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Kosova Daily Report #1563, 98-09-25
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1563
Prishtina, 25 September 1998
First Edition: 11:00 CET
Second Edition: 18:00 CET
CONTENTS
[01] Assassination Attempt on Dr. Sabri Hamiti, Kosovar MP, Leading
Albanian Intellectual and Writer
[02] President Rugova's Press Conference
[03] Kosovar Institutions, Parties, Associations, Deplore Assassination
Attempt on Dr. Sabri Hamiti
[04] At Least 7 Albanian Slain, 70 Arrested by Serbs in V&rbofc Village of
Gllogovc
[05] Around 300 Albanian Being Held Captive by Serb Police in Gllogovc
[06] Serb Grenade Hits Refugee Tractor, 12-Year-Old Girl Dies, Several
Wounded
[07] Serbs Attack Albanians at Camping Site in Drenica Hills, Kill at Least
Four
[08] Serb Offensive in Drenica Resumes, Scores of Albanian Communities
Razed
[09] Serb Offensive on Albanian Communities Around ^i^avica Continues
[10] Serbs Pound with Artillery Fire Albanian Villages in Suhareka
[11] Serb Court Sentences 11 Albanians to Long Imprisonment
[01] Assassination Attempt on Dr. Sabri Hamiti, Kosovar MP, Leading
Albanian Intellectual and Writer
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - Dr. Sabri Hamiti, a leading Kosovar writer and
scholar, an MP and a senior member of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK)
was the target of an assassination attempt yesterday (Thursday) evening in
Prishtina.
Sabri Hamiti has received life-threatening bullet wounds in his chest and
shoulder.
Members of the Hamiti family said Dr. Hamiti was attacked by two still
unidentified gunmen at the staircase of his apartment in Dardania
neighborhood in Prishtina, at around 21:20 lats evening.
From a short distance, one of the gunmen shot bullets from a handgun in
his direction. A bullet hit him at his chest, just few inches above his
hart, while the second one in his chest.
Sabri Hamiti was taken last night to the Prishtina hospital. He is
currently at the emergency ward of surgery clinic pending a surgery
intervention.
Sabri Hamiti holds a PHD degree in literature, is one on the most
productive authors of literary works in Albanian, author of around twenty
books of poetry and literary critics. He teaches literature at the
Prishtina University, is secretary of the Albanian PEN, member of the
Kosova Parliament and member of Main Boar of the LDK, one of the founders
of this biggest Kosovar Albanian party.
The assassination attempt on Sabri Hamiti is widely seen in the Kosova's
capital Prishtina as a direct attack against the institutions of Kosova, an
attacks against all those committed to Kosova's independence.
The President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, deplored today
the assassination attempt on Sabri Hamiti. "This is but a direct attack
against institutions of Kosova, against public figures and distinguished
personalities not only in Kosova but wider in the Albanian world and the
region", Dr. Rugova said during a press conference today.
[02] President Rugova's Press Conference
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.
Ibrahim Rugova said today the situation in Kosova was very tense and
dangerous. He condemned in the strongest possible terms the continued Serb
military offensive in against villages of the Shal& e Bajgor&s region,
namely communities in the municipalities of Mitrovia, Vushtrri and
Podujeva.
Shelling of those villages has resulted in dozens of killed and wounded
Albanians and destruction of houses and property, and has produced
thousands of new refugees. The villages of Dukagjin and Drenic& regions
have also been targeted. Serb forces have killed dozens of Albanians,
mainly women, children and elderly, Dr. Rugova said, pressing for an
immediate cessation of the Serb offensive.
Return of displaced population back to their homes with security and safety,
should be done under international monitoring, the Kosova President said.
President Rugova denounced the continued Serb harassment of political and
humanitarian activists.
Dr. Rugova called for an end to the Serb offensive, and urged international
community, first and foremost USA, UE, UN, and NATO to take Kosova and its
people under protection. An independent Kosova, with all guarantees for
local Serbs, and an international protectorate as an interim stage, is the
best solution, he emphasized.
President Rugova hailed the adoption of the Resolution on Kosova by the UN
Security Council, and welcomed the readiness of NATO to protect the people
of Kosova.
President Rugova with deep concern informed the reporters about the
assassination attempt on Dr. Sabri Hamiti last evening. Sabri Hamiti is a
member of Kosova Parliament, University teacher, Secretary of the Albanian
P.E.N., and an outstanding poet and scholar, Dr. Rugova said.
President Rugova said that this is an attack on the institutions on Kosova,
and on the public figures and outstanding intellectual of not only Kosova,
but also of the region.
He warned individuals who would like to further destabilize Kosova by
assassinating its distinguished figures that all measures will be taken to
stop these acts. The last evening assassination attempt on Sabri Hamiti is
an attack against institutions of Kosova, an attack against all those
committed to independence, he said.
[03] Kosovar Institutions, Parties, Associations, Deplore Assassination
Attempt on Dr. Sabri Hamiti
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - An assassination attempt on
Dr. Sabri Hamiti, a leading Kosovar writer and scholar, MP and a senior
member of the LDK, has been widely condemned by Kosovar institutions,
political parties and associations of Kosova.
The assault has been widely seen as an attack against institutions of
Kosova and champions of the Kosova's independence drive.
Two unidentified gunmen attempted to assassin Dr. Sabri Hamiti in front of
his apartment in Dardania neighborhood in Prishtina on Thursday evening.
From a shot distance, one of them hit Dr. Hamiti with two bullets in the
chest, few inches above his hart, and shoulder. He is being now treated in
an emergency ward of the Prishtina hospital.
The President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, deplored today
in the strongest terms the assassination attempt on Sabri Hamiti underlying
that it was but "a direct attack against institutions of Kosova, against
public figures and distinguished personalities not only in Kosova but wider
in the Albanian world and the region".
The Presidency of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova said in a
statement today that the attempt on the life of Sabri Hamiti is a
premeditated attack, engineered by Serb secret police services.
"Dr. Hamiti is a genuine and committed representative of the political and
national vision for freedom and independence of Kosova, and a champion of
genuine pro-western democracy in the country", the statement read.
The Presidency of the main political force in Kosova, the Democratic League
of Kosova (LDK), said the assassination attempt on Sabri Hamiti is at the
same time and attack against the institution of the Republic of Kosova and
an attempt to suffocate the struggle for freedom and independence of Kosova,
the goals Dr. Hamiti is strongly identified with.
The dark and anti-Albanian hand was that which wanted to assassin Sabri
Hamiti, targeting patriots and distinguished intellectuals of Kosova, the
Kosova Writers Association (KWA) said in a communique today. The attempt on
Hamiti's life is rather an attempt to scatter the independence drive and
ideas of Albanian integrations to which he is a devoted champion, the KWA
said.
Dr. Sabri Hamiti, is one on the most celebrated authors of literary works
in Albanian world, author many books of poetry and literary critics. He
teaches literature at the Prishtina University, is secretary of the
Albanian PEN Center, member of the Kosova Parliament and member of Main
Board of the LDK, being he himself one of the founders of this biggest
Kosovar Albanian party.
[04] At Least 7 Albanian Slain, 70 Arrested by Serbs in V&rbofc Village of
Gllogovc
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - At least 7 Albanians were massacred during by
Serb troops during a brutal attack at V&rbofc village of Gllogovc on
Wednesday, local sources reported.
Rrahim Kastrati, head of the local LDK organization in Verbovc told the KIC
that amongst the slain people was an 81-year-old woman, Bahtie Gashi.
He sid three other Albanians had their throat cut. Their bodies are still
in front of the local mosque. No one dares pick and identify them as the
police is still in the village. He did not reveal the names of three other
Albanians killed there.
The LDK activist said 70 Albanians, including children and women, were
arrested by the Serb police in this village.
Sources in Gllogovc said today that around 300 Albanian are being held in
the local police station courtyard. Dozens of Albanian have been reported
rounded up in other village of Drenica over the past two days.
He named the following Albanian arrested in Verbovc village tow days ago:
Ramadan Kastrati, Fehmi Kastrati, Bekim Kastrati, Milaim Kastrati, Agron
Kastrati, Isa Kastrati, Avni Prokshi, Riza Prokshi, Ismet Prokshi, P&rparim
Prokshi, Mursel Prokshi, Ferat Prokshi, Fitim Prokshi, Agron Prokshi,
Shp&tim Prokshi,(child), Bekim Prokshi, (child), Fatmbardh Daka, Faruk Daka,
Haki Prokshi, Behlul Prokshi, Abedin Gllareva, Isuf Gllareva, Ruzhdi
Gllareva, Zymer Gashi, Njazi Gashi, Kujtim Gashi, Vehbi Gashi, Mentor Dobra,
Arben Dobra, Enver Dobra, Abedin Gashi, Faton Dobra, Xhevat Dobra, Milaim
Bajraktari, Enver Gashi, Albert Dobra, Arben Gashi, ^lirim Gashi, Milaim
Gashi, Armend Gashi, Sabri Dobra, Ylber Deliu, Vesel Aliu, Rexhep Fiku,
V&rboc, Qerim Fiku, V&rboc, Bajram Rukolli, Rexhep Zabeli, Feriz Gashi,
Istref Sabrija, Arsim Prokshi, Taf& Rukiqi and his wife Halime, Ylber
Rukiqi, (child), Avni Rukiqi, (child), Safet Rukiqi, (child) Liridon Rukiqi,
(chiled), Januz Rukiqi, Rek& Aliu, Shaban Zyhrani, Bedri Hamiti, Enver
Bylykbashi, Fatos Bylykbashi, Abedin Bylkbashi, Ymer Hajdaraj
Out of 160 houses the village of Verbovc has, over 100 have been burned and
destroyed the local LDK activist told the KIC.
[05] Around 300 Albanian Being Held Captive by Serb Police in Gllogovc
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - Around 300 Albanians are being held in the
compounds of the Serb police station in Gllogovc, witnesses told the KIC
today.
An Albanian who claimed he was himself held for tow days in the police
station in Gllogovc said Albanians are being kept both inside the building
of the station and int yard. The witness who spoke on condition of
anonymity said he managed to escape from the courtyard of the police
station. Most of the detainees are being held for three days now, he said,
adding that he himself and others have been subjected to interrogation and
brutal torture.
The Prishtina-based Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms
(CDHRF) said on yesterday that around 60 men, residents of Prekaz village
of Skenderaj ('Srbica'), were being held in Serb police station in Gllogovc
since Wednesday evening.
The CDHRF quoted witnesses as saying the Albanians were brought to the
police station in Gllogovc in a very bad condition. They had apparently
been subjected to brutal torture.
[06] Serb Grenade Hits Refugee Tractor, 12-Year-Old Girl Dies, Several
Wounded
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - A 12-year-old girl, Fitore Klinaku, died
Thursday in the ^i^avica mountains, north-west of Prishtina, when a Serb
mortar hit the tractor her family was fleeing from the Serb attacks in the
area.
Other members of her nine-member family from Bivolak village of Vushtrri
were wounded, local sources reported. Some have been taken to hospital.
The LDK chapter in Vushtrri ('Vucitern') said thousands of Albanians in
around 200 tractors were trying to escape from Serb attacks on Thursday
together with the Klinaku family.
Thousands of Albanian residents of the villages in the ^i^avica mountain
foot were entrapped in the villages which came under Serb attack or burned
on Thursday. The area has been under fierce Serb attacks for three days now,
which have caused numerous casualties so far and many villages burned down
and destroyed.
[07] Serbs Attack Albanians at Camping Site in Drenica Hills, Kill at Least
Four
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - The LDK chapter in Gllogovc confirmed today that
four Albanians were killed at a refugee camping site in the hills of
Drenica region, central Kosova, when attacked by Serb troops on Wednesday
The LDK in Gllogovc said the following Albanians were killed yesterday at a
location called 'Fusha e Moll&s' (the Apple Field), near Baica village of
Gllogovc: Shyqyri Krasniqi, Sk&nder Karaxha, Behxhet Karaxha and a son of
Beqir Morina from Gllobar village, whose name could not be learned still.
Sources in Gllogovc and Skenderaj reported yesterday afternoon that heavy
Serb troops cracked down on hundreds of displaced Albanians camping in the
Fusha e Moll&s valley in the Drenica hills Many of them, mostly young men
and teenagers, were apprehended and taken to the police stations in
Gllogovc and Mitrovica.
The LDK chapter in Gllogovc said it believed that there were other
casualties in the Fusha e Moll&s camping site, both fatalities and wounded,
but it could not confirm still as the Serb onslaughts in the area have been
unfolding with impunity.
[08] Serb Offensive in Drenica Resumes, Scores of Albanian Communities
Razed
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - Serb offensives against Albanian communities in
the Drenica region has continued unabated today (Friday) morning, local
sources said.
Since Wednesday morning virtually all the villages on the mountain foot of
^i^avica, central and north-west Kosova, have been under a fierce Serb
troops offensive.
The Serb attacks were initially kicked off from the municipalities around
the ^i^avica mountain, Mitrovica, Skenderaj, Gllogovc, Vushtrri and Obiliq.
The Serb troops have during the pats two days advanced into most of the
hamlets, burning don scores of farmhouses.
The chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms
(CDHRF) in Skenderaj said heavy Serb forces advanced today to Likoc village
to be later build up in Baic& village where from they began bombarding the
outlying village of Mak&rmal, Rezall&, Obri e Ul&t, Obri e Ep&rme, T&rdefc,
Baic&, T&rstenik, Domanek and Krajkov&.
Virtually the entire local population in these villages has fled into the
surrounding hills over the past tow days.
Witnesses said that after having bombarded the villages, the Serbs entered
into pillaging and burning houses subsequently.
[09] Serb Offensive on Albanian Communities Around ^i^avica Continues
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - Some of the villages along the ^i^avica mountain,
in the municipality of Vushtrri, were pounded from Serb bases overnight,
sources said.
The LDK chapter in Vushtrri described the situation in the area as
extremely dangerous and critical amidst continued Serb offensive operations
against Albanian communities. At least 30.000 people who fled their homes
spent the last two nights in the hills it said.
Besides many weak and sick persons there are wounded people in the
mountains without any medical treatment, the LDK said.
Sources in Gllogovc said the Serbs began shelling the village of Pokleku i
Vjet&r and Vasileva today morning. No immediate report about possible
casualties has been available until early afternoon.
[10] Serbs Pound with Artillery Fire Albanian Villages in Suhareka
At least one Albanian wounded, several tortured by Serbs
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - The villages of Krushic&, Mohlan, Budakov& and
Papaz, in the municipality of Suhareka, were pounded for hours with
machine-gun and artillery fire on Thursday, local sources reported.
The LDK chapter in Suhareka named on Albanian wounded during the Serb
attack in the ares yesterday. Hazir Bylykbashi (1952), resident of Suhareka,
was taken to the Prishtina hospital it said.
The LDK said the Serb forces entered yesterday into the villages of
Krushic&, Mohlan terrorizing the local population. Nait Veselaj, Xhavit
Veselaj, Nexhat Veselaj, were amonsgt those tortured brutally by the Serb
forces there.
[11] Serb Court Sentences 11 Albanians to Long Imprisonment
PRISHTINA, Sept 25 (KIC) - The Serb-run District Court in Prishtina
sentenced today 11 Albanians to imprisonment, ranging from 5 to ten years.
The 11 Albanians from Hani i Elezit municipality were facing Serb regime
charges for alleged hostile activity.
Sources in the Prishtina court said Rufki Suma and Nesim Curri were
sentenced to 10 years in prison each, Arif Curri - 7 year, Sherif Berisha -
6 year, Hamit Berisha, Rexhep Shkreta, Zekeria Shkreta, Fadil Berisha,
Shefket Topojani and Hamit Berisha to 5 year in prison each.
Only four defendants were in the Prishtina courtroom today when the verdict
was read out -Rufki Suma, Sherif Berisha, Shefket Topojani and Hamit
Berisha. The rest were tried and sentences in absentia.
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