENTS

[01] Serb Forces Resume Attacking Baballoq Saturday Morning

[02] Albanian Foreign Ministry Rebuffs Belgrade Claims Over Border Incidents

[03] Klina Region Remains Under Tight Control of Serb Forces

[04] It Was Not 'U^K' But Serb Police Who Shot Dead Albanian in Peja Friday, Witnesses Say

[05] LDK Chairman in Klina Arrested

[06] President Rugova Receives Italian Diplomats

[07] Rugova and Vattani to the Press

[08] Milosevic Has Not Complied with Any Demand as One Month Reprieve Expires

[09] Rubin Speaks of "Extremely Dangerous" Situation in Kosova as "Serb Special Police Are Out of Barracks", "Military Operating in the Interior" of Kosova

[10] EU Presidency Issues Statement on Kosova

[11] EU Observer Mission Member in Albania Refutes Serbian Allegations

[12] Names of Ten Killed Kosovar Albanians Unveiled by Serb Military Authorities

[13] Serb Police Shoots at and Wounds 20-Year-Old Albanian in Vushtrri

[14] Fresh Serb Military and Police Troops Reported Deployed in Western Kosova

[15] Additional Serb Forces Coming from Serbia to Kosova

[16] Heavy Serb Forces Head for Skenderaj Saturday Afternoon

[17] Serb Civilians Supplied With Weapons at Police Stations

[18] Serb 'Veterans' Invited for Mobilization in Kosova

[19] Mitrovica Continues to Be Sealed Off by Heavy Serb Forces

[20] Serbian Security Threatens LDK Chairman in Klina

[01] Serb Forces Resume Attacking Baballoq Saturday Morning

Serb police forces resumed attacking with all kinds of weapons the village and the area in the vicinity today (Saturday) morning at about 4:10, the LDK Information Commission in De^an said.

Baballoq was under repeated Serb police and military forces fire during all day Friday.

LDK sources in De^an said that some local residents of Baballoq who managed to leave the village claim about 20 villages in the village were damaged badly. The electricity supply in the village has been cut which adds to the fear and uncertainty of the villagers living in the dark, they said.

Witnesses have said that Serb snipers have been positioned in several places and the hills of the village. A high-caliber cannon and four Serb army truck have been garrisoned at a plateau above the village.

Additional Serb forces have been reported deployed Friday afternoon around Baballoq village and the area, the Commission said, adding that residents the of village have been doing everything possible to defend their homesteads.

LDK sources in De^an and Gjakova said the presence of the Serb army and police forces at the Kosova-Albania border zone is still extremely huge. Heavy weapon shootings is being heard coming from the area since morning today, sources said.

[02] Albanian Foreign Ministry Rebuffs Belgrade Claims Over Border Incidents

"According to reports by Albanian specialized bodies, in cooperation with those of the international community such as the Monitoring Mission of the European Union, it does not result any arms trafficking and men smuggling from the Albanian territory towards the Yugoslav territory," said the Albanian Foreign Ministry in their statement issued Friday.

The statement, broadcasted by the Albanian News Agency (ATA) said: /Begin text/ "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania is following with deep concern the deterioration of the situation in Kosova due to the intensification of the Serbian military-police activity.

We see that the present situation is an imminent threat to the security in the region. The Albanian Foreign Ministry is also following with great attention the dangerous developments on the border line with the FR of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) which have resulted in a violent fleeing of the Albanian population of that zone towards the territory of the Republic of Albania.

The Albanian party voices the conviction that this strategy of instability is also served by the incidents which the Yugoslav party claims to have occurred recently on the Albanian-Yugoslav border. In this respect, the Yugoslav Government has formulated notes of protest to the Albanian Government openly accusing the latter of training terrorist groups in its territory and of organizing arms trafficking and men smuggling in Kosova.

The border incidents the Belgrade government claims are completely untrue. According to reports by Albanian specialized bodies, in cooperation with those of the international community such as the Monitoring Mission of the European Union, it does not result any arms trafficking and men smuggling from the Albanian territory towards the Yugoslav territory.

The Albanian Government has longsince adopted all measures for a reinforced control on that segment of the border with Yugoslavia. At the same time, the Albanian Government has openly declared its readiness to welcome every cooperation with the international community to monitor the northeastern zone of the country.

The Ministry considers that the clamor made by the official Belgrade over 'incidents provoked by Albania' not by chance coincides with the preparations for the routine meeting of the Contact Group, due in Rome on April 29.

The latest actions undertaken by the Yugoslav government testify to a premidiated movement, whose aim is to shift the responsibility for the crisis in Kosova to factors outside Yugoslavia.

The ministry considers that the actions launched over the last weeks by the Belgrade authorities: the false steps towards dialogue with Albanians, organization of provocative referendum and mounting 'incidents' along the Albanian-Yugoslav border, intend to deceive international public opinion on one hand and prepare the terrain to realize their ethnic cleansing strategy on the other.

The ministry, condemning these provocative acts of the Yugoslav authorities, calls on the international community to react on time towards these events of unprecedented consequences for the region. At the same time it reaffirms the Albanian government's commitment to contribute to the peaceful solution of the conflict in Kosova.

/end text/

[03] Klina Region Remains Under Tight Control of Serb Forces

A convoy of Serbian army forces, equipped with dozens of APCs and other military equipment stationed at Gremnik village, maneuvered at the Qupev& e Ul&t and Sferk villages Thursday. They went back to Gremink several hours later.

Sources said heavy Serbian army forces are positioned at Gremnik village.

Meanwhile, the Serbian police and civilians have been setting up check- points in and around Klina, scrutinizing and harassing Albanians.

[04] It Was Not 'U^K' But Serb Police Who Shot Dead Albanian in Peja Friday, Witnesses Say

The LDK Information Commission in Peja in a report today refuted Serb police and some media allegations claiming that Qel& Desku was killed by the so-called Liberation Army of Kosova (U^K). The Prishtina-based Koha ditore as well as Serb press have misspelled the named the deceased Albanian, the Commission in Peja said for his name is not Qerim Desku but Qel& Desku.

The late Albanian was resident of Kliqina and father to five children.

Quoting eye-witnesses in Kliqina village, the LDK Information Commission in Peja said that Qel& Desku was shot dead in front of his house Friday afternoon during a Serb police crackdown against the residents of the village.

Following a yet unsolved incident near the police station in Kliqina around noon Friday, the Serb police launched a there-hour house-to-house raid in Kliqina and a couple of surrounding villages. Scores of Albanians had their homes raided on and were brutally beaten. Two secondary school students from Kliqina, Afrim H. Berisha (17) and Burim A. Berisha (17) received Serb police firearm wounds.

Witnesses said the amidst Serb police shooting in Kliqina on Friday, late Albanian, Qel& Desku, had walked out of is house to see what was going on. He was fatally wounded and died half an hour later as, because of the ongoing Serb police crackdown in the village, no one dared offer him first aid assistance.

Witnesses from Kliqina and the neighboring village of Jabllanica have said the body of the deceased Albanian was taken to Peja in an ambulance car later in the afternoon Friday. The family could not collect the body until Saturday morning.

At least 100 Serb policemen were involved Friday in a massive campaign of persecution of local Albanians in Kli^ina, Jabllanica and Rosuja. The Serb police also opened fire at Naim B. Abazi (22) and Jeton M. Abazi (17) from Jabllanica. They were subsequently apprehended by the police and were beaten both on the street and the police station. They were released later in the afternoon. Serb police forces raided on scores of houses of Albanians in the three villages, including Ramiz Zogaj, Mehmet Zogaj, Tahir Abazi, Ram& Abazi, Zenel Atashi, Hamdi Seniku Haxhi Berisha, etc.

[05] LDK Chairman in Klina Arrested

[06] President Rugova Receives Italian Diplomats

President Rugova and the Italian diplomats discussed about the most recent developments in Kosova as well as the prospects for a negotiated resolution of the Kosova issue.

Ambassador Vattani conveyed the concern of the Italian government over the situation in Kosova and underlined the efforts this country has been making to support a negotiated settlement to the Kosova crisis.

The six-nation Contact Group is interested to see a rapid normalization of the situation in Kosova, Mr. Vattani stressed.

Regarding the situation in Kosova, President Rugova said it is extremely grave amidst armed actions by Serbian forces against the local Albanian population in parts of Kosova. He pressed for increased international pressure to ensure that Belgrade complies with calls for withdrawal of its police, military and paramilitary units from Kosova.

The people of Kosova are committed to their peaceful struggle for freedom and independence, the President said, adding that Kosova as an independent and neutral country is the best solution to the Kosova crisis. He reasserted that an interim international civil protectorate would bring about normal conditions for a negotiated settlement to the issue.

An unconditional dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade, under third party mediation, at a neutral venue, is necessary in pursuit of a just solution for Kosova, Dr. Rugova underlined President Ibrahim Rugova urged Italy increase its efforts in the international fora to secure a just and negotiated solution to the Kosova issue.

[07] Rugova and Vattani to the Press

President Rugova said the situation in Kosova is extremely grave.

Serb armed operations and violence in Kosova should stop, he added.

"We discussed the prospects for an unconditional talks process (with Belgrade), under third party mediation". Dr. Rugova said. In the talks process the parties go with their negotiating positions, he stressed. "We strive for freedom, independence and democracy of Kosova", the President said.

What is urgent now is to prevent the situation from further escalating, he said, urging Italy, the EU countries, and the six- nation Contact Group to increase their efforts on Kosova in pursuit of a negotiated and peaceful resolution.

The President of the Republic of Kosova urged all citizens to "show maximum restraint" amidst Serbian provocations.

Ambassador Umberto Vattani, Secretary General in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Italy, said he was very pleased to see Mr Rugova again. "We attach a very great importance to this region, and we are worried by what is happening. We think that it would be right if violence disappeared and gave way to the dialogue between the sides. We make a strong appeal to the two sides to initiate the dialogue. We think that this should be the best way out of this difficult situation.", Vattani said in English.

He said the situation is "undoubtedly worrying".

The people of this region would like to live freely, in peace and in full respect of their rights, and "so I think that this discussion is helpful to convey our message that we should try and make the greatest contribution to an improvement of the situation as early as possible.", the Italian diplomat said to reporters in Prishtina.

[08] Milosevic Has Not Complied with Any Demand as One Month Reprieve Expires

PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The six-nation Contact Group - comprising the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia - met in Bonn a month ago today to discuss the situation in Kosova and Belgrade's compliance with the demands the Contact Group ministerial meeting had made in London meeting on 9 March.

The Contact Group, which had originally set a ten-day deadline to the Belgrade regime on Kosova, gave Belgrade a one month reprieve.

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

"A balanced outcome", said Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov referring to the meeting of 25 April, bespeaking 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 in Bonn a month ago.

The "lowest common denominator" approach of the Group gave Milosevic a month reprieve which has expired today.

What has happened in the meantime" What is the level of Milosevic' compliance?

The UN Security Council adopted a mandatory resolution on an arms embargo on 'FRY' (Serbia-Montenegro) on 31 March, as called for by the Contact Group. The embargo is in place, but Belgrade has enough weaponry, inherited from the notorious JNA (Yugoslav National Army), to level Kosova and its 2 million Albanians.

The government in Belgrade, the Milosevic-Seselj coalition, has proven right all those who did not give them the benefit of the doubt - they who knew "the lowest common denominator" approach by the international community will only make Milosevic defy the will of the world more vigorously.

The Serbian 'no outside mediation' referendum on Kosova was designed by Milosevic in his best tradition of defiance and brinkmanship.

He has outsmarted the world doing harm in Kosova, just like in Bosnia, as much as he can do away with.

This "as much", as a rule, is outrageously too much.

Milosevic has not complied with any of the demands put forward by the Contact Group, because he sensed there was no enough resolve on behalf of the international community to make him act responsibly.

Instead of starting an unconditional dialogue at the federal level, Milosevic has been sending down to Prishtina delegations offering a legitimization of the fait accompli situation created with the re-conquest of Kosova in the wake of the 1989 revocation of the status of Kosova as an equitable federal member of the now defunct 'SFRY'.

Instead of withdrawing special police units, Milosevic has put the Yugoslav National Army in action in Kosova.

Slobodan Milosevic) is "upping the ante with the involvement of the Yugoslav National Army" in Kosova, State Dept. spokesman James Rubin said yesterday (Friday).

The special Serb police are out of their barracks in Kosova, the Yugoslav National Army is in the region, he said, adding that "we can confirm that we believe they are operating in the interior" of Kosovar territory.

And it was only a week or so ago that senior European diplomats were quoted as saying Milosevic was about to withdraw or had already withdrawn the special units, giving the Belgrade regime some credit on compliance with the Contact group demands on Kosova!

New Serb police emplacements have been built in many parts of Kosova, complete with sandbags and chimneys, where none existed before. Fresh Serb military and police forces - fully equipped - have been brought into Kosova from Serbia over the past four weeks.

A couple dozens Albanians were killed by the Serb army this week in southern Kosova along the Kosova-Albania border, an Albanian- Albanian border.

The statement produced by the Contact Group on 25 April was not taken seriously by Milosevic and his new/old associates, Vojislav Seselj and others.

The positive measures (the carrot) floated by certain senior diplomats have only made him cocksure he will need to stay on course with his defiant policies vis-a-vis the will of the Kosovars and the world.

The 9 and 25 March Contact Group met at ministerial level. The 29 April one will be at political directors' level. This is no good omen for the resolve of the six-nation group on Kosova.

The Contact Group should make it clear whether it means business.

Stricter measures against Belgrade should be adopted. There is possibility if there is only will for this.

The first thing would be imposition of a "No-fly-zone" over Kosova to halt helicopter attacks against unarmed civilians in Kosova. The request was first forwarded by some two dozen U.S. legislators a month ago.

This becomes all the more urgent now that the Yugoslav Army is building up and operating in the territory of Kosova.

Imposing comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions against Belgrade is the least the world should do now.

[09] Rubin Speaks of "Extremely Dangerous" Situation in Kosova as "Serb Special Police Are Out of Barracks", "Military Operating in the Interior" of Kosova

Asked by a reporter about the possibility of sanctions against 'Yugoslavia' because of Kosova, James Rubin said the situation in Kosova is "quite troubling, extremely dangerous."

He went on to say "we believe the Yugoslav National Army has been engaged in a firefight along the Albanian border with myriad deaths involved. We can't confirm the number of people killed, but we have no reason to doubt that a significant number have been killed."

The State Dept. spokesman said OSCE international border monitors confirmed that they heard gunfire near the Albanian border. "There are credible press reports of a thousand refugees fleeing across the border into Albania."

Rubin said the United States recognizes every country's sovereign right to protect its borders, adding: "But the reports of a significant military build-up in the Kosovo region are extremely troubling, given the disproportionate use of force again insurgents and civilians in Kosovo in recent weeks."

The State Dept. spokesman said, "It is time for President Milosevic to understand that the border problem that he is dealing with is a direct consequence of his failure to come to terms and his inaction in terms of developing a viable solution to the Kosovo crisis."

The United States strongly believes that the Contact Group and the UN's call for the immediate withdrawal of special police units and the call for Belgrade authorities to meet with Kosovar Albanians in an unconditional dialogue is the only solution to this problem, Rubin told reporters during the regular press briefing in Washington D. C. Friday. "The status quo will not stand in Kosovo if it continues in this direction. It is not sustainable.", he said, noting that the level of mistrust and the gap between the parties (Prishtina and Belgrade) is too great. "And the only solution is for President Milosevic to get the message and get with the negotiating track and stop thinking he can solve this problem through the use of military force. He cannot.", James Rubin emphasized.

What Milosevic he has done "is increase support for the Albanian extremists in Kosovo", he said, adding that "one might even say he's become the de facto membership chairman of the U^K organization, because with every step he takes in this effort, he is increasing the support the population has for the extremist organizations."

Reaffirming the U.S. position, Mr. Rubin said Milosevic needs to realize that the only solution is "to come up with a credible negotiating procedure. That means unconditional dialogue, and that means changing the course that he has taken."

With respect to sanctions, President Milosevic "has clearly not complied with the UN resolution's demands or the Contact Group's demands."

He (Milosevic) is "upping the ante with the involvement of the Yugoslav National Army" in Kosova, State Dept. spokesman said, adding the Serb leader's delaying tactics in calling for a referendum (on foreign mediation on Kosova crisis, KIC) are also a step in the wrong direction. "All that has happened by the deployment of these National Army forces in Kosovo is the heightening of instability in the region."

The United States is working with its allies to "develop a package of additional measures" designed to ensure that President Milosevic understands that his current course of action can only lead to further and further isolation for the people of the former Yugoslavia, Rubin said, warning that it is time for Milosevic to change course "before it's too late, so that his people don't receive further isolation."

Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott has been consulting with key governments in Europe over the phone and in numerous meetings in recent weeks regarding the package of additional measures, the spokesman said. The Contact Group will meet next week to discuss them. "But the bottom line is, we are going to be considering and pushing for additional measures to make clear to President Milosevic that his current course of action is the wrong course of action.", Rubin reasserted, refusing to enter specifics about the nature of sanctions, namely whether Belgrade assets will be frozen.

Asked by a questioner whether it was "necessary to elevate these negotiations to the rank of Deputy Secretary Talbott, as opposed to having Gelbard do them?", Rubin said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been very concerned about this problem. "She wants to be sure that we've done all we can reasonably can do at the beginning of the problem rather than wait until it's too late."

"Clearly," Rubin went on to say, "some governments don't approach this problem with the same sense of urgency that we do. We believe the involvement of Deputy Secretary Talbott only strengthens the hand of Bob Gelbard, who's done outstanding work in trying to bring peace to the former Yugoslavia."

Deputy Secretary Talbott has been working with European governments and others on "a combination of stabilization of the countries around Kosovo, the isolation of President Milosevic and a negotiating forum to help President Milosevic get himself out of the mess he has created.", State Dept. spokesman said.

Asked to say whether the build-up of the Yugoslav military that he mentioned is strictly in the border (of Kosova, KIC) with Albania, Mr. Rubin replied: "No, it's in the Kosovar region. The special police are out of their barracks, the Yugoslav National Army is in the region. We can confirm that we believe they are operating in the interior, as well, and this is a matter of grave concern to the United States."

[10] EU Presidency Issues Statement on Kosova

The EU has consistently condemned the violence by the security forces as well as the use of terrorism to achieve political change.

What is needed is a political process and a start of a meaningful dialogue, without preconditions, between the authorities in Belgrade and the Kosovar Albanian leadership.

We insist that the authorities in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovar Albanian community do all in their power to ensure that calm is restored and to assume their responsibility to resolve by peaceful means the problems between them."

[11] EU Observer Mission Member in Albania Refutes Serbian Allegations

At a meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, Chapelle also said that the international community is well informed of what is happening in this region.

"Our teams are acting almost along the whole northeastern line of the Albania-FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) border and have a fruitful cooperation with the Albanian local authorities and institutions," Chapelle was quoted as saying.

"We know well what is taking place in Kosova and what the situation is like in the Albanian territory. But, we regret the fact that in rare cases, such misinformation, as that of the border incident, is also spread by the western press," he stressed, according to ATA.

Albanian Foreign Minister Milo denied the existence of the so-called recent border incidents, which, according to Serbian propaganda as well as numerous official notes distributed by Belgrade, "come from Albania".

The incidents will be produced by the Serb official propaganda and military machine in the run-up to Contact Group meeting on Kosova scheduled for April 29, Milo was quoted as saying, adding that Belgrade seeks to lay the blame on Albania over the conflict in Kosova and justify ethnic cleansing in Kosova.

[12] Names of Ten Killed Kosovar Albanians Unveiled by Serb Military Authorities

According to the statement, the following Kosova Albanians have been identified as killed by Serb forces two days ago: Shefqet Selim Aliaj (1969), Bekim Sali Aliaj, Hasan Bajram Tahiraj, Skender Qazim Hajdaraj (1969), Gazmend Hasan Ramaj (1972), Uk& Misin Shabani, Sadik Lush Alijaj (1961), Hasan Tahir Dinaj, Hajdar Ramadan Ta^aj (perhaps Tha^aj, b. 1972), and Vehbi Asllan Hasanaj.

All of them were residents of Here^ village of Gjakova, in southern Kosova.

The ID's of six other Kosova Albanians have been found there, the Serb court said, adding that they could have been killed too.

Two Albanians have been reported arrested: Gazmend Mustaf& Tahiraj (1970), English teacher, and Ib&r Sherif Metaj (1961), a farmer, both of them residents of Here^.

A couple dozen Albanians were reported killed by the Serb military in the border zone with Albania. They were dubbed 'infiltrators' from Albania by the Serb authorities.

[13] Serb Police Shoots at and Wounds 20-Year-Old Albanian in Vushtrri

Sources in Vushtrri said firearms shooting was heard Friday evening at around 23;00 hrs near the railway station at Dervar village of Vushtrri. Witnesses said Ilir Merovci, who received bullet wounds on the occasion, was taken later to the Mitrovica hospital.

The area around the railway station at Dervar was kept sealed off by the police until Saturday morning. An Ascona car with Ivangrad (Montenegro) license plates numbers was found in the scene of the incident, said sources. Huge boxes of tobacco were aboard the car, sources added.

[14] Fresh Serb Military and Police Troops Reported Deployed in Western Kosova

The situation in the area continues to be extremely grave and dangerous, the LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said. Firearm shootings and explosions were heard in several places of the Dushkaja region.

Serb army forces were garrisoned Friday and Saturday in the vicinity of the Radoniqi lake and water supply system. All the roads leading to the border zone villages have been strictly controlled by Serb forces. More and more people have been moving out in panic, seeking refuge in Gjakova, Peja and other parts o Kosova, the LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said.

[15] Additional Serb Forces Coming from Serbia to Kosova

A Serb army convoy with 10 APCs, 7 jeeps, 7 armoured vehicles and 24 lorries with Serb soldiers on board were seen coming Saturday morning from Serbia, via the northern Kosovar town of Podujeva.

LDK sources in Obiliq said a Serb police truck with ammunition on board was trailing the convoy.

[16] Heavy Serb Forces Head for Skenderaj Saturday Afternoon

Downtown area in the town of Klina was sealed off by Serb police to secure passage of the convoy of Serb police forces towards Skenderaj villages as well as the villages of Jashanica and Pogragja, the LDK branch information commission in Klina said.

[17] Serb Civilians Supplied With Weapons at Police Stations

The LDK Information Commission in Kamenica said since 6:30 in the morning today Serb were seen given weapons and uniforms.

Uniformed 'civilians' were later driven in a bus in the direction of the neighboring town of Gjilan.

Meanwhile, sources in Suhareka said at least 50 Serbs were given uniforms and armament in Serb-run administration buildings in the town today.

Huge groups of Serb civilians were seen entering Saturday morning the sports hall in the town of Gjilan. LDK sources said Serb men were given automatic rifles and uniforms there.

Armed Serbs roamed the streets in a show of force, sources said.

Sources in Shtime, a small town 20 km south of Prishtina, said many Serb civilians were given weapons and uniforms in the premises of the municipal administration today.

Armed and uniformed Serb 'civilians' were seen later halting Albanians on the street of the small town and asking their ID's.

Serb civilians of the town of Klina and the neighboring villages were given weapons and uniforms at the local Serbian police station today (Saturday), LDK sources reported.

[18] Serb 'Veterans' Invited for Mobilization in Kosova

Sources in Istog, a municipality in north-west Kosova, said the so- called "Association of 1990s War Veterans' has invited its members to show up to their bases to register for mobilization.

Calls for mobilizations have been placed in camps housing Serb refugees from Bosnia and Croatia, as well as in other places, sources in Istog said.

It has been reported that besides 'veterans', members of Serb radical parties have registered themselves in the lists of the association.

[19] Mitrovica Continues to Be Sealed Off by Heavy Serb Forces

Serb police patrols in armoured vehicles have been positioned in several places in the town.

The citizens who have to go out in town are halted, scrutinized and harassed by Serb police, the chapter of the Human Rights Council (CDHRF) said. Most of shops and businesses have been closed as a result of the heavy presence and movement of Serb forces in town.

Increased movements of Serb police forces have been reported also in the suburbs of Mitrovica, like Shipol, Tavnik and Bair. Two armoured vehicles have been stationed since morning near the flea market in the town, sources said.

[20] Serbian Security Threatens LDK Chairman in Klina

Ismet Rraci was on his way to the LDK branch offices in the small town. He went to the bookshop to make copies of some party materials he was planning to distribute to participant of the party meeting Saturday.

Mr. Rraci was taken to the police station in Klina and interrogated by the Serbian security for three hours. He was forced to hold his hands up while under interrogation.

The local LDK leader was questioned about the current situation in Klina and the Klina villages, about the political activities of the LDK. The Serbian security threatened Mr. Raci that in case anything happened in Klina they would hold him and "his gang" responsible.

"We will have you, your family and your presidency [the local LDK presidency] in front of us to hunt down the terrorists," the Serbian security told Mr. Rraci.

The Serbian security seized all the party materials and personal handnotes in Rraci's possession.

Albanian, Kidnaped by Serbs Two Days Ago, Tells By Phone He is Alive PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - An Albanian, Ali Ram& Hasani from Dashinoc village of De^an, kidnaped by armed Serbs-speaking persons on Thursday told his relative by phone he is alive.

LDK sources in De^an said Ali Hasani phones today from Prizren, saying he is alive.

Sources in De^an said that yesterday afternoon (at 17 hrs) a Serb policemen halted in the street of the town four Montenegerins who were seen earlier attempting to kidnap an Albanian.

After a short round of argument they were let go their way.

Kosova Information Center

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