Kosova Daily Report #1370, 98-03-13

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Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1370
Prishtina, 13 March 1998

First Edition: 12:00 hrs
Second Edition: 17:30 hrs

CONTENTS

[01] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

[02] President Rugova Receives Nicholas Hill

[03] Serb Forces Hold 60 Albanian Women and Children Hostage

[04] Local Serbs in a Tandem with Police Harass and Threaten Albanians in Gjakova Villages

[05] Tens of Thousands Turn Out in Prishtina to Protest Serbian Violence

[06] Serb 'Propaganda Exercise' Should Stop, Rubin Says

[07] Milosevic, the Last Communist Dictator in Europe, U.S. Congress Resolution Reads

[08] Member States of EU Discuss Kosova In Edinburgh 13-14 March

[09] European Parliament Calls Preparations for the Dispatch of a Preventive Deployment Force to Kosova

[10] NATO Partnership Council Discusses the Situation in Kosova

[11] OSCE Urges 'FRY' to Cooperate Fully with Gonzalez

[12] Serb Forces Ill-treat Brothers Who Lost Loved Ones in Drenica Massacre

[13] Serb Forces Hunt Albanian Family Fleeing Drenica

[14] Tense Situation Reported in Lugbunar of Gjakova

[15] Kosova's Desire to Leave Serbia Is Not 'Separatism', Letter of Prominent Figures to The Times

[01] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

Several villages are being kept under Serb siege, such as Llausha, Broja, etc, besides the villages in which the massacre was committed and the Serb police presence is ubiquitous, President Ibrahim Rugova said.

As many as 13.000 Albanians have fled from two municipalities (Gllogovc and Skenderaj), and "we are doing all we can to assist them".

These are the first signs of the "ethnic cleansing of this region [Drenica] and Kosova", Dr. Ibrahim Rugova stressed.

The President hailed the efforts of the international community on Kosova, especially the United States of America, the European Union, but also the UN.

"We call for a stepped up and urgent engagement on the part of the international community, first and foremost of the U.S. and EU, so as to help the people of Kosova, and support its legitimate claims for freedom, independence and democracy", President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova said.

Asked by reporters to say whether he thought the situation in Kosova could be resolved peacefully, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said that was possible, with the unfailing support of the United States, the EU, the UN, and other world organizations.

The six-nation Contact Group, which met in London Monday, did not accept independence of Kosova as an option. How do you respond to this? - a reporter asked.

"The people of Kosova are committed to their independence bid. We work to see this goal achieved peacefully and, in that vein, we urge for international support. This is the best solution, not only for Kosova, but also for Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, and other countries in the region", President Rugova concluded.

[02] President Rugova Receives Nicholas Hill

President Rugova and the U.S. diplomat discussed the current situation in Kosova in the wake of the crackdown of Serb police/military forces in the Drenica villages.

President Rugova thanked the U.S. administration for its continued support and increasing efforts on Kosova.

[03] Serb Forces Hold 60 Albanian Women and Children Hostage

A witness, Bek& Thaqi, told the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) the 60 Albanians are being held as hostage in his own house. He said he was able to make a narrow escape himself.

Broja and several other Albanian villages of Skenderaj have been sealed off by Serb forces for a week now.

Over 100 women and children were kept for several days in another house in this village until Thursday, when they were let go.

[04] Local Serbs in a Tandem with Police Harass and Threaten Albanians in Gjakova Villages

There are two Serb families living in Cermjan, said LDK sources, and they have been threatening their Albanian neighbors with fire arms.

There was heavy shooting from the Serb houses Wednesday and Thursday. Heavy police forces have been deployed in the village, and particularly in the houses of Babovic and Fatic Serb families.

The local Serbs together with he police have beaten severely Sadik Baliu, Dervish Luma, Gazmend Plava, Nexhat Pazhari, Agim F. Hoxha and Palush Kastrati, from the same village.

A Serb expedition harassed Wednesday the primary school children.

LDK sources said because of the provocations from Serb civilians and Serb forces a number of Albanian families have fled their homes.

[05] Tens of Thousands Turn Out in Prishtina to Protest Serbian Violence

The protest was staged in the Dragodan neighbourhood in Prishtina, where the American Center is situated.

The Independent Student Union of the Albanian-language University of Prishtina (UPS), in cooperation with the political parties, the trade unions, and the human rights council (CDHRF), staged this protest, whose motto was "For peace, against violence, war and Serbian terror".

The people started gathering two hours ahead of schedule for the protest rally which was set for 15:00 hrs.

The UPS vice-chairman Driton Laj^i asked the crowd observe a minute of silence for the Albanian victims of Serbian terror in Drenica.

The UPS chairman Bujar Dugolli addressed the crowd from an improvised platform, whereas Albin Kurti read a letter in English.

The protesters held up the Albanian national flag, and the flags if the United States, the European Union, Germany, etc, as well as placards in both Albanian and English reading "Stop the violence in Kosova", "Drenica, Drenica", "Drenica - we stand by you", "Stop Serbian terror in Kosova", "USA, USA" etc.

The crowd of protesters chanted slogans in support of President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova, "Rugova, Rugova", "Rugova, Kosova", "Freedom, Independence", "Drenica, Drenica", "Prekaz", "USA, USA", "We are not terrorist!". The refrain "Besa, bes&..." [I give my word of honor...]. The crowd dispersed peacefully, holding up placards and chanting slogans.

In the vicinity of "Qafa" the Serb police chased some of the protesters, who were dispersing.

This was the second big protest manifestation in Prishtina this week. Tens of thousands rallied Monday to protest the Serbian bloody crackdown in Drenica, leaving over 80 Albanians slain, including women, children and elderly.

[06] Serb 'Propaganda Exercise' Should Stop, Rubin Says

"We have not heard anything that makes us enthusiastic or encouraged in the area of the Serbian Government's willingness to talk", Mr. Rubin said.

The State Department spokesman expounded on this further: "So far, what we've seem is an approach by Belgrade that seems deliberately selected and designed to make it unacceptable. It seems like the Belgrade authorities are proposing things that are designed to fail; that are propaganda exercises. For example, Belgrade's offer involved only representatives at the level of the Serb Republic and not the level of the FRY, the Kosovar Albanians believe this would arbitrarily limit their options in any discussions.

We also note that the announcement of supposed Serb offer to negotiate consisted in large part of a justification for the use of force in Kosovo, and contained no hint of remorse for the deaths of innocent Albanian victims. In short, it's time for the propaganda to stop and the negotiations to start."

Asked by a questioner as to what a credible offer would be, Mr. James Rubin said: "Well, if both sides put aside their maximal demands and agree to sit down and talk without any preconditions, that would be a credible offer."

The State Department spokesman told reporters in Washington there were no positive signs from Belgrade. "The bottom line is the things that were demanded by the Contact Group, the removal of the police, the beginning of negotiation, the allowing of outsiders to investigate what went on there has not happened."

"What we need to see is a wholesale shift in the mentality that has previously been that they can solve at the barrel of a gun what can only be solved at the negotiating table. And we have not seen any pattern of evidence that they have changed that fundamental view.", James Rubin said.

He told reporters that Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott will travel next week to Slovenia, Albania, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria and Romania. "[Talbott] will be outlining steps that states in the region can take individually and collectively to demonstrate the international community's resolve in the face of President Milosevic's unacceptable actions in Kosovo.", Rubin said.

The Secretary of State Madeleine Albright convened a meeting Thursday morning in the State Department on "the implementation of the steps the Contact Group outlined", the State Department spokesman said, noting that "because the consequences are so grave, that the Department and other agencies in the government are seized with the subject."

[07] Milosevic, the Last Communist Dictator in Europe, U.S. Congress Resolution Reads

The Prishtina USIA Office said in its Wireless File bulletin today that the resolution was approved by voice vote, without dissent and is expected to come up shortly for consideration by the full House and Senate for adoption process.

Declaring that "the Belgrade regime lead by the last Communist dictator in Europe, Slobodan Milosevic, continues to abuse democratic norms and the rights of all its citizens, threatening regional stability" the resolution calls for the United States to pursue measures "to promote human rights and democratic government throughout Serbia and Montenegro".

Amongst the measurers urged in the resolution is continuation of sanctions against the Belgrade or reimposition of the sanctions that were ended following the Dayton Accord, if the "Serb authorities continue to use unlawful violence against the Albanian people in Kosova.

One of the amendments adopted without opposition was the calling for an increase in the staff of the US Informative Agency in Kosova's capital Prishtina.

[08] Member States of EU Discuss Kosova In Edinburgh 13-14 March

The European Conference called on Belgrade to allow full and immediate access to Kosovo by international humanitarian organizations.

"The member states of the EU are determined to play a full part in international efforts to promote a solution to the Kosovo crisis, and intend to agree on a detailed approach at their informal meeting in Edinburgh on 13-14 March," says a statement.

Such a solution should be based on the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and be in accordance with OSCE standards, Helsinki principles, and the UN Charter. It must also take into account the rights of the Kosovar Albanians and all those who live in Kosovo.

The 26 Heads of State/Government and the Presidents of the European Parliament and of the Commission strongly supported the firm statement of the Contact Group on 9 March, and fully endorsed the Joint Declaration of 10 March by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of countries of South Eastern Europe as a statement of the valid concerns of those in the region about the regional security implications of the disturbing situation in Kosovo.

They also warmly welcomed the decision of the OSCE Permanent Council meeting on 11 March.

The Heads of Conference Partner States/Governments confirmed their intention to align themselves with the European Union's policy towards Kosovo, and to take national action in support of the shared objectives of ending the violence and securing a political solution in Kosovo.

The European Conference discussed the crisis in the Kosova Thursday.

[09] European Parliament Calls Preparations for the Dispatch of a Preventive Deployment Force to Kosova

Following is the text of the European Parliament's resolution: (Begin text) The European Parliament, - Having regard to its previous resolutions and recommendation on the situation in Kosovo and on the situation in the Former Yugoslavia, - Having regard to the outcome of the meeting in London of the Contact Group for the Former Yugoslavia on 9 March 1998, A. Expressing its great concern at the escalating violence in Kosovo over the past few days, B. Aware that the suppression of the cultural and political autonomy of Kosovo by the Serbian authorities in 1989 is at the root of the crisis in the region and regretting that even the rather weak Agreement on Education of 1996 has not been implemented by the Serbian authorities, C. Deploring the massive and aggressive action by the Serbian police against peaceful demonstrations and civilians which has caused the deaths of many people, and noting with abhorrence that many women and children have become the victims of action by the Serbian forces of law and order; at the same time deeply regretting that some extremist groups amongst the Albanian population of Kosovo have resorted to violence to achieve their political goals, action, military preparations, D. Emphasizing that any solution to the deepening crisis in Kosovo must be found by peaceful means and be based on full respect for basic human rights and the rule of law, E. Convinced that a political solution to the crisis in Kosovo must be found on the basis of granting cultural and political Autonomy to the - mainly Albanian - population of the region without changing European boundaries, F. Emphasizing that an increase in violations of basic human rights and the escalating violence in Kosovo cannot be considered as an internal matter for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and that the European Union has the right and the duty to make an active contribution to bringing an end to this situation, G. Noting furthermore with great concern that the crisis in Kosovo poses an imminent threat to stability in the whole region and a clear threat to international peace and security, H. Noting that the Council has approved the opening of an EU office in Prishtina and that the implementation of this decision, as well as the return of the long-term OSCE mission to Kosovo, could play an important role in developments in the region, I. Whereas acknowledged prisoners of conscience have been jailed repeatedly following unfair trials for having exercised their right to freedom of speech and opinion, 1. Condemns the massive and aggressive actions by the Serbian police against peaceful demonstrations and civilians, which has caused the deaths of many people, including many women and children who were the victims of action by the Serbian forces of law and order; 2. Strongly and unreservedly condemns the use of violence of any sort and by any group purporting to bring about a solution to the political crisis in Kosovo and urges all parties involved in this crisis to exercise restraint and to refrain from further violence; 2a. Calls on the UN, EU, OSCE, NATO and WEU to make preparations for the dispatch of a preventive deployment force to the region; 2b. Urges the United Nations to reverse the plans to withdraw the UNPREDEP force from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; 3. Urges the Belgrade authorities to allow immediately humanitarian organizations, journalists and international observers to go to the places where the incidents occurred and make a full investigation of the events, possibly leading to action by the International Criminal Court in the Hague; 4. Calls on the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and on the representatives of the Albanian Kosovar population to start as a matter of urgency and without any preconditions a full and constructive dialogue and negotiations on the future of Kosovo in order to achieve cultural and political autonomy without changing European boundaries; 5. Calls on the Council of the European Union and its Presidency to continue and step up, in cooperation with the OSCE and others, their efforts to make an active contribution to resolving the crisis in this region by peaceful means; urges the Council, Therefore, to decide on a joint action on the basis of Article J of the treaty; 6. Supports the decision taken by the Contact Group for the Former Yugoslavia as a first step in increasing pressure on President Milosevic and the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to find a peaceful and constructive solution to the deepening crisis in Kosovo based on full respect for basic human rights and the rule of law for the whole population of Kosovo; 7. Calls on President Milosevic to react constructively in the near future to the request made by the Contact Group so as to avoid the need for further and more coercive steps by the international community; 8. Gives its full support to all groups and individuals, whilst emphasizing the special role played by students, within and outside Kosovo who are seriously engaged in finding a constructive solution to the future of Kosovo and its people and who strive to achieve these goals by peaceful political means; 9. Urges the member states to provide refugees with the necessary urgent aid, to grant visas and hospitality to people fleeing the conflict area and to refrain from sudden expulsions that could endanger their lives; 10. Instructs its president to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the OSCE, the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the representatives of the Albanian Kosovar population.

(End text)

[10] NATO Partnership Council Discusses the Situation in Kosova

Javier Solana, NATO Secretary General and EAPC Chairman has stated that the EAPC representatives in the 11 March meeting called for constructive dialogue to achieve peaceful solution to the existing problems.

Following is Nato press statement from the meeting: "Ambassadors and representatives of the EAPC member countries: - expressed their deep concern over the eruption of violence and called for constructive dialogue to achieve a peaceful resolution to the existing problems; - called for full respect of democratic and human rights; - condemned the unacceptable use of force by Serbian police against peaceful demonstrators as well as terrorist actions by the Kosovo Liberation Army or any other group; - supported the efforts of the Contact Group and of other international institutions, including the OSCE, designed to bring about a peaceful settlement; - supported the principles for a mutually acceptable political solution for Kosovo within the FRY [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia] in accordance with the international norms, as confirmed at the London meeting of the Contact Group of 9th March; - noted the security concerns raised by the tensions in Kosovo, in particular in the case of neighboring countries, and underlined the need to prevent any spillover of the conflict to the other parts of the region.

(End text)

[11] OSCE Urges 'FRY' to Cooperate Fully with Gonzalez

The decision supported a new mission by Mr. Felipe Gonzalez as the Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office for the 'FRY', which would include a mandate for addressing the problems in Kosovo. They called on the FRY authorities to co-operate fully with Mr. Gonzalez, a statement issued in Vienna said.

The decision authorized the temporary enhancement of the monitoring capabilities of the OSCE Presence in Albania and the OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission in Skopje in order to allow for adequate observation of the borders with Kosova, FRY, and prevention of possible spillover effects.

The decision noted that the crisis in Kosova is not solely an internal affair of the FRY because of violations of OSCE principles and commitments on human rights and because it has a significant impact on the security of the region.

The participating States condemned the excessive and indiscriminate use of force during recent Serb police actions in Kosovo, which led to the deaths of some 80 people over the past week. They also called on all concerned to oppose the use of violence to achieve political ends and stressed the unacceptability of any terrorist action.

The participating States called on the authorities of the FRY to halt excessive use of force in Kosova, to vigorously investigate and accept international investigation of reported summary executions and to bring to justice those found responsible. The FRY authorities were also called on to allow access to Kosovo for the ICRC and other humanitarian organizations and to implement the Education Agreement without delay.

Taking into account the need for immediate efforts by the international community to prevent further escalation, the participating States called on the authorities in Belgrade and the leadership of the Kosovar Albanians to assume their responsibility to enter without preconditions into meaningful dialogue, based on full observance of OSCE principles and commitments. The OSCE expressed its readiness to assist in this process.

The OSCE States also called on the 'Federal Republic of Yugoslavia' to accept without preconditions an immediate return of the OSCE missions of long duration to Kosovo, Sandjak and Vojvodina, noting the return of these missions as essential for future participation in the OSCE by the 'FRY'.

[12] Serb Forces Ill-treat Brothers Who Lost Loved Ones in Drenica Massacre

They were interrogated by the police for two hours and were subjected to police torture, LDK sources in Mitrovica said.

The Serb forces had reportedly killed their mother, two sisters and a brother during their attack on several villages of Drenica.

The two brothers were on their way to Mitrovica to avoid further Serb persecution.

[13] Serb Forces Hunt Albanian Family Fleeing Drenica

A few minutes later a helicopter flew over their heads and followed their path.

The family was on their way to K^i^ i Madh.

[14] Tense Situation Reported in Lugbunar of Gjakova

Mr. Nikaj was taken to the Gjakova town hospital early today (Friday).

Sources in Gjakova said an attack was carried out against the home of his brother, too.

The house was ripped with bullets, the report said.

There is a small community of Serbs and Montenegrins living in Lugbunar, and there has been an increased presence of Serb forces in the village these days.

Sources in Gjakova said the village has been placed under a tight siege by Serb forces and it has been virtually impossible to get out of the village since.

It is difficult to obtain further information about the situation in the village, LDK sources said.

[15] Kosova's Desire to Leave Serbia Is Not 'Separatism', Letter of Prominent Figures to The Times

The letter, carried on 12 March, reads: "Sir, As the war that Milosevic unleashed in former Yugoslavia is now extended by him to Kosova (Kosovo in Serbian), with the grim possibility of its spreading to Macedonia and beyond, we once again witness destruction of villages, torture and summary execution of civilians and enforced displacement of the indigenous population.

Suppression of Kosova's political autonomy and denial of basic civil rights to its Albanian population were the foundation-stone of Milosevic's power in Serbia. Practically overnight Albanians were dismissed from their jobs, denied education in their own language, deprived of basic welfare and exposed to unchecked state terror.

Kosova became a de facto Serbian colony. Yet for almost a decade the population and its leaders have remained committed to passive resistance in the hope that the international community would deliver a just solution. Not only has this not happened, but the prospect of it ever happening has, since Dayton, receded into an indefinite future. Popular armed resistance has been the predictable consequence.

The West has hitherto chosen to accept Belgrade's claim that Kosova is an integral part of Serbia, despite Yugoslavia's dissolution.

Unconditional possession of Kosova by Serbia, however, was not sanctioned by the Yugoslav Constitution, under which Kosova was explicitly tied to the Federation as such, being one of its eight members.

This provision was not accidental. Peace in the former Yugoslavia was ensured precisely by increasing Kosova's autonomy from Serbia, until the tie between the two became purely nominal. Kosova's desire to leave Serbia is thus not "separatism", but a politically valid and juridically defensible response to the break-up of Yugoslavia.

The longer Serbia is allowed to hold on to Kosova, moreover, the more violent and unstable it is itself going to become, and with it the Balkans as a whole. For it can never become a democratic country while it rules Kosova against its will. But Western politicians still seem unwilling to confront the real issue. They describe the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) as "terroristic", although the term applies better to a State that terrorists its own citizens, as Serbia has been doing in Kosova, than to those resisting its wanton violence.

The emergence of the KLA is merely a symptom of how intolerable the situation in Kosova has become. The simple truth is that continuing Balkan turmoil can be avoided only by Kosova's removal from Serbian jurisdiction.

Yours etc, JILL CRAIGIE, MICHAEL FOOT, ADRIAN HASTINGS, REGINALD HIBBERT, QUINTIN HOARE, BRANKA MAGAS, SALMAN RUSHDIE."

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