Kosova Daily Report #1497, 98-07-21

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

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1497
Prishtina, 21 July 1998

First Edition: 15:00 CET
Second Edition: 19:30 hrs

CONTENTS

[01] RAHOVEC IN FLAMES AND SMOKE AMIDST CONTINUED SERB SHELLING

[02] 12 Bodies Taken to the Morgue, 5 Wounded Albanians in Hospital, Last Night in Prizren

[03] Activist Speaks of Scores of Tortured Albanians in Serb Jail in Prizren

[04] Llausha Village Fired upon by Serbs Overnight

[05] Serb Fire Large-Caliber Cannon Missile in Vushtrri Village

[06] Firefighting Reported Near Ferizaj, South-East of Prishtina

[07] Bujku Editor-in-Chief Questioned by Serb Security

[08] President Rugova Meets with Ambassador Chris Hill

[09] LDK: Serb Aggression's Goal Is Ethnic Cleansing of Kosova

[10] Critical, Dramatic Situation in Rahovec Reported

[11] Rahovec Is Awful, Eye-witnesses Say

[12] CDHRF: At Least 60 Albanians Killed in the Kosova-Albanian Border on 18 July

[01] RAHOVEC IN FLAMES AND SMOKE AMIDST CONTINUED SERB SHELLING

PRISHTINA, July 21 (KIC) - In flames and smoke. This is how the town of Rahovec and the surrounding villages has been described today amidst continued shelling by Serbian forces, which has left scores of people killed and wounded.

Precise figures on the casualty-toll are still unknown as the area has been inaccessible.

The Kosova Information Center (KIC) received two accounts today indicating that at least 34 Albanians have been killed in the last couple of days.

LDK in Malisheva Lists Names of 10 Killed Earlier in the day today, the LDK Information Commission in Maliseheva, a municipality neighboring on Rahovec, said it had reports indicating that at least ten Albanians had been killed in the past days. It named among the killed: Ham&z Rexhepi (66) Drit& Hoxha (f, 24), Ibrahim Cena (50) and Fatime Bugari (f, 22), residents of Rahovec; and Ibrahim Popaj (82), Zize Popaj (f, 70), Hamide Zeqiraj (f, 65), Ryvije Popaj (f, 60), Agim Kelmendi (22) and Ahmet Kelmendi (25), residents of the Bellac&rk& village.

They have been buried in courtyards and vineyards, namely were possible under the circumstances.

The number of those killed is higher, as well as the number of wounded, the LDK Information Commission said.

Many residents had been hold up in Rahovec, unable to leave the town, whose lives are in danger, the LDK said.

Those who manage to get out of the area today were reported as saying the town of Rahovec was being shelled today, too, whereas gunfire was reported in the direction of the villages of X&rx& and Bellac&rk&s. Virtually all houses in Bellac&rk& have been destroyed, reports said.

Account by local Albanian Muslim Community official: 24 Killed Mr. Halit Shala, secretary of the Albanian Muslim Community in Rahovec, said Monday, 20 July, terror reined in the town. A considerable number of killed and massacred people littered the streets, he said. Only in the Tekke of Sheh Mihidini in Rahovec there were women, children and old men, who had sought shelter there, but were slain barbarically, Mr. Shala was quoted by the local chapter in Prizren of the Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF).

In the center of the town one saw people tied to electricity posts, but also massacred people, Shala claims.

At a location called "Tumba", the high school teacher Haxhi Sharku and Ali Percaj were massacred, amd six other carbonated bodies were lying. The identity of the bodies is unknown.

The local CDHRF chapter quoted Shala's account as saying that in the streets of Rahovec the bodies of Ramadan Abaz Ibra (58) and his 56-year-old wife were lying; then the bodies of Bula Abaz Ibra (f, 22), Emsale Shala (f, 27), Abdullah Bugari (37), Kadri Cena (43), Sakip Bugari (50), the wife of Hysen Bugari (58), Hasan Shtavica, a school teacher, as well as the high school teachers Faik Sylka e Xhemajli Ramqaj.

Past a location called "Bllata", near the lake, the bodies of five unidentified people have been spotted.

Two dozen houses burned down are reported, and the CDHRF gave the list of the family heads.

Mr. Shala said among the wounded were Shani Sylka (an imam with the local mosque), Luan Vu^iterna, and Vllaznim Canziba.

The following people are listed as taken hostage/prisoners by Serb forces: Merita Mustafa (f, 25) with her 2-month baby, Ali Mustafa (35), Liridon Mustafa (3 years old), Veton Mustafa (7), Satkie Mustafa (f, 23), Muharrem Mustafa (42), Vezire Mustafa (f, 35), Xhemile Mustafa (f, 75), Muhidin Mustafa (65), Iliaz Shala (55), Xhemajli Iska and his family, Maliq Kerali and his family, Nait (Sali) Musa with his son, Abaz Mullauka (42), Rasim Vu^it&rna (68), Xhevdet Vu^it&rna with two sons and his wife, Faredin Merxha (56), Mejreme Merxha (f, 52), Hidajete Merxha and her daughter, Ali Shala and his eight-member family, Mejdin Qemajli (47), Muharrem (37) and Bekim (surnamed unknown) (35) with their families.

The following people are considered as missing: Hadi Sokoli (32), Hivzi Shehu (30), Sabit Shehu (26), Sedat Shehu (27), Esat Shehu (20) with his family, Gani Haxhijaha (35), Nijazi Mullauka (68), Nijazi Rama with his ten- member family, Jonuz Jupa with his family, Muhamet Kolari with his five- member family, Hanife Kollari (70), Ilir Hasku with two members of his family, Osman Mullaabazi (68) with his family (68), Jonuz Jupa with his family, Muhamet Sulejmani, Eqrem Derguti and his wife, Bademe Draga (f, 70), Nesim Shala with his family, Ramadan Dina with his family, Fahredin Dina with his family, Latif Veliu with his family, Qerim Cena (32), Shefqet Derguti (52) with his wife, Sadik Derguti (32), Muzair Mjezini, Fatime Kasapi (f), Qazim Kasapi, Lirie Kasapi (f), Sanie Kasapi (f) with two sons and a daughter (Bekim, Burim and Leoreta).

Scores of arrested Two lorryloads of arrested Albanians were taken from Rahovec to Prizren last night. The women and children were let free, whereas the men were held up.

Today (Tuesday), at 7:00 o'clock in the morning, a lorryload of 20 young Albanian detainees was taken to Prizren, local sources said.

At 10:00 in the morning today, a lorry with police license plates shipped civilian Albanians from the Serb police in Rahovec to Prizren.

There were between 30 and 40 of them, the local CDHRF chapter said.

Also today, at 11:30 hrs, a lorry owned by the "Progres" firm brought to Prizren 31 arrested people, all of them tied, rounded up in the Rahovec district.

There were wounded people amongst the detainees. They were all dumped in the hall of the fire-fighters, adjacent to the Serb police station in Prizren, the local chapter of the CDHRF in Prizren said.

The CDHRF chapter in Skenderaj: Eye-witnesses speak of Albanians massacred in Rahovec The local chapter of the CDHRF in Skenderaj quoted local Rahovec citizens as saying they had seen Serb forces massacring residents in Rahovec, women, children and elderly.

Eye-witnesses were quoted as saying they saw themselves Serbs drowning to death in a well one Albanian and his two sons, as well as a mother with her two children butchered.

Serb paramilitaries of the notorious Arkan have been engaged in killing sprees in Rahovec, these eye-witnesses said.

[02] 12 Bodies Taken to the Morgue, 5 Wounded Albanians in Hospital, Last Night in Prizren

PRISHTINA, July 21 (KIC) - The LDK Information Commission in Prizren said 12 unidentified bodies were taken last night to the Prizren town morgue. Around 20:00 hrs, five wounded Albanians were taken to the Prizren hospital. Jemin Hondozi (1974) and Albanore Hoxha (f, 1981) had received gunshot wounds, whereas Samere Nurshaba (f, 1991), Abdullah Nurshaba (1994) and Rexhep Nurshaba (1953) were wounded of grenade shrapnel.

LDK sources said around 200 civilian Albanians, rounded up in Rahovec and its surrounding area, were taken in lorries to the Prizren jail last night.

Meanwhile, today at 10:40, another 38 Albanians were taken to Serb custody in Prizren.

Eye-witnesses said women, children, and the elderly were taken in the premises of the jail, whereas the men to the police station.

[03] Activist Speaks of Scores of Tortured Albanians in Serb Jail in Prizren

Ms. Samie Zeqiraj, Presidency member of the LDK Women's Forum, said she was on an bus commuting from Mamush& to Prizren on Sunday morning when arrested by the Serbian police near Landovica motel.

She herself and a dozen other passengers were taken to the police station in Prizren where she was held until 10 o'clock in the evening.

Samie Zeqiraj said during the whole day they were intimidated, tortured and threatened with killing by outraged Serbs. She said that men in particular were tortured barbarically.

Until around 5 p.m. all the passengers taken in the bus were held together in a room. "After 5 o' clock, the police started to pick up us one by one. I was interrogated by a Serb officer until 20:00", she said.

Samie Zeqiraj said she was released shortly at around 8 p.m, but she had no idea what happened to the rest of the people who were rounded up together with her.

"While leaving the police station, I saw scores of Albanians covered in blood, some of them hand-cuffed, the police dragging them inside", Samie Zeqiraj said.

[04] Llausha Village Fired upon by Serbs Overnight

Fadil Geci, head of the LDK in Llausha, said Serb force fired mortars on several farmsteads in the village from their position in the former ammunition factory near Skenderaj. He said there were no causalities, and only minor material damage on some houses.

Mr. Geci said that Serb snipers fired several shots Sunday afternoon on local harvesters in the fields of Llausha.

Llausha village has been repeatedly targeted by Serb forces since early March, when Serb forces laid a deadly siege around the village.

The major Kosova human rights group said yesterday that the Serbs shelled for the first time a suburb in the town of Skenderaj itself.

Meanwhile, the CDHRF said today Tahir Brahim Hasani, 80, a blind person, was slain by Serb forces in his home at Klin& e Ul&t village of Skenderaj last night.

[05] Serb Fire Large-Caliber Cannon Missile in Vushtrri Village

The echo of huge detonations could be heard in Kosova's capital Prishtina.

Meanwhile, the LDK Information Commission in Vushtrri said the Serb police beat brutally brothers Xhafer Xhafa and Skender Xhafa on Sunday evening. The two Albanians were beaten in the local medical center in the town where they had sent Skender Xhafa's pregnant wife to a delivery ward.

[06] Firefighting Reported Near Ferizaj, South-East of Prishtina

The local LDK chapter in Ferizaj said Serb forces withdrew from Jezerc village at around 9 p.m. last evening. While driving along the town streets, the Serbs provoked the citizens and fired from automatic rifles in the air as well as the houses.

The LDK chapter could not learn about the precise extent of the fighting and possible casualties in Jezerc village yesterday. It noted, however, that Serb forces backed up by heavy armament left the town today morning at around 9 a.m., heading towards Jezerc and the neighboring village of Nerodime.

No word still about possible firefighting in the area today.

Sources in Ferizaj said the funeral of a resident and U^K fighter was held Sunday in Jezerc. Nazmi Uk&zajmi was killed last Wednesday evening in clashes with Serb forces, the LDK in Ferizaj said, failing to say whether he died in his native village of Jezerc or elsewhere.

[07] Bujku Editor-in-Chief Questioned by Serb Security

Avni Spahiu told the KIC the Serb security phoned in his office today morning, ordering him to report back to them in person immediately.

Mr Spahiu said the two-hour interrogation by Serb state security officers focussed on a Bujku story covering an oath of allegiance ceremony of the U^K (The Liberation Army of Kosova).

Earlier this month, the Bujku newspaper covered a swearing-in ceremony of recruits with the U^K, somewhere in central Kosova.

However, the story about the U^K swearing-in ceremony as well as the full text of the oath read out by recruits appeared in other Albanian-language papers in Prishtina before Bujku had done it.

[08] President Rugova Meets with Ambassador Chris Hill

On the current situation in Kosova, the President of the Republic said a grave and dangerously escalating situation prevails in Rahovec and its suburbs as well as in the border villages amidst stepped up Serbian military and police operations against the Albanian population.

President Ibrahim Rugova and the American envoy discussed possible steps to de-escalate the situation and create the appropriate conditions for a political solution to the Kosova issue.

In advance to his talks with Rugova, Ambassador Hill stressed the confidential nature of his discussions.

President Rugova discussed the situation in Kosova in separate meetings yesterday with the Italian Ambassador to Belgrade, Ricardo Sessa, and Second Secretary in the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, Robert Petre.

[09] LDK: Serb Aggression's Goal Is Ethnic Cleansing of Kosova

Reports from Rahovec indicate that civilian Albanians have been massacred there, the LDK said in a statement, adding it is impossible to offer any assistance to thousands of citizens who have been holed up in the sealed- off area.

"Serbia is killing children, women, young and the elderly; it is burning and destroying houses under the very eyes of the world," the LDK said. "It is committing crimes against humanity".

The goal of Serbia is apparent - the ethnic cleansing of Kosova, the LDK Presidency said.

The party urged the United States of America, the European Union, and NATO "to intervene energetically to halt Serbian aggression."

It called on the Hague Tribunal to investigate the Serbian massacres in Kosova and to indict those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The LDK Presidency called on international humanitarian organizations to step up work in the crisis zones in Kosova.

[10] Critical, Dramatic Situation in Rahovec Reported

A number of people were tied to electricity or telephone posts before being actually executed by Serb forces, eye-witnesses said.

Large numbers of people have got out of the surrounded Rahovec.

Yet, many remain holed up.

Scores of Albanians have been reportedly killed. Three pregnant women are known to be among them.

There are many wounded people in Rahovec. Some 80 wounded Albanians, many of them women and children, have sought medical assistance in the village of Ostrozub.

Eye-witnesses said there were heavy detonations, shells of heavy artillery landing in the town, as well as incessant machine gun fire today.

Many houses have been burned or destroyed.

Local Albanian resistance forces have been battling with heavy Serb military, paramilitary and police force in Rahovec. The latter have received re-inforcements today.

Diplomats and media representatives have not been allowed access to the area, local sources said.

[11] Rahovec Is Awful, Eye-witnesses Say

Some of them revealed details of their ordeal after being released.

Rahovec is awful, they said.

T. Sh., 30 years old, said he was terrified of what he had seen in Rahovec. "Many people were slain there. Serb forces pounded many houses, and many innocent people were killed... They rounded us up in basements. They got us in lorries. There were 300 of us perhaps.

You could see pregnant women there".

Some political activists in Rahovec were sent in the direction of V&rmic& (a village bordering on Albania). Among them were Mus& Kasapi with his son, Metush Canziba with his son, Beqir Haxhimusa and Mazllum Haxhimustafa. We were told they would be killed there.

I don't know what happened to them...", T. Sh. says.

Xh. Sh., 34 years old, said in shock: "We were in the basement. I got out to look for my brother who was out in the fields. Instead of my brother I saw horrendous scenes. I spotted many killed bodies at a location called "Bllato".

He tells he saw many killed people and livestock in Bellacerk& village. Houses were smoldering there, he says.

D.K., 16 years old, said he was concerned about his mother and brother, who remained behind in Rahovec. "Our house was destroyed, just like many others", he said.

[12] CDHRF: At Least 60 Albanians Killed in the Kosova-Albanian Border on 18 July

The overwhelming majority of the women and children were originating from the municipality of De^an, CDHRF said.

The attack started at 2:30 a.m. when the column of 120 people had crossed the border at the location of Padesh, in the C82 pyramid.

Initially two mines were activated, and within a minute or so heavy shelling and shooting from different arms started. There was shooting from three sides. The carnage occurred past the location called Rrasa e Zogut, near the alpine summer huts of Junik inside Kosovar territory, eye-witness accounts say.

The women and children were on horses, which fell when they were battered with arms.

It is supposed that at least 60 Albanians were killed that day, many of whom women and children. The number of wounded is very high, eye-witnesses said.

Between 15.000 and 20.000 Albanians, mostly from the De^an region, fled their homes and crossed into Albania a month and a half ago, after a huge Serb military offensive to clear the border zone of local Albanian population.

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