Kosova Daily Report #1465, 98-06-19
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1465
Prishtina, 19 June 1998
CONTENTS
[01] President Rugova's Press Conference
[02] 26 Albanians Killed by Serb Forces in a Couple of Days
[03] Serbian Artillery Attacks against Gjakova Villages Renewed
[04] Hundreds of Missing in Kosova, Nobody Knows For Sure How Many
[05] Albanians Missing in Skenderaj and De^an in the Wake of Serb Forces
Attacks
[06] Serb Forces Open Blind Fire on Hani i Elezit Village
[07] Two-Hour Skirmishes Reported Near Rahovec Thursday
[08] Serb Army Jets and Helicopters Fly Overhead Lipjan and Shtime
[01] President Rugova's Press Conference
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - "Important moments in the modern history of
Kosova", the President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova called
today (Friday) his recent visits to Washington, New York, London, and Paris
and the reception he was accorded by President Clinton, Secretary-General
Kofi Annan, Prime Minister Blair and President Chirac.
Speaking during a press conference in Prishtina, Rugova said there was a
consensus for the need to prevent massive-scale massacres and ethnic
cleansing in Kosova, as well as "unity of action in Kosova" itself.
The Kosova President hailed NATO's aerial exercises on the borders of
Kosova, and urged for more protection for the people of Kosova by NATO
forces.
The situation in Kosova continues to be extremely grave and deteriorating
amidst unfolding Belgrade's military attacks against Albanians, President
Rugova said.
The exodus of Kosovars to Albania is continuing, he said, adding that an
increasing number are being internally displaced on a daily basis in Kosova
itself. "Our organizations and institutions have been doing our utmost to
reach out to these people, offer them help and temporary shelter and
security", Rugova said, adding that some international NGO's have been
engaged in this, too.
The best solution is an independent and neutral Kosova, with safeguards for
the rights of local Serbs, President Rugova emphasized, reiterating his
call for an interim international protectorate pending a final solution.
Asked by the BBC World Service to say whether NATO should bombard Serbs,
President Rugova said if Serb military attacks are not halted, then NATO
should undertake action to intervene in Kosova and prevent the Serbs from
carrying further massacres here.
To a second question by the BBC, whether NATO's intervention would be
taking sides with insurgency forces, the U^K, Rugova replied: "NATO should
intervene to protect Kosova and its people".
Asked by reports as to whether U^K would honor an eventual internationally-
sponsored deal on Kosova, the President said such an agreement should be
respected by all.
In reply to a further question about the U^K's role, Ibrahim Rugova said:
"They are groups of ordinary citizens, who are trying to defend their
homes. But we will see to it to ensure that those groups be under control
and bear responsibility for the situation".
First and foremost, Belgrade's military attacks in Kosova should be
stopped", the President emphasized.
[02] 26 Albanians Killed by Serb Forces in a Couple of Days
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - At least 26 Albanians were killed on 16 and 17
June, according to Albanian and Serb sources in Kosova.
Serb media quoted Serb regime and military sources as saying ten Albanians
were killed in two separate incidents, at Koshare on Wednesday afternoon
and near Gjeravica early morning on Thursday.
The Serbs military authorities justified the killing of Kosova Albanians in
their land as actions to prevent armed people from crossing into Kosovar
territory.
Serb sources spoke Wednesday morning of seven more Albanians having been
killed a day earlier.
Thus, Serb forces reported of a total of 17 Albanians killed in the border
area with Albania.
Meanwhile, the LDK chapter in De^an informed Wednesday of seven more
Albanians killed in the municipality during the most recent Serb attacks.
On Tuesday, Ymer Krasniqi was killed at Carralluk& village of Malisheva,
whereas Sabri Ahmeti a day later at Carraleva.
The border municipalities of De^an and Gjakova has been the scene of a
combined military and police operation against Albanian villages and towns
in the past month.
At least 65 Albanians are known to have died durign Serb military onslaught
on De^an area, starting from 29 May.
Serb attacks have been extended in the past few days deeper inside Kosovar
territory, in the municipalities of Shtimje, Klina, Peja,
Malisheva and Rahovec.
Meanwhile, Serbian media have been reporting about Serb soldiers and
policemen killed by Albanian forces in Kosova.
A Serb policeman was killed and four others wounded Thursday afternoon near
Gllareva village, Serb sources said.
A Serb soldier, named Zoran Andjelkovic, was killed in an ambush set
Wednesday by U^K fighters on Shtime-Prizren road, the Serb press reported
today.
[03] Serbian Artillery Attacks against Gjakova Villages Renewed
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - Late Thursday evening, from 21:00 through 23:00,
Serbian ('Yugoslav') military forces shelled the villages of the 'Reka e
Keqe' region from their positions at Kodra e Zhdrell&s, Kodra e ^abratit,
Babaj i Bok&s village and Kodra e Pllanikut, local sources in Gjakova
said.
Serb forces renewed their attacks of a lower intensity early today (Friday),
they added.
The LDK Information Commission in Gjakova said Serb forces targeted the
following villages: Duzhnj&, Nec, Smolica, Morina, Berjaha, Stublla, as
well as Korenica, which is close to the town of Gjakova.
These villages were pounded with heavy artillery, LDK sources said, adding
that the heavy detonations caused buildings to tremble in the town of
Gjakova.
Meanwhile, early in the morning today (Friday), Serbian forces started
attacking with heavy artillery several villages of the Drini river area,
especially Kramovik, Rakovin&, and the eastern part of the village of
C&rmjan, sources said.
The population of these villages has been fleeing for safety in surrounding
region.
Local Albanian fighters have been putting up a strong resistance to Serb
forces attempting to advance into the attacked area, sources said.
There have been no immediate reports on the extent of damage or the
casualty toll amidst the unfolding Serb attacks, It is virtually impossible
for people to reach the sealed-off area.
Heavy Serb military and police forces have been sent in the direction of
the attacked area.
Serbian police raided several houses in the town of Gjakova on Thursday,
tracking down for people displaced from villages who have found shelter
there.
On Thursday evening, the former Bank of Kosova (Bankkos) branch employees
in Gjakova, Ismail Peja and Gani Rudi, were released after several day in
custody.
Serb media rushed to say in the premises of the Bannkos branch in Gjakova a
make-shift hospital had been set up by Albanians!.
Ibrahim Zhubi, another bank employee, was brutally ill-treated in Serb
police custody for several hours Thursday.
[04] Hundreds of Missing in Kosova, Nobody Knows For Sure How Many
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - Nobody can say how many people are considered as
missing in Kosova since the beginning of the Serbian military and police
operations in late winter.
Almost half of Kosova is virtually sealed off, access having been denied to
humanitarian activists as well journalists.
Establishing the number of people considered as missing has been made
difficult because of the movement the internally-displaces people. There
have been cases of those considered as missing turning out to be somewhere
safe and sound, as well as others found in the ruble of their houses
shelled by Serb forces.
Over 350 missing in Kosova is the figure closest to the truth, according to
reports.
Around 300 of them are thought to be from the De^an area, which found
itself under a heavy Serb onslaught since the end of May.
The town of De^an was shelled and even bombarded by Serb air jets, as well
as a number of villages in the municipality, with tens of thousands of
people fleeing their homes, to Albania and Montenegro, as well as insider
Kosovar territory.
At least 65 people are known to have been killed there during the Serb
offensive, information slowly trickling out because Serb forces have
ethnically cleansed the area and laid a siege to it.
The first case of a missing person this year was Idriz Idrizi, from Prekaz
i Ul&t village of Skenderaj ('Srbica'). He disappeared on 22 January after
the first attack by Serb forces of the family of Shaban Jashari at Prekaz.
Eye-witnesses claimed to have seen him then engaged in coercive menial work
in the compounds of the Serb-run Game Ammunition Factory in Skenderaj.
Idrizi's name soon disappeared from press reports, too.
Since the 5th of March Serb massacre at Prekaz i Ul&t, Serbs laid a siege
to many Skenderaj villages, having killed scores of Albanian in their
farmsteads.
A CDHRF (Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms) report said
in mid-April 19 persons were considered as missing on the municipality of
Skenderaj. The fate of at least eight residents of the Suhog&rll& village
is unknown since the 9 June Serb attack in the village. Three killed
Albanians remained unburied there.
The fate of Dr. Hafir Shala is a case in point.
Shala, a physician, and a local humanitarian activists from Gllogovc, was
arrested on 10 April together with two other activists, Hetem Sinani and
Shaban Nezirin. The latter were released, whereas Dr. Shala's fate has
become a mystery. Serb authorities even claimed they did not arrest him at
all!.
The fate of Naim Maloku, a former JNA officer, is interesting too.
He was declared killed by Serb forces together with 19 Albanians on 23
April at the Kosova-Albania border. The 19 were identified and buried. Naim
Maloku's remains were not found. It is not known whether it was only a Serb
bluster, or else he is kept arrested by them.
Kosovar and international institutions will have to work hard to establish
the truth about hundreds of Kosova Albanians missing for weeks and months.
Failure to do so will make unconfirmed reports of collective burial sites
in De^an and elsewhere believed.
[05] Albanians Missing in Skenderaj and De^an in the Wake of Serb Forces
Attacks
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - An Albanian young man from Junik village of
De^an has been missing for over one month, following a Serb police
operation in the village.
Source in De^an said Shkelzen Pepshi was arrested by the Serbian police at
his Junik village on 17 May, but his family has failed to learn anything
about his whereabouts.
The Pepshi family has appealed on domestic and international organizations,
including the Red Cross, to assist in finding their son.
Meanwhile, sources in Skenderaj said no one knows about the fate of five
residents of Suhog&rll& village who disappeared in the wake of a Serb
forces attack on their village.
At least three villagers of Suhog&rll& were killed during a Serb forces
attack last week.
The LDK and human rights chapters i Skenderaj ('Srbica') said Brahim
Rushiti (70), his wife Qerime Rushiti (70), Afrim Rushiti (36), suffering
epilepsy, Osman Osmani (45), and Rexhep Osmani (58), have not been seen
since the Serb attack in their village on 9 June.
Earlier, three other local residents of Suhog&rll& were reported missing.
[06] Serb Forces Open Blind Fire on Hani i Elezit Village
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - Serb soldiers in the fields above Dimca village
of Hani i Elezit ('General Jankvovic') have been intimidating and provoking
the local population on a daily basis, sources said.
Serb army troops backed up by heavy armament have been stationed since last
week there, a village in Hani i Elezit, municipality in south of Kosova
bordering on Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
On Wednesday evening, Serbs opened indiscriminate fire on farmsteads in the
village, smashing roofs of several houses.
No casualties were reported, yet fear and panic was caused in this Albanian-
inhabited village.
[07] Two-Hour Skirmishes Reported Near Rahovec Thursday
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - Heavy Serb police forces were positioned morning
hours outside the town of Rahovec, at a place called 'Te Rrasat', who were
involved later in shooting in the area.
Witnesses told the LDK branch in Rahovec that once the Serb police
stationed there, they started firing from a machine-gun in direction of the
surrounding villages.
There was an exchange of fire between the police and local villagers for
about two hours later, the LDK information Commission in the town said.
The Commission could not learn whether there were casualties on either side,
noting only that Serb police forces pulled back in the town at around 11:00
hrs.
[08] Serb Army Jets and Helicopters Fly Overhead Lipjan and Shtime
PRISHTINA, June 19 (KIC) - Serb/Yugoslav army jets and helicopters were
reported flying for a couple of hours overhead the municipalities of Lipjan
and Shtime today (Friday) morning.
Sources in Lipjan said that at around 10 a.m. Serb military helicopters
hovered over the town of Lipjan. The helicopters were seen flying in the
direction of Shtime and Freizaj later.
The LDK Information Commission said stepped up movement of Serb army and
police forces has been noticed in the area since morning hours today.
Kosova Information Center
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