Kosova Daily Report #1617, 98-11-20

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

CONTENTS

[01] Press Conference by President Rugova's Press Advisor

[02] Ambassador Hill's Draft for a Settlement in Kosova cannot furnish the basis for an agreement about the issue of Kosova, the Government maintains

[03] Two-Month-Old Baby Who Had Survived the Obria Massacre Dies

[04] Wounded Albanians Under Strict Serb Police Control in Gjakova Hospital

[05] Armed Serbs Prevent Their Albanian Neighbors from Returning to Village

[06] Albanian, Presumably Arrested by Serb Police, Goes Missing Since August

[07] Serb Police Step Up Campaign of Repression, Intimidation and Arrests in Kosova

[01] Press Conference by President Rugova's Press Advisor

The situation in Kosova continues to be grave, Mustafa said at the outset of his remarks, adding that the huge presence of Serbian forces adds to the gravity of the situation.

The Serbian regime has embarked on a campaign of harassment and arrests of Albanian political activists, Mr. Mustafa said, referring amongst others to the cases of senior LDK activists in Gjilan and Gjakova areas. "Serbian show, political trials of young Albanians have continued", he added.

President Ibrahim Rugova's aide called for neither side to obstruct the work of the Verification Mission in Kosova. "The Mission benefits Kosova and the entire region", Mr. Mustafa said.

Greater international security is needed for the displaced Albanian population to be able to return in safety to their homes, Rugova's advisor said, praising the work of NGOs, which have been helping the people of Kosova.

The best solution is independence for Kosova, with all guarantees for local Serbs, and an interim stage international protectorate pending a lasting solution, Mr. Xhemail Mustafa reaffirmed Rugova's longstanding position. He reiterated also the call for the deployment of NATO ground troops in Kosova, "as a measure of security for Kosova and the entire region".

Mustafa thanked the French Government for according President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova the Prize of the Defendants of Human Rights. "This is an acknowledgment and recognition of the rightful policies pursued by President Rugova, and support for the cause of the people of Kosova", Mr. Xhemail Mustafa concluded.

Negotiations to Be Held at Neutral Venue, with Significant International Involvement, Kosova Government Says

[02] Ambassador Hill's Draft for a Settlement in Kosova cannot furnish the basis for an agreement about the issue of Kosova, the Government maintains

Following is the full text of the Kosova Government's statement" (Begin text) "With regard to speculative propaganda proposals and unilateral initiatives for talks in Prishtina on the situation in Kosova with top Serbian officials from Belgrade, the Government of the Republic of Kosova wishes to make the following statement: 1. The Government of the Republic of Kosova reiterates its position that only international mediated negotiations can offer the right framework for the settlement of the Kosova issue and its future status, in accordance with its statement of 3 November. It emphasizes its willingness to participate in such negotiations.

However, the modalities, format, agenda and location, etc., of such talks cannot be unilaterally determined by the Belgrade regime and especially by a subordinate entity of rump Yugoslavia, such as the Serb republic authorities.

2. Before substantial talks can proceed, there must also have been certification that the Belgrade regime is in substantive compliance with its obligations under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions 1199 (1998) and 1160 (1998).

The Government of the Republic of Kosova will fully co-operate to ensure that genuine negotiations can be held in a climate of equality and security for all, at the earliest possible moment. It will also entertain other constructive proposals which may be made soon to ensure that the mandatory demands of the United Nations Security Council have been met in full, and negotiations can start following agreement of basic principles and mandate. The Government of the Republic of Kosova is willing to entertain preliminary conversations to that effect. No preconditions should be established by either party for these talks and negotiations, to be held at a neutral venue, with significant international involvement.

3. The Government of the Republic of Kosova notes that the Belgrade regime continues to violate fundamental international obligations in actively obstructing the implementation of United Nations Security Council mandate of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in relation to the Republic of Kosova. The refusal of access to the investigators and prosecutorial teams of the Tribunal highlights the continued failure on the part of the Yugoslav regime to recognize even the most fundamental humanitarian obligations in relation to the Republic of Kosova.

4. The Government of the Republic of Kosova has noted that a second draft of the Hill Proposal for a Settlement for Kosova has been widely circulated.

The Government of the Republic of Kosova re-affirms that it is not engaged in negotiations on the basis of this draft, and that this draft cannot furnish the basis for an agreement about the issue of Kosova. Instead, it reiterates its general views as to the basis of a settlement which were issued on 3 November. These views were formulated in a constructive spirit and merit serious consideration."

(End text)

[03] Two-Month-Old Baby Who Had Survived the Obria Massacre Dies

In late September, Serb troops executed and massacred 21 members of the Delijaj extended family in Obria village, near Gllogovc.

Several victims had their heads slit, limbs and other parts of bodies cut and scattered in a wooded area near their house.

On 27 September 1998, local activists found Diturie Deliaj alive covered by the dead body of her slain mother. The girl was only weeks old then.

The chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms in Gllogovc said Diturie Delijaj was buried yesterday near her mother's grave in a newly made cemetery at the "Livadhet e Abris&" (The Obria Meadows). Ten members of her family were buried in the same location.

[04] Wounded Albanians Under Strict Serb Police Control in Gjakova Hospital

PRISHTINA, Nov 20 (KIC) - A wounded Albanian, Gjek& Ndreca, from Bitesh village, was recently brought to the Gjakova town Hospital by International Red Cross. The LDK chapter in Gjakova said that the wounded Albanian is being strictly guarded by the Serb police, which is denying access to any one.

Another Albanian, Flamur Abrashi from Gjakova, brought to this hospital in unknown circumstances, is likewise being strictly guarded by Serb policemen in a hospital room.

The LDK chapter in Gjakova and the local human rights group have so far failed to learn how and when the two Albanians were wounded.

LDK sources in Gjakova said that Dr. Pal Leka, an LDK activist, was released yesterday after having been held in Serb custody for about 30 hours. Dr. Leka was arrested at his workplace in the Gjakova hospital on Wednesday. He was ordered to report back today morning at the Serb police station in the town.

Another Albanian, Abdurrahman Zhubi, a correspondent in Gjakova of the Sarajevo-based "Oslobodjenje" newspaper, was likewise held for 30 hours in Serb police custody. Upon his release today, he was ordered to show up again in the police station in Gjakova.

[05] Armed Serbs Prevent Their Albanian Neighbors from Returning to Village

The Prishtina-based Bujku newspaper said a group of about 30 Albanians were escorted by the representatives of the Kosova Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) and EU observers, but were nevertheless denied entry to the village by armed Serbs. The Serbs insisted that the Albanian IDPs obtained special permits from the Serb police in Mitrovica.

Albanian residents of Frash&r were prevented from entering their village on several other instances, the newspaper said. During the summer months they were not allowed to harvest some 100 hectares of wheat fields.

Bujku said that in addition to other weapons, the Serbs posted a machine- gun near the local church in Frash&r on Thursday.

[06] Albanian, Presumably Arrested by Serb Police, Goes Missing Since August

A witness told the LDK chapter in Prizren that Sk&nder Kastrati was initially taken to the Prizren jail. He was later seen in the town hospital in a bad health condition, presumably tortured in custody.

The Serb authorities in the Prizren hospital have denied that Skender Kastrati was hospitalized there this year.

[07] Serb Police Step Up Campaign of Repression, Intimidation and Arrests in Kosova

Below is an account of Serb police practices, as reported by LDK chapter in some of the towns by today (Friday) morning.

Prizren: On Wednesday afternoon (around 3 p.m.), a Serb police maltreated brutally Shefki Rrahmanaj and Reshat Shala, both residents of Prizren. The two Albanians were halted at Hoq& e Qytetit village and were beaten brutally at the spot. Shefki Rrahmanaj was later taken to the police station in the town, where he was held until 21:00 hrs.

Istog: Rifat Sutaj from Carralluka, Daut Nur^aj, and Sokol Berishaj, residents of Kashica village, were harassed for several hours at the Serb police station in the town. The three Albanians, all local LDK activists, were asked to give information regarding people allegedly involved in obtaining weapons for the local population.

Malisheva: Xhafer Sahitaj (47), resident of Panorc village of Malisheva, was beaten brutally at a Serb police checkpoint near Rakovina village of Gjakova. In addition, he was robbed of DM 150, the Malisheva LDK Information Commission said.

Mitrovica: Serb policemen harassed on the streets in Mitrovica last evening Adem Baliu, his sister Shukrije Baliu, and her three kids.

Murat M. Zeqiri (27), resident of Mitrovica, is being held in Serb police custody since Thursday. He was arrested near the marketplace in the town under a still unknown pretext.

The Serb police halted on Thursday morning a bus commuting from Sk&nderaj to Mitrovica, harassing several passengers. Basri Baliu (19) and Sherif Haziri (17) were held for some time in Serb police custody.

Kosova Information Center

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