Kosova Daily Report #1430, 98-05-15

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1430
Prishtina, 15 May 1998

First Edition: 11:45 CET
Second Edition: 17:30 CET

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Meets with President Milosevic in Belgrade

[02] Serb Forces Resume Attack on Border Villages

[03] Heavy Serb Forces Deployed along Mitrovica-Skenderaj Roadway Friday

[04] Heavy Serb Forces Head to De^an

[05] President Rugova and President Milosevic Conclude First Ever Meeting

[06] Rugova's Press Conference

[07] At Least Three Albanians Killed Yesterday, Serb Attack Resumes Today in Rahovec Municipality

[08] Two More Dead at the Kosova-Albania Border Area

[09] Popular Protests to Be Staged in Prishtina Saturday

[10] Two Villages in Drenica Come Under Serb Artillery Fire

[11] Rapidly Deteriorating Situation in De^an, LDK Warns

[12] Serb Forces Shoot at Albanian Homes, Target Farmers in the Fields near Komaran

[13] Albanian Beaten Up Severely at Duh&l Serb Police Check-point

[14] Shootings Reported Heard at a Serb Check-point at Rakosh Overnight

[15] Wounded Albanian from Broja Denied Food in Mitrovica Hospital

[16] Serb Army Planes Fly Low Over Klina Municipality

[17] Serb Forces Show Force Along Prishtina-Podujeva Highway

[18] Serbian Army Deploys More Troops and Heavy Artillery in Shtimje

[01] President Rugova Meets with President Milosevic in Belgrade

U.S. President envoys Richard Holbrooke and Robert S. Gelbard facilitated the first ever meeting of the two leaders in a bid to start a dialogue which should lead to a political resolution of the Kosova crisis.

Independence for Kosova is the popular mandate President Ibrahim Rugova has been vested with in the Kosovar national referendum (1991) and parliamentary and presidential elections on 1992 and 1998.

The Rugova-Milosevic meeting is expected to start at noon today.

President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova will have a press briefing at around 15:00 at the Hyatt Hotel in Belgrade.

[02] Serb Forces Resume Attack on Border Villages

The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said the fire is so heavy that the sound of it can be heard in the suburbs of the town of Gjakova, in south-western Kosova.

Serb military aircraft has been flying overhead the area.

LDK sources in Gjakova told KIC by phone at 10:00 hrs, the Serb shelling of the three villages was still going on.

[03] Heavy Serb Forces Deployed along Mitrovica-Skenderaj Roadway Friday

Serb forces took up positions in every 100 meters along the roadway, from the Shipol suburbs of Mitrovica to Klina e Ep&rme village of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), in groups 8-12 armed men.

Two Serb army helicopters flew at 8 o'clock overhead the Braboniq village of Mitrovica.

Local sources said 80 vehicles of the Serb military and police headed to Skenderaj today. They were said to have been coming from Raska (Serbia).

[04] Heavy Serb Forces Head to De^an

The convoys consisted of 60 vehicles - some of which trailed cannons and other combat equipment - and 18 busloads of policemen.

[05] President Rugova and President Milosevic Conclude First Ever Meeting

Rugova was accompanied by his four-member negotiating team.

The President of the Republic of Kosova and his team met in the residence of the U.S. Chief of Mission in Belgrade with the ambassadors of the countries making up the Contact Group.

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova held a press conference in the Hyatt Hotel in Belgrade.

[06] Rugova's Press Conference

The President of the Republic of Kosova told reporters he had a meeting with Mr. Milosevic, "the first ever meeting" with him.

This is the first step towards the resolution of the Kosova issue "on the basis of the will of the people of Kosova for independence", Rugova said.

He said the meeting with Milosevic was an important one, "in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding".

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said working groups will be designated, which will start working next Friday.

The Kosova leader thanked the USA, first and foremost Ambassadors Gelbard and Holbrooke, who facilitated the meeting, but also other members of the Contact Group.

In reference to today's meeting, Rugova said a range of issues were discussed today, adding that there was a mood for the creation of understanding for the resolution of the Kosova issue. Pressing issues, such as the security in Kosova, were discussed, he said.

Asked by reporters whether he accepted to conduct talks without a foreign mediation, President Rugova said, "Today's was a political meeting, an unconditional meeting at the top level. Both sides presented their views without any precondition. There was understanding on both sides."

There is international assistance, Rugova said in reply to another question regarding third party mediation in other meetings.

Veton Surroi, a member of Rugova's delegation, also spoke to reporters about today's meeting with the 'FRY' leader.

Meanwhile, Serb state run radio reported on the 15:00 hrs news bulletin about the Rugova-Milosevic meeting, quoting a statement from Milosevic'c cabinet.

[07] At Least Three Albanians Killed Yesterday, Serb Attack Resumes Today in Rahovec Municipality

Serbian military troops, stationed in the vicinity of "Ura e Fshejt&" place, have been shelling the villages with heavy artillery.

The Information Commission of the LDK in Gjakova reported of two Albanians killed and two other wounded during Serb operations yesterday (Thursday). The two killed have been named as Ymer Kajdom^aj, resident of X&rx&, and Bajram Himaj.

Meanwhile, the Deutsche Welle Albanian Section quoted a local human rights activist as saying an Albanian elderly was shot and killed by Serbian forces at X&rx& village of Rahovec Thursday. The old man was travelling with his chaise from X&rx& to Gradisht& village when he was shot, Nait Thaqi told Deutche Welle.

Most of the population, women and children in the first place, have moved out of the attacked area and found shelter in neighboring villages in Gjakova and Rahovec, LDK sources said.

The scene along the Gjakova - Prizren road, from Ura e Fshejt& to the end of X&rx& village, indicates that fierce fighting occurred there yesterday, sources said. There are cars and other burned vehicles on both sides of the roadway whereas the road is awash in spent bullets and shells. Two lorries of the private "Fetoshi" company have been spotted as burned, whereas the two gas stations in the vicinity damaged.

Besides Gexha, Radost& and several locations in the vicinity, several houses in the village of X&rx& were shelled and damaged yesterday. All shops along this road have been smashed and despoiled by Serb forces, local sources said.

LDK sources in Gjakova said the villages of Morin&, Ponoshec and Smolic& in the Gjakova municipality have been under intermittent Serb fire today.

A convoy of Serb forces left De^an for Gjakova at noon today, source said, adding that the convoy consisted of 7 buses, 10 armored cars, 12 jeeps, 10 personnel carriers and 10 lorries with combat equipment.

The convoys stopped for a while in the Serb military garrison in Gjakova, and left for the border villages at 13:00 hrs, sources said.

The LDK Information Commission said the population in the sealed- off and attacked area along the border with Albania risks now the spread of epidemics as a lot of killed animals lie around.

[08] Two More Dead at the Kosova-Albania Border Area

They have been identified as Xhafer Bek& Kukaj (20) and G&zim Miftar Pepshi (40), both of them residents of Junik.

The LDK Information Commission in De^an said the two Albanians were killed several days before.

Since the beginning of Serb forces' attacks on several villages of De^an, 22 Albanians, most of them young, have been killed.

Sources in De^an said roads and junctures in the territory of this municipality have been blocked by Serbian military and police troops Friday afternoon.

[09] Popular Protests to Be Staged in Prishtina Saturday

The plight of the medical staff in Kosova will be the focus of Saturday's rally, the motto being the call for medical workers to be allowed the opportunity to assist the sick and the wounded people.

Doctors, nurses and medical students in traditional white clothes will make the core of the crowd of people calling for respect for international standards and covenants regarding medical attention for the sick and wounded in all circumstances.

The last five minutes of the silent half-hour protest will be the time for the people to shout "Freedom, Independence" for Kosova.

The Republic's Protest Committee said peaceful protest marches, and not popular protests, will be held tomorrow in other Kosovar towns where this is possible.

[10] Two Villages in Drenica Come Under Serb Artillery Fire

The two villages were also shelled Thursday from 7 through 9 p.m. The homes of Rexhep Dem& Zeqiri, Maliq Sallahori and Smajl Zeqiri in Kopiliq were reported hit, the Bujku/Rilindja correspondent told the Albanian section of Deutche Welle.

The correspondent said the Shalakaj neighborhood at Broja was also targeted. Columns of smoke and fire could be in A^arev& village.

[11] Rapidly Deteriorating Situation in De^an, LDK Warns

LDK sources said Baballoq village came under Serb forces attack in the night between Thursday and Friday. All types of weapons were used, from automatic guns to heavy artillery.

LDK sources said they could not obtain any information on possible human casualties.

Two Serbian army helicopters were reported to have flown Friday morning overhead the De^an villages along the Kosova-Albania border zone.

At 11:00 a Serb army plane flew overhead some villages of Peja and De^an municipalities, sources said.

A convoy of Serbian troops was seen on the De^an-Gjakova roadway just after 11 am. There were 3 buses with police forces on board, 40 APCs and other personnel carries, the report said.

LDK sources expressed their deep concern over the fact that the town of De^an has been sealed off completely. Shops have not opened for days and the supply of population with food and medicaments has become virtually impossible.

[12] Serb Forces Shoot at Albanian Homes, Target Farmers in the Fields near Komaran

The homes of Misin Balaj, Hajredin Balaj, Hamdi Balaj, Gani Balaj, Latif Balaj, Isuf Balaj, Nezir Doshlaku, Zeqir Bekolli and Rifat Janova were hit by bullets.

Sources said Serb forces, on board of armoured vehicles, have been routinely shooting in the direction of farmers working in the fields, as well as shepherds.

Meanwhile, Serbian police stationed at Komaran beat up severely Avdi Bytyqi and Zymer Bytyqi from Arllat village of Gllogovc yesterday.

The Bytyqi's are business partners and were transporting fuel. The police accused them of supplying the so-called U^K with fuel.

[13] Albanian Beaten Up Severely at Duh&l Serb Police Check-point

Mr. Kryeziu was told he would killed if ever seen on the road again.

Scores of Albanians have been subjected to the brutality of Serb forces at Duh&l on a daily basis.

Heavily armed Serbian forces backed up by armoured vehicles have taken up position at the cross-road at Duh&l.

The Prishtina-Prizren roadway, which passes through Duh&l, has become an alternative route to many residents who want to reach central and west Kosova since last week, when Serbian forces blockaded the Prishtina-Peja highway.

[14] Shootings Reported Heard at a Serb Check-point at Rakosh Overnight

The shooting began around 10:30 p.m. and lasted throughout the night.

An eye-witness told the LDK Information Commission he had seen a big hole caused by a grenade nearby the check-point.

Another witness said he had seen a corpse covered with a blanket at the site.

Meanwhile, sources in Istog and Klina reported of heavy buildup of Serbian forces in the area of Rakosh and Padalishta. Both villages have been placed under a tight siege.

Serbian forces have closed the Gurrakoc-Peja-Mitrovica roadway to civilian traffic today (Friday) morning.

[15] Wounded Albanian from Broja Denied Food in Mitrovica Hospital

The Albanians has been receiving medical treatment at the Mitrovica town hospital, his room under strict Serb police surveillance, LDK sources in Mitrovica reported.

LDK Sources said the police have been preventing the staff from talking to him in Albanian, his native language, and have allowed no one visit him.

Serb police have been occasionally denying him food, too.

[16] Serb Army Planes Fly Low Over Klina Municipality

Such a threatening presence was reported in the Mitrovica municipality, too.

Heavy Serbian forces have siege the Zllaku^an village of Klina, which is situated along the Klina-Istog road, LDK sources said.

[17] Serb Forces Show Force Along Prishtina-Podujeva Highway

The Serb forces held their guns ready to shoot while pointing them towards the random passers-by.

Serb convoy did not allow any civilian vehicle overtake them.

[18] Serbian Army Deploys More Troops and Heavy Artillery in Shtimje

Another army convoy drove from Prizren towards Prishtina, LDK sources in Shtimje reported.

Heavy Serb Military Detonations at Taraxh& Village of Vushtrri Reported PRISHTINA, May 15 (KIC) - The Serb military troops, which have for some time now been deployed at the Taraxh& village of Vushtrri ('Vucitern'), were on the move yesterday, LDK sources said.

Two Serb helicopters flew overhead the area and eventually landed in the location where the Serb military is based in the village.

Meanwhile, two Serbs in plain clothes opened fire on Albanian random pedestrians at 19:00 hrs yesterday. Two other Serbs joined the Serb thugs, local sources said.

Heavy detonations were heard coming last evening (around 23:00 hrs) from the place the Serb military is stationed ta Taraxh&.

Most of the Albanian schoolchildren have not attended school today at the village amidst fearful presence of Serb forces.

Kosova Information Center

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