Kosova Daily Report #1376, 98-03-19

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1376
Prishtina, 19 March 1998

First Edition:
Second Edition: 18:30 CET

CONTENTS

[01] Serbian President's Statement, a 'Fresh Publicity Stunt', President Rugova's Aide Says

[02] Tens of Thousands of Albanians Rally in Prishtina Today

[03] Serb Machine Gun Fire in Llausha and Turi^evc

[04] Senior LDK Official Beaten by Serb Police in Peja

[05] Wounded on 5 March, Still Without Medical Care

[06] Serb Forces March Through Gllogovc, Threaten Albanians in Town

[07] Heavy Serbian Forces Roam in Lipjan

[08] Serbian Military Parades through Shkabaj Village

[09] Student Organizations Support 22 March Elections, Oppose UPS

[10] US Congress Urges Steps to Resolve Conflict in Kosova

[11] At Least 13 Thousand Elementary and Secondary School Students Out of Schools in Skenderaj

[12] Rugova's Message to the Voters: Go to the Polls to Reinvigorate Democratic Order and Independence Bid

[13] Sporadic Serb Fire in Llausha Reported Today

[14] Serbian Police Used Tear Gas and Clubs to Prevent Protest in De^an

[15] Serbian Police Beats Several Albanians After Protest

[16] Serbian Police Repression in Mitrovica and Vushtrri

[17] Serb Demonstrators Threaten Albanians

[01] Serbian President's Statement, a 'Fresh Publicity Stunt', President Rugova's Aide Says

This is a renewed effort to "redesign the propaganda farce" of the Serbian regime regarding its alleged readiness to engage in dialogue on the Kosova issue, Mr. Mustafa told the Kosova Information Center (KIC) today.

It is no coincidence that this Serbian statement comes now that the time for Belgrade regime to comply with the demands of the Contact Group meeting of 9 March is running out, President Rugova's aide commented. "This is an attempt to mislead the international community and the public opinion at large", he said.

The ostensible softening of the position, in the Serb President's statement, on allowing access of international agencies to the affected area in Drenica, or the OSCE mission, are only transparent efforts to discharge a "new deception", Mr. Mustafa said.

"The Kosova leadership sees in dialogue the only means in the pursuit of the resolution for the Kosova issue", he said. It is ready to press ahead with "a serious, well-prepared dialogue with the Milosevic regime, under the mediation of a third party from the international community" to see that the will of the people of Kosova for independence be implemented peacefully, President Ibrahim Rugova's aide concluded.

[02] Tens of Thousands of Albanians Rally in Prishtina Today

Tens of thousands of Albanians turned to the Mother Teresa square and other streets in Prishtina today for a 35-minute peaceful protest.

The UPS called yesterday for Albanian students, and others wishing to join them, to sit on the streets, in silence, without any kind of slogans or shouting from 11:30 through 12:00 hrs.

Thursday, 19 March, is the deadline for the Serb regime to comply with the demands of the Contact Group meeting of 9 March, the UPS said. "Therefore, at noon, participants in the protest, and other citizens, should ring their set watches", the student organization said, adding that there should be a five-minute noise with keys, car sirens, and other similar things beginning at 12:00.

The protesters by and large complied with the instructions of the organizers of the rally. They held up some placards calling for Serb police forces to withdraw immediately, urgent international intervention. They stayed calm, excepting sporadic applause.

There was no police intervention during the half-hour period, Serb police and civilians provoked and offended the Albanian protesters.

Serb snipers could be seen on top of buildings.

While the crowd was dispersing, in several places in the town, Serb police intervened, ill-treating protesters, such as near the Grand Hotel Prishtina and the Students Canteen, and elsewhere.

Before 11 o'clock, a group of Serbs walked out of the Serb-run Grand Hotel Prishtina, escorted by Serb police. They waved a Serb national flag, provoking the passers-bye.

Organized by two youth organizations (the LDK Youth Forum and the School- Age Youth Organization) peaceful rallies were staged in all Kosova yesterday to protest against Serbian terror and violence, in support of freedom and independence for Kosova. Tens of thousand turned out in the capital Prishtina.

In the town of Peja, police opened fire on the peaceful crowd, killing one man and wounding a dozen of them. Qerim Muriqi, the killed Albanian, will be buried today at 14:00 hrs in Peja.

[03] Serb Machine Gun Fire in Llausha and Turi^evc

Random sniper shooting was reported to have occurred at Llausha village today.

No other details could be learned by 13:00 hrs today.

[04] Senior LDK Official Beaten by Serb Police in Peja

Mr. Alimusaj told KIC this morning he was walking in downtown Peja together with his ailing cousin, Halil Alimusaj, when he was stopped and beaten up routinely by police. He said he received body injuries.

Meanwhile, Mr. Alimusaj told KIC heavy Serb forces maintained a harsh grip on Peja this morning.

The Serb police opened fire on the crowd of Albanian peaceful protests in the town of Peja Wednesday, killing one and wounding several Albanians.

[05] Wounded on 5 March, Still Without Medical Care

He has not received medical treatment to this day, though Fatmir Bajrami was wounded in the yard of his own house. He could not be offered medical assistance because his native village, just like may other villages in the Drenica region, is sealed off by Serb forces.

[06] Serb Forces March Through Gllogovc, Threaten Albanians in Town

They were heading for Skenderaj ('Srbica'), LDK sources in Gllogovc reported.

The Serb police forces came from Komaran.

Serb vehicles sounded their sirens through Gllogovc to intimidate the local Albanian population in this small town.

Gllogovc is a municipality in the Drenica region, neighboring on Skenderaj.

Serb forces slain 28 Albanians in two villages of Gllogovc - Qirez and Likushan - during an attack launched against several Albanian family compounds on 28 February and 1 March.

[07] Heavy Serbian Forces Roam in Lipjan

Scores of Serb armed civilians were seen together with them.

[08] Serbian Military Parades through Shkabaj Village

On their way through Shkabaj, Serb soldiers provoked and threatened local residents, LDK sources said.

The Serbian army convoy was stationed at Gazimestan.

For an hour, from 8 to 9 a.m. today, the Prishtina-Mitrovica highway was blocked to secure passage for the Serb army.

[09] Student Organizations Support 22 March Elections, Oppose UPS

"We strongly oppose the position expressed by the Presidency of the Independent Student Union (UPS) of the University of Prishtina against the holding of the parliamentary and presidential elections in the Republic of Kosova", the statement of the student organizations of these four faculties/schools, with a huge number of students, said at the outset.

They noted that the UPS is a non-political organizations, and "such declarations, like this one against the parliamentary and presidential elections, are in contradiction with the status of the student organization."

The central leadership of the UPS has not at all consulted with the student organizations in the faculties about the public statement against elections, the statement stressed. "They can only be seen as a statement by individuals", the four organizations said. "We, representatives of the faculties/schools with the greatest number of students, hold that such statements are harmful and unfounded".

The parliamentary and presidential elections have been called by the appropriate institutions of the Republic of Kosova, and supported by the serious political forces in Kosova, the student organizations said. "It is our civic obligations, as students and a segment of our society, to respect our institutions and the decisions they make".

The citizens of Kosova, including students, will exercise their right to democratic expression, to elect and be elected as representatives of the people of Kosova, the student organizations said, adding that these representatives will work for "an independent and democratic Kosova".

[10] US Congress Urges Steps to Resolve Conflict in Kosova

The measure, sponsored by Representative Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), chairman of the House Committee on International Relations, passed March 18 by a 401- 1 margin, with one other member voting "present", said USIS today.

As a "Sense of the Congress" resolution, the measure does not have the force of law, but rather sets forth the position of the legislature.

Gilman's resolution supports continuation of sanctions against the government of Serbia and Montenegro unless it is found that termination of the sanctions "serves to support a peaceful resolution of the repression in Kosovo".

If Serbian authorities continue to use unlawful violence against the Albanian people of Kosova, it proposes, consideration should be given to reimposing sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro that were ended after the Dayton Peace Accords were signed in 1995.

The resolution urges intensification of efforts by the International Contact Group - the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, and Italy - in support of a resolution of the conflict in Kosova.

It also calls for the United States to pursue unspecific measures "to promote human rights and democratic government throughout Serbia and Montenegro."

Another provision, added in the committee, calls for an increase in the staff of the U.S. Information Agency in Prishtina, Kosova.

[11] At Least 13 Thousand Elementary and Secondary School Students Out of Schools in Skenderaj

The situation in the besieged Skenderaj region is extremely tense and dangerous; the Serb forces have maintained a strict control of roads in the region, the Education Authority noted.

It added that huge Serb forces have been deployed inside the Drenica region have set up scores of fortifications in several villages which are under siege.

The Serb snipers in the region pose a permanent threat to the lives of all residents currently in the villages under siege, the Skenderaj Education Authority said.

It called on the international community to increase its pressure on the Belgrade regime and take necessary measures to create conditions for a resumption of the education process in this region of Kosova.

[12] Rugova's Message to the Voters: Go to the Polls to Reinvigorate Democratic Order and Independence Bid

Parliamentary and presidential elections will be held March 22, 1998.

These elections will be of "historic, national and state importance", the incumbent President of the Republic of Kosova said at the outset of his message. (Dr. Ibrahim Rugova was elected to the Presidency on May 24, 1992).

Although the national election will be held in exacting circumstances in the wake of the Serb violence and massacre in Drenica - "which, together with the entire people of Kosova, is committed to freedom, democracy and independence" - it will further the independence bid of the citizens of Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova said.

"The elections will reinvigorate the democratic order in Kosova, by reaffirming the free vote of the citizens." he stressed. They will strengthen the legitimacy of the Kosova leadership and institutions, and improve prospects for a further promotion of the Kosovar "civic society and state", the President added.

In this way, the relations of Kosova "with its many friends in the world, especially the United States and the European Union, will be strengthened", Dr. Rugova said, adding that the elections have international approbation.

"As President of the Republic of Kosova, I herewith call on all citizens with a right to vote to go to the polls. The republic and local authorities should carry on the job of successfully completing all preparations in the run-up to the 22 March elections.", Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said.

The citizens should vote those candidates of the parties participating in the election, the LDK and others, who have striven for the building up of the state of Kosova, the incumbent President said.

"I congratulate you - dear ladies and gentlemen, citizens of Kosova - on the second parliamentary and presidential elections in the Republic of Kosova", Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said, looking forward to the day when they will be held "under the sun". (He was echoing thus words uttered by the American friend, Strobe Talbott, during his stop in Tirana, Albania, earlier this week.) Rugova referred to the sun as the "symbol of God, the humanity and the free Albanian people."

The President of the Republic ended his message to the electoral body with "God bless Kosova and its devoted citizens!"

[13] Sporadic Serb Fire in Llausha Reported Today

Machine gun fire, but also sniper shooting, was reported earlier in the day today.

No casualties were reported.

The LDK activist, whom KIC contacted by phone this afternoon, said movement of people in the Llausha village is minimal.

[14] Serbian Police Used Tear Gas and Clubs to Prevent Protest in De^an

Reportedly, Enver Halaj, from Drenoc, Muhamet Hulaj, from Prilep, Os& Metaj, Mentor Metaj, and Bashkim Metaj from Pog&rxha were inflicted heavy injuries during the police intervention.

Bashkim Metaj was arrested and taken to the police station in De^an. He was reported released after having been beaten additionally at the police station.

The police arrested Binak Ku^i, a local LDK activist, after the protests. He was held and beaten at the police station for several hours. Eventually, he was let go.

[15] Serbian Police Beats Several Albanians After Protest

Tens of thousands of Albanians turned to the streets in Prishtina before 11 o'clock today for a 35-minute peaceful protest.

Dozen of Serbian policemen and Serbian civilians came out of the Grand hotel in downtown Prishtina and attacked a number of Albanian protestors who were on their way home after the protest.

Another group of Albanian protestors were assaulted in the vicinity of the Serb-run Student Canteen in Prishtina.

Meanwhile, sources from Gjilan said the Serbian police prevented people from entering the town to join the peaceful protest in the town today (Thursday).

Reportedly, a number of Albanians, among them Agim Hajrizi and Zejnullah Ajeti, from Gjilan and Hysri Selimi, from Bresalc, were subjected to police brutality.

Sources said Hysri Selimi was held in Serb custody for several hours.

[16] Serbian Police Repression in Mitrovica and Vushtrri

The police ill-treated most of passengers, but beat up severely Asllan Uka (31) from Broboniq village.

Mr. Uka was beaten severely by Serb policemen with clubs and butts of guns. He lost consciousness, and was taken for medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Serbian police stationed at Ura e Ibrit neighborhood, in Mitrovica, stopped the private bus of Gani Beka from Gushavc.

The bus owner was asked to get off the bus and was beaten severely, accused of transporting protestors.

The police beat also Mr. Beka's brothers Sami and Syl& Beka.

They were beaten in front of other people who were on board the bus, and were arrested eventually. Sources in Mitrovica said they were still in police custody.

Reports said Serb police tortured scores of Albanians in Mitrovica yesterday and today.

The Serbian police at Nadakovc check-point (between Prishtina and Vushtrri) ordered Vehbi Ahmeti, Sadik Bajgora, Ze^ir Melenica, Azem Qerimi, Afrim Sokoli, Ilir Sokoli, Ramiz Selimi, and some other residents, get off the bus which was taking them to Vushtrri (Vucitern) Wednesday and beat them severely, sources in Vushtrri reported.

Meanwhile, today (Thursday) the Serbian police commander-in-chief halted on the street Nysret G&rxhaliu (45) and Murat Ibishi (48), seized their IDs and ordered them to report to the police station Friday.

Albanians are routinely ill-treated in the Serbian police check- points throughout Kosova on a daily basis.

[17] Serb Demonstrators Threaten Albanians

This was apparently designed to serve as a counter-demonstration to peaceful protests of hundreds of thousands of Albanians in Kosova in the past couple of weeks.

Around 100.000 Albanians took to the streets in the capital of Kosova earlier today to protest Serbian regime violence and terror.

At 14:00 today, the crowd of Serb demonstrators - gathered in front of the Faculty of Philology in Prishtina - chanted slogans "Where are you, Albanians!", "Kosovo is Serbia", "We'll not give up Kosovo". "We killed the Jasharajs", etc.

The Serb demonstrators sang Chetnik songs and glorified Russia and the Serbian police.

The Serb rally was orchestrated by the Serb regime and its police.

A Serb displayed a Serb national flag, showing a Serb cross upon an eagle.

Serb demonstrators were brought to Prishtina from several towns in Serbia and state-run enterprises.

Scores of busloads of Serb demonstrators were driven to Kosova from Serbia. Buses with Nis and other Serbian license plates transported them to Prishtina today.

Around 2.000 Serbs staged a demonstration in Prishtina yesterday.

The Serb regime rector of the University of Prishtina, the Milosevic associate, Dr. Radivoje Papovic, told a crowd of Serb students yesterday a compromise with Albanians - allowing Albanian students access to the University of Prishtina premises - would amount to nothing less than "betrayal" of Serb national interests.

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