Kosova Daily Report #1509, 98-08-02

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1509
Prishtina, 2 August 1998

First Edition: 12:30 hrs
Second Edition: 17:30 hrs

CONTENTS

[01] Serbian Military and Police Mount Large-scale Offensive in Drenica Today

[02] Latest report: 12:00 hrs At Least Eight Albanians Killed during Serb Offensive in Drenica

[03] Serb Military Launches Full-scale Artillery Attack on Gjakova Villages

[04] Municipal Cadastral Service's Building Burned in Unsolved Circumstances in Vushtrri

[05] Serbian Forces Kill Four Women, Wound Four Other Members of a Single Albanian Family in Drenica

[06] Names of Two Killed, Six Wounded in Klina and Skenderaj Reported

[07] Massive Displacement of Albanian Population from Drenica

[08] Serbian Forces Shell Villages in De^an Area Fierce attacks on Prejlep, Rastavic& and Junik reported

[09] Serb Military Launches Offensive Continues in Gjakova Municipality

[10] Serbian Forces Shell the Village of C&rmjan, in Gjakova Municipality

[11] Village of Kle^k& in Malisheva Shelled Last Night, Caralluk& In Flames

[12] Four Albanian Civilians Wounded Friday in Two Obiliq Villages

[13] List of 54 Kosovar Passengers, Arrested on 20 July, and Charged by Serbian Authorities in Prokuplje

[01] Serbian Military and Police Mount Large-scale Offensive in Drenica Today

A local source from the village of Llaush& said Serb forces were pounding the village with heavy artillery guns.

Reports said Serb forces used ground-to-ground rockets in their assault on Drenica villages, too.

LDK sources said an extremely grave situation prevails today in the villages of ^ubrel, Vitak, Klin&, Padalisht&, Runik.

A resident from Prishtina, originating from Broj&, said he had contacted relatives who said the villages of Broj&, Vojnik&, Turi^evc, and Kopiliq were being shelled today.

The villages of Polluzh& and T&rstenik have been attacked, too, local sources of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said.

Thousands of inhabitants from the municipality of Skenderaj have fled their homes and run to the mountains for days now. Their health condition is reported to be alarming, as food and medical supplies are lacking there.

This year's Serb offensive in Kosova started in late February, early March when Albanian villages in the region of Drenica were attacked by Serb paramilitary police in what amounted to a military operation which left villages in rubble and scores of civilians killed in their home.

'Yugoslav' President Slobodan Milosevic "assured" senior EU diplomats on Thursday the Serb offensive was over. It was yet another ploy, or perhaps the very words European and American diplomats wished to hear as a face- saving way out. Milosevic assured them, so they will have to wait for his words to bear fruit, the argument goes.

[02] Latest report: 12:00 hrs At Least Eight Albanians Killed during Serb Offensive in Drenica

Local sources of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said three members of the Albanian resistance forces were killed in the village of Jashanic&, municipality of Klina, today.

In the village of Shtutic&, municipality of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), four Albanians have been killed, CDHRF sources said, adding that their identity has not been determined yet.

Serbian forces killed in the morning today Fatmir Veliqi (20), resident of the Polac village of Skenderaj, LDK sources in Llaush& said.

[03] Serb Military Launches Full-scale Artillery Attack on Gjakova Villages

The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said the sound of artillery barrages was so loud it frightened residents of the town itself, because windows in the blocks of flats were shaking.

The Serb offensive's targets are the villages of Nec, Ramoc, Smolic&, Stub&ll, Berjah, Nivokaz, Dobrosh, and up to the huge village of Junik, in the municipality of De^an.

The Serb military is positioned in the Kodra e ^abratit, adjacent to the town of Gjakova, then in Qafa e Osekut, in Suka e Biteshit.

The villages of the Hasi region, then Babaj i Bok&s and Pllanik of Ponoshec are being shelled by Serb military.

The Serb forces have been advancing with infantry, too, aiming at taking ares controlled by local Albanian resistance forces, and the U^K, local sources said.

Today's are the most fierce Serb attacks since the beginning of armed conflicts, local observers say.

There have been no immediate reports on casualties or the material damage.

Reports said large Serb troops in motorized units moved last night towards the villages of De^an, also the scene of continued fighting between local Albanian forces and Serb military and police units.

[04] Municipal Cadastral Service's Building Burned in Unsolved Circumstances in Vushtrri

It is reported that parts of the adjacent house of an Albanian, Behxhet Beka, were damaged by the flames.

[05] Serbian Forces Kill Four Women, Wound Four Other Members of a Single Albanian Family in Drenica

The tragedy befell the Zeqiri family when Serb forces were shelling in the direction of the villages of Polac, Kryshec, Morin& and Shtutic&.

The Zeqiri family were trying to flee their home amidst the incessant shelling by Serb troops.

A shell which landed in the courtyard of their house was fatal.

Four women were killed - Sofije Zeqiri (60), Vahide Zeqiri (20), Kada Zeqiri (17) and Emine Zeqiri, Halim's wife. Four men were wounded - Halim Zeqiri (unconfirmed reports say he died eventually), Besim Zeqiri, Sherif Zeqiri and Rizah Zeqiri.

In the village of Shtutic& Albanian farmsteads and other property have been reported burned by Serbian forces today.

Early in the morning today (Sunday), between 3 and 5 a.m., Serbian military and police forces launched a large-scale offensive against many villages in the three municipalities of the region of Drenica, in Skenderaj ('Srbica'), Gllogovc and Klina, local sources said.

Serb forces have been pounding Albanian villages with heavy artillery guns, and ground-to-ground rockets have been reported used, too, local sources said.

At least eight Albanians are said to have been killed today (Sunday) amidst a heavy Serb military and police offensive against the villages in the Drenica region of Kosova.

Local sources of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said three members of the Albanian resistance forces were killed in the village of Jashanic&, municipality of Klina, today.

Serbian forces killed in the morning today Fatmir Veliqi (20), resident of the Polac village of Skenderaj, LDK sources in Llaush& said.

[06] Names of Two Killed, Six Wounded in Klina and Skenderaj Reported

From the village of Polac, Serbian forces have been attacking the villages of Kryshec, Morin&, and Llaush&, whereas from Runik the villages of Rakinic&, Vitak, Kllodernic& and Vojnik are being attacked.

From their positions in Klina, Serb forces have been attacking villages that separate Drenica from this municipality, the LDK Information Commission in Skenderaj ('Srbica') and the local CDHRF chapter reported.

Serb forces have been pounding Albanian villages with heavy artillery, destroying and burning houses and wheatfields.

The casualty-toll amongst the Albanians is still largely unknown.

Local sources confirm so far the killing of Fatmir Hoti (1974), resident of Jashanica, and Fatmir Veliqi, resident of Polac.

At least six Albanian civilians have been seriously and lightly wounded: Sofije Veliqi (f) from Polac, Fehmi Dobra from Krushec, Xhelal Durmishi from Rakinica, Brahim Krasniqi from Cerovik, Naser Gashi from Krusheci, and another person.

Earlier in the day today, sources said three Albanians were killed in Jashanica.

[07] Massive Displacement of Albanian Population from Drenica

Local Albanian activists have mobilized to come to the aid of the displaced Albanians, to provide them with shelter in the town of Vushtrri and the villages in the municipality, LDK sources said.

[08] Serbian Forces Shell Villages in De^an Area Fierce attacks on Prejlep, Rastavic& and Junik reported

The LDK Information Commission in De^an said Serb forces were shelling today the villages of Junik, Grama^el, Shaptej and Here^.

There are probably killed and wounded, LDK sources said, adding that they could not have confirmed reports by 15:00 hrs today.

Fighting continues in Junik between Serbian troops and local Albanian resistance forces, sources said. Junik is being held under s ring of steel by heavy Serb troops.

Local LDK sources said at least five Albanians were abducted yesterday in the village of Here^. They were fleeing Junik together with their families.

A police checkpoint has been set up in the village of Here^, along the Gjakova-De^an roadway, aiming at disrupting communications between the villages of De^an and the Reka e Keqe region.

The displaced population is facing a humanitarian catastrophe, local LDK sources said.

[09] Serb Military Launches Offensive Continues in Gjakova Municipality

The Serb shelling had died a little bit, LDK sources in Gjakova said, referring to the Serb offensive against border villages of the Reka e Keqe region.

The Serb offensive's targets are the villages of Nec, Ramoc, Smolic&, Stub&ll, Berjah, Nivokaz, Dobrosh, and up to the huge village of Junik, in the municipality of De^an, local sources said earlier in the day.

Serb forces have been trying to overrun positions held by local Albanian resistance forces, and the U^K.

There have been no immediate reports on casualties, but the material damage is presumed to be immense.

Motorized Serb army units which moved last night towards the villages of De^an - also the scene of continued fighting between local Albanian forces and Serb military and police units - blocked today routes towards the villages of Trakaniq, Novoselll&, Dobrigj&, etc., and are being positioned near the villages of Grama^el, Gllogjan, and Shaptej.

Another Serb army convoy, consisting also of heavy artillery pieces, headed to the villages of the Dushkaj& villages. Parts of the troops and combat equipment was stationed on the Bec hill as well as along the Gjakov&- Kramovik roadway.

Reports said these forces have been pounding with artillery the villages of Dushkaj&s, a region which has been sealed off.

Serb troops have also been heading to the Gjakov&-Dollc roadway.

The town of Gjakova has been sealed off by Serb forces. Therefore, it has been impossible to obtain information about the people who have been displaced from the attacked area, especially in the Reka e Keqe region.

The population of that region has been trying for three days now to enter the town of Gjakova, but only a fraction of them has been able to actually get to into the town.

Most of the population of the region is presumed to be in the mountains, their humanitarian situation being naturally enough disastrous.

[10] Serbian Forces Shell the Village of C&rmjan, in Gjakova Municipality

Even the upland of C&rmjan cannot be seen from the billowing smoke and flames, sources said.

Local Albanians have been resisting the Serb onslaught.

Reports from Gjakova said Serb forces wanted to advance towards the villages of Jabllanic& and Zhabel.

Local Albanian resistance forces have been trying to repel the Serb offensive and its goals, local sources said.

[11] Village of Kle^k& in Malisheva Shelled Last Night, Caralluk& In Flames

The population started moving out of the villages, towards the Berisha mountains, the activist said.

Basic necessities are lacking there, including food.

A lorry with food supplies reached the village yesterday, but it could not satisfy the needs of so many people.

Local sources said, the village of Caralluk&, four km from Malisheva, is being burned.

Serbian forces have looted all shops and businesses in Malisheva, as well as two gas stations.

A terrible humanitarian situation is reported in the mountains above the village of Arllat, where many people who have been living in the open sky have been without food for three days now.

Likewise, some 6000 inhabitants of the village of Gurbardh have been without any food and medical supplies.

[12] Four Albanian Civilians Wounded Friday in Two Obiliq Villages

They were wounded when the village was shelled by Serb forces. The village of Shipitull& was shelled, too.

The population of the two villages has been evacuated, and found refuge in relatively safer areas.

[13] List of 54 Kosovar Passengers, Arrested on 20 July, and Charged by Serbian Authorities in Prokuplje

The passengers, who were on a bus travelling to Kosova from abroad, have been accused by the Serb prosecutor in Prokuplje with "association for hostile and terrorist activities".

The passengers are in the majority originating from Prizren, Suhareka, Gllogovc, Malisheva, and Klina.

Following is the list of the names: Ramadan Kukiqi (34), Rrahman Aliu (36), Nazmi Byty^i (22), Abdullah Morina (30), Halil Berisha (30), Besnik Selmanaj (29), Naim Grulaj (25), Hashim Shala (28), Deli Krasniqi (19), Enver Zogaj (26), Bexhet Aliu (27), Valbon Takjaxhiu (25) i komb&sis& turke, Faik Ramaj (37), Hasan Elshani (35), Januz Suka (27), Sami Byty^i (24), Burim Bllaca (20), Sk&nder Azemi (42), Qamil Gallapeni (54), Naim Balaj (33), Bajram Fazli (24), of Muslim (Bosniak) ethnicity, Naser Rexhepi (37), Ramadan Avdiu (37), Liman Sulaj (25), Zen& Smakiqi (38), Sinan Byty^i (38), Ram& Avdiaj (37), Imer Krasniqi (29), Milazim Krasniqi (29), Feriz Zabelaj (35), Ibrahim Fazli (33), of Muslim ethnicity, Ragip Bogaj (23), Syl& Krasniqi (-), Blerim Kolgeci (23), Haxhi Kicaj (-), Bashkim Gavazaj (35), Ali Gashi (-), Halit Ndrecaj (30), Ahmet Gashi (-), Nuhi Boka (-), Qazim Krasniqi (33), Sedat Mu^aj (-), Xhavit Ka^aniku (56), Remzi Hasanaj (22), Azem Krasniqi (20), Haxhi Shurdhaj (29), Avdi Berisha (51), Baki Hoxhaj (42), Idriz Bylykbashi (35), Hajrulla Samadraxha (53), Naser Osmanaj (25), Fatmir Sopaj (40), Sadim Murati (16), of Muslim ethnicity, and Besnik Kastrati (-), who was not a passenger on board the bus, but rather a taxi driver.

The LDK Information Commission said these passengers were robbed of foreign currency amounting to DEM 250,000, although they had duly declared their money when they entered the 'FRY'.

The lawyer, Hysni Byty^i, said Sadim Murati is a minor; Naim Grulaj was operated upon in Ljubljana six weeks ago, and was on his way back home. Two of the passengers (Naser Rexhepi and Hashim Shala) were to get back for their pregnant wives were to deliver soon, whereas two others (Sedat Mu^aj and Blerim Kolgeci) were getting back home for their own weddings.

Kosova Information Center

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