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Kosova Daily Report #1519, 98-08-12
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1519
Prishtina, 12 August 1998
CONTENTS
[01] Serbs Step Up Military Offensive in De^an Area
[02] Alarming Situation Reported in Junik
[03] NATO Reviews Military Planning to Bring an End to the Violence in
Kosova
[04] Serb Offensive in Gjakova Area Continues
[05] Serb Troops Shell Four Albanian Villages in Suhareka Tuesday
[06] Thousands of Displaced Albanians Live Rough in the Open
[07] Albanian Villages in Obiliq Under Repeated Serb Fire for Two Months
[08] Serbs Pound Three Villages in Western Drenica Area
[09] Shtupel Villagers Urge Red Cross Help Evacuate Their Kin Inside Serb
Siege
[10] Baby Dies after Living in the Open for a Week
[11] Serbs Set Ablaze Wheatfields in Bardhi Village
[12] Serbs Force Burial of Unidentified Albanians in Gjakova
[13] Four Unidentified Bodies Taken to Peja Morgue
[14] Albanians Indicted for Alleged Hostile Activity
[15] Trial of Prizren College Student Leaders Postponed for Security
Reasons
[01] Serbs Step Up Military Offensive in De^an Area
- Many reported killed; names of three killed men known; a fourth, still
unidentified, is in Shaptej.
- A large number of Albanians wounded; names of 45 known.
- Serbian troops have suffered losses, too.
- Over 100,000 Albanians live rough in the open, encircled by Serb troops
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - The most recent Serbian offensive, in its fourth
day today (Wednesday), has stepped up against a dozen Albanian villages in
the municipality of De^an, in western Kosova.
In the unfolding offensive, more than 250 Serb military vehicles of all
kinds have been put in action, the LDK Information Commission in De^an said
today.
The target of this ferocious offensive are the villages of Gllogjan,
Grama^el, Baballo^, Shaptej, Dubrav&, Lluk& e Ep&rme, Irzniq, Prejlep,
Carrebreg i Ul&t, Beleg, Kodrali, and other hamlets in the vicinity.
Army tanks, heavy artillery, as well as infantry units of the Serb army
have been involved in the latest operations against Albanian villages,
sources said.
An unspecified number of Albanians has been reported killed in the ongoing
offensive, regarded to have seen some of the heaviest fighting between Serb
troops and local Albanian resistance forces.
Nexhat Humaj, Xheladin Mushkolaj, Naim M. Nimanaj, resident of Gllogjan,
and a still unidentified man in the village of Shaptej, are only four out
of many others known to have been killed, LDK sources in De^an said. (A
source spoke to the KIC of at least 8 killed, see news item below.)
These sources named at least 45 wounded Albanians in the recent days:
Bashkim Aliaj, Arian Malaj, Yll Morina, Elan ^eragjiu, Januz Rexhaj,
Bashkim Sejfiaj, Genc Rexhaj, Sabit Kastrati, Ali Sylaj, Muhamet Haskaj,
Fatos Salihaj, Jashar Zogaj, Haxhi Mustafaj, Ismet Haskaj, G&zim D&rvishaj,
Drilon Haskaj, Vaze Lokaj (f), Hajdar Demhasaj, Sami Lokaj, Jashar Zogaj,
Idriz Rexhaj, Isuf Haskaj, Leonard Aliaj, Bekim Vishaj, Xhevat Zenuni,
Shahe Bajramaj (f), Zade Bajramaj (f), Isuf Aliaj, Ismet Aliaj, Jeton
Halilaj, Burhan Halilaj, Hajdar Demhasaj, Jeton Lushaj, Af&rdita Hajdaraj
(f), Arben Hajdaraj, Driton Mustafaj, Gani Ukaj, Luan Qerimaj, Astrit
Ahmetaj, Zenun Mataj, Lulzim Mataj, Ismet Neziraj, Gani Beqaj, Nezir Lushaj,
Dem& Ramaj.
More Albanians are reported wounded, whose names have not been made known
though.
The local Albanian resistance forces, including the Ushtria ^lirimtare e
Kosov&s (U^K, Kosova Liberation Army), have inflicted considerable losses
and material damage on the Serb troops, local sources said.
The civilian Albanian population, displaced from the villages at the center
of the fighting, have been reported in a desperately dangerous position.
Reports said some 25,000 Albanians have been camped - rather huddled - in
the villages of Isniq, Prapaqan, Broliq, Lumbardh, Dubovik and the vicinity,
most of whom are living rough in the open, without food, water and
medication.
In addition to them, this area has been crammed also by some 80,000
Albanians displaced from the municipalities of Peja ('Pec'), De^an, and
Gjakova. They live in terrible conditions and fearful of a Serb massacre,
being as they are encircled by Serb forces.
Local Albanian structures in De^an called on the international community
today to intervene urgently and save the unprotected Albanian population in
the face of the Serbian aggression.
[02] Alarming Situation Reported in Junik
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - A local source, speaking to the KIC by phone from
a place near Junik, said today the situation was alarming in the area
amidst the unrelenting Serbian offensive.
Today, Serb troops have resumed using heavy artillery and firing from all
sides in their assault on Albanian settlement in the Rrafshi i Dukagjinit
(Dukagjini plateau).
Over 100,000 people have been crammed into an area encompassing five
villages, the source said. The population is encircled, under a ring of
steel maintained by Serb forces.
The source told the KIC at least 8 Albanians are known to have been killed
in the De^an villages these days, 38 are reported wounded, whereas 17 are
considered as missing.
Touching on the plight of over 100,000 refugees, encircled by Serb forces,
the source said earlier shelters have been shelled. "The Serbian attacks
are stronger by the hour. The situation is alarming.", the source told the
KIC.
The United States should intervene to halt Serbian attacks and save the
civilian population, the source said. It is virtually impossible to have
the population evacuated, to get it across the border to Albania, because
the road is rugged and dangerous, the source said.
Most of the people encircled there are women, children and the elderly, and
it is impossible for the local Albanian resistance forces to protect them
from Serb artillery and helicopter gunships, the source pointed out.
The international community should intervene to evacuate the population in
the direction of Peja, the source said in a telephone conversation with the
KIC today.
Meanwhile, sources said German, Greek and Finnish members of the Kosova
Diplomatic (monitoring) Mission visited some conflict areas in De^an
yesterday (Tuesday).
[03] NATO Reviews Military Planning to Bring an End to the Violence in
Kosova
These include the use of ground and air power and in particular a full-
range of options for the use of air power alone.
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Following is the text of a statement by the
Secretary General of NATO, Javier Solana, issued today (Wednesday) after a
meeting of the Council of the Alliance in Brussels.
(Begin text) The Secretary General of NATO, Dr. Javier Solana, is deeply
concerned by the continuing violence in Kosovo and its effect on the
civilian population of the region for which President Milosevic bears a
heavy responsibility.
The Alliance fully supports the efforts of the international community to
encourage negotiations on a solution to the conflict.
To this end, the Council today reviewed military planning for a full range
of options to bring an end to violence and to create the conditions for
negotiations.
These include the use of ground and air power and in particular a full-
range of options for the use of air power alone. They ensure that NATO can
act swiftly and effectively should the need arise.
NATO's military authorities have been authorised to approach nations
informally about the forces which they would be ready to commit to possible
air operations.
The Alliance continues to monitor the situation closely.
(End text)
[04] Serb Offensive in Gjakova Area Continues
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Serbian military and police attacks against the
villages of Gjakova, such as Here^, Firaj&, Dobrigje and the area near the
Suka e Biteshit, resumed today (Wednesday), the LDK Information Commission
in Gjakova reported.
Reports said there was a buildup of Serb troops in the villages straddling
the Gjakov&-De^an roadway.
The huge village of Juniku and the surrounding area was being shelled today,
sources from Gjakova confirmed.
Besides the incessant shelling of the villages, a series of heavy
detonations was heard today at 7 o'clock in the morning. The sound of
blasts - thought not to be from artillery shells, but of strong explosive
devices - was heard in the town of Gjakova.
Yesterday afternoon and in the evening, Serb military helicopters flew over
the area and near the military garrison.
Local sources in Gjakova said that judging from the Serb military movements,
the intensity of the fighting between Serb forces and local Albanian
resistance forces was heavy.
There have been no immediate reports on casualty figures.
The town of Gjakova is virtually sealed off by Serb forces.
Serb forces manning checkpoints in the suburbs have been preventing the
people displaced from their homes in the attacked villages from actually
getting into the town. Albanians are being routinely arrested and ill-
treated in these checkpoints, sources said.
[05] Serb Troops Shell Four Albanian Villages in Suhareka Tuesday
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - The villages of Bodakov& and Maqitev&, in the
municipality of Suhareka, were pounded for a couple of hours yesterday
(Tuesday) afternoon. Sources said the two villages came under Serb machine-
gun fire at around 3 p.m. yesterday.
The LDK chapter in Suhareka said two other Albanian villages in the
municipality, Peqan and Sllapuzhan, were attacked by Serb troops later in
the evening yesterday. Albanian settlements in the area were bombarded from
two major bases in Qafa e Duhl&s and Biraq&.
The Suhareka LDK Information Commission could not say whether there were
casualties in the villages attacked by Serb troops yesterday.
[06] Thousands of Displaced Albanians Live Rough in the Open
They have been crammed in an area between Skivjan, Novosell& and Dujak&
villages in Gjakova municipality PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - In an area
between the villages of Skivjan, Novosell& and Dujak&, thousands of
Albanians displaced from their homes amidst the Serb offensive in Gjakova
have been living rough in the open for days, the LDK Information
Commission in Gjakova reported.
Their living conditions have been described as alarming, as the Albanians
are without food and proper drinking water. Women, children and elderly are
living rough in the open.
Reports said there was shooting overnight and today in the Reka e Keqe
villages, especially in the area close to the border with Albania.
Observers said this could mean the Serb military has been obstructing
passage to neighboring Albania for the displaced population.
Meanwhile, an extremely desperate situation with regard to provision of
basic staples is reported in the town of Gjakova itself, whose population
has been swelled to unprecedented proportions.
Basic food supplies are lacking, as commercial goods have been blocked from
entering Gjakova, while humanitarian relief supplies reaching the area have
been far from meeting the needs of the population.
[07] Albanian Villages in Obiliq Under Repeated Serb Fire for Two Months
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Half a dozen villages in the tiny municipality of
Obiliq, north-west of Prishtina, have been held inside a virtual siege by
Serb forces, police, military and paramilitary units, for almost two months
now.
The LDK chapter in Obiliq said the villages of Graboc i Ep&rm, Shipitull&,
Siboc, Lajthisht& and Hamidi, have been fired into by Serbs on a daily
basis. Serb attacks in this area have not been as heavy as in other parts
of Kosova, but they have added to the insecurity of the population.
For almost two months, the Albanian population in the Obiliq municipality
and the villages around the open-cast coal mine in Bella^evc have been on a
move. Once they feel the situation calming down, they decide to return to
their homes but they are constrained to flee again when Serb begin pounding
their farmsteads with machine-gun and artillery fire, the LDK Information
Commission said.
Serb ('Yugoslav') army aircraft flew overhead the area in Fush&- Kosova and
Obiliq for a couple of hours today morning, sources said.
[08] Serbs Pound Three Villages in Western Drenica Area
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Serb forces mounted an artillery attack today
against two villages of Gllogovc and one in the neighboring village of
Lipjan, 25 km south-west of Prishtina.
The LDK chapter in Lipjan said the villages of Fushtic& e Ep&rme and
Fushtic& e Poshtme (Gllogovc municipality) and Miren& (Lipjan municipality)
were pounded with artillery fire from a Serb position on the Golesh hills.
There has been no word about possible casualties.
The LDK Information Commission in Lipjan said it could only learn that
several farmhouses were burning in the three villages by midday today.
[09] Shtupel Villagers Urge Red Cross Help Evacuate Their Kin Inside Serb
Siege
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - The LDK chapter in Vushtrri said several
Albanians from the villages Shtupel of Klina, central Kosova, came to the
office today saying that their family members have been trapped in their
villages encircled by the Serb troops. At least 28 members of the Arifaj
extended family have been holed up in the village for several days now
unable to flee as they fear Serb massacre they said.
The Shtupel villagers urged the International Red Cross to intervene with
the Serbs authorities to secure the evacuation of their kin.
[10] Baby Dies after Living in the Open for a Week
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - A one-year-old toddler, Donjet& Beqiri from
Turiqefc village of Sk&nderaj ('Srbica'), died yesterday soon after her
family was sheltered in Brusnik village of Vushtrri.
LDK sources in Vushtrri ('Vucitern') said the Beqiri family had spent seven
days in the open until making it to Brusnik village.
They could not do anything about their baby girl, who got sick in the
forests.
Thousands of refugees are still hiding in the mountains in several parts of
Kosova lacking food, clean water and medication.
[11] Serbs Set Ablaze Wheatfields in Bardhi Village
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - The Serb troops set ablaze a dozens of hectares
of ready-to-be-harvested wheatfields in Bardhi i Madh (Bella^evc) village
on Tuesday morning, local sources said.
LDK sources in Fush& Kosova said that large areas of wheatfields could not
be harvested in the municipality due to security reasons.
The village of Bardhi and several other hamlets around the open-pit coal
mines have been held sealed off by heavy Serb troops and snipers for almost
two months now. A few days ago the Serb authorities in the municipality
have told the local population that they could harvest their fields, but
many were already burned, activists in the ares have told the Bujku
newspaper.
[12] Serbs Force Burial of Unidentified Albanians in Gjakova
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Serb forces, which actually rule the town of
Gjakova, ordered the burial of six Albanian killed earlier by Serb military
and police, the LDK Information Commission said.
The identity of five of the bodies buried today was unknown.
The sixth was the body of Hasan Hazir Osmani (24), resident of Nivokaz
village, who was brought to the Gjakova hospital morgue last evening.
[13] Four Unidentified Bodies Taken to Peja Morgue
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Serb troops took four unidentified corpses to the
town morgue in Peja ('Pec') on Tuesday, sources said.
Witnesses said two of the bodies were male, one of them a man in his mid-
fifties, and the other boy in his late teens. Two other corpses were of
young girls.
[14] Albanians Indicted for Alleged Hostile Activity
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - Serb court authorities in Peja ('Pec') have
brought charges earlier this week against five Albanians from the region,
accusing them for alleged terrorist activities.
Sources in Peja named the following Albanians indicted by the Serb- run
District Court in Peja: D&rvish Gacaferri (25) from Junik, ^aush Ahmeti
(53) from Sheremetaj (Gjakova), Gani Rexhepaj (19) from Here^ (Gjakova),
Adem Jasiqi (46) from Jasiq (De^an).
Serb media reported earlier this month that criminal proceedings have been
instituted against at least 140 Albanians in Prizren, Rahovec, and
Malisheva.
[15] Trial of Prizren College Student Leaders Postponed for Security
Reasons
PRISHTINA, Aug 12 (KIC) - The trial of nine leading members of a student
organization in Prizren which was due to open on Tuesday in the Serb-run
District Court in Prizren was postponed for security reasons, the Prishtina-
based Bujku said today.
Top leaders of the Student Independent Union of the Prizren-based "Xhevded
Doda" teachers training college - Bylbyl Duraku, Nijazi Kryeziu, Aqif
Iljazi, Behare Tafallari, Leonor& Morina, Jehon& Krasniqi, Sejdi Bellanica,
D&frim Rifaj and Sherif Iljazi - face Serb regime charges of alleged
"terrorist activity", namely support and involvement in the armed
resistance movement.
Quoting sources in the Prizren District Court, Bujku said the trial of
Albanian students was put off as some of the female defendants are being
held in a jail in Lipjan, and that the road between Lipjan and Prizren is
not safe. The trial is expected to begin on 19 August, a defending attorney,
Syl& Hoxha said.
The Prizren College student leaders have been held in Serb custody since
last spring. Witnesses, including defendants' attorneys, have claimed the
detainees have been subject to outrageous torture during the pre-trial
period.
Kosova Information Center
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