Kosova Daily Report #1316, 98-01-09

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From: Kosova Information Center <kic_pr@zana-pr.ztn.apc.org>

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1316

Prishtina, 9 January 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Receives French Diplomat

[02] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

[03] Kosova Parliament Commissions Demand Protection of Kosova Natural Wealth

[01] President Rugova Receives French Diplomat

President Rugova and the French diplomat engaged in a lengthy discussion about the current situation in Kosova.

President Rugova said the Serbian regime's repression against Albanians has been continuing with impunity. In spite of this, the people of Kosova continue to press ahead for freedom and independence of their country by peaceful and utterly democratic means, the President said.

The French diplomat said France has been closely watching the situation in Kosova, pressing for a resolution through democratic and peaceful means.

President Rugova thanked France for the concern over the situation in Kosova and for its efforts for a resolution of the Kosova issue.

[02] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

Speaking in his first press conference this year, President Rugova said that Kosova's position, both in domestic and international respects, is stronger now. He called on the citizens of Kosova to intensify efforts in the bid to build democratic institutions of Kosova.

Referring to remarks made earlier this week by Ambassador Robert Gelbard, Special Representative of the President Clinton and Secretary of State, that the US government "considers Kosovo to be an issue of very, very high priority and tremendous concern", Dr. Rugova expressed his appreciations to the USA for what he called "continuous consideration and concern for Kosova".

Touching upon the situation in Kosova, President Kosova noted with concern that the situation has continued to be grave and dangerous amidst systematic Serb regime repressive policies. Scores of Albanians, including common citizens and political activists, bore the brunt of Serb police repression throughout Kosova over the past days, he said. He recalled the during the peaceful protest of Prishtina University students in Prishtina and other towns, scores of protesters were subjected to Serb police brutalities, of whom over 85 having suffered injuries. He called for an immediate cessation of Serb regime repression and the release of political prisoners, including the leader of the Unikomb Party and lecturer of the Prishtina University, Mr. Ukshin Hoti.

President Rugova reconfirmed that the best solution for Kosova is independence and neutrality as opted by its inhabitants in the national Referendum, with all the guarantees for the Serbs of Kosova. An international civil protectorate over Kosova would serve in reaching a peaceful solution for the Kosova issue, he said.

Asked by a questioner whether he expected a beginning of dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade soon, Dr. Rugova said that efforts are being made to that end. He underlined that serious talks can only be held with the presence and under auspices of a third international party.

Asked to comment on his doubts expressed earlier over the existence of the so-called Liberation Army of Kosova, Dr. Rugova said he did not still have a second opinion about it, for as he said, he did not have information about it. He recalled that there have been incidents and casualties in Kosova by frustrated people and by Serb police too. "I would in no way like to see the spiral of violence sprawling in Kosova, because that would be dangerous for citizens of Kosova and the south-east European region", the President said.

Asked about the level of unity in the Kosova policies, President Rugova said that in spite of difference, all the political forces maintain a uniform and strong position regarding Kosova's independence. "Diversity of opinions is only a fact of the political pluralism we have been building here under harsh conditions of Serb domination", President Ibrahim Rugova concluded.

[03] Kosova Parliament Commissions Demand Protection of Kosova Natural Wealth

They call on foreign governments, institutions and businessmen to abolish any transaction or deals with the so-called "FRY", which anticipate the exploitation of Kosova wealth and natural resources.

*** Following is the text of the Pronouncement: (Begin text) In view of: - the right of peoples to protect their natural resources and reproducible assets; - the UN Charter (1945), Un Pact on Economic Rights (1966), UN General Assembly resolution No. 1514 XV, dated 14 December 1960: UN General Assembly Resolution dated 12 December, as well as A/Res/49/40 dated 9 December 1994; - the legitimate right of the autochthonous Albanian people, as permanent citizens in the territory of Kosova; - the rights of the people living in Kosova, including Albanians, guaranteed by the 1990 Constitution of the Republic of Kosova; - the commitment of the Albanian people to stability and peace, rather that conflicts; - the protection of the national sovereignty and wealth (natural resources and reproducible assets); - the resolution on the protection of Kosova's natural resources from Serb colonial exploitation. adopted on 21 May 1996 by the commissions of the Parliament of Kosova dealing with economic- financial and natural resources;

The Commission for Economy and Finances and the Commission for Industry, Power Industry and Natural Resources of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova herewith issue this PRONOUNCEMENT against foreign exploitation of the natural resources, reproducible assets (national wealth) and industrial facilities in the Republic of Kosova.

1. Kosova has publicly declared its goal and aspiration, opting in the 1991 national plebiscite for an independent and sovereign state, pursuant to the right of peoples to self-determination up to and including secession; 2. The 1974 Constitution vested Kosova with the powers of a state, being as it was one of the eight equitable units of the former Yugoslav federation; by virtue of this Kosova had its own borders (the existing ones) as well as the autonomous social, economic, and political powers; 3. Making great sacrifices, Kosova achieved considerable economic potentials, the foundations for its future development and prosperity; 4. The overwhelming majority of those having a job in the public sector in Kosova were Albanian, although their number failed by far to reflect their participation in the overall population in Kosova; 5. Positive economic trends were discontinued by the end of 1980s, when a national and chauvinist Serbian-Montenegrin clique seized control of all power, including the police and military. This regime started in 1990 dismissing Albanians from work, thus depriving them of employment rights, as well as shares from the assets they had produced themselves.

6. Over 150 000 Albanians, dismissed from work by force, and having suffered outrageous repression an oppression, do nevertheless consider that the natural resources and the reproducible assets (the national wealth) belong to them and nobody else.

7. The Serbian-Montenergin authorities exercise an utterly colonial policy towards Kosova. They have no right to dispossess Albanians of their national wealth. But, this is what they have been doing in Kosova. This arbitrary denial of the right of Albanians to ownership of their national wealth has since 1990 paved the way for merging of Kosovar public economy with Serbia's, illegal ownership transformation as well as pillage of the national wealth of Kosova.

The ultimate goal of these moves was to ensure that even after ownership transformation and privatization of the public (socially- owned) property, laws on concessions and foreign investments has been passed, Albanians be deprived of the right to have shares in and run their own capital.

8. By forcefully dismissing from public sector jobs of over 150 000 Albanians, Serbia and Montenegro aimed to achieve two goals: a) to pave the way for their unrestricted control over Kosovar resources and economic facilities; and b) to pauperize the Albanian people, make it flee its centuries-old homeland, and look for mercy in European metropolises and elsewhere.

The intended results have been: a) depriving Albanians of the elementary right to live; b) carry out a quiet ethnic cleansing of Kosova, and old Serb scheme.

9. The Serbian-Montenegrin regime has gone further in its drive to ruin the economic basis of Kosova. In the first half of the year 1997, Serbia offered Greece concessions in the "Trep^a" mines as well as other facilities, which operate as end-product facilities within the "Trep^a" conglomerate. In addition, a deal was stricken with the Italian and Greek states, selling them the right of exploitation of the Kosova PTT system; 10. Such deals constitute flagrant violations of the right of Kosovar employees and citizens. No concession will be accepted as valid unless the authorities of the Republic of Kosova have participated in the conclusion of it, or else given their consent.

These deals between states represent a further denial of rights of Albanians, but also other people living in Kosova; 11. Therefore, the Commission for Economy and Finances and the Commission for Industry, Power Industry and Natural Resources of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova, based on the above-said, strongly denounce and oppose: a) The governments of Serbia and Montenegro, namely the government of the self-proclaimed Yugoslavia, and demand that they lay their had off our wealth, be it natural or reproducible resources; b) These resources and assets have always rightfully belonged to Kosova, and all should know that this regime and this policy of hegemony and colonialist rule cannot last forever. Therefore, due indemnity will be sought at the end of the day; c) Foreign governments, institutions and businessmen should themselves abolish such illegal deals. Otherwise, the Albanian people will treat them as neo-colonialists and will demand reparations Commission for Economy and Finances of the Republic of Kosova Salih Bajra, Chairman Commission for Industry, Power Industry and Natural Resources Burhan Kavaja, Chairman (End text)

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