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Kosova Daily Report #1703, 99-02-25
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1703
Prishtina, 25 February 1999
CONTENTS
[01] Kosova Delegation Returns Home, Rambouillet Agreement Called 'Very
Important'
[02] More than 40 Tanks Deployed in Vushtrri Area, Bukosh Village Fired On
[03] Serbian Military Building up in the Mitrovica Area
[04] Serb Army Building up in Volljak& Area
[05] Unidentified Murdered Man Found in Prizren Village
[01] Kosova Delegation Returns Home, Rambouillet Agreement Called 'Very
Important'
PRISHTINA, Feb 25 (KIC) - The delegation of Kosova to the Rambouillet
conference, whose first stage concluded on 23 February, landed in the
Prishtina airport around 13:20 hrs today (Thursday).
The delegation was flown in by a French military airplane.
Three members of the delegation, members of the U^K (Kosova Liberation
Army), were driven away by international observers.
Ambassador William Walker, head of the OSCE KVM, was also in the airport to
welcome the Kosova delegation.
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, the President of
the Republic of Kosova, said there would be consultations in Kosova about
the interim agreement before signing it. "This agreement is a very
important event for Kosova, because it will be an integrated agreement,
with political and military components to implement it".
The chairman of the United Democratic Movement (LBD), Rexhep Qosja, said
the delegation worked consensually. "We approved the statement unanimously,
and we are now presenting it to the people".
The agreement has several positive elements, Qosja said. Firstly, it is an
agreement for an interim status for Kosova, during which time democratic,
legislative, law enforcement and independent judiciary institutions will be
created. Secondly, in three years' time the permanent status of Kosova will
be determined on the basis of the will of the people of Kosova, Qosja said.
"The Serbian forces will be pulled out during this time, and the U^K will
be transformed pursuant to an agreement with the United States of
America". On top of this is NATO in Kosova, the LBD leader said, noting
that this would mean Kosova in the West. "I am hopeful Kosova enters the
road to independence", Qosja concluded.
"We have said 'yes', but we want to have that political organizations and
the U^K have a say also, that the decision-making goes down to the people
in every village and town", Veton Surroi, a member of the Kosova delegation
told reporters in the Prishtina airport.
[02] More than 40 Tanks Deployed in Vushtrri Area, Bukosh Village Fired On
PRISHTINA, Feb 25 (KIC) - At 9:30 CET today, a convoy of more than 40
Serbian tanks and other motorized vehicles arrived in the municipality of
Vushtrri ('Vucitrn'), local LDK sources said.
Three tanks were stationed at Stanoc i Posht&m village, two others in the
crossroads linking Novolan, Bruznik, and Dubofc, and a further ten tanks
left for Novolan, while others headed for Bukosh.
A Serbian paramilitary police convoy also moved towards Bukosh village,
sources said.
Around 11:10 CET, Serbian forces started firing in the direction of Bukosh.
A bit earlier, a Serb military convoy, involving four lorries trailing two
cannons, had moved into the area.
After 11:00 hrs, a Serb military column headed towards the village of
Pantin&.
More Serb troops and weaponry were heading in the direction of Bukosh
village after 14:00 CET today. The Albanian population has fled the
village. The Serb police turned back the people who tried to enter the town
of Vushtrri, so they had to look for refuge in the Mitrovica villages.
Albanian-run educational authorities in Vushtrri have decided to close down
the schools until Monday in view of the extremely dangerous situation
prevailing there.
[03] Serbian Military Building up in the Mitrovica Area
PRISHTINA, Feb 25 (KIC) - Serbian troops, backed up by heavy weaponry, have
been deployed around the Vaganic& village, just outside the town of
Mitrovica, as well as on the uphill linking the Bair negihbourhood and the
villages of Vaganic& e Ep&rme, Verrnic&, Pir^ and Oshlan.
The Serbian army has been building up in the mountainous area linking the
villages of Lusht&, Zhabar, Koshtov&, Broboniq and Kopriv&, local sources
said.
[04] Serb Army Building up in Volljak& Area
PRISHTINA, Feb 25 (KIC) - For three days now, Serbian military and police
forces have building up around the bauxite mine at Volljak&, in two
locations, "Pishat" and "Guri i zi".
Serbian forces have been digging in, opening trenches across a two- line,
local LDK sources from Malisheva reported.
The heavy weaponry barrels are aimed at Sferk&, Dush, Panorc, and Rudosell&
villages.
The Albanian population lives in fear as Serb forces concentrate in the
area.
[05] Unidentified Murdered Man Found in Prizren Village
Albanian goes missing in Suhareka
PRISHTINA, Feb 25 (KIC) - The body of a murdered man has been found today
morning near the village bridge at Gjonaj i Hasit, municipality of Prizren.
The man was said to be around 50 years of age, and was presumably hurled
down from the bridge and killed, local LDK sources said, failing to offer
other details surrounding this tragic and violent death.
Meanwhile, LDK sources in Suhareka reported that Muharrem Ahmet Hysenaj
(39), resident of Re^an village, has gone missing since Tuesday, February
23rd. He was last seen in the village road.
Kosova Information Center
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