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Kosova Daily Report #1419, 98-05-04Kosovo Information Center: Kosova Daily Report Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Kosova Information Center <http://www.kosova.com/>Kosova Information CenterKOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1419Prishtina, 4 May 1998CONTENTS
[01] LDK Calls for Immediate Cessation of Serb Aggression in KosovaPRISHTINA, May 4 (KIC) - The Presidency of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK), the biggest political force in Kosova, condemned in the strongest terms "the Serbian military and police aggression in the Drenica region and the municipalities at the border area with Albania", a statement issued today afternoon said.The situation in Kosova, especially in the villages of De^an and Gjakova, "which have been brutally attacked by Serbian forces in the past several days, is extremely grave and dangerous for the Albania people and a further escalation of the situation into an open conflict in all Kosova and wider in the region", the party said. While reconfirming its commitment to the peaceful struggle in the independence bid, the LDK said "the Serbian aggression is aimed at stepping up the ethnic cleansing of Kosova". The party said it valued highly the determination of the people to hold out in their homes in the face of Serbian aggression, and called on its local activists to work hard to help those families who have had to flee their homes and estates and seek refuge somewhere amidst Serb aggressin. The Presidency of the LDK called on the international community, especially the United States of America and the European Union, to exert all necessary pressure on Belgrade so as to bring an immediate end to the Serbian aggression on the villages of De^an and Gjakova and the Drenica region, and withdraw the military and police troops from the areas under attack. [02] President Rugova's Aide Urges UN World Food Program to Assist in KosovaPRISHTINA, May 4 (KIC) - Dr. Alush Gashi, President Rugova's health and humanitarian policy advisor, urged today the UN World Food Program to intervene urgently with food and medical supplies in Kosova as the situation in the country has been rapidly deteriorating.In a letter sent to Tun Myat, Director of Resources and External Relation Division, and Robert Hauser Director of East European Division of the UN World Food Programme, Dr. Alush Gashi warned that due to the prevailing situation in Kosova and Serb regime apartheid which amounts to a crime against humanity, the lives of many people in Kosova have been seriously endangered. He recalled that over the past years as many as 60 thousand families in Kosova have lived from the humanitarian support "provided to them by both the domestic solidarity funds and international humanitarian organizations based in Kosova". "In the wake of the Serb forces' massacre of Kosova Albanians at their homes in different parts of Kosova over the past couple of months, there are many internally displaced persons living in very bad conditions. The situation has been further deteriorating on a 2daily basis, with the real potential of turning into a real tragedy", Dr Gashi said. He noted that there is an immediate need for food and medical supplies and assistance in Kosova now. President Rugova's advisor invited the senior officials of the UN Food Program to come to Kosova and witness themselves the critical situation in the country. [03] Ponoshec Continues to Be Under Serb Military Blockade, Fresh Serb Troops Sent TherePRISHTINA, May 4 (KIC) - The Serb attack on the villages of Reka a Keqe region in Gjakova along the border area with Albania border zone which started Sunday morning continued during the whole course of afternoon and last night, sources said.The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said besides gunfire which started 10:00 a.m. and went on intermittently during the whole day, heavy explosions were also heard coming from the border area last night. Most of border zone villages, Ponashec in particular, remain under an iron siege enforces by Serb forces. Virtually no one could enter or leave the Ponashec village over the past couple of days, the LDK Commission in Gjakova said, noting that one could not tell yet about the consequences of the unfolding Serb forces' attack. Residents of neighboring villages have told LDK Chapter in Gjakova that many houses were damaged in the villages of Ponashec and Morina. There was word of casualties among the villagers, but such the reports could not be confirmed. Meanwhile, LDK activists in Gjakova told KIC on the phone today (Monday) morning that fresh Serb ('Yugoslav') army forces with heavy armament and other combat equipment were heading for the border area with Albania since 10 o'clock in the morning today. [04] Babablloq Fired into By Serb ForcesPRISHTINA, May (KIC) - The LDK Information Commission in De^an, a municipality in western Kosova at the border area with Albania, said sporadic shooting from light arms was reported in Baballoq village last night.At around 10:30 in the morning today Baballoq came under a fresh Serb gunfire. The village was reported hit with artillery fire, too. There was automatic fire at the Serb police check-point at Strellc i Ep&rm in De^an just after midnight. Local LDK sources said the shooting which started at OO:30 hrs lasted for several minutes. The Serb police is said to have alleged they had been attacked, and they arguably fired back. Sources in De^an said several foreign media crews were prevented by Serb police from going to areas which came under Serb forces' fire on Sunday. [05] Dozens of Klina Villages Under Tight Serbian Siege, Albanian Businesses LootedPRISHTINA, May 4 (KIC) - The situation in the municipality of Klina (Central Kosova) has been deteriorating rapidly as a result of the Serbian troops' siege and their continual movement in the area, sources in Klina reported.The villages Jashanic& e Ep&rme, Jashanic& e Ul&t, Jellovc, Resnik, Pogragj&, Gjurgjevik i Madh, Gllarev&, Rigjev&, Zab&rgj, Cerovik, Dob&rdol, Si^ev&, Ujmir&, Shtaric&, Per^ev&, have been placed under an iron siege of Serbian troops. The LDK Information Commission in Klina said the Serbian troops have shelled Dob&rdol village from their base at Gllareva village over the weekend. No casualties were reported so far. Meanwhile, the Serbian police has continued seizing and plundering food and other supplies from the Albanian shop-owners and residents. An expedition of 30 Serb policemen and civilians raided on the premises of the private shopping center "Sag-Drini", owned by an Albanian Sadri Godanci, seizing 50 tons of flour and other goods. [06] Classes Resume in Several Schools in De^an MondayPRISHTINA, May 4 (KIC) - Following the Serbian forces' attack on several villages of De^an municipality (Western Kosova), most of the schools in the area had discontinued classes for safety reasons, LDK sources said.Since the situation appeared somehow calmer of the weekend the school in Irzniq, Ratish, Strellc, Isniq and Prapaqan will resume classes today. [07] Another 800 Kosova Albanians Flee to MontenegroPRISHTINA, May 4 (KIC) - The Podgorica-based UN High Commissioner for Refugees told BBC Albanian service that some 5 thousand refugees from Kosova, Albanians, Serbs, Bosnikas and Montenegrins have already reached Montenegro.Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry of the Republic of Montenegro said at least 800 refugees entered this republic over the last three to four days. Most of them supposedly found shelter in Ulqin, BBC said Sunday. The man responsible for refugees in Ulqin, Mr. Rifat Hajdinaga, said since March 7 their office have in their evidence 151 refugee families, with a total of 492 persons. Most of them are children, Hajdinaga said. Kosova Information CenterKosovo Information Center: Kosova Daily Report Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |