Kosova Communication # 262

From: kosova@gn.apc.org (Kosova Information Centre)

Kosovo News Directory

Kosova Communication

Bulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova

5th year, No. 262, 29 April 1996

CONTENTS

[01] Five killed, four wounded in incidents in Kosova

At the Cafe akorr in Dean, owned by Danilo Stasevic, Stana Radusinovic (48), employee of the Cafe, Serbian refugee from Albania, Djordje Dragic from Pancevo (Vojvodina) and Blagoje Okulic from Bolec, both employees of the Prishtina based building company Unikop that is building settlements for Serbian colonists, were killed. Branko Bibic, the worker of the same company was wounded. The gunmen then fired several times at the Albanian owned Cafe Rudina and at the Deteks shop.

Near a shop called Mimoza in Shtime, Milenko Bucic (24), a policemen from Brus (Serbia) was shot dead. Near the Blood Bridge in Mitrovica, Dragana Nesic (19) from Prishtina was also shot dead.

Close to the Wood Corporation in Peja shots were fired at a police patrol. Safet Kocan (26) from Peja and Zoran Dashic (26) from Gorazhdevc near Peja.

The perpetrators of these crimes remain unknown. Serbian police have increased control and searches. 78 Albanians were arrested. They have been all subjected to police torture and have had their houses raided. Tension in Kosova continues to rise.

Serbian Army movements have also been observed. An army unit has been stationed at Qafa e Duhles near Suha Reka. The Serbian Army is parading the streets of Kosova towns, especially in Shtime and Mitrovica. Mobilisation of Serbian reserve forces occured all over Kosova.

[02] Bomb explosion kills one and wounds three children

Nexhat Rifat Hetemi (13) died on the way to Prishtina hospital.

Fatmir Sahit Hetemi (13), Arsim Sahit Hetemi (8) and Xhavit Ahmet Hetemi (15) were wounded.

The bomb was thrown from a car travelling toward Prishtina while the children were playing.

[03] Albanian President on latest events in Kosova

Berisha urged Kosova Albanians for self-restraint to avoid the escalation of the terror. He called upon the international community to undertake the necessary steps to solve the Kosova issue, as a condition for long lasting peace in the Balkans

[04] Kosova Government statement regarding the latest developments in Kosova

The Government of the Republic of Kosova, fully aware of the tense situation after this weeks shootings, expresses its deep concern at this turn o events. The incidents of this week are a culmination of many years of repression and mistreatment by the Serbian criminal regime and show how easily a volatile situation can escalate.

These events show that uncontrolled Serbian conduct can plunge Kosova into ethnic conflict and jeopardise the region at large.

Such Serbian scenarios, like the aggression against Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia are well-known. The Government of Kosova is of the opinion that the present situation, which is part of an equally familiar scenario, should lead to negotiations. Under these circumstances, on behalf of the people of Kosova, I call upon the Serbian military machine to immediately and unconditionally stop its provocations. I call upon the Belgrade regime to immediately put an end to its invasive practices and substitute bullets with talks and dialogue. I call upon the international community to intervene before it is too late, to pressure Belgrade towards an understanding of the limits of infringement upon the rights of others, and start talks on this basis. I call upon the Serbs in Kosova to beware not to fall prey to their masters deadly passion, and to think well before deciding to exacerbate the situation.

Lastly, I call upon the citizens of my country to support this approach and give peace a chance, give dialogue on an equal footing a chance, but not to give up their chance indeed their obligation, to defend Kosova and the lives of their brethren.

[05] President Rugova addresses Belgian Parliament

President Rugova, on the same day had separate meetings with Mr. Hans Van Den Broek, EU Commissioner for Foreign Relations, and Mrs Elizabeth Rehn, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, to discuss latest developments in Kosova.

Dr. Rugova asked the EU Foreign Relations Commissioner's support in search of a just solution to the Kosova issue. Mr. Van Den Broek said that the Kosova issue was a serious problem which required a quick and just settlement and vowed his commitment in this direction. He acknowledged the significance of the peaceful policies of the Kosova people and President Rugova himself in averting an open conflict. The EU Commissioner said relations with Belgrade would not be normalize completely without the satisfactory settlement of the Kosova issue. ,P>The European Commissioner said he was aware of the seriousness of the Kosova problem and the large-scale repression against Albanians. The Kosova issue remains on the international agenda, Van Den Broek concluded.

Meanwhile, President Rugova discussed the recent developments in Kosova with Elizabeth Rehn, UN Human Rights Rapporteur.

She said her activities will be focussed on Kosova, adding that in order to get acquainted with the situation she would be visiting Prishtina in early May.

On 25 April President Rugova met in Brussels with Mr. Erik Derycke, Foreign Minister of Belgium.

The Belgian Foreign Minister, Mr. Erik Derycke, said his country was well aware of the plight of Kosova and the Albanian question in general. The international community is aware of the facet that peace can be seriously jeopardized unless a just settlement to the Kosova issue is found, Erik Derycke said.

[06] Seven Kosova Albanian Parties write to Agneli

We are of the opinion that the recognition of Yugoslavia by several Western countries, and the announcement of others to continue that process, following an agreement reached by Belgrade and Shkup(Skopje), is in fact a cynical crowning of the policies of concessions towards Serbia - says the letter.

Any eventual agreement on Kosova or regarding Kosova, regardless of whether they are political, economical or social, will be considered worthless and by any means non-obliging - concludes the letter signed by the Parliamentarian Party of Kosova, Albanian Demo-Christian Party, Social Democratic Party, Albanian National-Democratic Party, National Unity Party (UNIKOMB), Liberal Party and Albanian National Party.

[07] 10,000 women pay tribute to murdered student

This gathering calls upon human consciousness and international decision making centres to urgently consider the solution of the Kosova issue - stated Edi Shukru, chair of the LDKs Womens Forum.

[08] Albanian position has deteriorated

He called the decision by the Montenegrin Government to ban several paragraphs of the Statute of the Ulqin Municipality, which grant some rights to Albanians, a dangerous game. He condemned the plans of the Government to settle Serbian refugees in Albanian regions. According to him, the permanent settlement of refugees in Ulqin and seizure of land for plots in Tuz would help alter the ethnic structure in the region and possibly cause the assimilation of Albanians.

[09] News in brief

Pristine, 25 April - The Commission for Human Rights adopted a resolution for yhe Former Yugoslavia, condeming violence in Kosova. It was adopted by 39 votes for, none against, and 11 abstentions. Prior to voting, the Russian delegation demanded amendments, especially on paragraphs dealing with Kosova. The Commission however did not consider Russian proposals. The Resolution condemns the continous repression against the Albanians and underlines that respect for human and political liberties in Kosova will help FRY ( Serbia and Montenegro ) to restore relations with the International Community.

Luxemburg, 22 April - Around 10.000 Albanians protested today, in front of the Palace where a meeting of the Council of Ministers of the European Union was being held, to demand the recognition of Kosovas independence. The demonstrators were saluted by Andre Rolinger, on behalf of the Society of Endangered Peoples (headquarters in Gotingen - Sweden ), President of the European Parliament Claus Hensen, etc.

Prishtina, 22 April - Recently, in Prishtina the second Annual Conference of the Party of National Unity was held. Mr. Ukshin Hoti, currently in prison, was re-elected as its chairman . Mr. Hoti was in 1994 sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Serbian courton political grounds.

[10] In the function of ethnic cleansing

Arbitrary taxing

Prishtina, 3 April - The Gjakova tax office has announced that taxes are to rise about 250-300 per cent compared with last year.

Intervention at schools

Vushtrri, 23 April - A Serbian police patrol intervened again at the technical secondary school Marin Bicikemi in Vushtrri.

Identification cards of the headmaster Qazim Ademi and teachers Bahrie Gjushinca, Muharrem Qirezi and Ali Miftari were seized. They were summoned to report to the local police station.

Robbing

Podujeve, 20 April - Serbian police sealed off the market in Podujeva and seized large amounts of goods and money from the Albanian merchants. Goods valued at 700 DM and 600 DM were seized from Beqir Ferizi and Muhamet Tullari.