Kosova Daily Report #1373, 98-03-16

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

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1373

Prishtina, 16 March 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Receives Nicholas Hill

[02] Serbian Police Prevents Albanian Women From Marching to Drenica

[03] Two Youth Organizations Call for Popular Protests in Kosova Wednesday

[04] Serbs Turn Factory Halls into Armament Depot

[05] Serb Police and Civilians Beat Peaceful Protesters in Gjilan

[06] Only Legitimate Representatives Can Speak on Behalf of Kosova 'Bosniaks', PAD Leader Says

[01] President Rugova Receives Nicholas Hill

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova and the U.S. diplomat Nicholas Hill discussed the current situation in Kosova.

The resolution of the Kosova issue should be sought in a talks process, meaningful and well-prepared, under the mediation of a third party from the international community, Rugova stressed.

President Ibrahim Rugova expressed his appreciation for the comprehensive attention the U.S. administration has focussed on the Kosova issue.

[02] Serbian Police Prevents Albanian Women From Marching to Drenica

The starting venue of the march, organized by the Women's Network and the LDK Women's Forum, was in the Dragodan neighborhood in Prishtina.

The motto of the march being "Bread for Drenica Women and Children", it kicked off at 9:00 a.m., and in an hour and twenty minute's time, arrived at Fush& Kosova ('Kosovo Polje').

The women walked silently, holding loaves of bread in their hands.

The long row of the marching women was provoked by passing cars, some of which were unmarked. A driver with a car with Bosnian Serb license plates (BH-169-00), however, run down Miss Lendita Cena, a student, native of Rahovec, near the High Agriculture School in Prishtina. She was sent to a private health clinic for treatment.

Another participant (KIC could not obtain her name) in the march was reported to have been hit by a car.

Serb police prevented the marching women from entering Fush& Kosova. The police told the women they would not be able to proceed further. It said it would intervene if the women did not return back.

The organizing committee marched back to Prishtina. In front of the International Red Cross office in the town, the women laid down symbolically the loaves of bread.

In front of the Bozhur Hotel in downtown Prishtina, a Serb police cordon prevented the women proceed to the UNHCR office.

The women went back to the American Center and then to the UNHCR office. A delegation was received in the latter office.

The delegation was received in the American Center (USIS) by Richard Huckaby, director, and Nicholas Hill, First Secretary of the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.

The women, in front of the Serb police cordon and in Dragodan, chanted "Bread for Drenica", "Drenica, Drenica". They held in addition placards "Stop Genocide", "We Are an Endangered People", etc.

[03] Two Youth Organizations Call for Popular Protests in Kosova Wednesday

The protest will begin at 11:00 hrs.

The motto of the "popular protests" will be Against Serbian Violence and Terror - for Peace, Freedom and Independence.

The organizing committee said the youth organizations have had consultations with the Coordinating Council of the Political Parties, and have the consent of the President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova.

Further details will be given Tuesday, a statement of the LDK Youth Forum and the Organization of School-Age Youth said Monday afternoon.

[04] Serbs Turn Factory Halls into Armament Depot

The LDK Information Commission in Vushtrri said 2 trucks full of arms have been seen entering the halls of the "Polet" textile factory in Prelluzha village near Vushtrri on Saturday. Six Serb police vehicles were escorting the trucks. The police cars were seen leaving the factory later while the two trucks reportedly remained there, the Commission said.

Vushtrri is a municipality in central Kosova bordering on Skenderaj ('Srbica') which has been targeted by Serb forces for a couple of months now. A broad area involving several village in Skenderaj have been held under the siege of Serb forces for almost two weeks.

Around 100 local Albanians were shot dead and massacred by Serb forces in the past two weeks.

[05] Serb Police and Civilians Beat Peaceful Protesters in Gjilan

Hundreds of thousands of people rallied Sunday silently in the streets all over Kosova to pay homage to the Drenica victims. Over 100 Albanians were slain by Serb forces in Drenica region, central Kosova, since 28 February.

The LDK Information Commission in Gjilan said Serb police as well as Serb civilians assaulted and beat up scores of peaceful protesters in the street.

Selami Kurteshi (1969), Abdyl Kurteshi (1978), Refik Shabani (1958), Flamur R. Shabani (1977), Muharrem Kurteshi (1967), have reportedly suffered serious body injuries.

Serb police forces cracked down Sunday against protesters in several places in Kosova. The police forced several Albanians in De^an eat the candles they held during the protest.

[06] Only Legitimate Representatives Can Speak on Behalf of Kosova 'Bosniaks', PAD Leader Says

Hilmo Kandic, vice-chairman of the PAD for Kosova, told KIC today that members of that group can in no way represent the interests of Bosniaks of Kosova. "The Party for Democratic Action (PAD) has its legitimate representatives, whereas the so-called Prizren group is but a bunch of people loyal to Serbia, and representing no one", Kandic said.

Mr. Hilmo Kandic said that only the elected representatives can engage in any talks on behalf of Kosova.

He confirmed that Kosova Bosniaks will participate in the parliamentary and presidential elections in the Republic of Kosova, scheduled for next Sunday, 22 March.

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