Kosova Daily Report #1547, 98-09-09
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1547
Prishtina, 9 September 1998
CONTENTS
[01] President Rugova Receives Belgian Foreign Minister Derycke
[02] Rugova and Derycke to the Press
[03] President Rugova Receives Delegation of Italian Parliament
[04] Around 70,000 Displaced Albanians Spent the Night in the Open, in
Stormy Rain, in De^an Area
[05] CDHRF: At Least 843 Albanians Killed By Serbs in Kosova Since January
[06] Bodies of Three Killed Albanians Found Near Malisheva
[07] Serb Troops Loot and Raze Ostrozub Village in Malisheva
[08] Villagers Find Bodies of Their Neighbor After Serbs Leave Lez
[09] Huge Detonations Reported North-West of Prishtina Overnight
[01] President Rugova Receives Belgian Foreign Minister Derycke
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.
Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina Mr. Erik Derycke, Foreign
Minister of Belgium, and his aides. Attending the meeting was also Joris
Couvreur, Belgium's ambassador to Belgrade.
Rugova and Derycke discussed the extremely grave situation in Kosova in the
midst of continued Serbian military and police offensive against the
Albanian people, but also the need for stepped up efforts in pursuit of a
political settlement.
The continued Serb forces' offensive is turning more and more Albanians
into refugees and their settlements into rubble, the President stressed,
and referred to the increasing casualty toll amongst the Albanian people as
a result of the Serb terror.
Rugova pressed for real and resolute international pressure to force
Belgrade into halting its outrageous aggression in Kosova and create the
conditions for a resolution by political means.
The best solution for Kosova and indeed the entire region is independence,
with an international protectorate as an interim stage, President Rugova of
Kosova said.
Belgian Foreign Minister Eerik Derycke said he had come to Prishtina to get
first-hand information about the situation in Kosova, which he called
"grave and unacceptable".
The solution for the Kosova issue should be sought and attained through
negotiations, Mr. Derycke said, adding that his government would support
fully that political process to that end.
[02] Rugova and Derycke to the Press
The proposal which has been put forth by Ambassador Hill, the U.S. envoy
for Kosova, is the proposal that was "forwarded by Europe a long time ago",
Erik Derycke said.
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - After the conclusion of their meeting in
Prishtina today (Wednesday), President Ibrahim Rugova of Kosova and Belgian
Foreign Minister spoke to the domestic and international press.
Ibrahim Rugova said Mr. Derycke was the third foreign minister of a
European country to visit Kosova.
Speaking about the contents of today's meeting, Rugova said the very
difficult situation in Kosova in the wake of Serb attacks was discussed.
"We have asked for international protection. Ways should be found to stop
this very negative tendency in Kosova", he said.
Erik Derycke recalled that this was not the first meeting he had with Dr.
Rugova. "We met him a couple of times in Brussels already."
Rugova is the man on whom "the West is counting a lot to solve the
problems" in Kosova, which are very worrying, the Belgian Foreign Minister
said.
He spoke of the very important meeting (of the EU Council of Ministers) in
Salzburg last weekend. He expressed the hope that the violence in Kosova
will stop, but also the fear that a "humanitarian drama" will occur in a
few weeks' time, when winter comes. "We insisted in Belgrade, and we
insisted also here, to have an optimum collaboration with Western NGOs and
Western governments to deal with humanitarian problems."
Speaking about the political track, Derycke said, "We value the fact that
we have now at least a proposal to start negotiations - I think the
proposal of ['FRY' President] Milosevic and [U.S. Ambassador Chris] Hill is
not perfect - but it is worth to discuss."
In this context, "we highly esteem the role of Dr. Rugova's (as the
President) participation", he said, adding that neither humanitarian
problems, nor political problems will be solved if the parties are not
ready to sit around the same table.
Speaking on behalf of his European colleagues, he said they fully supported
Dr. Rugova and his team in their efforts for a peace settlement to the
crisis. "We don't see at the moment a better solution".
The Kosovars should have trust in their leadership, the Belgian minister
said, and noted that more pressure has been put on Belgrade with the ban on
JAT flights.
Asked by reporters about Ambassador Hills' remarks in Washington last week
on Europe's neglect of Kosova, Derycke said: "We were a little bit saddened
by the declaration of Ambassador Hill - because we don't quite understand -
all the help is coming from Europe."
"And we do that with a very good heart, and we do that because we think it
is necessary. We can only make this constatation, that the proposal [which]
has been forwarded by Hill is the proposal [that] has been forwarded by
Europe a long time", Erik Derycke said.
There is no individual European solution, and no individual U.S. solution,
he said. "That's why we decided to support Hill, because it is our
proposition, and we will send down a high representative of Europe in the
forthcoming weeks, because we think it is valuable, it is complementary of
what the Americans are doing. We must work together, even with the two
hands perhaps we will perhaps not have enough to solve the problems.", the
Belgian Foreign Ministers told reporters.
This is not the time for military intervention in Kosova, he said.
"We will see what the new sanctions will give", he noted, adding that
sanctions "are good and bad" at the same time. Sanctions play only for a
limited period of time. "We are always afraid that sanctions might also a
contraindications."
Asked about further steps that might be considered, Derycke reiterated that
the Europeans "will have an envoy with Mr. Hill, to be around the same
table, and give a complementary boost and support from the European side,
because I think you will need European money for the reconstruction."
In answer to questions, President Ibrahim Rugova welcomed the ban of JAT
flights. Belgrade should be told decisively that it should halt these
attacks and this situation in Kosova, he said. "There should be more
resolve on behalf of Europe and the international community. Belgrade
should be told it has to stop.", the President of the Republic of Kosova
emphasized.
Nothing should be left to be used as a pretext, Rugova said, in reply to a
question regarding the U^K. There should be a unity of command and control,
he pointed out. They all should have the sense of responsibility, because
"the Albanian people of Kosova are bearing the brunt of Serb army
attacks".
We have now the new Serb offensives in De^an, Dukagjin and Drenica regions,
President Ibrahim Rugova said. "People have been displaced, but they are
still in Kosova. If this situation goes on, we will witness new massacres
and huge groups of refugees."
[03] President Rugova Receives Delegation of Italian Parliament
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.
Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina a delegation of the Foreign
Relations Committee of the Italian Parliament consisting of Achille
Occhetto, chairman, and Gualberto Niccolini, Adria Bartolich, and Stefano
Morselli, members. Participating in the meeting was also Ricardo Sessa,
Italy's Ambassador to Belgrade.
The grave situation in Kosova amidst the unfolding Serb offensive against
the Albanian people, as well as efforts to towards a political settlement
to the Kosova issue were discussed in the meeting.
The President denounced in the strongest terms the continued Serb military
and police offensive, which has turned already hundreds of thousands of
Albanians to refugees and internally-displaced people, and destroyed
settlements and property on a large scale. "This is ethnic cleansing at
work", Rugova said, calling for international pressure to make Belgrade
halt its attacks and ensure a safe return of people back to their places of
permanent residence.
There is an all-party consensus in Kosova that independence is the best and
viable solution, with an interim international protectorate pending a
lasting solution, President Ibrahim Rugova said.
The Italian parliamentarians said they were supportive of a political
solution to the Kosova issue.
[04] Around 70,000 Displaced Albanians Spent the Night in the Open, in
Stormy Rain, in De^an Area
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - Around 70,000 Albanians spent last night rough in
the open in two villages, Isniq and Strellc, in the western municipality of
De^an. The two villages have become home to these people displaced from 40
villages of the municipality of De^an, the Reka e Keqe and Dushkaj& regions
of Gjakova, the Lugu i Baranit (Barani valley) and several villages of the
municipality of Klina, Mr. Osman Cacaj, head of the LDK Information
Commission in De^an, told the KIC today. There were stormy rains in the
region last night, he said.
Some 10,000 people, mostly women, children and elderly, have been on the
move heading for the Strellc mountains. Their condition remains unknown.
The local Albanian structures in the De^an municipality made a renewed,
dramatic appeal today to the International Red Cross, the United Nations,
and other international institutions, calling for them to come to the help
of the Albanian people who are going through a dreadful catastrophe, Osman
Cacaj reported.
[05] CDHRF: At Least 843 Albanians Killed By Serbs in Kosova Since January
Around 50 were killed in south-west and central Kosova since last weekend
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - At least 843 Albanians have been killed by Serb
forces in Kosova since 14 January 1998, the major Kosovar human rights
group, the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF)
said today.
The Prishtina-based CDHRF said the 843 victims it has registered by Tuesday
were killed by fire-arms, slain or/and mutilated in various fashions,
summarily executed, tortured to death in Serb hands, or died during
bombardment of their homes by Serb troops.
According to the Council, 88 victims were children, 127 women, 181 elderly
persons, while the rest were aged between 18 and 55 years.
54 victims could not be identified, it said.
The CDHRF said that it has registered over 600 Albanians who are missing
for weeks or even several months.
Around 50 Albanians were killed since last weekend in a huge Serb offensive
unfolding in central and south-west parts of Kosova.
The Prishtina-based daily Bujku said on Tuesday that at least 26 Albanians -
men, women and children - were killed during a Serb offensive against the
V&rrini area villages in the Prizren municipality. The human rights Council
circulated the same days a list of other 16 Albanians, killed in the
communities around Rahovec ('Orahovac') since last weekend.
Meanwhile, sources in south-west and central Kosova reported Tuesday about
half a dozen Albanians killed in the preceding two days, and whose names
were not included in the accounts of Bujku or Council for the Defense of
Human Rights and Freedoms.
[06] Bodies of Three Killed Albanians Found Near Malisheva
Mutilated body of 70-year-old man remains unburied in Kramnik, elderly
couple, captured by Serbs, missing since last week PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) -
The bodies of three killed men were found today laying in the fields
between the villages of Polluzha and Guri i Kuq, in the municipality of
Malisheva.
The LDK Information Commission in Malisheva described them only as
Albanians whose identity could not be yet established.
The same sources reported of another Albanian killed by Serb forces in the
area. Isuf Idrizi (70) was slain in his village of Kramnik.
His badly mutilated body was still unburied.
At least 15 men, residents of Guri i Kuq village, are being held in Serb
police custody in Prizren. The head of the LDK chapter of Malisheva said he
learned the names of three of them, Banush Mustafa, Haki Mustafa and
Muharrem Mustafa.
He noted that the whereabouts of a couple from Marsor village, captured by
Serb forces last week, are still unknown. Sokol Rexhepi (90) and his wife
Ajshe Rexhepi (82) were apprehended by Serb forces on 4 September, and no
one was able to find out where they were taken to, the LDK activist said.
The International Red Cross delivered a shipment of relief to the villages
of Llap^v&, Panorc and Zatriq, sources in the area said.
[07] Serb Troops Loot and Raze Ostrozub Village in Malisheva
Serbs exhume bodies of three Albanians buried last July in the local
cemetery PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - Serb troops advanced Tuesday afternoon
into the Ostrozub village of Malisheva, leaving behind a ghost town, local
sources said.
The head of the LDK Information Commission in Malisheva said the Serb
infantry looted whatever could be taken away from the village, including
valuables, electronic devices and other household commodities.
Yesterday afternoon, Serb troops exhumed the bodies of three Albanians in
the local cemetery of Ostrozub. Syl& Morina and Islam Morina, both local
residents, and Muharrem Hoxha, a student from Dushanova village of Prizreni,
were killed by Serb forces in late July. Witnesses who saw the Serb exhume
the three Albanians could not learn the motive behind such a move.
[08] Villagers Find Bodies of Their Neighbor After Serbs Leave Lez
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - Four Albanians killed by Serb troops during a
huge offensive against Albanian communities last weekend, were buried
Tuesday afternoon in the local cemetery of Lez village of Prizren.
The bodies of the four Albanians - Asllan E. Berisha (66), Izair M.
Berisha (64), Salajdin H. Berisha (42) Agim S. Berisha (41), all residents
of Lez - were found after Serb troops had left the village.
Met& Berisha, a local resident of the Lez village, told the LDK chapter in
Prizren that the village practically does not exist any longer. Only the
local mosque and a farmhouse survived the Serb bombardment, he said.
The other killed bodies have been spotted near Leskovec village of Prizren,
but they could not be collected or identified yet.
The whereabouts of scores of residents of the villages in the Prizren
municipality which were attacked during the past days are still unknown,
local sources said.
The town of Prizren has been swelled by thousands of refugees from the
villages in the area as well as from the municipalities of Rahovec,
Malisheva and Suhareka.
The Serb court authorities in Prizren said on Tuesday criminal charges were
brought against 76 Albanians, accusing them for alleged terrorist and
hostile activities. A busload of detainees was seen transferred from the
detention house in Prizren to the jail in Lipjan.
Father and Son Slain by Serbs in Kodrali Village, Gjakova PRISHTINA, Sept 9
(KIC) - Resident of Kodralia village, Gjakova, found Tuesday the mutilated
body of their 23-year-old fellow villager Halil Alija. The Albanian was
killed on 3 September during a Serb attack against his village, the LDK
chapter in Gjakova said.
Witnesses said that the father of the slain Albanian, Haxhi Alia (73), was
tortured badly by Serb troops the same day, and he died the next morning,
on 4 September.
Local activists said that 12 Albanians were arrested in Kodralia village,
and were taken to the Serb police station virtually nude.
They named the following residents of Kodralia still in Serb custody: Zenel
Alija (29), Hajdin Alija (24), Riza Alija (18), Isa Alija (28), Agron Alija
(14), Bekim Kalimashi (17), Naser Kalimashi (25), Arben Alija (20), Ismail
Taraku (30), Enver Taraku (15), Gani ^eku (48) and Selim ^eku (18).
They were reportedly tortured badly in the Serb police station in Gjakova
before being transferred to the Peja jail, where they are believed to be
held.
[09] Huge Detonations Reported North-West of Prishtina Overnight
PRISHTINA, Sept 9 (KIC) - Huge detonations were heard last night in the
area of Shala e Bajgor&s, north-west of Prishtina. (The Shala e Bajgor&s is
a region in north-east Kosova straddling the municipalities of Mitrovica,
Podujeva and Vushtrri ('Vucitern').
Sources told the KIC that at least 20 detonations were heard in the area
after 23:00 hrs, which could be clearly heard in the towns of Mitrovica and
Podujeva. The LDK chapters in these two towns could not confirm the exact
location of the blasts, nor reports about possible casualties or damage in
the villages there.
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