Kosova Daily Report #1410, 98-04-25
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1410
Prishtina, 25 April 1998
First Edition: 12:30 hrs
Second Edition: 18:00 hrs
CONTENTS
[01] Serb Forces Resume Attacking Baballoq Saturday Morning
[02] Albanian Foreign Ministry Rebuffs Belgrade Claims Over Border
Incidents
[03] Klina Region Remains Under Tight Control of Serb Forces
[04] It Was Not 'U^K' But Serb Police Who Shot Dead Albanian in Peja Friday,
Witnesses Say
[05] LDK Chairman in Klina Arrested
[06] President Rugova Receives Italian Diplomats
[07] Rugova and Vattani to the Press
[08] Milosevic Has Not Complied with Any Demand as One Month Reprieve
Expires
[09] Rubin Speaks of "Extremely Dangerous" Situation in Kosova as "Serb
Special Police Are Out of Barracks", "Military Operating in the Interior"
of Kosova
[10] EU Presidency Issues Statement on Kosova
[11] EU Observer Mission Member in Albania Refutes Serbian Allegations
[12] Names of Ten Killed Kosovar Albanians Unveiled by Serb Military
Authorities
[13] Serb Police Shoots at and Wounds 20-Year-Old Albanian in Vushtrri
[14] Fresh Serb Military and Police Troops Reported Deployed in Western
Kosova
[15] Additional Serb Forces Coming from Serbia to Kosova
[16] Heavy Serb Forces Head for Skenderaj Saturday Afternoon
[17] Serb Civilians Supplied With Weapons at Police Stations
[18] Serb 'Veterans' Invited for Mobilization in Kosova
[19] Mitrovica Continues to Be Sealed Off by Heavy Serb Forces
[20] Serbian Security Threatens LDK Chairman in Klina
[01] Serb Forces Resume Attacking Baballoq Saturday Morning
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The situation in Baballoq village of De^an has
continued to be critical, sources said.
Serb police forces resumed attacking with all kinds of weapons the village
and the area in the vicinity today (Saturday) morning at about 4:10, the
LDK Information Commission in De^an said.
Baballoq was under repeated Serb police and military forces fire during all
day Friday.
LDK sources in De^an said that some local residents of Baballoq who managed
to leave the village claim about 20 villages in the village were damaged
badly. The electricity supply in the village has been cut which adds to the
fear and uncertainty of the villagers living in the dark, they said.
Witnesses have said that Serb snipers have been positioned in several
places and the hills of the village. A high-caliber cannon and four Serb
army truck have been garrisoned at a plateau above the village.
Additional Serb forces have been reported deployed Friday afternoon around
Baballoq village and the area, the Commission said, adding that residents
the of village have been doing everything possible to defend their
homesteads.
LDK sources in De^an and Gjakova said the presence of the Serb army and
police forces at the Kosova-Albania border zone is still extremely huge.
Heavy weapon shootings is being heard coming from the area since morning
today, sources said.
[02] Albanian Foreign Ministry Rebuffs Belgrade Claims Over Border
Incidents
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The Albanian Foreign Ministry contradicted
Friday the Belgrade claims of border incidents in the Kosova-Albania border
and called them "totally untrue".
"According to reports by Albanian specialized bodies, in cooperation with
those of the international community such as the Monitoring Mission of the
European Union, it does not result any arms trafficking and men smuggling
from the Albanian territory towards the Yugoslav territory," said the
Albanian Foreign Ministry in their statement issued Friday.
The statement, broadcasted by the Albanian News Agency (ATA) said: /Begin
text/ "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania is
following with deep concern the deterioration of the situation in Kosova
due to the intensification of the Serbian military-police activity.
We see that the present situation is an imminent threat to the security in
the region. The Albanian Foreign Ministry is also following with great
attention the dangerous developments on the border line with the FR of
Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) which have resulted in a violent fleeing
of the Albanian population of that zone towards the territory of the
Republic of Albania.
The Albanian party voices the conviction that this strategy of instability
is also served by the incidents which the Yugoslav party claims to have
occurred recently on the Albanian-Yugoslav border. In this respect, the
Yugoslav Government has formulated notes of protest to the Albanian
Government openly accusing the latter of training terrorist groups in its
territory and of organizing arms trafficking and men smuggling in Kosova.
The border incidents the Belgrade government claims are completely untrue.
According to reports by Albanian specialized bodies, in cooperation with
those of the international community such as the Monitoring Mission of the
European Union, it does not result any arms trafficking and men smuggling
from the Albanian territory towards the Yugoslav territory.
The Albanian Government has longsince adopted all measures for a reinforced
control on that segment of the border with Yugoslavia. At the same time,
the Albanian Government has openly declared its readiness to welcome every
cooperation with the international community to monitor the northeastern
zone of the country.
The Ministry considers that the clamor made by the official Belgrade over
'incidents provoked by Albania' not by chance coincides with the
preparations for the routine meeting of the Contact Group, due in Rome on
April 29.
The latest actions undertaken by the Yugoslav government testify to a
premidiated movement, whose aim is to shift the responsibility for the
crisis in Kosova to factors outside Yugoslavia.
The ministry considers that the actions launched over the last weeks by the
Belgrade authorities: the false steps towards dialogue with Albanians,
organization of provocative referendum and mounting 'incidents' along the
Albanian-Yugoslav border, intend to deceive international public opinion on
one hand and prepare the terrain to realize their ethnic cleansing strategy
on the other.
The ministry, condemning these provocative acts of the Yugoslav authorities,
calls on the international community to react on time towards these events
of unprecedented consequences for the region. At the same time it reaffirms
the Albanian government's commitment to contribute to the peaceful solution
of the conflict in Kosova.
/end text/
[03] Klina Region Remains Under Tight Control of Serb Forces
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Since Friday, the territory of the Klina
municipality has been placed under a tight control by Serb forces, LDK
sources in Klina said.
A convoy of Serbian army forces, equipped with dozens of APCs and other
military equipment stationed at Gremnik village, maneuvered at the Qupev& e
Ul&t and Sferk villages Thursday. They went back to Gremink several hours
later.
Sources said heavy Serbian army forces are positioned at Gremnik village.
Meanwhile, the Serbian police and civilians have been setting up check-
points in and around Klina, scrutinizing and harassing Albanians.
[04] It Was Not 'U^K' But Serb Police Who Shot Dead Albanian in Peja Friday,
Witnesses Say
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - A 41-year-old Albanian Qel& Shaban Desku,
resident of Kliqina village of Peja, was shot dead Friday by the Serb
forces, sources in Peja said.
The LDK Information Commission in Peja in a report today refuted Serb
police and some media allegations claiming that Qel& Desku was killed by
the so-called Liberation Army of Kosova (U^K). The Prishtina-based Koha
ditore as well as Serb press have misspelled the named the deceased
Albanian, the Commission in Peja said for his name is not Qerim Desku but
Qel& Desku.
The late Albanian was resident of Kliqina and father to five children.
Quoting eye-witnesses in Kliqina village, the LDK Information Commission in
Peja said that Qel& Desku was shot dead in front of his house Friday
afternoon during a Serb police crackdown against the residents of the
village.
Following a yet unsolved incident near the police station in Kliqina around
noon Friday, the Serb police launched a there-hour house-to-house raid in
Kliqina and a couple of surrounding villages. Scores of Albanians had their
homes raided on and were brutally beaten. Two secondary school students
from Kliqina, Afrim H. Berisha (17) and Burim A. Berisha (17) received Serb
police firearm wounds.
Witnesses said the amidst Serb police shooting in Kliqina on Friday, late
Albanian, Qel& Desku, had walked out of is house to see what was going on.
He was fatally wounded and died half an hour later as, because of the
ongoing Serb police crackdown in the village, no one dared offer him first
aid assistance.
Witnesses from Kliqina and the neighboring village of Jabllanica have said
the body of the deceased Albanian was taken to Peja in an ambulance car
later in the afternoon Friday. The family could not collect the body until
Saturday morning.
At least 100 Serb policemen were involved Friday in a massive campaign of
persecution of local Albanians in Kli^ina, Jabllanica and Rosuja. The Serb
police also opened fire at Naim B. Abazi (22) and Jeton M. Abazi (17) from
Jabllanica. They were subsequently apprehended by the police and were
beaten both on the street and the police station. They were released later
in the afternoon. Serb police forces raided on scores of houses of
Albanians in the three villages, including Ramiz Zogaj, Mehmet Zogaj, Tahir
Abazi, Ram& Abazi, Zenel Atashi, Hamdi Seniku Haxhi Berisha, etc.
[05] LDK Chairman in Klina Arrested
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The Serbian police arrested today
(Saturday morning Ismet Raci, LDK Chairman in Klina. Mr. Raci was arrested
in a bookshop together with the owner of the bookshop Fazli Raci, LDK
Information Commission reported.
[06] President Rugova Receives Italian Diplomats
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.
Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina Ambassador Umberto Vattani,
Secretary General in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Italy, Mr.
Riccardo Sessa, Italian Ambassador to Belgrade, Mrs. Laura Mirachian, Head
of the Neighboring Countries Office in the Ministry, and Mrs. Rossella
Franchini, Political Counsellor at the Italian Embassy in Belgrade.
President Rugova and the Italian diplomats discussed about the most recent
developments in Kosova as well as the prospects for a negotiated resolution
of the Kosova issue.
Ambassador Vattani conveyed the concern of the Italian government over the
situation in Kosova and underlined the efforts this country has been making
to support a negotiated settlement to the Kosova crisis.
The six-nation Contact Group is interested to see a rapid normalization of
the situation in Kosova, Mr. Vattani stressed.
Regarding the situation in Kosova, President Rugova said it is extremely
grave amidst armed actions by Serbian forces against the local Albanian
population in parts of Kosova. He pressed for increased international
pressure to ensure that Belgrade complies with calls for withdrawal of its
police, military and paramilitary units from Kosova.
The people of Kosova are committed to their peaceful struggle for freedom
and independence, the President said, adding that Kosova as an independent
and neutral country is the best solution to the Kosova crisis. He
reasserted that an interim international civil protectorate would bring
about normal conditions for a negotiated settlement to the issue.
An unconditional dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade, under third party
mediation, at a neutral venue, is necessary in pursuit of a just solution
for Kosova, Dr. Rugova underlined President Ibrahim Rugova urged Italy
increase its efforts in the international fora to secure a just and
negotiated solution to the Kosova issue.
[07] Rugova and Vattani to the Press
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova and the
senior Italian diplomat, Ambassador Umberto Vattani, spoke to the press
after their meeting in Prishtina Saturday.
President Rugova said the situation in Kosova is extremely grave.
Serb armed operations and violence in Kosova should stop, he added.
"We discussed the prospects for an unconditional talks process (with
Belgrade), under third party mediation". Dr. Rugova said. In the talks
process the parties go with their negotiating positions, he stressed. "We
strive for freedom, independence and democracy of Kosova", the President
said.
What is urgent now is to prevent the situation from further escalating, he
said, urging Italy, the EU countries, and the six- nation Contact Group to
increase their efforts on Kosova in pursuit of a negotiated and peaceful
resolution.
The President of the Republic of Kosova urged all citizens to "show maximum
restraint" amidst Serbian provocations.
Ambassador Umberto Vattani, Secretary General in the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs of Italy, said he was very pleased to see Mr Rugova again. "We
attach a very great importance to this region, and we are worried by what
is happening. We think that it would be right if violence disappeared and
gave way to the dialogue between the sides. We make a strong appeal to the
two sides to initiate the dialogue. We think that this should be the best
way out of this difficult situation.", Vattani said in English.
He said the situation is "undoubtedly worrying".
The people of this region would like to live freely, in peace and in full
respect of their rights, and "so I think that this discussion is helpful to
convey our message that we should try and make the greatest contribution to
an improvement of the situation as early as possible.", the Italian
diplomat said to reporters in Prishtina.
[08] Milosevic Has Not Complied with Any Demand as One Month Reprieve
Expires
The Serb leader has sensed there isn't enough resolve on behalf of the
international community to make him act responsibly on Kosova
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The six-nation Contact Group - comprising the
United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, and Russia - met in Bonn a
month ago today to discuss the situation in Kosova and Belgrade's
compliance with the demands the Contact Group ministerial meeting had made
in London meeting on 9 March.
The Contact Group, which had originally set a ten-day deadline to the
Belgrade regime on Kosova, gave Belgrade a one month reprieve.
The stance of the statement of March 9 - very firm according to some, not
that tough according to others - was watered down in the March 25 statement
on Kosova.
"A balanced outcome", said Russian Foreign Minister Yevgeni Primakov
referring to the meeting of 25 April, bespeaking Russian opposition to
resolute action to make Belgrade comply with the Contact Group's demands.
"We have sustained the minimum degree of pressure needed", U.S. Secretary
of State Madeleine Albright told a news conference after chairing the
meeting of the Contact Group in Bonn a month ago.
The "lowest common denominator" approach of the Group gave Milosevic a
month reprieve which has expired today.
What has happened in the meantime" What is the level of Milosevic'
compliance?
The UN Security Council adopted a mandatory resolution on an arms embargo
on 'FRY' (Serbia-Montenegro) on 31 March, as called for by the Contact
Group. The embargo is in place, but Belgrade has enough weaponry, inherited
from the notorious JNA (Yugoslav National Army), to level Kosova and its 2
million Albanians.
The government in Belgrade, the Milosevic-Seselj coalition, has proven
right all those who did not give them the benefit of the doubt - they who
knew "the lowest common denominator" approach by the international
community will only make Milosevic defy the will of the world more
vigorously.
The Serbian 'no outside mediation' referendum on Kosova was designed by
Milosevic in his best tradition of defiance and brinkmanship.
He has outsmarted the world doing harm in Kosova, just like in Bosnia, as
much as he can do away with.
This "as much", as a rule, is outrageously too much.
Milosevic has not complied with any of the demands put forward by the
Contact Group, because he sensed there was no enough resolve on behalf of
the international community to make him act responsibly.
Instead of starting an unconditional dialogue at the federal level,
Milosevic has been sending down to Prishtina delegations offering a
legitimization of the fait accompli situation created with the re-conquest
of Kosova in the wake of the 1989 revocation of the status of Kosova as an
equitable federal member of the now defunct 'SFRY'.
Instead of withdrawing special police units, Milosevic has put the Yugoslav
National Army in action in Kosova.
Slobodan Milosevic) is "upping the ante with the involvement of the
Yugoslav National Army" in Kosova, State Dept. spokesman James Rubin said
yesterday (Friday).
The special Serb police are out of their barracks in Kosova, the Yugoslav
National Army is in the region, he said, adding that "we can confirm that
we believe they are operating in the interior" of Kosovar territory.
And it was only a week or so ago that senior European diplomats were quoted
as saying Milosevic was about to withdraw or had already withdrawn the
special units, giving the Belgrade regime some credit on compliance with
the Contact group demands on Kosova!
New Serb police emplacements have been built in many parts of Kosova,
complete with sandbags and chimneys, where none existed before. Fresh Serb
military and police forces - fully equipped - have been brought into Kosova
from Serbia over the past four weeks.
A couple dozens Albanians were killed by the Serb army this week in
southern Kosova along the Kosova-Albania border, an Albanian- Albanian
border.
The statement produced by the Contact Group on 25 April was not taken
seriously by Milosevic and his new/old associates, Vojislav Seselj and
others.
The positive measures (the carrot) floated by certain senior diplomats have
only made him cocksure he will need to stay on course with his defiant
policies vis-a-vis the will of the Kosovars and the world.
The 9 and 25 March Contact Group met at ministerial level. The 29 April one
will be at political directors' level. This is no good omen for the resolve
of the six-nation group on Kosova.
The Contact Group should make it clear whether it means business.
Stricter measures against Belgrade should be adopted. There is possibility
if there is only will for this.
The first thing would be imposition of a "No-fly-zone" over Kosova to halt
helicopter attacks against unarmed civilians in Kosova. The request was
first forwarded by some two dozen U.S. legislators a month ago.
This becomes all the more urgent now that the Yugoslav Army is building up
and operating in the territory of Kosova.
Imposing comprehensive economic and diplomatic sanctions against Belgrade
is the least the world should do now.
[09] Rubin Speaks of "Extremely Dangerous" Situation in Kosova as "Serb
Special Police Are Out of Barracks", "Military Operating in the Interior"
of Kosova
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The U.S. State Department spokesman James Rubin
said Friday, 24 April, in Washington D.C. 'FRY' President Milosevic has not
complied with the UN resolution's demands or the Contact Group's demands
regarding Kosova, apparently referring to the presence of Serb special
units in Kosova as well as nonitiation of an unconditional dialogue with
Prishtina on the status of Kosova.
Asked by a reporter about the possibility of sanctions against 'Yugoslavia'
because of Kosova, James Rubin said the situation in Kosova is "quite
troubling, extremely dangerous."
He went on to say "we believe the Yugoslav National Army has been engaged
in a firefight along the Albanian border with myriad deaths involved. We
can't confirm the number of people killed, but we have no reason to doubt
that a significant number have been killed."
The State Dept. spokesman said OSCE international border monitors confirmed
that they heard gunfire near the Albanian border. "There are credible press
reports of a thousand refugees fleeing across the border into Albania."
Rubin said the United States recognizes every country's sovereign right to
protect its borders, adding: "But the reports of a significant military
build-up in the Kosovo region are extremely troubling, given the
disproportionate use of force again insurgents and civilians in Kosovo in
recent weeks."
The State Dept. spokesman said, "It is time for President Milosevic to
understand that the border problem that he is dealing with is a direct
consequence of his failure to come to terms and his inaction in terms of
developing a viable solution to the Kosovo crisis."
The United States strongly believes that the Contact Group and the UN's
call for the immediate withdrawal of special police units and the call for
Belgrade authorities to meet with Kosovar Albanians in an unconditional
dialogue is the only solution to this problem, Rubin told reporters during
the regular press briefing in Washington D. C. Friday. "The status quo will
not stand in Kosovo if it continues in this direction. It is not
sustainable.", he said, noting that the level of mistrust and the gap
between the parties (Prishtina and Belgrade) is too great. "And the only
solution is for President Milosevic to get the message and get with the
negotiating track and stop thinking he can solve this problem through the
use of military force. He cannot.", James Rubin emphasized.
What Milosevic he has done "is increase support for the Albanian extremists
in Kosovo", he said, adding that "one might even say he's become the de
facto membership chairman of the U^K organization, because with every step
he takes in this effort, he is increasing the support the population has
for the extremist organizations."
Reaffirming the U.S. position, Mr. Rubin said Milosevic needs to realize
that the only solution is "to come up with a credible negotiating
procedure. That means unconditional dialogue, and that means changing the
course that he has taken."
With respect to sanctions, President Milosevic "has clearly not complied
with the UN resolution's demands or the Contact Group's demands."
He (Milosevic) is "upping the ante with the involvement of the Yugoslav
National Army" in Kosova, State Dept. spokesman said, adding the Serb
leader's delaying tactics in calling for a referendum (on foreign mediation
on Kosova crisis, KIC) are also a step in the wrong direction. "All that
has happened by the deployment of these National Army forces in Kosovo is
the heightening of instability in the region."
The United States is working with its allies to "develop a package of
additional measures" designed to ensure that President Milosevic
understands that his current course of action can only lead to further and
further isolation for the people of the former Yugoslavia, Rubin said,
warning that it is time for Milosevic to change course "before it's too
late, so that his people don't receive further isolation."
Deputy Secretary Strobe Talbott has been consulting with key governments in
Europe over the phone and in numerous meetings in recent weeks regarding
the package of additional measures, the spokesman said. The Contact Group
will meet next week to discuss them. "But the bottom line is, we are going
to be considering and pushing for additional measures to make clear to
President Milosevic that his current course of action is the wrong course
of action.", Rubin reasserted, refusing to enter specifics about the
nature of sanctions, namely whether Belgrade assets will be frozen.
Asked by a questioner whether it was "necessary to elevate these
negotiations to the rank of Deputy Secretary Talbott, as opposed to having
Gelbard do them?", Rubin said Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has
been very concerned about this problem. "She wants to be sure that we've
done all we can reasonably can do at the beginning of the problem rather
than wait until it's too late."
"Clearly," Rubin went on to say, "some governments don't approach this
problem with the same sense of urgency that we do. We believe the
involvement of Deputy Secretary Talbott only strengthens the hand of Bob
Gelbard, who's done outstanding work in trying to bring peace to the former
Yugoslavia."
Deputy Secretary Talbott has been working with European governments and
others on "a combination of stabilization of the countries around Kosovo,
the isolation of President Milosevic and a negotiating forum to help
President Milosevic get himself out of the mess he has created.", State
Dept. spokesman said.
Asked to say whether the build-up of the Yugoslav military that he
mentioned is strictly in the border (of Kosova, KIC) with Albania, Mr.
Rubin replied: "No, it's in the Kosovar region. The special police are out
of their barracks, the Yugoslav National Army is in the region. We can
confirm that we believe they are operating in the interior, as well, and
this is a matter of grave concern to the United States."
[10] EU Presidency Issues Statement on Kosova
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook issued
Friday the following European Union (EU) Presidency statement on the recent
situation in Kosova: "We are deeply concerned by the reports of renewed
violence in Kosovo and in particular of increasing activity by the
Yugoslav army.
The EU has consistently condemned the violence by the security forces as
well as the use of terrorism to achieve political change.
What is needed is a political process and a start of a meaningful dialogue,
without preconditions, between the authorities in Belgrade and the Kosovar
Albanian leadership.
We insist that the authorities in Belgrade and the leadership of the
Kosovar Albanian community do all in their power to ensure that calm is
restored and to assume their responsibility to resolve by peaceful means
the problems between them."
[11] EU Observer Mission Member in Albania Refutes Serbian Allegations
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Deputy head of the EU observers mission
residing in Albania, James Chapelle, on Friday dismissed reports on
incidents occurring over the last 48 hours along the Albanian-Kosova
('Yugoslav') border, and referred to them as "merely a propaganda",
according to the Albania's Foreign Ministry Press and Information
department, the Albanian state-run ATA news agency reported.
At a meeting with Albanian Foreign Minister Paskal Milo, Chapelle also said
that the international community is well informed of what is happening in
this region.
"Our teams are acting almost along the whole northeastern line of the
Albania-FRY (Serbia and Montenegro) border and have a fruitful cooperation
with the Albanian local authorities and institutions," Chapelle was quoted
as saying.
"We know well what is taking place in Kosova and what the situation is like
in the Albanian territory. But, we regret the fact that in rare cases, such
misinformation, as that of the border incident, is also spread by the
western press," he stressed, according to ATA.
Albanian Foreign Minister Milo denied the existence of the so-called recent
border incidents, which, according to Serbian propaganda as well as
numerous official notes distributed by Belgrade, "come from Albania".
The incidents will be produced by the Serb official propaganda and military
machine in the run-up to Contact Group meeting on Kosova scheduled for
April 29, Milo was quoted as saying, adding that Belgrade seeks to lay the
blame on Albania over the conflict in Kosova and justify ethnic cleansing
in Kosova.
[12] Names of Ten Killed Kosovar Albanians Unveiled by Serb Military
Authorities
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The Serbian Tanjug agency carried today a
statement by the Serbian martial law in Nis (Serbia) unveiling the names of
ten Kosovar Albanians killed by Yugoslav army at the Koshar& village along
Kosova-Albania border on 23 April.
According to the statement, the following Kosova Albanians have been
identified as killed by Serb forces two days ago: Shefqet Selim Aliaj
(1969), Bekim Sali Aliaj, Hasan Bajram Tahiraj, Skender Qazim Hajdaraj
(1969), Gazmend Hasan Ramaj (1972), Uk& Misin Shabani, Sadik Lush Alijaj
(1961), Hasan Tahir Dinaj, Hajdar Ramadan Ta^aj (perhaps Tha^aj, b. 1972),
and Vehbi Asllan Hasanaj.
All of them were residents of Here^ village of Gjakova, in southern
Kosova.
The ID's of six other Kosova Albanians have been found there, the Serb
court said, adding that they could have been killed too.
Two Albanians have been reported arrested: Gazmend Mustaf& Tahiraj (1970),
English teacher, and Ib&r Sherif Metaj (1961), a farmer, both of them
residents of Here^.
A couple dozen Albanians were reported killed by the Serb military in the
border zone with Albania. They were dubbed 'infiltrators' from Albania by
the Serb authorities.
[13] Serb Police Shoots at and Wounds 20-Year-Old Albanian in Vushtrri
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Ilir Merovci (20) from Dob&rlluka village of
Vushtrri ('Vucitern') was reported wounded by the Serbian police Friday
evening.
Sources in Vushtrri said firearms shooting was heard Friday evening at
around 23;00 hrs near the railway station at Dervar village of Vushtrri.
Witnesses said Ilir Merovci, who received bullet wounds on the occasion,
was taken later to the Mitrovica hospital.
The area around the railway station at Dervar was kept sealed off by the
police until Saturday morning. An Ascona car with Ivangrad (Montenegro)
license plates numbers was found in the scene of the incident, said
sources. Huge boxes of tobacco were aboard the car, sources added.
[14] Fresh Serb Military and Police Troops Reported Deployed in Western
Kosova
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Reports from Gjakova and De^an reported
additional Serb military and police forces have been deployed in the area
during the course of Friday night and Saturday.
The situation in the area continues to be extremely grave and dangerous,
the LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said. Firearm shootings and
explosions were heard in several places of the Dushkaja region.
Serb army forces were garrisoned Friday and Saturday in the vicinity of the
Radoniqi lake and water supply system. All the roads leading to the border
zone villages have been strictly controlled by Serb forces. More and more
people have been moving out in panic, seeking refuge in Gjakova, Peja and
other parts o Kosova, the LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said.
[15] Additional Serb Forces Coming from Serbia to Kosova
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Fresh Serb forces have been reported coming
from Serbia to Kosova Saturday.
A Serb army convoy with 10 APCs, 7 jeeps, 7 armoured vehicles and 24
lorries with Serb soldiers on board were seen coming Saturday morning from
Serbia, via the northern Kosovar town of Podujeva.
LDK sources in Obiliq said a Serb police truck with ammunition on board was
trailing the convoy.
[16] Heavy Serb Forces Head for Skenderaj Saturday Afternoon
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Huge Serb forces, equipped with tanks, armoured
vehicles, APCs, and other military hardware, headed for Skenderaj
('Srbica') today (Saturday) afternoon, LDK sources said.
Downtown area in the town of Klina was sealed off by Serb police to secure
passage of the convoy of Serb police forces towards Skenderaj villages as
well as the villages of Jashanica and Pogragja, the LDK branch information
commission in Klina said.
[17] Serb Civilians Supplied With Weapons at Police Stations
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - Serb civilians were seen Saturday morning being
supplied with weapons in the premises of the police station in the town of
Kamenica, sources said.
The LDK Information Commission in Kamenica said since 6:30 in the morning
today Serb were seen given weapons and uniforms.
Uniformed 'civilians' were later driven in a bus in the direction of the
neighboring town of Gjilan.
Meanwhile, sources in Suhareka said at least 50 Serbs were given uniforms
and armament in Serb-run administration buildings in the town today.
Huge groups of Serb civilians were seen entering Saturday morning the
sports hall in the town of Gjilan. LDK sources said Serb men were given
automatic rifles and uniforms there.
Armed Serbs roamed the streets in a show of force, sources said.
Sources in Shtime, a small town 20 km south of Prishtina, said many Serb
civilians were given weapons and uniforms in the premises of the municipal
administration today.
Armed and uniformed Serb 'civilians' were seen later halting Albanians on
the street of the small town and asking their ID's.
Serb civilians of the town of Klina and the neighboring villages were given
weapons and uniforms at the local Serbian police station today (Saturday),
LDK sources reported.
[18] Serb 'Veterans' Invited for Mobilization in Kosova
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - An association of Serbs who took part in the
wars of Bosnia and Croatia has been inviting its members for a 'new
mobilization' in Kosova.
Sources in Istog, a municipality in north-west Kosova, said the so- called
"Association of 1990s War Veterans' has invited its members to show up to
their bases to register for mobilization.
Calls for mobilizations have been placed in camps housing Serb refugees
from Bosnia and Croatia, as well as in other places, sources in Istog
said.
It has been reported that besides 'veterans', members of Serb radical
parties have registered themselves in the lists of the association.
[19] Mitrovica Continues to Be Sealed Off by Heavy Serb Forces
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - A heavy Serb police presence and movement has
been reported in the town of Mitrovica since Friday morning.
Serb police patrols in armoured vehicles have been positioned in several
places in the town.
The citizens who have to go out in town are halted, scrutinized and
harassed by Serb police, the chapter of the Human Rights Council (CDHRF)
said. Most of shops and businesses have been closed as a result of the
heavy presence and movement of Serb forces in town.
Increased movements of Serb police forces have been reported also in the
suburbs of Mitrovica, like Shipol, Tavnik and Bair. Two armoured vehicles
have been stationed since morning near the flea market in the town, sources
said.
[20] Serbian Security Threatens LDK Chairman in Klina
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - The Serbian police arrested today (Saturday)
the LDK branch chairman in Klina, Mr. Ismet Rraci. He was in a bookshop
together with the bookshop keeper Fazli Raci when the two were arrested,
LDK sources reported.
Ismet Rraci was on his way to the LDK branch offices in the small town. He
went to the bookshop to make copies of some party materials he was planning
to distribute to participant of the party meeting Saturday.
Mr. Rraci was taken to the police station in Klina and interrogated by the
Serbian security for three hours. He was forced to hold his hands up while
under interrogation.
The local LDK leader was questioned about the current situation in Klina
and the Klina villages, about the political activities of the LDK. The
Serbian security threatened Mr. Raci that in case anything happened in
Klina they would hold him and "his gang" responsible.
"We will have you, your family and your presidency [the local LDK
presidency] in front of us to hunt down the terrorists," the Serbian
security told Mr. Rraci.
The Serbian security seized all the party materials and personal handnotes
in Rraci's possession.
Albanian, Kidnaped by Serbs Two Days Ago, Tells By Phone He is Alive
PRISHTINA, April 25 (KIC) - An Albanian, Ali Ram& Hasani from Dashinoc
village of De^an, kidnaped by armed Serbs-speaking persons on Thursday told
his relative by phone he is alive.
LDK sources in De^an said Ali Hasani phones today from Prizren, saying he
is alive.
Sources in De^an said that yesterday afternoon (at 17 hrs) a Serb policemen
halted in the street of the town four Montenegerins who were seen earlier
attempting to kidnap an Albanian.
After a short round of argument they were let go their way.
Kosova Information Center
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