Kosova Daily Report #1476, 98-06-30

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1476
Prishtina, 30 June 1998

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

CONTENTS

[01] Serb Forces Continued Attacking Area In and Outside Industrial Zone near Obiliq

[02] Serb Forces' Buildup Around Obiliq Villages Continues

[03] Serbian Forces Shell Carralev& Mountain Pass Today

[04] U.S. Pledges $3.55 Million In Support for Humanitarian Needs Related to Kosova Crisis

[05] Serb Police Shoots and Wounds Run-away Detainee and Passer-by in Prishtina

[06] High Tensions in Suhareka as Serb Forces Buid Up in the Area

[07] Hundreds of Serbs Called to Arms in Istog

[08] Serb Army Claims It Has Killed Eight Albanians Tuesday

[01] Serb Forces Continued Attacking Area In and Outside Industrial Zone near Obiliq

Serb military police and paramilitary forces mounted a large-scale attack yesterday against the Bardh i Madh village, home to 800 households and site of the open-cast lignite mine, aimed at retaking the area which had slipped out of the control of Serb forces lats week.

An area well outside the industrial zone has been targeted by Serbian forces, though, with the villages of Hade, Dardhisht& ('Krusevac'), Bardh i Madh ('Belacevac'), Lismir ('Dobri Dub').

Palaj ('Vodica'), etc being attacked.

Serb operations went on overnight and resume today, sources said, noting that a large area in the small municipalities of Fush& Kosova and Obiliq have been under a state of siege.

Reports said 14 'Katjusha' rockets were launched and directed at Bardh i Madh at 2 'o'clock in the morning today.

Many shelled houses of two Albanian family compounds - Gjigolli and Kostanica - have been reported damaged.

An eye-witness from Bardh i Madh claimed during a conversation with the KIC at 13:00 today that the village and the industrial zone have not yet been retaken by Serb forces. "Fighting is going on", he said.

Yesterday the nearby village of Hade saw itself shelled by Serb forces, and five Albanians known by name wounded: Ismet Preniqi (49), Fatmir Preniqi (33), Zymer Preniqi (37), Selman Preniqi (51), and Salih Preniqi (58).

Meanwhile, a report which could not be confirmed said three young Albanians were killed and two others wounded when a shell fell in the courtyard of Ibrahim Morina's house at the village of Hade.

The village was said to have come under Serb attack at 5 o'clock in the morning today.

Most of the inhabitants of Hade - home to 250 families - have fled in the direction of the Drenica region.

A difficult situation is reported at the hamlet of Palaj ('Vodica', which has 40 households. The inhabitants have been reported caught up inside the village.

An eight-year-old boy was killed and a 30-year old man wounded yesterday at Lismir ('Dobri Dub').

The residents of the villages of Pomozotin, Bardh i madh, Graboc i Ul&t and Graboc i Madh were said to have by and large left their homes, fleeing in the direction of Drenica.

[02] Serb Forces' Buildup Around Obiliq Villages Continues

The LDK Information Commission in Obiliq said Serb troops backed up by heavy armament were deployed today on a hill between the villages of Leskoshiq and Sibovc. The site is an important strategic one as a wide area, including parts of the coal mines in Bella^evc and the mountainous villages of Sibovc and Zhilivoda in the neighboring municipality of Vushtrri, can be controlled from there, LDK people in Obiliq said.

Sources in Obiliq said that besides regular Serb police and military troops, local Serb civilians have also been involved in the unfolding attacks against Albanian settlements.

The Belgrade daily Blic carried in its edition today pictures of Serb civilians in combat fatigue involved in military operations in the area.

Meanwhile, reports from Mitrovica and Vushtrri spoke today of further Serb forces' buildup in the villages of these municipalities.

Serb army troops were reported garrisoned today in the compounds of a Serb Orthodox church in Frash&r ('Svinjare') village.

[03] Serbian Forces Shell Carralev& Mountain Pass Today

Meanwhile, other sources said two Albanians, Abdullah Krasniqi, around 50, a schoolteacher, and Fehmi Krasniqi (30), have been lightly wounded today.

Just before 11 a.m. today, a convoy of Serb forces reached Shtime from Prizren and proceeded towards Prishtina.

Reports said houses of Albanians in the vicinity of the location where Serb forces have been positioned have been broken into and looted by them.

[04] U.S. Pledges $3.55 Million In Support for Humanitarian Needs Related to Kosova Crisis

This contribution from the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration will address the needs of internally displaced persons in Kosova and those who have gone to Montenegro, the needs of refugees and the local host population in Albania, and further planning and preparedness for the entire region, the statement said.

The U.S.'s contribution helps fund the agencies' programs of basic food, health and social services shelter, and protection needs. The program will benefit close to 100,000 people who have been affected by the mass displacement caused by the violence in Kosova, the State Dept. said.

The United States commended the international community and nongovernmental organizations for their quick response to the humanitarian needs that have resulted from the conflict in Kosova.

[05] Serb Police Shoots and Wounds Run-away Detainee and Passer-by in Prishtina

Eye-witnesses said an Albanian detainee had broken free and run away while he was being taken by police into the court premises.

He is said to be Ylber Topalli, resident of Greme village of Ferizaj ('Urosevac'), around 30 years of age.

Three wardens and a policemen set about chasing him. He was shot while running away only a short distance from the District Court.

A passer-bye was reported wounded, too.

Heavy Serbian police forces sealed off the scene of this incident.

[06] High Tensions in Suhareka as Serb Forces Buid Up in the Area

The LDK chapter in Suhareka said Serb forces have been building up in the area. A convoy of 52 Serb/Yugoslav army vehicles and tanks drove along the Duhla maintain pass this morning, heading for villages around Suhareka. Part of the convoy stopped at a place called Biraq, while the rest in Shiroka village and the rubber plant in Suhareka.

Reports from Suhareka said local Serb population have been leaving Suhareka, Mushtisht, Lishan and Re^ani.

Meanwhile, Serbian police in Prizren detained and maltreated Monday two members of the LDK chapter in Suhareka, Vitor Markaj and Syl& Basha. The two LDK activists were tortured badly in connection with their alleged ties with the U^K. Both of them sustained grave body injuries and had to seek medical treatment.

[07] Hundreds of Serbs Called to Arms in Istog

Hundreds of Serbs gathered in the local community center on Monday evening.

Mobilization of Serbs has been reported over the past days in many other places in Kosova.

The LDK Information Commission in Istog said the Serb police beat up brutally Syl& Maksutaj, member of a newly founded party, the Democratic Albanian Movement (LDSH), lead by Rexhep Qosja.

Syl& Maksutaj was forced off a bus Sunday afternoon and was beaten for three hours in the local police station in Istog. He was later taken to the police station in Peja, where he was held till Monday morning. His health condition is bad, the Commission said.

[08] Serb Army Claims It Has Killed Eight Albanians Tuesday

Quoting sources in the Yugoslav Army (VJ), the Serb center said the eight Albanians were killed in clashes with the border units.

KIC sources in Gjakova could not still confirm by afternoon the report on the death of eight Albanians.

The Information Commission of the LDK chapter in Gjakova said Serb forces resumed today shelling of Albanian settlements in Reka e Keqe region, adjacent to the border on Albania. Ms Besa Arllati, head of the Commission told KIC by phone the Serb forces launched a fierce attack against these villages today morning from 5 through 10 a.m. Serb forces have fired from all kinds of armament, including heavy machine- guns and cannons, in the direction of the hamlets Nec, Ramoc, Smolic&, Stub&ll, Berjah, she said.

Ms Arllati could not speak about the extent of attacks or possible casualties. The Reka e Keqe villages have been attacked by the Serb forces every single day for weeks now, she said.

Kosova Information Center

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