Kosova Daily Report #1453, 98-06-07

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1453
Prishtina, 7 June 1998

CONTENTS

[01] The Unfolding Serb Aggression Makes the Kosovar-Yugoslav Talks Impossible, Dr.Agani Says

[02] Serb Snipers Shot at and Wound Seriously Two Albanians in Gjakova

[03] Police Cracks Down on People Paying Homage Victims of Serb Aggression in Kosova

[04] Serb Forces Shell Llausha Village in Drenica Sunday

[05] Bodies of Three Albanians to Brought in Gjakova Morgue Saturday

[06] Serb Police Buries Body of Unidentified Man in Gjakova

[01] The Unfolding Serb Aggression Makes the Kosovar-Yugoslav Talks Impossible, Dr.Agani Says

The Kosovar and Yugoslav teams were planned to meet in Prishtina last Friday but the President Rugova's team did show up while the Serb forces were carrying out large-scale offensives against entire villages and towns in west and south west of Kosova.

In a statement last Thursday, Dr. Agani said the "complete blockade of the areas where [Serbian] violence is being carried out, areas where members of the Negotiating Team were prevented from visiting, make it impossible for the continuation of the planned talks for Friday, 5 June,".

Dr. Agani appealed today on the international community, US and European institutions to undertake whatever measures available to protect the civilian Albanian population in the face of the unfolding aggression and further genocide.

Following is the statement made by Dr. Fehmi Agani today: "The rapid deterioration of security conditions in Kosova, the sharp escalation of Serb violence against civilian Albanian population, and operations of aggression carried out by the Serb/Yugoslav military and police forces - moves that are in contravention to the spirit of clearly stated conclusions agreed upon in the first round of talks in Prishtina which aimed at de- escalating tensions and creating a climate for normal negotiations - have made it impossible the continuation of Albanian-Yugoslav talks on Kosova.

As a result of the unfolding operations by the Serb police and military forces, the casualty toll amongst the civilian population has increased, entire villages have been turned in rubble, houses were burned down, and while unremitting attacks from artillery and aircraft continue unabated, an excessively large number of residents were compelled to flee their homes.

The number of displaced persons taking refuge inside Kosova has already exceed several tens of thousands, whereas as many as 15 thousand others, mainly women and children, have crossed the border into Albania, amidst the continual Serb campaign of ethnic cleansing.

Moreover, a resumption of talks under such conditions is unacceptable if one takes into consideration the fact that Serbia aimed at imposing this very escalation as the topic in the talks, which is in sheer contradiction to the spirit of planned negotiations. Under such conditions a resumption of talks would only be used as a cover up for the violence and genocide Serbia has been carrying out against the Albanians.

As the large-scale Serb police and military forces' violence has been unfolding and the process of dialogue and negotiations remains blocked, we urge the international fora, USA and European institutions, the UN Security Council and NATO, the Contact Group, to undertake whatever measures available to protect the civilian Albanian population in the face of the unfolding aggression and further genocide."

[02] Serb Snipers Shot at and Wound Seriously Two Albanians in Gjakova

The LDK Information Commission said that Zenel Hasan Jonuzi and Naser Tahir Bushati were shot while working in the fields not far from their homes, today at around 13:00 hrs.

Both of them have received life-threatening wounds, the Commission said.

[03] Police Cracks Down on People Paying Homage Victims of Serb Aggression in Kosova

Scores of Albanians were reported beaten up brutally, at last half a dozen sustaining serious body injuries.

Serb police vehicle drove in the middle of the crowed along the Mother Teresa square, the venue of the protest, whereas Serb police kicked peaceful protester with batons.

Eye-witnesses told Kosova Information Center (KIC) that Serb civilians were also involved in beating and dispersing protesters in Prishtina.

A 68-year Albanian, Ismail Abdulahu, was first his with a gun butt by the police, then he was kicked for several minutes while laying on the street. The police even prevented a medical team from treating him, witnesses said.

Organized by the Republican Protest Committee - representing political parties, youth, human rights and trade-union organizations - thousand of Kosovars have been protesting for half an hour (12-12:30) every day for tow months now. The motto of the peaceful rallies has been "Kosova, the Biggest Jail in the World".

[04] Serb Forces Shell Llausha Village in Drenica Sunday

Fadil Geci, a local LDK activist in Llausah told the KIC by phone that Serb forces shelled on several occasions Albanian homesteads in the village. The extended families of Gecaj, Zejnullahu and Babaj were targeted in particular, he said, noting that damage was caused in several house there. He could not confirm if there were any casualties in today's shelling in his Llausha village.

Llausha and several villages in Drenica region, central Kosova, have been kept inside a deadly Serb forces' siege for over three months now.

The LDK activist said today that the situation in his Llausha village has been deteriorating each and every day. There is a critical shortage of food supplies and medication, he said.

[05] Bodies of Three Albanians to Brought in Gjakova Morgue Saturday

Sources in Gjakova said the two killed men are believed to be Albanians from Prejlep of De^an.

Meanwhile, the Serb army brought today morning the dead body of a man at his mid-sixties.

The identity of the three men could not be learned yet.

[06] Serb Police Buries Body of Unidentified Man in Gjakova

The body of the man, aged around 25, was earlier taken to the morgue by the Serb police itself, sources in Gjakova said.

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