Kosova Daily Report #1433, 98-05-18

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1433
Prishtina, 18 May 1998

First Edition: 16:00 CET
Second Edition: 17:30 CET

CONTENTS

[01] G-8 Says Resolving Issue of Kosova's Status Is Essential

[02] Three Albanians Killed by Serb Forces Sunday Noon

[03] Albanian Old Man, Wounded by Serbs Last Week, Dies in Hospital

[04] Serb Civilian Wounded at Grabanic& Village

[05] Serb Forces Resume Attacking ^itak and Padalisht& Villages

[06] Several Gjakova Villages Come Under Renewed Shelling Sunday

[07] Technical Faculty Facilities Building Handed Over to Albanians

[08] Additional Serb Forces Come to Kosova from Serbia

[09] LDK Chairman in Junik Subjected to Brutal Torture at Serb Police Station

[10] Serb Police Fires into Albanian Houses and Shops in Suhareka

[11] Serb Police Beats Albanian Wearing National Hat

[12] President Ibrahim Rugova Meets the General Council of the LDK

[01] G-8 Says Resolving Issue of Kosova's Status Is Essential

The G-8 Birmingham Summit adopted five statements, one of which on Kosova.

Following is the text of the statement on FRY/Kosova:

(Begin text)

"The continuing violence in Kosovo has revived fears of a new Balkans war. The region has already seen too much bloodshed. A political solution to the problem of Kosovo is vital for the peace and well-being of all the people of the region. We consider the meeting on 15 May between President Milosevic and Dr Rugova to be a positive first step.

It is particularly important that President Milosevic has assumed personal responsibility in the search for a resolution of the problems of Kosovo, including its future status. We urge both sides to ensure that the dialogue now begun leads rapidly to the adoption of concrete measures to lower tensions and stop violence. Resolving the issue of Kosovo's status will be difficult but is essential for the good of all those living in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Peace and stability in Europe rest on the principles that borders are inviolable and that political change must come about through peaceful means. We reject terrorism and violence from any side to achieve political goals or to stifle dissent. The states of the region should themselves contribute to a non-violent solution to the crisis. All states should cooperate in addressing the problem of refugees and displaced persons.

We underline the importance of cooperation with the Gonzalez mission. We stand ready to promote a clear and achievable path towards the FRY's full integration into the international community. But if Belgrade fails to build on recent progress and a genuine political process does not get underway, its isolation will deepen.

The elections in Montenegro on 31 May must be free, fair and in keeping with democratic standards and their results must be respected by all."

(End text)

[02] Three Albanians Killed by Serb Forces Sunday Noon

Local sources said Brahim Demush Morina (45), Ramadan Halil Morina (60) and Sylejman Halil Morina were killed at midday at the village which is alongisde the Klina-Kijev& road.

Stapanic& was attacked by Serb forces during the morning hours.

Four houses were burned, and many others damaged, reports said.

The police entered the village, raiding and looting many households.

Most of the people had abandoned their homes, but those encountered by police were ill-treated.

A fourth Albanian was killed in the night between Saturday and Sunday. Jahir Shabani (34), resident of Bub&l village of Malisheva, was killed at the Novosella e Zajmit village of Klina in yet unsolved circumstances. Local sources suspected the killing was the work of local armed Serb civilians.

The village of Zab&rxh& was shelled by Serb forces Sunday, too. No casualties were reported.

Likewise on Sunday, the villages of Grabanic&, Dollov& and K&puz were fired by Serb forces from their positions near the bauxite mines at Volljak&.

Local Serb civilians attacked a local LDK branch delegation visiting the area Sunday.

Hamit Krasniqi, member of the LDK branch presidency in Klina, told KIC Serb civilians fired overhead their cars at Dollov& village.

"Serb paramilitary police smashed our cars," he said.

Serb police harassed the LDK delegation, whereas Hamit Krasniqi was beaten up by police.

"We were nearly killed when they shot in the direction of our car, although they turned us back", Hamit Krasniqi told KIC.

[03] Albanian Old Man, Wounded by Serbs Last Week, Dies in Hospital

Murat Berisha (1927) resident of Leshan village of Peja, was wounded during a Serb police operation in the area on 12 May, the LDK Information Commission in Peja said.

Sources in Peja said the family and relatives of the deceased Albanian who had gone to Prishtina to collect the body were prevented by the police from driving along the Prishtina-Peja highway.

The LDK Commission in Peja said it could not learn still what happened to them, whether they had taken back roads to circumvent police and reach Peja.

[04] Serb Civilian Wounded at Grabanic& Village

The Serb press said his house had been attacked by Albanians, but failed to give any other details.

Heavy Serb Forces Deployed Along Mitrovica-Skenderaj Road PRISHTINA, May 18 (KIC) - Heavily armed Serbian forces were deployed along Mitrovica- Skenderaj road since early hours Monday, LDK sources in Mitrovica reported.

Groups of 8 to 10 Serb armed policemen took position in every 100 meters along the road from Shipol quarter of Mitrovica to Skenderaj.

[05] Serb Forces Resume Attacking ^itak and Padalisht& Villages

LDK sources at Llaush& village told KIC the attack in the two villages started at 9 o'clock in the morning, adding that Serb forces have been targeting innocent and unarmed people.

Hysen ^itaku, around 60 years of age, has been reported wounded. It is feared there might be more wounded people.

Serb forces opened intermittent fire on the village of Llausha overnight, local sources said.

[06] Several Gjakova Villages Come Under Renewed Shelling Sunday

Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon and evening these villages came under renewed shelling by the heavy Serbian forces positioned in the region.

The homes of Avdyl Rexhep Asllani, Arif Rexhep Ibrahimi and Asllan Ali Aliaj at Barjah village were reported shelled and damaged.

Meanwhile, sources in Gjakova said an Albanian youth has been arrested by the Serb forces at Ponashec, whose identity they failed to obtain because of the impossibility to reach anyone from the village.

A team of epidemiologist made another attempt Monday to enter into Ponashec but was prevented by the police. The situation in the village, the residents said, as scores of animal corpses killed by the Serb forces are lying in and around the village.

[07] Technical Faculty Facilities Building Handed Over to Albanians

Mr. Abdyl Ramaj, member of the Kosovar group for implementation of the Accord, told KIC the Serb side handed over the building to him, and he himself then handed it over to the deans of the Albanian- language Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Dr. Ali Gashi, Dr. Abdullah Zejnullahu, and Dr. Bajrush Byty^i, respectively.

Mr. Ramaj said the premises will be used after some necessary repair work has been completed.

The Serbs have all but despoiled the building, removing all facilities. It is but bare walls that have been left there.

Some 200 Serb students gathered in front of the Technical Faculties building today to protest the hand-over.

In the presence of Serb policemen, Serb students ill-treated several Albanians.

In September 1996, an Education Accord was signed by President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova and then Serbian President Ibrahim Rugova providing for an unconditional return of Albanian students and teachers to the University of Prishtina premises.

In the autumn 1991, the Milosevic regime closed down the University to the Albanians, kicking them out of the premises.

The Albanian-language University of Prishtina has operated in private houses and other make-shift premises since then.

[08] Additional Serb Forces Come to Kosova from Serbia

At least ten buses with Serb forces on board, and some 30 personnel transporters and vehicles drove in the direction of Kosova's capital Prishtina.

[09] LDK Chairman in Junik Subjected to Brutal Torture at Serb Police Station

The police demanded from him to disarm the villagers.

Meanwhile, the Serbian police arrested Sunday noon, Gani Shehu, Ukshin Salla (teacher at the local primary school in Junik), and a third person whose name LDK sources could not obtain.

They were taken at the police station and held there tied to the radiator for 5 hours. They were reported subjected to severe torture.

The Junik village has been placed under a tight siege by Serbian forces with heavily armed men all around town. The only way to leave or enter the town is through various paths since the main roads are blocked completely.

Scores of local residents have been reported subjected to brutal torture at the main Serb forces' check point at the entrance to the town.

[10] Serb Police Fires into Albanian Houses and Shops in Suhareka

The LDK Information Commission in Suhareka said that the houses of Idriz Rrafshi and Hysen P&rteshi, as well as an Albanian-owned shop in the immediate neighborhood, were fired upon. The Serb police intruded into the houses damaging and demolishing furniture.

[11] Serb Police Beats Albanian Wearing National Hat

Sources in Peja said that a Serb policeman surnamed Culafic approached the Albanian who was waiting at the bus station in the town, insulted him because of the white skullcap, and then started kicking him.

Martin Ademi has received grave body injuries, the LDK Information Commission in Peja said.

[12] President Ibrahim Rugova Meets the General Council of the LDK

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, the President of the Republic of Kosova and LDK leader, chaired the meeting of the top executive body of the main political party in Kosova.

President Rugova briefed the LDK General Council on the meeting he had Friday with 'FRY' (Serbia and Montenegro) President Milosevic as well as the mediating role U.S. envoys, ambassadors Holbrooke and Gelbard, had in brokering it.

It was a political meeting, President Rugova said, adding that he pressed the case for independence for Kosova.

In reply to criticism the meeting has attracted and the doubts it has raised in the public opinion in Kosova, Dr. Rugova said the platform of the Group of Advisors (the so-called "G-15") is based on the will of the people of Kosova for independence, expressed in the 1991 national referendum.

On the meeting in Belgrade, the Kosova negotiating platform, as well as the mode for future talks, one third of the members of the General Council of the LDK discussed, including Uk& Bytyqi, Adem Salihaj, Nexhat Daci, Emin Krasniqi, Sabri Hamiti, Bardhyl ^aushi, Sk&nder Blakaj, Milazim Krasniqi, Fatmir Rexhepi, Rexhep Osmani, Shaban Manaj, Enver Maloku, Sabit Rrustemi, Ismet Rraci, Sanije Aliu, Ali Laj^i, Aqif Shehu, Hajzer Krasniqi.

In sometimes highly critical tones, they emphasized that the negotiations should be mediated by the international community, that the representatives of Kosova cling to the views of the people of Kosova, and that the platform and the outcome of negotiations be decided upon by the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova.

A number of members of the General Council expressed their dissatisfaction at the fact that the LDK is not represented in President Rugova's Advisory Group.

Members of the LDK top body insisted repeatedly that the members of the Advisory Group are there to prepare technically the negotiations with Belgrade, but that they cannot decide about them, nor indeed their outcome.

Members of the General Council insisted that the utmost should be done to ensure that international factors pressure Belgrade into bringing an end to the Serbian military and police operations against Albanian settlements in Kosova.

Senior party members pressed for a better organization of the LDK and the Albanians as a whole in face of the unfolding Serbian aggression in Kosova.

All those who took the floor pressed for an early meeting of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova.

On the agenda of the meeting of the General Council of the LDK were also issues relating to the current situation in financial, information, and humanitarian fields in Kosova.

The extremely difficult situation in these and other sectors of the Kosovar society is due also to the blockades that the Government of the Republic of Kosova (in exile) has imposed, according to LDK members.

They said the situation can and should be unblocked by the Parliament of the Republic.

With the proposal of Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, LDK leader and President of the Republic of Kosova, the General Council of the LDK pressed the Presidency of the party to bring preparations to completion so that the Parliament of Kosova convene.

All General Council members pressed for a meeting of the Parliament without delay.

At the end of the meeting today, the LDK General Council approved these conclusions:

1. The meeting of President Ibrahim Rugova and his negotiating team with President Milosevic on May 15 in Belgrade - a meeting prepared by the special U.S. envoys Holbrooke and Gelbard - is supported as an expression of the good will of the Albanian side for a negotiated resolution of the Kosova issue.

2. The General Council of the LDK condemns the Serbian military and police actions against Albanian settlements in Kosova, which have resulted in killings of people and huge material damage.

3. The General Council condemns the most recent [trade, KIC] blockade Serbia has imposed on Kosova, which is indeed a form of pressure to subjugate the population of Kosova.

4. The General Council charges the LDK Presidency to carry out all the necessary preparations for the convening of the Parliament of Kosova at the earliest possible date.

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