Kosova Daily Report #1366, 98-03-09

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1366
Prishtina, 9 March 1998

First Edition: 10:45
Second Edition: 16:00
Third Edition: 20:00

CONTENTS

[01] Families Ask for International-Authorized Post Mortem Obduction of Albanians Massacred By Serb Forces

[02] Heavy Serb Police Presence in Prishtina

[03] Serb Police Cracks Down on Albanians as Peaceful Protests Begin

[04] March 10 and 11 - National Days of Mourning in Kosova

[05] There are 16 Children, 13 Women and 7 Old Men Among 52 Victims of Prekaz

[06] Contact Group Adopts a Range of Measures against Belgrade over Kosova Crackdown

[07] Serb Forces Wound by Fire Arms at Least 15 Peaceful Protestors in Istog

[08] Skenderaj Faces Shortage of Food and Other Supplies, Residents Appeal for Help

[09] Accounts on Peaceful Protests Staged in Kosova Monday

[10] Serb Forces Beat Humanitarian Activists

[11] Medical Workers Beaten Severely in Rahovec

[12] Fresh Serb Forces Deployed to Mitrovica from Serbia, CFDHRF Reported

[13] At Least 10 Thousands Displaced People Find Shelter Outside Drenica

[01] Families Ask for International-Authorized Post Mortem Obduction of Albanians Massacred By Serb Forces

The Serb police transported the bodies from the Serb-run Hospital Morgue in Prishtina to the Skenderaj ('Srbica') health center around 21:00 Sunday.

The accurate number of the bodies is unknown. Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) sources put the number at 62 (sixty two).

Sources from Skenderaj told KIC Serb police/security asked the family members of some of the killed Albanians to collect their bodies and bury them immediately.

The Serb regime apparently wishes in this way to cover up all evidence about its horrendous atrocities, the killing of civilian Albanians, including women, children, old men and entire families.

The families have refused to pick up and bury the bodies of their people killed by Serbs. They want a post mortem obduction by forensic experts authorized by an international organization.

Initially, the Serbian police said during its crackdown on Prekaz and Skenderaj it had killed 20 Albanian 'terrorists'. Later, the Serb police said 26 Albanians were killed.

The remains of the killed Albanians were left for two days scattered about in ruined homes, yards, and fields. They were collected Saturday evening during a clean-up operation of Serb forces in advance of a Serb-sponsored tour of Prekaz i Ul&t by Belgrade-based diplomats and a number of journalists.

[02] Heavy Serb Police Presence in Prishtina

A week ago today, tens of thousands of Albanians took to the streets in Prishtina to protest the first Serb onslaught on Drenica on 28 February and 1 March 1998, leaving 26 Albanians killed, including ten members of the Ahmeti family, who were summarily executed by Serb forces.

Around 300 protesters were beaten up severely or injured, according to human rights groups.

[03] Serb Police Cracks Down on Albanians as Peaceful Protests Begin

Sources in Klina said that Serb police patrols have been stationed in the key places of the small town, preventing anyone from moving to the venue of the protest.

Several people have been beaten up brutally in the vicinity of the local secondary school, including the school principal, LDK sources said.

Meanwhile, LDK sources in Istog reported of stepped up presence and movements of Serb police in the town. The police has been preventing people from gathering and moving towards the town center where the peaceful protest is planned to take place.

At 9:45 the police fired several shots in the air, sources said.

Half-an-hour peaceful protest rallies have been scheduled today (Monday) in all the municipal centres of Kosova, including the Kosova capital, Prishtina.

Initiated by political parties and student and trade-union organizations, huge protest rallies will be held under the motto "For Peace, against Violence, War and Serb Terror".

The protests start at 11:00.

[04] March 10 and 11 - National Days of Mourning in Kosova

This is in honor of the Albanians massacred by Serb forces in the Prekaz i Poshtėm and Llashua villages in the region of Drenica over the last few days.

[05] There are 16 Children, 13 Women and 7 Old Men Among 52 Victims of Prekaz

The source said 45 persons are natives of Prekaz, whereas one person is native of Dubovc, a guest in one of the Albanian families in Prekaz when the attack began.

There are 13 children (9 boys and 4 girls), 12 women and 7 old men among those killed by Serb forces.

Sources said three corpses were carbonated.

Sources said they had identified 30 victims, adding the identification of some of the victims was very difficult.

They said a Serbian police officer had said there were two more dead bodies in the morgue of the Prishtina hospital. The LDK branch in Skenderaj fear the number of the persons killed may be higher.

Meanwhile, Prekaz remains sealed off today, too.

In Llausha village the Serbian forces have killed six people. One has been buried, whereas the dead bodies of five others are still above the ground, said LDK sources. The people there cannot bury the dead out of the fear from snipers who have been keeping the Llausha village under siege.

It has been confirmed that the number of Albanians killed and massacred during the criminal attack of Serbian forces in the Drenica region has reached 52 so far. It is inconclusive, though.

There is no information as to the time when the burial ceremony will take place.

The families of the deceased and the Albanian political parties and humanitarian associations have requested an international forensic expertise, to investigate the massacres of the Albanian population and families in Drenica region.

[06] Contact Group Adopts a Range of Measures against Belgrade over Kosova Crackdown

The meeting lasted for a couple of hours longer than expected.

The ministers came up with a four-page statement on Kosova and measures against Belgrade.

The statement recalled the Contact Group's position on the need for dialogue ("without preconditions") towards a political solution.

"We note with particular concern the recent violence in Kosovo resulting in at least 80 fatalities and condemn the use if excessive force by Serbian police against civilians", the minister said in the statement.

The Contact Group said it condemned "terrorist actions by the Kosovo Liberation Army or any other group or individual".

The Ministers called on the Belgrade authorities to "invite independent forensic experts to investigate the very serious allegations of extrajudicial killings".

The Contact Group ministers meeting in London said it decided to take a broad range of action to address the current situation on an urgent basis. It "welcomes the continuation of consultations in the United Nations Security Council, in view of the implications of the situation in Kosovo for regional security".

Against this background, the six-nation Contact Group requests a mission to Kosova by the UNHCR; urges the office of the Prosecutor of the ICTY to begin gathering information related to the violence in Kosova that "may fall within its jurisdiction"; supports the proposal for a new mission by Felipe Gonzales as the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in- Office for the FRY that would include a new and specific mandate for addressing the problems in Kosova.

"It is not enough for the killing (in Kosova) to stop", the statement said. Because of the gravity of the situation, the Contact Group endorsed today the following measures to be pursued immediately:

"a) UN Security Council consideration of a comprehensive arms embargo against the FRY, including Kosovo;

b) Refusal to supply equipment to the FRY which might be used for internal repression, or for terrorism;

c) Denial of visas for senior FRY and Serbian representatives responsible for repressive action by FRY security forces in Kosovo;

d) A moratorium on government financed export credit support for trade and investment, including government financing for privatisation, in Serbia."

The last two measures were not supported by Russia for immediate imposition. It would be willing to discuss them if there is no progress towards the steps called for by the Contact Group.

The ministers called on 'FRY' President Milosevic to take rapid and effective steps to stop the violence and "engage in a commitment to find a political solution to the issue of Kosovo through dialogue".

Specifically, Milosevic should within ten days "withdraw the special police units and cease action by the security affecting the civilian population", and allow access to Kosova for the ICRC and other humanitarian organisations as well as by representatives of the Contact Group and other Embassies.

Milosevic should commit himself publicly to begin a process of dialogue with the leadership of the Kosova Albanians, the Contact Group said.

"We support an enhanced status for Kosovo within the FRY, ...including meaningful self-administration", the Group noted.

Belgrade should offer Kosovar Albanians a genuine political process. "The authorities in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovar Albanian community must assume their responsibility to enter without preconditions into a meaningful dialogue on political status issues. The Contact Group stands ready to facilitate such a dialogue", the Contact Group's statement on Kosova concluded.

The ministers held a press conference after the conclusion of the meeting in London.

The UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, who chaired the Contact Group meeting, briefed the journalists on the outcome of the meeting.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said "all options are open", replying to a question by a reporter who wanted her comments about a possible military response against Serbia along the Bush/Clinton warnings. No military response is under consideration at present, she said.

[07] Serb Forces Wound by Fire Arms at Least 15 Peaceful Protestors in Istog

Two Albanians wounded badly have been reported taken to hospital in Peja.

Sources said the police used truncheons to disperse peaceful protesters. The LDK Information Commission has named the following persons injured by Serb police: Ahmet Ahmetaj from Istog, Agron Metaj, Fadil Kali^ani, Avni Kali^ani, Bislim Bicaj, Ejup Kamberaj, Zymer Haxhijaj, Ismet Hajdinaj, Haxhi Sylaj, Qerim Brahimaj.

[08] Skenderaj Faces Shortage of Food and Other Supplies, Residents Appeal for Help

Several dead bodies have burnt beyond recognition.

The situation in town is critically difficult. There is lack of food and other supplies. Shops and bakeries have closed out of fear from Serb snipers, who shoot on everything that moves.

[09] Accounts on Peaceful Protests Staged in Kosova Monday

Half-an-hour protest manifestations were called by political parties and students and trade-union organizations.

Over 100.000 people protesters rallied in the "Mother Teresa" square of Prishtina, sympathizing with the people of Drenica who have been suffering under the deadly siege of the Serb forces for days. Displaying pancards against violence and war, ralliers called for an immediate end to the Serb regime violence and ethnic cleansing drives. The protests ended without incidents.

Meanwhile, sources from other Kosova towns said the police intervened against protesters in several places. Below is a digested account about protests in half a dozen places in Kosova.

Peja Heavy Serb police forces were stationed today morning in all the key places of the town in advance to the beginning of the protest rally.

Scores of Albanians from surrounding villages of Peja were reported beaten while on their way to the town center, the venue of the protest.

Chanting slogans like "Drenica, We Stand By You" and Stop the Serb Terror", the protesters rallied in the main square of the town.

Over 50 thousand people are believed to have rallied in Peja today.

Sources in Peja said scores of protesters were beaten up by Serb police. The LDK branch in Peja could learn the identities of the following Albanians beaten today: Riza (Z) Kastrati (1964), from Dob&rdol, Gani (U) Berisha (1971) from Qallapeku, Artan (H) Berisha (1979 from Qallapeku, Avni Gashi (1977) from Baran, Visar Krasniqi (19754) from Vranoc, Sefedin Kelmendi (1976) from Kosuriqi At least a dozen were detained and were released after having been ill-treated in custody.

Gjakova: - Over 30 thousand people participated in the peaceful protests in Gjakova (south-west Kosova) today Monday. The protesters were disciplined and with dignity.

The Serb forces prevented a number of people from Dushkaja from entering the town. They were reported beaten up.

Hani i Elezit: - Some 5 thousand Albanian protested in downtown Hani i Elezit, a town bordering Macedonia. Sources reported of heavy presence of Serb forces in town. No incidents were reported.

Shtime: At least 15 thousand Albanians protested peacefully against the Serb forces' terror against Albanian families in Drenica. They called for freedom and independence and an end to violence.

Kamenic&: Some 15 thousand Albanians protested peacefully in Kamenica. The Serb forces blocked the main road leading into town and prevented people from the surrounding areas to enter the town.

Reportedly, the police beat dozens of people and prevented them from gathering in downtown Kamenica. The protests were held in suburbs of the town.

Selami Myrtaj, Njazi Feraj, G&zim Hotnjani, Ekrem D&rmaku, Valton Selimi, Abdullah Ahmeti were reported beaten by the Serb forces following the protest.

Obiliq: Some 1 thousand Albanians protested today in the small town of Obiliq. After the protest a number of Serb civilians attacked the Albanian teacher Bedri Neziri, whereas, Serbian police arrested four persons.

Ka^anik - Some 20 thousand Albanians protested peaceful in downtown Ka^anik Monday. They demanded peace, denouncing strongly the Serb forces' violence and criminal acts against Albanians in Drenica.

The protest began at 11 a.m, and ended half-an-hour later. No incidents were reported.

Ferizaj: - Sources in Ferizaj said some 70 thousand people protested peacefully in downtown Ferizaj. They demanded peace and denounced the violence and terror of Serb forces.

No incidents were reported.

Malisheva: - Albanians residing in the Malisheva municipality, some 30 thousand of them, staged a peaceful protest Monday in the streets of Malisheva. Sources said the Serbian police did not intervene.

Prizren: - Some 80 thousand Albanians protested peacefully today (Monday) in downtown Prizren. The protesters called for the end of violence, and held pancards: "stop the Serbian terror"; "Drenica we are on your side": "Stop the Genocide"; "We Want Freedom"; "We Want Peace".

Although there was a presence of heavy Serbian forces in town, and in the roads leading to the town the police did not intervene.

Sources said the Serbian police beat several people after the protest, among them G&zim Basha and Fiti Hoxha.

De^an: - Some 30 thousand people protested in De^an this morning, demanding end of violence and Serb terror against Albanians in Kosova.

[10] Serb Forces Beat Humanitarian Activists

Mjekiqi, activist with the Mother Teresa humanitarian association, while transporting food and other supplies for the displaced people of the Drenica region.

Four heavily armed members of Serb forces stopped for an hour the lorry of Mother Teresa charitable organization in Grabovc i Ep&rm village. Mr. Mjekiqi was also ordered to report at the police station on Tuesday.

[11] Medical Workers Beaten Severely in Rahovec

Mrs. Desku is a nurse at the local medical center in town.

Together with Mrs. Desku the Serb forces in Rahovec beat severely Bajrush Hoti and Sinan Mazreku, also medical workers from Malisheva.

In Bubavec, a dozen of Serbian police beat innocent residents in this village, arrested Orhan Kryeziu, instead of his brother Remzi Kryeziu the police were inquiring for.

[12] Fresh Serb Forces Deployed to Mitrovica from Serbia, CFDHRF Reported

Some fifteen buses, three vans and two police vehicles, all with license plates from Serbia (Nis, Pirot) entered at the Serbian military (JNA) barracks in Mitrovica, other stationed at the fire- brigade buildings.

Five police vehicles with Serb civilians, and 6 buses, some of them empty, headed at noon in the direction of Skenderaj (Drenica).

At 1 p.m, another 4 buses and one APC took off for Skenderaj, Human Rights Council reported.

[13] At Least 10 Thousands Displaced People Find Shelter Outside Drenica

According to the Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms in Prishtina (CFDHRF), at least 10 thousand displaced persons have found shelter in the neighboring municipalities Mitrovica, Obiliq, Vushtrri, Fush&-Kosova and Lipjan.

CFDHRF says some 3,5 thousand have found shelter in Montenegro.

Meanwhile, the Kosova Red Cross said 12 150 persons left their homes and found shelter in other parts of Kosova.

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