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Kosova Communication 253 / Feb 19, 96From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)Kosovo News DirectoryKosova CommunicationBulletin of the Ministry of Information of the republic of Kosova5th Year, No 253, 19 February 1996CONTENTS[01] President Rugova Meets Danish Foreign Minister Petersen[02] Bukoshi: No return for Kosova[03] Demai Meets British Embassy Representatives[04] Who Controls the IFRC Humanitarian Aid in Kosova?[05] Explosions reported in Serbian Refugee camps in Kosova[06] Difficult health situation in Kosova[07] Month of Solidarity with Kosova miners[08] Tense political situation in FYROM[09] News in Brief[01] President Rugova Meets Danish Foreign Minister PetersenCopenhagen, 14 February (Bujku) - Denmark will follow developments in Kosova closely and will work on the Kosova issue within the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), stated Mr. Niels Helveg Petersen, Danish Foreign Minister, during a meeting in Copenhagen with Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, President of Kosova. President Rugova spoke on the situation in Kosova. An independent and neutral state of Kosova, open to both Albania and Serbia, is the optimal solution to the Kosova issue, Dr. Rugova said, adding that such a framework would open the prospects for the establishment of a lasting and stable peace in the Balkan region.Dr. Rugova said he has been pressing for a temporary international civil administration in Kosova, which would avert the possibility of a conflict and pave the way for a negotiated and peaceful settlement to the Kosva issue. Denmark can contribute much in this regard within European institutions, President Rugova said and called on the Danish government to establish its presence in Kosova by opening a representative office in Prishtina.
[02] Bukoshi: No return for KosovaBonn 15 February - Bujar Bukoshi, Prime Minister of Kosova reacted to recent statements by the President of the rump Yugoslavia, Zoran Lilic, who recently visited Prishtina. Bukoshi stated that instead of uttering rhetoric and mythical lies, the Belgrade representative should be worrying about the imminent appearance of some of his associates and accomplices before the International Tribunal in the Hague. He demanded that Lilic refrain interfering in Kosovas internal affairs, and instead orders to end the campaign of bombs, explosions and other forms of ethnic provocation.Bukoshi continued that a declaration that a full autonomy for Kosova will lead nowhere cannot be more than true and relevant today. The puppet representative of the rump state echoed the belief of the Albanian political forces that oppose the autonomy, which, at best, has proved transitory. In ending Bukoshi stated that there was no turning back for Kosova and Belgrade can no longer decide Kosovas future - we have taken our future into our own hands.
[03] Demai Meets British Embassy RepresentativesPrishtina, 13 February - Mr. Adem Demai, Chair of the Prishtina-based Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF). met in Prishtina with Mr. Nat Dawbarn, First Secretary of the British Embassy in Belgrade, and Ms. Cornela Sorabji, who is due take up the position as First Secretary soon. The Serbian police are the law and constitution here in Kosova, Mr. Demai said, adding that the international community was not showing enough understanding for the problems of the Albanian nation. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the readiness of some Western states to recognise the rump- Yugoslavia despite the fact that it does not satisfy any of the preconditions that would open her door towards Europe. All rights that Kosova Albanians used to enjoy should be restored prior to any constructive peace talks process, the CDHRF chair concluded noting that only independence of Kosova can open prospects for peace in the region.
[04] Who Controls the IFRC Humanitarian Aid in Kosova?Prishtina, 12 February - The Head of the sub-delegation of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Prishtina, Kjell Andersen, told todays Prishtina-based Serbian daily Jedinstvo that this international humanitarian organisation, in co-operation with the [Serb-run] Kosova Red Cross, has during past year distributed in Kosova 1.633.738.09 kilograms of humanitarian aid. Eighty-two per cent of the aid was in the form of food supply and most of it was distributed in the Prishtina municipality, Mr. Andersen told the Serbian newspaper that the organisation he represents is mainly engaged in humanitarian activity and does not favour neither side, yet, the IFRC representatives in Prishtina, since the establishment of their activities in Kosova, have ignored the Kosova Red Cross, run by the Albanians, despite the fact that 90 per cent of the population in Kosova are Albanians. Questions have arisen as to how much of the above mentioned aid was distributed to the Albanian population? Albanian representatives of the Kosova Red Cross say that they have had little contact with IFRC and no co-operation whatsoever. The secretary of the Serb-run Kosova Red Cross, told the newspaper that the association together with the IFRC, has established soup kitchens in areas mainly populated by Serbs.
[05] Explosions reported in Serbian Refugee camps in KosovaPrishtina, 16 February - The Serbian media have recently reported about a series of alleged explosions in different towns in Kosova, in places where Serb refugees from Croatia have been housed. The reports have not quoted official Serbian sources, nor do they offer detailed accounts on the explosions. On Sunday evening, between 21:00 and 22:00 hrs, explosions were reported in half a dozen Kosova towns, namely Serb refugee camps: in Prishtina, Podujeva, Mitrovica, Vushtrri, Peja and Suhareka. The Serbian Tanjug news agency does not mention Podujeva. Tanjug said there was considerable material damage, but no casualties were reported in the wake of the explosions. The Prishtina-based Serbian daily Jedinstvo said in todays issue explosive substances were planted at the Karagaq (Peja), while in Mitrovica at buildings of the former orphanage, where 68 refugees have been accommodated. At the time of the explosions none of the residents was inside, the newspaper said. Albanian sources from the municipalities have not reported on the alleged explosions so far. Reports from Peja and Podujeva say, however, that massive Serbian police interventions against people who happened to be in pubs and cafes near the alleged venues of the explosions occurred late on Sunday. A number of Albanians have been reported maltreated and taken to the Serbian police stations. There has been an increased in Serbian police build-up in the capital of Kosova, Prishtina, on Monday and Tuesday.Some 20 Serb policemen arrested and maltreated the former Kosova Albanian police officers: Drgut Bibaj, Agush Ibishi, Zaj Goi, Selman Rugova, Shaban Niki, Hilmi Sopi and Ram Berisha.. Some members of the Trade Unions of former policemen, including Mehmet Haskaj, Vllaznim Shehu, Gani Hajdari, and Zeqir Kelmendi - were also taken to Serbian police station. They were released after 5 hours of maltreatment Officials in Belgrade has yet to comment on these explosions. The Serbian Radical Party was quick to say that this was a terrorist attack on Serbian refugees. Several other Serbian papers did not hesitate to blame Albanians for the explosions. The Belgrade Based pro-government Vecernje Novosti wrote about political terrorism, while Prishtinas Jedinstvo called it a terrorist attack. Since their arrival in Kosova, Serbian refugees have caused several incidents. Recently in Dean they attacked an Albanian family, killing one and wounding four other members of the family.
[06] Difficult health situation in KosovaPrishtina, 12 February -A round table on the health situation in Kosova was held recently in Prishtina. Participants were Dr.Adem Limani, Minister of Health , and Dr. Isuf Dedushaj , chairman of the Kosova Red Cross. The Albanian weekly Zeri reported this event. During period 1946 -1995, the epidemics situation in Kosova was uncertain. Almost every other Kosova inhabitant was affected by aN infectious disease. Since 1990 until September 1995 there have been 175,164 recorded cases of infectious disease, or about 31,570 diseased per 100,000 inhibitions. 1,012 of which were fatal. According to Serbian institute for Health protection in Kosova, in 1991-1994 there were91 epidemics in Kosova, including that of Abdominal typhus (1994) and that of heamorragic fever (1995). Intestine infectious diseases are a problem on itself in Kosova, causing death of at least 674 people.Poliomeliti eradicated in 1983 reappeared in 1990. Officially there were 24 recorded cases of this disease but other sources say there were 30. Tetanus cases have also increased (22 during period 1990 - 1994), mainly due to poor conditions for labour. The deterioration of the health situation in Kosova is also due to the low level of vaccination(70% in 1989 and only 50% in 1995) as well as poor hygienic conditions (only 44% of the population drinks clean water and only 30% of living premises are connected to a water and sewage system). The statistics show that that the deterioration increased following the abolition of the autonomy of Kosova in 1989. In1990 coercive management was introduced to Kosovas health system, initially at three Prishtina University Medical Faculty clinics (gynaecology, surgery and internal diseases) and then at all major health centres throughout Kosova. At that time the number of Albanian medical employees numbered 14,500 or 72% of all medical workers. Presently 2170 (or 23% of them) have been dismissed from their jobs leaving others under total Serbian control. Meanwhile 2,500 Serbs were recruited to replace dismissed Albanian medical workers
[07] Month of Solidarity with Kosova minersPrishtina, 14 February - February 1996 has been declared month of solidarity with miners of Kosova. The government of Kosova also supports this activity. At a press conference held in Prishtina, Bahri Shabani, Chair of the Miners Independent Union stated that 1,915 families of miners (or 13,405 people) are on permanent welfare and 126 others from time to time. 7,275 , 96.5 % of all miners, have been dismissed from their jobs in arbitrary way by the Serbian authorities. At least 537 miners (179 with their families) were forced to emigrate. 3,388 miners were received sentences up to 14 months imprisonment while 234 others were tortured and ill-treated.
[08] Tense political situation in FYROMShkup/Skopje 14 February - A new government was announced in the FYROM. The Party for Democratic Prosperity (PPD) , an Albanian party, was given 5 ministerial posts, one more than the previous occasion .Other Albanian political parties in the FYROM, National Democratic Party (PDP) and Party for Democratic Prosperity of Albanians (PPDSH) have accused the PDP having joined the government without a clear platform for the solution of major Albanian problems, and that they let slip the Ministry of Culture and did not put enough efforts to get the Ministry of Education especially as they knew the importance of education and culture for Albanians in current circumstances.
[09] News in BriefBujanoc 10 February - Osman Shabani, aged 28, a taxi driver from Ternovc i Madh village of Bujanovc was found murdered between Klenik and Tergovishte villages in the vicinity of Vranje (Serbia), the Information Service of the Party for Democratic Action (PVD) in Bujanovc told Bujku newspaper. Sulejmani was killed by Nebojsa Jovanovic (22) from Seac village near Bujanovc, who has been arrested. According to the newspaper Jovanovic confessed to committing the murder. The key motive for the murder was money.Gjakova, 12 February - The Serbian installed so-called medical inspectors from Peja closed down, a Mother Teresa humanitarian medical centre in Gjakova. This medical centre, which provides free medical assistance, has been under the persistent surveillance of the Serbian medical inspectors since its establishment three months ago. Prishtina, 13 February - Momcilo Trajkovic, Director of the Agricultural company Ratar from Lapleselo near Prishtina, threatened to demolish all Albanian owned houses near his property unless the owners agree to pay him DEM 1,500 for every are of land they posses. The Albanians , who moved here 20 years ago, have all necessary deeds. Trajkovic, a former high communist official was appointed the Governor of Kosova following the declaration of martial law in Kosova. He is the leader of the so called Serbian Movement for Resistance in Kosovo Polje and high level official of Serbian Social-Democratic Party. Prishtina 13 February - Former Albanian policemen: Dergut Bibaj, Gani Hajdari, Shaban Shala, Sherif Shala and Xhevat Ibraj were released on bail. During the Serbian campaign against former Kosova Albanian policemen they were sentenced by a kangaroo court in Peja and were held in Dubrava Jail near Istog. Following their appeal, the Serbian Court of Appeals referred the case to the initial Court for retrial. Prishtina 15 February - Serbian run Magistrates Court in Gjilan sentenced Xhemajl Morina (1959), from Topanice (Kamenice) tofive years imprisonment for allegedly posessing armswithout a licence. Prishtina,15 February - Vesna Peshic, Chai of the Citizens Aliance of Serbia,at a press conference stated that the problem of Kosova and its political prisoners and those of Sandjak should be on the agenda adding that without a solution of the issue of human rights inKosova and the issue of Kosova Albanians in general Belgrade can not integrate into international institutions.
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