Kosova Daily Report #1480, 98-07-04

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1480
Prishtina, 4 July 1998

CONTENTS

[01] Holbrooke Meets with President Rugova, Other Political Leaders in Kosova

[02] President Clinton Reaffirms "No Option Ruled Out" on Kosova

[03] President Rugova Receives Senior Swedish, Italian, and German Diplomats

[04] Volatile Situation around Kijeva in the Wake of Friday's Serb Offensive

[05] Serb Forces Attack Two Suhareka Villages Friday

[06] Four Vushtrri Villages Shelled by Serb Military on Friday

[07] A Number of Albanians Caught Up in Their Village by Serb Forces

[08] Kosovar Refugees Arrive in Bujanovc, Southern Serbia

[09] More Montenegrins Desert from Military Bases in Kosova

[10] Serbian Convoy Enters Gllogovc Today

[11] Kosova Catholic Diocese Raises DEM 30.000 to Help Population in Crisis Areas

[01] Holbrooke Meets with President Rugova, Other Political Leaders in Kosova

There have been no written statements by either the U.S. or Kosovar sides.

Ambassador Holbrooke and President Rugova made brief remarks to reporters in Prishtina at the end of his trip today.

"We had a very intense day of discussions here in Prishtina", Holbrooke said, adding that he and his colleagues would be going to get back to Belgrade and see 'FRY' President Milosevic.

"We are going to come back tomorrow morning and continue our discussions.", the U.S. envoy said.

He went on to say: "We have met with most, if not all, of the political parties and movements here in Kosovo. We had a wide range of views, on some issues everyone is in agreement, on others there are internal political factors that are not. The United States is concerned. We are here to help the Albanian people of Kosovo, and all the people of Kosovo, in their search for human dignity, peace and security. Just to repeat, the United States believes that the solution of the Kosovo problem must be peaceful. We do not support or encourage in any way action by security or military forces's violent means in solving problems. The wall we are standing is deep, but it will only get deeper, if force is the solution."

In the presence of President Rugova, Ambassador Holbrooke addressed the Kosova leader: "And Dr. Rugova, we honor you for your commitment to a peaceful solution, and we reaffirm our support for you and our intention to continue to work closely with you. We have to go back now, but I thank you for your time, and we will see you tomorrow again."

Meanwhile, President Rugova had a very succinct statement to make.

"Thank you very much for your coming, and for your efforts and involvement here. I asked for more U.S. involvement in the solution of the Kosova question.", Rugova said in English.

[02] President Clinton Reaffirms "No Option Ruled Out" on Kosova

A questioner noted that while Clinton was in China "the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo appears to be continuing." You and the Secretary of State have both talked very firmly to President Milosevic about stopping and it is not stopping. Is there a point at which you're going to move, or is, in fact, this a bluff which he's successfully calling? - the reporter asked.

President Clinton said he did not think that was accurate.

The situation is serious, he stressed, adding that he still believed "as a practical matter the only way it will ultimately be resolved is if the parties get together and resolve it through some negotiation and dialogue. I think that Belgrade is primarily responsible here."

President Clinton added that others - referring apparently to Kosova Albanians - "when they're having a good day or a good week on the military front, may also be reluctant to actually engage in dialogue. So I think this is something that all parties are going to have to deal with."

While NATO is planning, people are dying every day in Kosova, the reported noted. "The conflict is going on; both sides are involved in it.

There is some uncertainty about who is willing and who is not willing to even negotiate about it. And we're working on it as best we can.", President Clinton said in Hong Cong.

[03] President Rugova Receives Senior Swedish, Italian, and German Diplomats

The current developments in Kosova, ways to bring about an end to Serbian violence and create a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement to the Kosova issue, were discussed in the meetings, President Rugova's Office said..

The situation in Kosova is extremely grave and imbued with potentials for further escalation as the Serbian military and police aggression in parts of Kosova continues, President Rugova stressed, calling for an urgent international intervention to end Serb attacks and ensure that Serb forces pull out from Kosova. Only then can talks between Prishtina and Belgrade resume in search of a lasting and democratic solution for Kosova, Rugova said, referring to independence as the best solution.

The senior Swedish diplomat, Mr. Ulf Hjertonsson, expressed his government's deep concern over the dangerous developments in Kosova and the need for a de-escalation of the situation as a pre- requisite for a solution to the Kosova crisis by dialogue.

The senior Italian diplomat, Guiseppe Baldocci, said pressure on Belgrade will be kept in search of a peaceful and negotiated settlement in Kosova.

The German Ambassador, Mr. Wilfried Gruber, also urged for the creation of conditions that would pave the way for substantial dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.

[04] Volatile Situation around Kijeva in the Wake of Friday's Serb Offensive

Heavy Serb forces backed up by tanks, artillery and helicopters launched yesterday at down a huge offensive against Albanian positions around Kijeva.

The Serb offensive lasted until 13:30, sources said, adding that the villages were pounded for hours by Serb tanks.

Witnesses told the KIC the villages of Bubavec, Llazic& and Mle^an were mostly bombarded yesterday. Serb mortars hit these villages in every 30 seconds, sources said.

It has been reported that Malisheva and adjacent villages were not targeted during yesterday's Serb offensive, excepting Stapanice village where a house was burned as a result of shelling. No casualties were reported there.

Witnesses have told the LDK chapter in Klina that some 16 Yugoslav military vehicles, including tanks and trucks, drove across the checkpoint in Kijeva at around 9 a.m. The army vehicles were seen leaving Kijeva and heading for Klina a couple of hours later. It is believed that part of local Serbs were evacuated from Kijeva.

LDK sources in Klina said that the situation in and around Kijeva and other village in the region remains very tense. Despite the strong offensive by the Serb forces on Friday morning, members of the local Albanian resistance units were not pushed further of Bubavec village, 3-4 miles away from the Kijeva.

[05] Serb Forces Attack Two Suhareka Villages Friday

In the two-hour attack, Kadri Kokollari (30) was killed. Three farmhouses were reported burned complete;y, whereas 24 badly damaged.

The local Albanian defense forces, including the U^K, resisted the Serbian attack, reports said.

LDK sources said the 'Yugoslav' miliary helped Serb police and civilians by firing heavy artillery from its position at Bira^e of Suhareka.

[06] Four Vushtrri Villages Shelled by Serb Military on Friday

It is believed that the targets of Serb military shells were the water wells from which the population gets its drinking water.

Also on Friday, at 18:45 hrs, Serb military forces positioned at Frash&r ('Svinjare') pounded with heavy artillery the village of Pantin&.

The sound of heavy detonations could be heard in the town of Vushtrri.

Meanwhile, LDK sources said there was a movement of Serb troops at Brusnik this morning, whereas at 10:00 heavy Serb police and military troops and armed civilians were deployed in the village of Bukosh, in the crossroads of the villages of Dubovc and D&rvar of the municipality of Vushtrr. Heading the expedition is the Serb police chief in town, Vucina Janicievic.

[07] A Number of Albanians Caught Up in Their Village by Serb Forces

Those known by name are Nikoll& Gojani (45), Elvin N. Gojani (14), Uk& Gojani (42), Ali Gojani (59), Viktor Gojani (32), Veton Gojani (24), Martin Gojani (52), Marjan Gojani (65), Faton Gojani (37), Pren Berisha (95), Pjet&r Berisha (60), Ndue Gjoka (45). More are reported caught up inside the village, unable to leave.

Reports said the village of Dugajev& has been under siege by Serb military and police forces, as well as local armed Serbs in the area.

[08] Kosovar Refugees Arrive in Bujanovc, Southern Serbia

The arrivals are mostly from the village of Sllatina e Madhe and the small town of Fush&-Kosova ('Kosovo Polje'), the Presheva-based Party for Democratic Action (PVD) said.

The Kosova Albanians have mostly found shelter with relatives there.

The Bujanovc chapter of the Albanian party, the PVD, called on the local Albanian population to show solidarity with the Kosovars.

Some 120.000 Kosova Albanians have had to flee their homes in the past three to four months, since the beginning of the Serbian military and police offensive against towns and villages in Kosova.

Two dozen thousands have crossed the border to Albania and Montenegro, whereas the rest are internally-displaced people in Kosova.

[09] More Montenegrins Desert from Military Bases in Kosova

Rifat Rastodor, vice-speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, was quoted as saying that out of the 105 soldiers who abandoned military ranks in Kosova, 50 were of Montenegrin and Slavic Muslim background, while the rest were ethnic Albanians from the republic.

Mr. Rastodor told the press in Podgorica on Friday that there is an ever increasing number draft-age men in Montenegro refusing to join the Yugoslav Army. At least 104 refused conscription in June alone, he said.

[10] Serbian Convoy Enters Gllogovc Today

Meanwhile, Serb forces opened fire yesterday from their position in Ferronikeli plant in Gllogovc in the direction of the village of Bainc&, some 5 km away. At least one house was reported hit.

[11] Kosova Catholic Diocese Raises DEM 30.000 to Help Population in Crisis Areas

"During the services, as well as other meetings, we appeal on Catholics to show solidarity with all those in danger, regardless of their religious background", Monsignor Mark Sopi, Bishop of Kosova, was quoted as saying.

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