Kosova Daily Report #1510, 98-08-03
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1510
Prishtina, 3 August 1998
CONTENTS
[01] President Ibrahim Rugova Receives Ambassador Hill
[02] Ambassador Chris Hill's Q&A with the Press in Prishtina
[03] Entire Villages Burning in Drenica as Serb Offensive Continues
[04] Extremely Dramatic Situation in Klina as Serbs Mount the Biggest
Offensive Yet
[05] All-out Serb Military and Police Offensive in the Gjakova Area
[06] Serb Offensive in Malisheva Left at Least 17 Dead
[07] Serb Offensive Steps Up in De^an Area
[08] Serbs Mount Frontal Attack against Lugu i Baranit Villages, in Peja
and Klina
[09] Serbs Launch Huge Attack on Areas South-East of Prishtina
[10] Serbs Pillage and Set Ablaze Albanian Houses in Suhareka
[11] Eight-Year-Old Boy Killed, Mother Wounded, at Montenegro-Albania
Border
[01] President Ibrahim Rugova Receives Ambassador Hill
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.
Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina the U.S. Ambassador to FYROM,
Chris Hill, who is mediating between Prishtina and Belgrade.
The most recent developments in Kosova were discussed in the meeting.
President Rugova said the situation in Kosova was becoming dramatic amidst
the continued Serb military and police offensive in the villages of Drenica,
De^an, Gjakova and the Albanian settlements along the Kosova-Albania
border.
Serb forces are killing Albanian civilians, burning and destroying entire
villages in these parts of Kosova, resulting in a forced displacement of a
great number of people, Rugova said.
"Belgrade is carrying out a large-scale ethnic cleansing against Albanians
in Kosova", the President said, calling for an urgent intervention by the
United States and its allies to halt the Serbian offensive and provide
"international protection for the people of Kosova".
Regarding the extremely grave humanitarian situation in Kosova, Ibrahim
Rugova said tens of thousands of Albanians displaced from areas under
Serbian attack have been for days in the open, without any humanitarian
care. He urged for a speedy humanitarian action to help the displaced
population who are threatened by diseases and starvation.
Meanwhile, President Rugova and Ambassador Chris Hill met in Prishtina with
the chairman of the LDK chapter in Rahovec, Mr. Bedredin Shehu, and a group
of citizens from this town.
The situation in Rahovec in the aftermath of the Serbian attack was
discussed, focussing on ways to secure their return to their homes.
[02] Ambassador Chris Hill's Q&A with the Press in Prishtina
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Ambassador Chris Hill, the U.S. diplomat who
mediates between Prishtina and Belgrade, spoke to the press in Prishtina
today after a meeting with President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova.
Following is as unofficial transcript of questions and answers to and by
Christopher Hill.
(Begin text) Q: There is a general feeling in Kosova that the recent
massacre is being helped by the U.S. and Europe.
A: It is absolutely, and essentially, nonsense that we support any type of
such violence. Violence has to be stopped. It is very clear that there is a
Serb offensive now. The Serb offensive has not played any useful role in
finding a political solution. It sets back the chances for finding a
political solution. In the meantime, it has only created more refugees and
displaced people.
We are extremely concerned about these displaced people. I just met with a
group of people from Orahovac, who told their stories about how they became
displaced. I was particularly interested in ideas on how we can get them
back in their homes. It is not an easy process, they cannot feel secure
about going back and we need to figure out ways to make them more secure.
And, that's what I intend to work on in the next few days, to see if we can
get a process of getting people back to their homes. I think we are on the
edge of a humanitarian catastrophe, if we do not send people back to their
homes in safety. It means that we, the international community, need to
devote our efforts to see what we can do to help improve the security
situation.
Q: You said yesterday that Milosevic promised the people to be back and he
would let them go back home. Do you think it can be done now with this wide
operation and ethnic cleansing?
A: I reported that he said he was in favor of the people returning to their
homes. He also said he was prepared to ensure full access, especially for
diplomatic observers. I am not interested on what anyone tells me, I am
interested in facts on the ground. And, it is very clear that we do not
have these facts here on the ground and that's what will worry us in the
next few days.
Q: Did they [people from Rahovec, KIC] get any guarantee of safety when
they go back?
A: I think we have to figure out [ways] to guarantee their safety.
Yes, and this is a big problem, and this is what we need to work in the
coming days.
Q: Does Milosevic have to complete his ethnic cleansing campaign in Kosova
before you admit that?
A: What we need is a process of political negotiations in Kosova.
There is no military solution in Kosovo. I think the sides are trying to
make a point that there is a military solution. There is no military
solution. As to the political solution, the United States are prepared to
be part of that solution; we are prepared to help seek it; we are prepared
to be part of implementing such a political solution. That is where the
future lies, not in the military solutions, which all they can do is create
more refugees.
I don't care how many roads you block, how many roads you unblock - this is
not a way to find a solution to the Kosovo problem.
Q: Don't you think that there is a military solution going on right 2now?
A: I think that there are efforts to find a military solution, and those
efforts are absolutely in vain; they will not work. We need a political
solution, and this violence, especially in the past few days, sets back the
opportunities for finding a peaceful solution.
Q: Milosevic has for years been outsmarting the West, including the United
States, by giving assurances which play as music to your ears.
A: I am not interested in anyone's assurances. I am interested in facts on
the ground, and we do not have facts on the ground as far as I can see. So,
I am here to see if we can get some new facts on the ground.
Q: But Milosevic's assurances have been valued ... [the reporter wavered an
official State Department statement entitled "Text: State Dept. on
Milosevic Assurances on Kosovo Situation"] A: I evaluate facts on the
ground. Thank you.
(End text)
[03] Entire Villages Burning in Drenica as Serb Offensive Continues
Reports said Serb infantry units are advancing into the villages PRISHTINA,
Aug 3 (KIC) - Entire villages have been reported burning in the
municipality of Skenderaj ("Srbica') amidst continued shelling by Serb
troops.
The villages of Polluzha, T&rstenik, Polac, Kryshec, Morina, Rakinica, etc,
are reported in flames.
Serbian forces have embarked today on a large-scale offensive in almost all
the villages of the Drenica region.
Local sources said today morning four shells landed in the village of Likoc,
where a great number of displaced people from other areas are.
In the village of Llaush& three heavy detonations were heard last night,
presumed to be from the explosion of three ground-to-ground rocket shells.
Serb forces have surrounded the village of Izbic&, in the municipality of
Skenderaj, in which 800 people are reported effectively holed up.
Reports said in the afternoon the villages in the direction Kryshec - Polac
- T&rstenik are in flames, and Serb infantry units are advancing into the
villages.
Thousands of Albanians from Drenica have been streaming towards villages in
the neighboring municipality of Vushtrri ('Vucitrn').
Local sources said the villages of Be^iq, Dubofc, Galic&, and Bukosh have
been the destination of many fleeing Albanians from Skenderaj.
Some 700 people have been housed in the premises of the elementary school
building in Dubofc, LDK sources from Vushtrri said.
[04] Extremely Dramatic Situation in Klina as Serbs Mount the Biggest
Offensive Yet
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Over thirty Albanian settlements in the
municipality of Klina have been affected by a brutal Serb forces offensive
since Sunday morning.
The villages of Cerovik, Qabiq, Zab&rgj&, Dob&rdol, Ujmir, and Shatric&,
have been reported burned down almost completely, witnesses said. The KIC
sources in Klina could so far learn about two killed Albanians in these
villages. LDK activists said they feared the casualty-toll could be the
highest since the break-out of the conflict in this part of Kosova.
Witnesses, including some foreign reporters, said clouds of smoke have been
billowing from Klina villages today morning.
It is virtually impossible to determine the number of Serb troops involved
in the unfolding Serb offensive, LDK sources in Klina said, adding that the
area has been packed with policemen and soldiers, and motorized units.
Besides the Klina villages, those in the neighboring municipality of
Skenderaj have also been targeted in the ongoing Serb offensive.
Sources said that the villages of Gllarev&, Rixhev&, Stapanic&, Jashanic&,
Pogragj&, Dush, Gjurgjevik i Madh, K&rrnic&, Jellovc, Resnik, Gjurgjevik i
Vog&l, and A^arev& in Sk&nderaj have been pounded from a wide range of Serb
arsenal of arms.
The KIC could so far learn the identity of some victims of the most recent
Serb attack, including Fatmir Hoti in Jashanica and Hysni Arif Gashi (80)
at ^abiq. There are many wounded Albanians, laying helpless in the ruins
and in the fields, with no one being able to assist them while the area is
being intermittently pounded.
[05] All-out Serb Military and Police Offensive in the Gjakova Area
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - An unrelenting Serbian offensive involving
military, paramilitary and police forces, has been going on in the Gjakova
area, in south-west Kosova, local sources said today.
Local Albanian resistance forces have been faced last night and today with
a Serb offensive in the Reka e Keqe region, namely the villages of Nec,
Ramoc, Smolic&, Berjah, Stub&ll, Nivokaz, Dobrosh, and in the huge village
of Junik, LDK sources in Gjakova said.
During the day and in the evening yesterday (Sunday), a Serb military
helicopter with the Red Cross sign was involved in the operations in the
region of Has, namely the villages of Prush, Goden and Zylfaj. Machine-gun
fire was opened from the helicopter from the Babaj i Bok&s to the villages
of Goden.
In the region of Dushkaj& in the municipality of Gjakova, yesterday's Serb
offensive resume today.
Heavy Serb artillery is being used in the operations in Dushkaj&, whereas
the village of C&rmjan, the center of the region, is in flames and smoke in
the midst of heavy shelling. The Suka e C&rmjanit (C&rmjan upland),
inlcuding religious shrines in it, have been hit. The villages of Meq& and
Rakovin& have been shelled, too.
The villages north-west, towards De^an, have been targeted also.
The attacked area being sealed off, it is virtually impossible to obtain
detailed information on the extent of damages and the casualty-toll, which
are feared to be immense and high.
Local reports from Gjakova said two bodies were taken to the Gjakova morgue
today. The were presumed to be the bodies of Albanians killed while working
in their fields in Dushkaj& region.
Five wounded have been taken to the Gjakova hospital, all residents of the
village of Berjah&, Reka e Keqe, who were wounded during Serb shelling.
The town of Gjakova cannot cope with so many displaced people who have been
trying to reach and find safety there.
Only local resistance forces have stayed behind in the Reka e Keqe region,
in peacetime home to 20.000 people.
Thousands of people displaced from their homes in Gjakova villages or the
area in the neighboring municipality of Rahovec have been trying in vain to
secure shelter and food in safer areas. Many of them ran to the mountains
or wooded area.
The huge number of displaced people at a time the Serb offensive is still
going on has made it impossible for local structures to even have them duly
registered, local sources said.
A car of foreign observers drove yesterday speedily through the main street
in Gjakova. This was all the presence of 'international community' in town,
sources added.
[06] Serb Offensive in Malisheva Left at Least 17 Dead
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Last week's Serb crackdown on the Malisheva area
left at least 17 Albanians dead, most of them women and the elderly, and
many more wounded, local sources said today.
They gave the names of the killed and wounded, but added the casualty-toll
may well be higher.
Many villages have been burned during Serb shelling, but also when Serbs
set them ablaze.
The displaced population - many of whom live in the open - is facing a
humanitarian catastrophe, as basic food and medical supplies are lacking.
[07] Serb Offensive Steps Up in De^an Area
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - The Serbian military and police offensive against
the village of De^an continues unabated, local sources said today.
Reports said the fiercest attacks yesterday and today occurred in the
village of Rastavic&, Prejlep, Irzniq, Baballoq, Isniq, Shaptej, Gramaqel,
and Junik.
The Serb troops have been using tanks and heavy artillery in their
offensive.
Scant information is trickling out from the area.
In the village of Rastavic&, Rexhep Kadria (23) and Emine Dervishaj, mother
of two, were killed during the Serb shelling. The two were buried last
night in the village of Irzniq.
Heavy fighting was reported in the village of Prejlep. Many houses have
been damaged there, and the minaret of the local mosque destroyed by the
Serb shelling.
Considerable damage has been caused to the farmsteads in other attacked
villages, too.
The village of Gllogjan was attacked last night. Tens of houses have been
burned or destroyed there. The civilians who managed to escape have found
refuge in the Catholic church in the village.
Reports said today heavy fighting was going on the villages of Prejlep and
Junik.
The huge village of Junik has been under heavy Serb shelling in the past 24
hours.
There have been no reports on the extent of damage or the casualties
there.
Some 80.000 Albanians are estimated to be internally-displaced people in
the villages of the municipalities of Peja and De^an.
They fled their homes after their villages were attacked by Serb forces.
A new Srebrenica is feared in the Rrafshi i Dukagjinit (Dukagjini
plateau).
There is no free corridor for the evacuation of some 30.000 people, most of
whom women, children and the elderly, local sources said.
[08] Serbs Mount Frontal Attack against Lugu i Baranit Villages, in Peja
and Klina
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Serbian forces have mounted a frontal attack
against the Lugu i Baranit villages, a region stretching in the
municipalities of Klina and Peja ('Pec').
Mr. Rrok Berisha, member to the Kosova Parliament, told the KIC that the
latest Serb offensive was kicked off Sunday morning. The villages of
Bokshiq, Qeskov&, K&puz, Gllogjan, Nepole, Llugagji, Jabllanic& and have
been targeted, he said.
At around 4 p.m. yesterday (Sunday), Serbian forces advanced into the
villages, resorting to campaigns of atrocities and destruction.
Serb police, military and paramilitary forces first pounded villages with
heavy artillery guns, then set them ablaze, killed and massacred the
unprotected Albanian population with impunity, Mr. Berisha said.
It is feared that the casualty-toll in the unfolding Serb offensive in the
Lugu i Baranit region is high. Those who could run away before the Serb
crackdown have been sheltered in the surrounding forests, while a large
number have been trapped into the "Sh&n Ndou" local Catholic church in
Gllogjan. It is believed dozens of men, women and children, as well a
reverend Kelmend Spaqi have been held as hostage in the hands of Serbs. The
Serb offensive has in the region has continued unabated during the whole
course of today.
The villages of Gllogjan, Nepole, Llugagji, Jabllanic&, Kralan&, Zhebel,
have been targeted by Serbs today. At least 150 Serb tanks have been
involved in the offensive, witnesses said.
It is virtually impossible to establish factual consequences of the ongoing
Serb onslaught in the area.
[09] Serbs Launch Huge Attack on Areas South-East of Prishtina
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - Since 3 a.m. today, Serbian forces have launched a
wide offensive, targeting villages in the municipalities of Shtime and
Lipjan, south-east of Prishtina.
LDK sources in Lipjan and Shtime said Serb troops have been attacking
Albanian settlements from their positions along the Shtime-Prizren road, as
well as Lipjan-Magure-Shala, targeting villages on the east edge of the
Drenica region - Shala, Krojmir, Leletiq, Nekoc, Baic&, etc.
No other vehicle but the Serb army and police have been moving along these
two roads since the morning today, sources said. Serb police did not allow
the marketplace open in the town of Lipjan today.
Still unconfirmed accounts said that Serb forces have pounded today the
Kle^ka village, which, together with some neighboring villages, has been
the 'safe haven' of thousands of people fleeing Serb attacks in Drenica and
Lipjan villages.
[10] Serbs Pillage and Set Ablaze Albanian Houses in Suhareka
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - For the fourth straight day, the Serb forces have
been involved in a barbarous campaign of looting and torching Albanian
houses in the municipality of Suhareka.
Sources said Serb forces, mainly from two bases at Bllaca and Duhla, have
been pounding the outlying villages with heavy artillery guns. Subsequently,
they advanced with trucks and infantry into deserted villages, pillaging
them mercilessly.
Witnesses said they had seen Serbs dousing the houses and farms of
Albanians with petrol, and setting them ablaze.
Some Albanians attempted on Sunday to return to their own villages.
They failed to do so because of Serb fire.
The LDK information chapter in Suhareka said it is impossible to locate
persons displaced from their own villages targeted by Serbs.
They may die in the open, without food and medication.
[11] Eight-Year-Old Boy Killed, Mother Wounded, at Montenegro-Albania
Border
PRISHTINA, Aug 3 (KIC) - An 8-year-old boy, Ngadh&njim Hoxha from the town
of Suhareka, was reported shot dead Sunday evening near the Montenegro-
Albania border. The boy's mother, Xhezide Hoxha (30), has received life-
threatening wounds, too.
Sources said that Ngadh&njim Hoxha was shot yesterday evening, at around 8
p.m., while trying to cross into Albania via the Buna river.
Unwarranted fire was opened on the 12-member Hoxha family by still
unidentified gunmen.
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