Kosova Daily Report #1323, 98-01-20

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

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1323

Prishtina, 20 January 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Receives British Ambassador

[02] Adem Dema^i Refuses to Run for Kosova's President

[03] Recently Repatriated Albanian Tortured Severely in Serb Custody

[04] Albanian from Prizren 16 Times at the Serbian Police Station

[05] Heavy Serbian Police Forces Conduct Thorough Search of Passers-by in Vushtrri

[06] Serbian Police Ill-treats Many Residents at Qaf& e Duhl&s

[01] President Rugova Receives British Ambassador

During a frank and lengthy discussion, President Rugova and the British Ambassador exchanged views on the current situation in Kosova, and prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Kosova problem.

President Rugova said the Serbian regime has been continuing its campaign of violence and repression against Albanians in Kosova.

The recent wave of violence is aimed at undermining the peaceful struggle of the people of Kosova for freedom and independence, Dr. Rugova emphasized.

President Rugova said the people of Kosova is committed to a peaceful and political resolution for the Kosova issue. He reaffirmed that Kosova, as an independent and neutral country, open both to Serbia and Albania, is an optimal solution to the Kosova issue, noting that genuine talks between Prishtina and Belgrade, under international mediation, are necessary in search of a peaceful solution to the Kosova crisis.

The British Ambassador to Belgrade, Brian Donelley, said Great Britain was concerned over the situation in Kosova. He stressed interest and efforts of the United Kingdom and European Union to support a peaceful resolution to the Kosova problem, through dialogue. Acts of violence in Kosova may be detrimental to efforts for a political resolution of the Kosova issue, Ambassador Donelley said.

President Rugova thanked the British government for the continued concern over the situation in Kosova, and for its efforts to support a political settlement in Kosova.

[02] Adem Dema^i Refuses to Run for Kosova's President

In a press release issued on Monday the PPK said that Party's Presidency, in a meeting held on Sunday, nominated Adem Dema^i for the presidential candidate. Mr. Dema^i will be the only PPK candidate for the President of Kosova, the statement said.

Meanwhile, in a written statement today Adem Dema^i said he refused the candidacy for the president of Kosova. Dema^i underlined that the party had not consulted him prior to deciding his nomination for a presidential candidate, and that such a decision was made against his will.

Adem Dema^i also said that he refused the post of a Chairman of the newly founded Democratic Forum of Kosova, an alliance made up by several political parties, human rights and trade unions groups.

The major political force in Kosova, the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK), turned down the offer to join the Forum.

The Prishtina-based Bujku newspaper has quoted today one of the PPK vice- chairmen, Bajram Kosumi as saying that in a meeting held on Monday the Democratic Forum elected Adem Dema^i the chairman of the alliance, while Ms. Luljeta Pula-Beqiri, chairwoman of the Social Democratic Party of Kosova, was elected vice-chair. Neither Mr.Dema^i nor Ms Pula-Beqiri attended the meeting but possibilities for their election in leading posts of the Forum were discussed earlier he said. Luljeta Pula accepted it, while Adem Dema^i was conferred in several telephone conversations, he said, adding that "practically there were no obstacles for the election of the top leadership of this democratic body."

[03] Recently Repatriated Albanian Tortured Severely in Serb Custody

Mr. Jashari was sent to the Serb-run jail in Prishtina and was held there until yesterday, 19 January.

"He was tortured severely by the Serbian police while in custody.

He has been inflicted heavy body injuries," his brother told the newspaper.

While in custody the Serbian police and security interrogated him of his activities in Germany, and charged him of having been involved in "hostile activity" against so-called FRY.

Mr. Jashari is under constant medical treatment because of the wounds and fractions he received from the police torture.

He was ordered by the police to report at the Serbian security again.

[04] Albanian from Prizren 16 Times at the Serbian Police Station

He was stopped while driving. The police searched his car thoroughly, looking for weapons Mr. Kryeziu was allegedly in possession of. Consequently, he was arrested without any explanation and taken to the police station in Prizren.

At the police station he was interrogated about his brother, currently living in Albania.

Before released the police threatened him they will liquidate him in case he doesn't turn in the weapon they required from him.

Yesterday was the 16th time Mr. Kryeziu was detained and interrogated.

[05] Heavy Serbian Police Forces Conduct Thorough Search of Passers-by in Vushtrri

The searching lasted until 10.30 p.m.

[06] Serbian Police Ill-treats Many Residents at Qaf& e Duhl&s

A great number of residents were ill-treated and beaten on the spot, many others were taken to the police station in Suhareka, LDK sources say.

Many were ill-treated and tortured under the charges that they may be members of the so-called Kosova Liberation Army (U^K), others were pressured to sign papers certifying they were actual members of U^K.

The police brutalities lasted until next day at noon.

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