Kosova Daily Report #1428, 98-05-13

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1428
Prishtina, 13 May 1998

First Edition: 17:00 CET
Second Edition: 20:00 CET

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Meets Milosevic Friday

[02] Statement Delivered by Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke

[03] Statement by Robert S. Gelbard, May 13 1998, Belgrade

[04] "Rugova's Capitulation", PPK Leader Says for Planned Meeting with Milosevic in Belgrade

[05] "Unacceptable Postponement of the Meeting of LDK Executive", Senior LDK Official Says

[06] Agron Rrahmani, the Second Victim of Serb Police Tuesday in Prishtina

[07] Alush Morina, Third Albanian Killed in Serb Attack on Rahovec Villages Tuesday

[08] Serb Forces Shell Cerovik Village Since Early Morning Today

[09] Serb Forces Launch Fierce Attack against Three Klina Villages Wednesday

[10] Serb Forces Open Fire on Llausha Village

[11] Firearm Shooting Reported in Two Podujeva Villages Tuesday Evening

[12] U^K Says It Is Continuing Its Armed Struggle Against the Serbian Occupier

[13] Police Chases Protesters with Armored Vehicle in Shtime, Several Injured

[14] Serb Police Beat Brutally Albanian at Kosova-FYROM Border Crossing

[15] Tense Situation in Gllogovc Following Weekend's Attack on Several Villages

[16] Serb Police Driving Through Village Provoke and Insult Residents

[17] At Least 18 Albanians Killed in Two Days in Kosova

[18] Ten Albanians Die, Six Get Wounded, in Serb-Made Minefield in Ponoshec of De^an

[19] Two Albanians Killed in Serb Attack of Villages in Klina

[20] Death Toll in Serb Attack on Rahovec Villages Tuesday Reaches Four

[01] President Rugova Meets Milosevic Friday

In the meeting, in which the negotiating team designated by president Rugova will be participating, the situation in Kosova and the possibilities for the solution of the Kosova issue will be discussed.

The President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, will present the position of the people of Kosova for independence as declared in the 1991 referendum.

This meeting will be the first step, and will be followed by a series of meetings in Prishtina between the negotiating teams of both sides in a talks process for the solution of the Kosova issue through negotiations, President Rugova's Office said in a statement.

[02] Statement Delivered by Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke

President Milosevic and Dr. Rugova have agreed that the May 15 meeting will be followed within one week by a series of meetings, to take place at least once a week, between the delegations of both sides. These meetings will take place in Prishtina. They will alternate between sites chosen by both sides.

A meeting between President Milosevic and Dr. Rugova is only the first step toward a political solution of Kosovo. We commend President Milosevic's willingness to assume personal responsibility in the search for a solution of the problem.

A solution to the problem of Kosovo must guarantee the civil and human rights of all persons and ensure common prosperity on the basis of equality of all those living there. All residents of this ancient area, with its rich history, have the right to live in their homes in harmony without fear or persecution." (end text)

[03] Statement by Robert S. Gelbard, May 13 1998, Belgrade

We intend to move rapidly to inform them of these important steps, particularly in the light of the steps they have taken.

We plan to brief the United Nations and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) immediately on the details of this agreement through our missions in New York and Vienna, and I will meet personally with UN and OSCE officials as soon as possible.

Most immediately, this Friday, May 15, in light of serious interest of the Heads of State and Government on Kosovo, I will brief the G-8 nations at the summit in Birmingham, England. We also are seeking an urgent meeting of the Contact Group at the beginning of next week to review the situation and measures the Contact Group has taken in previous meetings in view of new developments.

The United States is also engaged in urgent consultations with OSCE, particularly Chairman-in-Office Geremek and his Personal Representative Felipe Gonzalez. The United States continues to feel that it is extremely important for the Gonzalez mission to get underway, so as to formulate the appropriate means by which the FRY will enter the OSCE, and the OSCE Missions of Long Duration will resume. We continue to support fully Felipe Gonzalez and his efforts.

We look forward to circumstances which will bring a positive conclusion to these talks, and ultimately, which will permit the United States and the rest of the international community to support the full integration of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia into the international community and all of its institutions."

[04] "Rugova's Capitulation", PPK Leader Says for Planned Meeting with Milosevic in Belgrade

"The news that a decision has been made, and an agreement reached, that Mr. Milosevic and Mr. Rugova meet on Friday, 15 May, is no surprise to those who could see a bit further.", Adem Dema^i told the Voice of America (VOA) Albanian Section today.

"This ii in fact, from what I gather, Rugova's acceptance of a cultural autonomy for Kosova offered by Milosevic", he said.

The agreement to meet without the withdrawal of Serbian troops, which are committing massacres against Albanians; the agreement to meet without participation of a third party mediator in the talks, "amounts in essence to capitulation", the PPK leader said.

This is the "second fatal mistake" Ibrahim Rugova has made, the first being the Education Agreement, "that is Disagreement", Adem Dema^i told VOA.

Dr. Fehmi Agani, the coordinator of Rugova's Advisory Group (the so-called G-15) told VOA "no miracles" should be expected from the May 15 meeting in Belgrade. The meeting will be held in difficult times, he said, commending Dr. Rugova for having made a "difficult decision".

Agani said if there is adequate effort, this could be the beginning of a process to solve the Kosova problem.

The VOA correspondent from Prishtina reported that the G-15 met in Prishtina, "without Mr. Rugova's presence".

At a moment the Group interrupted its session, which was resumed in the presence of U.S. diplomats Christopher Hill and Nicholas Hill, the VOA said. "The discontent of all the Group's members was apparent. They did not feel like commenting on the news about the planned Rugova-Milosevic meeting", VOA said.

One can hardly say that the announced meeting has been welcomed in Kosova, the radio said. The basic demands have not been met, it said, referring to the withdrawal of military and police forces and the presence of international mediators in the Prishtina-Belgrade talks process, the correspondent concluded.

[05] "Unacceptable Postponement of the Meeting of LDK Executive", Senior LDK Official Says

The decision about the inaugural meeting of the newly-elected Parliament of the Republic of Kosova was to top the agenda.

Mr. Milazim Krasniqi, chairman of the LDK Information Commission, harshly criticized the move not to press ahead with the meeting of the top executive body of the party, which was scheduled for 11:00 hrs today (Wednesday).

The postponement of the meeting "is unacceptable", Mr. Krasniqi told the Kosova Information Center (KIC).

I would think that even if the meeting had not been planned earlier, it should have been called for today, "to review the new situation, especially in view of the statements by U.S. envoys Holbrooke and Gelbard."

There are things in their [Holbrooke's and Gelbrad's] statements which are a "cause for concern for the Albanian people of Kosova." Mention is not made of the third party mediation in the talks process, "nor the issue of the status of Kosova", Milazim Krasniqi said.

It was but natural that the LDK party executive be duly informed in these moments, he added.

"In my opinion, the LDK Executive Body should have taken the decision for the meeting of the Parliament of Kosova by 15 May", Milazim Krasniqi, himself a member of the top LDK body, told the Kosova Information Center.

[06] Agron Rrahmani, the Second Victim of Serb Police Tuesday in Prishtina

Agron Rrahmani was resident of Ballofc village of Podujeva.

He died of gunshot wounds he had received on his chest and legs, an eye- witness said.

He will be buried tomorrow at 14:00 in his native village of Ballofc.

Meanwhile, Bujku daily reported today that eight of the ten Albanians arrested by police yesterday at the Lagjja e Muhaxher&ve neighborhood were released by 2O:00 hrs yesterday.

[07] Alush Morina, Third Albanian Killed in Serb Attack on Rahovec Villages Tuesday

Sources in Rahovec reported yesterday afternoon that two Albanians, Elmi Morina (50), resident of Vranjak&, and Melaim Krasniqi (31), resident of Postosell& village, were killed during the Serbian forces attack in the area. Four Albanians were reported seriously wounded.

Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in Rahovec said today that one of the wounded Albanians, Alush Morina (75), resident of Ratkoc village, died last night.

Sources in Rahovec said that the Serb forces' attack launched in the morning yesterday (Tuesday) against Rahovec villages continued until late evening hours. The villages came under heavy fire from Serb positions at Kramovik and Mal&si e Vog&l villages.

Serb police helicopters flew overhead the villages for hours. A number of local families fled homes in panic, fearing wide-scale Serb forces attack in the area.

Two Albanians were killed by Serb police in Kosova's capital Prishtina Tuesday morning.

[08] Serb Forces Shell Cerovik Village Since Early Morning Today

The Krasniqi neighborhood has been reported targeted.

Sources in Klina said the Serbian forces tried to advance to the village, but met with a well-organized resistance of the local resident of Cerovik.

In retaliation, Serbian forces began firing from heavy artillery from their positions in Kijeva.

Cerovik was shelled by Serbian forces on Monday also, when at least 36 grenades were fired on the village.

[09] Serb Forces Launch Fierce Attack against Three Klina Villages Wednesday

Three other villages in the municipality, Volljak&, Cverk& and Kramovik, came also under fierce Serb forces' attack Wednesday morning, sources reported.

The villages are situated along the Klina-Gjakova road which links central Kosova to south-west.

Klina is a municipality in central Kosova, bordering Peja, Skenderaj, Malisheva and Rahovec, where four villages were fired upon by Serb forces for several hours yesterday.

Sources in Klina said that Albanian villages have been attacked with diverse weaponry, including artillery. Columns of smoke can be seen above the villages, the LDK Information Commission in Klina said. It further said that the area has been packed with policemen and the villages Kpuz, Rastok& and Dollov& are inaccessible.

Two wounded Serb policemen were brought today morning in the local medical center in the small town of Klina, sources said.

Serb army aircraft have been flying overhead in the region since morning hours, LDK sources said.

[10] Serb Forces Open Fire on Llausha Village

The village has been under Serb siege since 5 March 1998, when Serbs massacred scores of Albanians in the neighboring village of Prekaz.

LDK sources said the village of Llausha is being attacked form several sides. There has been no word abut possible casualties.

[11] Firearm Shooting Reported in Two Podujeva Villages Tuesday Evening

Sources in Podujeva said heavy shootings in the two villages were heard almost simultaneously at around 22:00.

The local LDK Information Commission in Podujeva could not provide further details related to last evening shootings in the two villages.

Meanwhile, intense Serb police movements were reported around the villages north of Podujeva this morning. Serb police in armored personnel carriers drove for a couple of hours on the Podujeva- Merdar roadway until about 10:00 hrs today.

[12] U^K Says It Is Continuing Its Armed Struggle Against the Serbian Occupier

Serbian forces have suffered huge losses during fierce fighting that have taken place in Drenica, Dukagjin, Pashtrik, Llap, etc., a statement numbered 47 said.

The U^K statement mentions by name 16 fighters, "who died heroically" during the fighting with Serb forces.

U^K formations have responded to attacks by Serb paramilitary forces, the statement said, adding that "those [Serbs] taken hostage were released after being disarmed".

"We call on our people to stay in their lands, and act accordingly in cooperation with out military formations", the statement concluded.

[13] Police Chases Protesters with Armored Vehicle in Shtime, Several Injured

Sources in Shtime said at around 12:25 the Serb police on board an armored vehicle drove through the crowd, chasing peaceful marchers.

Several Albanians, including Agush Dauti, Nuhi Cami, Hamd Dini, Shaban Halimi, Naser Seferi, Sylejman Halili, Velime Iballi, were injured, the LDK Infirmation Commission in Shtima said.

Thousands of Albanian marched calmly and peacefully for the 35th straight day today in the streets of towns of Kosova, including Prishtina, to protest the Serb regime rule in the country and call for international recognition for Kosova. The half-an-hour (12:12:30) manifestations have been organized by the Republic's Protest Committee made up of political parties and youth organizations.

[14] Serb Police Beat Brutally Albanian at Kosova-FYROM Border Crossing

LDK sources in Lipjan said Lulzim Hetemi was beaten in the premises of the border checkpoint while returning from FYROM. He was beaten unconscious and even electric shock was used in torturing him.

The LDK Information Commission in Lipjan said it could not learn why Serb police tortured Lulzim Hetemi.

[15] Tense Situation in Gllogovc Following Weekend's Attack on Several Villages

The Serbian forces stationed in downtown Gllogovc have been shooting overnight in the direction of Albanian homes, which are in the vicinity of the compounds they are positioned in.

Albanian residents were reported ill-treated at ^ikotav& e Re 8village, when a Serbian police expedition blockaded one of the roads. Sinan Zymberi, native of Likoc village, was caused heavy body injuries. Two youths were reported shot at.

Meanwhile, police forces stationed in Komaran, a crossroad which links many parts of Kosova, have tortured severely Gazmend Thaqi, G&zim Gollubovci, Naim Stoliqi, a student, and Ragip Berisha, a bus conductor.

Serb forces accused the bus-driver and the conductor of allegedly transporting "terrorists" to Drenica.

Both the bus driver and the conductor left their bus in Prishtina and took a train home, since the police had threatened to blow op the bus if they saw it on the road.

[16] Serb Police Driving Through Village Provoke and Insult Residents

Sources in Fush&-Kosova said Serb policemen on board of jeeps and APCs provoked and insulted local residents while driving through Vragolia village. Pointing guns in the direction of villagers, the Serb policemen acted out execution of residents.

[17] At Least 18 Albanians Killed in Two Days in Kosova

Following is the list of the killed and wounded Albanians in the last two days: At Smolic& village of Gjakova: Murat Isuf Dula (29), Mehmet Dul& Dula (24), G&zim Hajdin Du^i (21), Sadri Rrustem Neziri (48), Adem Sadik Bajrami (42), Shefqet Selim Rexha (32), Hajdar Idriz Ademi (22), Sinan Hazir Rexha (21), and Ramiz Avdyl Rexha (28) from Ponoshec village and Avdullah Xhemajl Avdullahu (21) from Popoc; In Klina: ^aush Haxhi Morina (45), native of ^eskova, and Haki Baca (35), native of Gremnik village; In Rahovec: Elmi Binak Morina (50), native of Vranjaka, Melaim Isa Krasniqi (31) from Postosella, Malush Morina (57) and Alush Morina from Ratkoc village.

In Prishtina: Isuf Hajdari (55) and Agron Rrahmani (27).

The wounded Albanians: At Smolic& vilage of Gjakova: Bajram Gjon Zymberi, Agron Avdyl Dula, Bahri Hysen Dula, Jah& Sahit Ahmeti, Jeton Muharrem Panxha and Artan Dem& Rexha, aged between 20 and 30, all of the residents of Ponoshec.

In Klina: Din Xhem& Berisha, Emin Beq& Berisha and Zeq& Zymer Berisha In Peja: Murat T. Berisha (70).

[18] Ten Albanians Die, Six Get Wounded, in Serb-Made Minefield in Ponoshec of De^an

Chapters of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) in Gjakova and De^an said the incident occurred in the fields between villages Ponoshec and Smolica last evening at around 21:00 hrs.

The Albanian men were fleeing Ponoshec village which has been for days now kept under a deadly siege by heavy Serb forces garrisoned in key positions in the area. The Albanians had walked off the road so as to avoid a possible encounter with Serb forces, the LDK said.

The names of the ten Albanians who died last evening in a minefield have been confirmed by both LDK Information Commissions in Gjakova and De^an.

The following Albanians died: Murat Dula (29), Mehmet Dula (24), G&zim Du^i (21), Sadri Neziri (48), Adem Bajrami (42), Shefqet Rexha (32), Hajdar Ademi (22), Sinan Rexha (21), Ramiz Rexha (28) and Avdullah Avdullahu (21). All the victims were inhabitants of Ponoshec village, except the last one, resident of Pepoc village of De^an.

The following Albanians have been reported wounded in the minefield: Bajram Zymberi, Agron Dula, Bahri Dula, Jah& Ahmeti, Jeton Panxha and Artan Rexha, aged between 20-30, all of them residents of Ponoshec.

Sources in De^an said Serb forces had shown up soon near the scene where the Albanians were killed and wounded. They opened fire on the wounded people, making it impossible for most of them to run away.

The ten latest Albanian victims of Serb forces in Kosova were buried today afternoon, sources in Gjakova said. No word, however, about the fate of the six wounded men.

[19] Two Albanians Killed in Serb Attack of Villages in Klina

The LDK branch in Klina has named the two Albanins as ^aush Morina (45), resident of ^eskova village, and Haki Baca (35), resident of Gremnik vilage.

Half a dozen villages, including ^eskova, Kmuz, Dollov&, Cerovik Kramovik, Rastoka, in Klina municipality, in central Kosova, came under heavy Serb forces' fire. Albanian villages have been reported attacked with diverse weaponry, including artillery, sources said.

The LDK Information Commission in Klina said today afternoon that columns of smoke could be seen above the villages.

Three residents of ^eskova village - Din Berisha, Emin Berisha, and Zeq& Berisha - have been seriously wounded.

Sources in Klina said the attack of Serb forces, launched in the morning today, continued until at around 15:00 hrs.

Many houses were shelled and badly damaged in the villages Kmuz and Dollov. Four shells hit the local primary school at Kmuz. There were no pupils in the school at the time, sources said.

Houses of local residents Bajram Hajdini, Mehmet Hajdini, Ahmet Fazlia, Bajram Dauti, Halil Isufi and Uk& Idrizi, as well as three family compounds at Pashaj neighborhood, were badly damaged.

Members of several local families were forced to lay on the ground, while the Serb policemen searched their homes.

^aush Morina was fatally wounded when his house was shelled. Other residents of ^eskova village, including Din Berisha, Emin Berisha, and Zeq& Berisha, have reportedly sustained light wounds.

The second victim, Haki Baca, was gunned down while working on the fields, not far from his house at Gramnik.

The Klina villages were by and large fired upon and shelled from Serb positions at Dollova and Volljaka villages.

The pretext of the Serb onslaught on the Klina villages is supposed to be the wounding in unsolved circumstance of a Serb policeman at Dollova village today.

However, residents of the villages that came under Serb fire today have been quoted as saying they knew nothing about the alleged incident, the LDK Information Commission in Klina said.

[20] Death Toll in Serb Attack on Rahovec Villages Tuesday Reaches Four

The man's name is Malush Morina, aged 55, resident of Ratkoc village, sources in Rahovec said.

Two Albanians, Elmi Morina (50), resident of Vranjak&, and Melaim Krasniqi (31), resident of Postosell& village, were killed during the Serbian forces' attack yesterday. Four persons were reported seriously wounded.

One of the wounded Albanians, Alush Morina (75), resident of Ratkoc village, died last night.

Four villages of Rahovec - Vranjak&, Postosell&, Ratkofc and Bratotin - were fired upon by Serb forces for several hours on Tuesday. The Serb forces' attack continued until late evening hours. Many local families fled homes in panic, fearing a wide- scale attack by Serb forces in the area.

The LDK Commission in Rahovec has learned the identities of two other Albanians, wounded yesterday, naming them as Bashkim Morina from Ratkoc, who received head injuries, and Hasan Morina (1975), who received life threatening wounds, and is in a coma.

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