Kosova Daily Report #1415, 98-04-30

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

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1415

Prishtina, 30 April 1998

CONTENTS

[01] LDK Executive Calls for Maturity and Better Organization in the Face of Serb Aggressin

[02] Contact Group Statement on Kosova, Rome, 29 April

[03] Serb Forces Resume Attacking Baballoq Village

[04] Four Albanians in De^an in Serb Custody Since Wednesday

[05] Desperate Need for Medical and Food Supplies in De^an Area

[06] Serb Forces Attack Several Villages in Klina Municipality

[07] Serb Forces Seal off Area near Faculty of Electrical Engingeering in Prishtina

[08] Police Carves with Knife Serb Symbol on Albanian's Chest

[09] Serb Police Raids Several Albanian Homes in Duhla of Suhareka

[10] Serb Radio Reports of a Policeman Wounded in Duhla Wednesday Night

[11] Stepped Up Movement of Serb Police in Mitrovica Streets

[01] LDK Executive Calls for Maturity and Better Organization in the Face of Serb Aggressin

In a statement approved by the meeting, the situation in the Republic of Kosova is described as grave and with great dangers for the Albanian people.

The LDK Executive body condemns in the strongest terms the massacres committed by the Serb police and military forces against the Albanians in their homes. The party leadership calls on the Albanian people of Kosova not to abandon their land, but rather exercise maturity and not fall prey to Serbian provocations.

The top LDK body presses for a better organization in the face of Serbian aggression.

The LDK Executive demands an early (inaugural) meeting of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova and the appointment of a new Kosova government which should operate in Kosova.

The LDK Executive reconfirms the party line on the resolution of the Kosova issue by full respect for the political will of the people of Kossova.

The LDK Executive expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Contact Group, the UN Security Council, and especially the United States of America, to bring an end to Serbian military actions in Kosova, as well as efforts for the initiation of negotiations with third party mediation.

The responsibility for the tragic situation in Kosova rests with the Serbian aggression, the LDK Executive said in a statement issued from today's meeting.

[02] Contact Group Statement on Kosova, Rome, 29 April

The two ministerial-level meetings of 9 and 25 March, respectively, were followed by a political directors's level this time.

After seven hours of deliberations Wednesday, the Contact Group came up with a statement which proved right those who were not expecting a tough position towards Belgrade amidst dissent in the Group, and especially Russian opposition to the U.S. package.

A freeze of Belgrade assets abroad was the only sanction approved yesterday.

The 25 March/Bonn statement was universally seen as a watered down version of the 9 March/London statement. It offered Belgrade a one- month reprieve during which time Milosevic got the paramilitary police and the Yugoslav Army involved in armed actions against Albanian villages in western Kosova.

The 29 April/Rome statement does not offer ground for any hope that Milosevic will heed the diplomatic language of the Big Powers.

Following is the text of the statement: "1. The Contact Group met in Rome on April 29 to decide on next steps regarding the increasingly dangerous situation in Kosovo, taking into account the report of the OSCE Troika on developments since the Bonn Contact Group Ministerial. They considered the report an important and balanced contribution to the assessment of the situation. The Contact Group believes that the current situation is untenable. The risk of an escalating conflict requires immediate action.

2. All members of the Contact Group are firmly opposed to independence for Kosovo and to a continuation of the unacceptable status quo. Immediate steps by the parties to reduce tension and to begin an unconditional dialogue are indispensable, and the only way to reverse the deterioration in the situation and bring about a political solution.

3. The Contact Group condemns the increase in violence in recent days in Kosovo, in particular the excessive use of force by the Yugoslav Army, and the proliferation of arms in the country. The Contact Group rejects absolutely terrorism as a means of bringing about political change as well as all other violence to suppress political dissent. The Contact Group calls on political leaders in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and in the countries of the region to exercise maximum restraint, full respect for human rights, to prevent the introduction of arms and of armed groups from outside, and to condemn terrorism. It also calls on the countries of the region to confirm the respect for territorial integrity and for the inviolability of internationally recognized borders.

4. The Contact Group is not seeking to impose any particular outcome for the resolution of the differences between Belgrade and Kosovo Albanian leadership. It is for the parties themselves to determine a solution to the political status of Kosovo through negotiations. The Contact Group notes that representatives of Belgrade and Pristina have recently stated their general willingness to open unconditional dialogue. But the two sides have yet to agree with full authority on modalities for talks, particularly on the issue of international participation.

5. The Contact Group regards an appropriate international involvement as an essential factor to establish confidence between the parties and to facilitate talks.

6. To begin the urgent process of dialogue, the Contact Group recommends, and urges both Belgrade and Kosovo Albanian leadership to adopt, a framework for dialogue and a stabilization package: a) The framework should be based on fundamental principles that the parties must accept, such as rejection of violence for achieving political goals, no preconditions, mutual respect, accordance with standards and principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and of the U.N. Charter, mutually agreed modalities and protection of all individuals and ethnic groups. There should be mutual assurances, which the Contact Group itself will support, that the parties will not abandon nor seek to undermine an agreement once it is reached. The framework for dialogue must be formally endorsed by the top leadership in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovo Albanians. The respective leaders must take political responsibility for initiating good-faith talks. The framework must provide for international involvement in facilitating substantive negotiations. b) The stabilization package must include, as the minimum: Cessation of repression by the Authorities in Belgrade, as specified in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1160, and a strong condemnation of terrorism by the Kosovo Albanian leadership.

- Reopening of the OSCE missions in the FRY, including Kosovo - Concrete inter-communal confidence building measures, including implementation of the education agreement according to the agreed timetable. The Contact Group appreciates and encourages the work of (Italian Roman Catholic peace group) Sant'Egidio Community in this field.

7. The Contact Group attaches the highest priority to the immediate launching of the (former Spanish prime minister Felipe) Gonzalez mission, which is essential for substantial progress in the relationship between FRY and the international community. This mission is also meant to reduce tension, restore confidence and improve general prospects for dialogue. The top leadership in Belgrade should therefore immediately invite the Gonzalez mission to start its work. The Contact Group fully supports the OSCE Chairman-in-Office (currently Poland) in his efforts to facilitate this mission.

8. If the leadership in Belgrade agrees to the framework for dialogue, the stabilization measures listed in paragraph six are implemented, the Gonzalez mission is launched and substantive talks begin, the Contact Group will promote a clear and achievable path towards Belgrade's full implementation in the international community, including participation in the OSCE. We want the FRY to reap the benefits of membership in international financial and political institutions.

9. Crucial requirements set out in the Contact Group's statements of 9 and 25 March have not yet been met. We have therefore decided to take action to put into effect a freeze on the funds held abroad by the FRY and Serbian Governments. If Belgrade takes the steps in paragraph six to bring about negotiations, we will immediately reverse this decision. We have also decided that if dialogue is blocked because of Belgrade's non-compliance we will, by 9th of May, take action to stop new investment in Serbia. The Russian Federation does not associate itself with these measures.

10. If unresolved, the situation in Kosovo threatens to spill over to other parts of the region. The Contact Group attaches high priority to supporting the security interests of the neighboring states and to ensuring security of borders. It is of particular importance that developments in Kosovo should not disrupt progress in implementing the Dayton/Paris peace agreement in Bosnia, to which the Government in Belgrade is committed. The Contact Group will contribute to the strict implementation of Resolution 1160, working also with the U.N. and other relevant international fora.

11. The next meeting of the Contact Group will take place in Paris in May." (end text)

[03] Serb Forces Resume Attacking Baballoq Village

The LDK Information Commission in De^an said Serb army forces garrisoned in the hills around Baballoq began shelling the village at around 14:00 hrs yesterday. Sporadic fire from heavy armament and artillery was heard coming from the area until morning hours today.

Several houses in Baballoq were badly damaged during the latest shelling by Serb forces, the Commission said. It could not, however, learn about possible casualties as it is impossible to enter the area.

Since 21 April, heavy Serb arm forces have been deployed at a location called Suka a Baballoqit, from where from Baballoq came under repeated fire.

[04] Four Albanians in De^an in Serb Custody Since Wednesday

Haxhi Bozhdaraj was arrested at his place in De^an, while Bajram Dervishaj, Kadri Dervishaj and Idriz Dervishaj were halted and arrested by the Serb police at Irzniq village.

The four Albanians are reported still in custody.

KIC could not learn the pretext of their arrest.

[05] Desperate Need for Medical and Food Supplies in De^an Area

The villages near the Kosova-Albania border zone are being held inside a deadly siege by Serb army and police forces.

The LDK Information Commission in De^an said local Albanians have been routinely subjected to severe maltreatment by Serb police patrols roaming the streets of the town and villages.

There is desperate need food supplies and medication.

Most of the privately-run bakeries and pharmacy shops have been closed down, sources said.

[06] Serb Forces Attack Several Villages in Klina Municipality

There was a deadly silence in the town of Klina throughout the day Wednesday. There were proliferating rumors about alleged abduction of several local Serb citizens by unknown persons.

The spiral of Serb violence spread in the villages of Gjurgjevik i Madh, Gllareva and Cerovik Wednesday, on which occasion the Serb forces shelled dozens Albanian homes. The Serb forces attack on the Gllareva lasted for three hours, sources in Klina said.

The home of Halit Kapllani, Zenel Pantina, Alush Pantina were damaged, whereas, Serbian forces shelled the home of Bajram Balaj for two days in a row. His house was damaged badly.

The Serb forces attacked also the home of Rexhep Hasanaj and Tafil Morina. During the attack four of his cows were killed. Fortunately there were no human casualties.

At Gjurgjevik i Madh the Serbian forces shelled the home of Sali Rrahmani. The house was reported to have gone on fire from the shelling.

Meanwhile, in Cerovik, which is only three miles away from the other two villages attacked by the Serbs, the Serb police stationed in Kijeva fired at least eight times from heavy artillery.

Fortunately, no house was hit. Two grenades landed unexploded, sources said.

[07] Serb Forces Seal off Area near Faculty of Electrical Engingeering in Prishtina

According to the agreed measures for the implementation of the 20 month-old Education Accord, the Albanian students were to be allowed re-entry to their premises in the faculties today, 30 April.

The Student Union of the Albanian-language University of Prishtina called on the Albanian students to show up and walk into the premises of the three faculties at 14:00 today.

Hundreds of Albanian students turned out.

The Serb forces sealed off the area. In front of the nearby Student Dormitories, used by Serbs alone, a water cannon, a four-wheel armored vehicle and eight APCs full of Serb policemen had been deployed.

Some 50 Serb students were protesting there. At 14:15 the Serb students began throwing stones on the crowd of Albanian students.

No injuries were reported.

The Albanians were not allowed in the premises. The dispersing Albanian students chanted slogans "De^ani, De^ani", "Drenica, Drenica".

There has been much talk on the implementation of the long overdue Education Accord. No single Albanian student has been allowed back to the University of Prishtina premises so far.

[08] Police Carves with Knife Serb Symbol on Albanian's Chest

The Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said Agim Krasniqi, an employee with the "Hidroteknika" service firm in Prishtina, was arrested by a Serb police patrol near the marketplace in the town on Wednesday morning. He was taken to the police station, where he was brutally tortured for over two hours. While in custody he was accused of allegedly being a member of the so-called Liberation Army of Kosova (U^K).

Agim Krasniqi was threatened he would face harsher consequences if he reported his case to the press. In addition, when released, he was told he would be arrested again if he went to work, the CDHRF said.

[09] Serb Police Raids Several Albanian Homes in Duhla of Suhareka

During the night, Serb forces raided on dozen Albanian families and in the village. The police beat up Ragip Qatani, local primary school secretary. His home and his car were reported damaged by the Serbs.

The Serbian police raided also the homes of Bajrush Bujari, Sali Rrafshi, Hamdi Lumi, Naim Bllaca, Haki Bytyqi and Aziz Telaku.

Dozens of Albanians from the neighboring villages fled their homes in panic during the night, but their returned to their homes today, LDK sources said.

A delegation of the LDK branch in Suhareka visited Duhla today.

[10] Serb Radio Reports of a Policeman Wounded in Duhla Wednesday Night

Unidentified gunmen shot at a police patrol leaving one policemen seriously wounded, the Serbian radio said.

[11] Stepped Up Movement of Serb Police in Mitrovica Streets

Half-a-dozen-manned Serb police patrols have been stationed in virtually all the key-places in the town, the LDK Information Commission in Mitrovica said. The Commission said scores of Albanians were subjected to Serb police harassment yesterday and today. The police beat up brutally a mentally ill man on the street. Skender Hajra (38) was beaten for he was seen joining a peaceful protest earlier yesterday.

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