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Kosova Daily Report #1363, 98-03-06

Kosovo Information Center: Kosova Daily Report Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: Kosova Information Center <kic_pr@zana-pr.ztn.apc.org>

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1363
Prishtina, 6 March 1998

Tenth Edition: 21:45 (5 March)
First Edition
Second Edition: 10:30
Third Edition: 13:45 hrs

CONTENTS

  • [01] Serbian Police Claims It Shot Dead 20 Albanians in Drenica on Thursday
  • [02] Shooting Has Died Out in Skenderaj and Vicinity
  • [03] Jasharaj Family Compound Burns Down in Flames in the Wake of Serb Shelling, Dr. Rexhep Gjergji Says
  • [04] Serb Forces Resume Attack on Albanian Villages in Drenica
  • [05] Serb Forces Besiege Llausha
  • [06] At Least 50 Albanians Feared Killed in Prekaz
  • [07] Serb Police Mendacity
  • [08] Serb Security in Plain Clothes Maltreat Albanians in the Streets of Klina
  • [09] Serb Forces Launch All-out Attack at Llausha Village, Drenica
  • [10] Serb Attack on Prekaz Continues Unabated
  • [11] Llausha Villages Still Under Serb Siege, Albanian Dies of Wounds Received Thursday
  • [12] International Community Should Step in With Preventative Measures in Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova Says
  • [13] President Rugova Receives Italian, Swedish, Norwegian Diplomats
  • [14] Over 450 People, Fleeing Drenica, Arrive in Fush& Kosova Villages
  • [15] 1000 People Arrive in Mitrovica, Fleeing Affected Area
  • [16] Malisheva and 40 Villages Without Electricity and Telephone Lines

  • [01] Serbian Police Claims It Shot Dead 20 Albanians in Drenica on Thursday

    PRISHTINA, March (KIC) - The Ministry of Interior and Security (police) of Serbia, in a statement issued late in the afternoon today, claims its forces killed 20 Albanians in Drenica, central Kosova, today (Thursday).

    The Serb news agency Tanjug has carried the Serb police statement, branding the deceased Albanians as "inveterate terrorists".

    The statement further says that two Serb policemen were killed and four others slightly wounded. It failed to provide either the names of Albanians or the Serb policemen killed today.

    The Serb police communique mentions, however, by name an Albanian, Adem Jashari, who, it says, "was leading terrorist gangs". It is not clear weather Adem Jashari was dead or alive.

    The Serb statement notes that the operation of the Serb police in hunting down and apprehending "terrorist" has been going on.

    It is feared that the death toll among local Albanians is much higher.

    [02] Shooting Has Died Out in Skenderaj and Vicinity

    PRISHTINA, March 5 (KIC) - A local resident of the small town of Skenderaj (in 'Srbica'), near Prekaz, told the Kosova Information Center (KIC) that Serb shooting and shelling had all but died out at 19:00 hrs.

    Heavy Serb forced launched today morning armed attacks on several villages in the Drenica village. Prekaz village was reported to have suffered the severest shelling. Albanian neighborhoods and family compounds were under cannon fire for hours today.

    The local resident in Skenderaj told KIC this evening Serb armored vehicles and heavy armament had been pulled out from Prekaz and were garrisoned in the compounds of the Game Ammunition Factory in Skenderaj, which is situated in the near vicinity of Prekaz village.

    The local said he eye-witnessed eight busloads of Serb policemen leaving the area, from where they were attacking Prekaz village all day long.

    An LDK source in Skenderaj said shooting was dying out this evening in Llausha. There were earlier reports that an attack had been mounted against this village in the early evening hours.

    LDK sources in Skenderaj and the surrounding area said they could not obtain information about the consequences of today's Serb armed attack.

    Besides the area they attacked today, Serb have sealed off a much larger area around. It is therefore virtually impossible to get first-hand information about what was happening there all day.

    At 20:30 hrs, another source from Llausha confirmed that shooting in this village had stopped. The village however is apprehensive of renewed Serb actions.

    [03] Jasharaj Family Compound Burns Down in Flames in the Wake of Serb Shelling, Dr. Rexhep Gjergji Says

    PRISHTINA, March 5 (KIC) - Members of the Presidency of the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK), Dr. Rexhep Gjergji and Mr. Basri Musmurati visited late afternoon today the area near Prekaz, in the triangle Mikushnica - Prekaz i Ep&rm - Prekaz i Posht&m. They said they could see from near the developments in the Prekazi i Posht&m village.

    From a hill nearby, the Jasharaj family compound area at Prekaz i Posht&m could be seen, Dr. Gjergji said.

    The Jasharaj family was targeted by Serb police and military forces in the morning today, the LDK official said.

    He said that for one hour, together with Mr. Musmurati and local LDK activists from Vushtrri, they witnessed part of the outrageous attack of Serb forces against a dozen houses of the Jasharaj compound at Prekaz.

    At least ten houses had burned down or were still on fire, Dr. Rexhep Gjergji said. Heavy Serb military artillery fire was still underway, he added.

    "While we were there, heavy gunfire was opened on the houses several times. Projectiles added fire to the burning houses", Mr. Gjergji said.

    The LDK official could not say what the range of consequences in the wake of today's Serb attack was.

    According to some witnesses, Serb forces had allowed the evacuation of children from the village. It is feared the children of the Jasharaj family compound, being under Serb fire since morning, could not vacate the area.

    Local witnesses said after the Serb shelling from distance, several armored vehicles entered the Jasharaj homestead.

    Dr. Rexhep Gjergji said from the position the LDK officials arrived at, some 1.5 km away, the houses of the Jasharaj family looked all burned.

    In the early evening dusk in Mikushnica, tens of families with women, old men and children were heading for unknown directions, while the Prekaz houses were still burning, Mr. Gjergji concluded his story after return in Prishtina this evening.

    [04] Serb Forces Resume Attack on Albanian Villages in Drenica

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - There was random shooting all night long in the Drenica villages, which were under continued heavy Serb fire yesterday (Thursday).

    Today morning, an armed attack resumed on Prekaz, a village in Skenderaj (in Serbian 'Srbica') in central Kosova which bore the brunt of Serb police and military operations yesterday.

    Sources from surrounding villages said Serb forces have started shelling other houses of the Jasharaj family compound in Prekaz, which had survived yesterday's shelling.

    Serb Ministry of the Interior said Thursday it had killed 20 Albanians in the village, branding the victims 'terrorists'.

    The number of dead and wounded among local Albanians could be much higher, given the fact that heavy Serb shelling targeted the villages all day, leaving at least a dozen houses ruined or burned down to the ground.

    A sources at Llausha, a village bordering on Prekaz, said today morning two busloads of Serb policemen had reached Prekaz.

    Sources from Mitrovica tell today that fresh Serb forces were heading for Skenderaj. Reports from Gllogovc said two armored cars and two busloads of Serb policemen left the town this morning, leaving for Skenderaj.

    Shooting with fire-arms were reported in the Rakinica and A^areva villages in Skenderaj.

    Reports from Mitrovica and Vushtrri speak of hundreds of Albanian families having fled the Drenica area and to have sought shelter elsewhere. A number of evacuee families are reported to have gone to Lipjan, Shtimje and Gllogovc.

    [05] Serb Forces Besiege Llausha

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - Huge Serbian forces have reinforced today the siege of Llausha, a village bordering on Prekaz.

    An LDK source from Llausha told KIC at 9 o'clock Serb forces have been advancing from all sides towards the village.

    Women and children are in the village, so a Serb massacre could be terrible, the source concluded.

    [06] At Least 50 Albanians Feared Killed in Prekaz

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - At least 50 local Albanians were killed by Serb forces attacking Prekaz village Thursday, local sources said.

    It is feared during the Serb armed attack the members of the family of Shaban Jashari, including many children, have been killed.

    The homestead of Shaban Jashari was burned to the ground, eye- witness said last evening.

    The family of Shaban Jashari was attacked by Serb forces on 2 January 1988. Two young women in the family had received gunshot wounds.

    [07] Serb Police Mendacity

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - The Serbian Ministry of the Interior accused yesterday the media for writing falsehoods, attributing to Serb police what it had not done.

    Yet, this very Ministry, in a statement issued last evening, engages in falsehoods itself. It said during actions of 28 February and 1 March in Drenica, Serb police forces killed 16 Albanian 'terrorists'.

    It is a commonplace fact by now that the following 25 Albanians were killed last weekend: Beqir Sejdiu, Nazmi Sejdiu, Bekim Sejdiu, Bedri Sejdiu, Xhemshir Nebiu, Rukie Nebihu, Ilir Nebihu, Rexhep Rexhepi, Beqir Rexhepi, Muhamet Gjela, Naser Gjela, Ahmet Ahmeti (50), Gani Ahmeti (47), Ilmi Ahmeti (43), Ham&z Ahmeti (45), Driton Ahmeti (23), Naim Ahmeti (22), Basri Ahmeti (20), Shemsi Ahmeti (16), Lumni Ahmeti (20), Elhami Ahmeti (20), Behram Fazliu (65), Ibish Rama, Ismail Behrami dhe Bekim Deliu.

    Members of four families (ten Ahmeti ones) make the majority of those killed by Serb forces in their own houses or yards.

    [08] Serb Security in Plain Clothes Maltreat Albanians in the Streets of Klina

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - Sources in Klina said this morning that Serb security and police in plain clothes have been harassing and physically ill- treating Albanians on the streets of this small town in central Kosova.

    Ismet Rraci, chairman of the local LDK branch in Klina told Kosova Information Center (KIC) that Serb security ill-treated dozens of Albanians on Thursday and today morning. Some were detained and subjected to severe beating while in custody. Ismet Rraci said he witnessed himself the apprehension of about ten Albanians in the Klina town center this morning.

    LDK sources in Klina said that Serb security and police officers in plain cloths arrested Thursday several Albanians who were later tortured fiercely outside the police premises. They were taken near the banks of the Drini river and were beaten brutally.

    The movement of local Albanian population in Klina has been drastically restricted amidst stepped up campaigns of oppression and intimidation by Serb police and armed Serb civilians.

    [09] Serb Forces Launch All-out Attack at Llausha Village, Drenica

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - An LDK source from Llausha told Kosova Information Center (KIC) on the phone at 10:20 that Serb forces launched a huge attack at Llausha village, near Skenderaj.

    The village is being shelled with armament of all kind from several places, including Prekaz and Klina e Ul&t villages, the sources said.

    At 8 o'clock this morning the same source told KIC that mainly children and women were still in the village as most of men had moved out during the night.

    Today morning, an armed attack resumed on Prekaz, a village which bore the brunt of Serb police and military operations yesterday.

    [10] Serb Attack on Prekaz Continues Unabated

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - Serb attacks on several family compounds of the Prekaz village of Skenderaj (in Serbian 'Srbica') have been going on today, an eye-witness from Vushtrri, who was able to approach Prekaz, as well as LDK sources in Llausha of Skenderaj (in Serbian 'Srbica') and in Mitrovica told KIC.

    Four houses of the Brahovi family compound were said to be in flames after Serb shelling. A house was reported ruined completely.

    Latest reports indicate that Serb forces have entered the large Lushtaku and Kadrijaj family compounds.

    Zen& Lushtaku from Prekaz, who had a telephone conversation from Prishtina with her sister living in the near vicinity of Prekaz i Ul&t village, said it is feared Serb forces are terrorizing the people who could not escape the affected area.

    Zen& Lushtaku told KIC his extended family has 30 members. He said he was afraid police forces would massacre his own family and other Albanian people there, just like they did on 28 February and 1 March, slaughtering 24 Albanians in their own houses and yards.

    The eye-witness near Prekaz said by phone the above family compounds have been encroached upon by advancing Serb forces, backed up by tanks and armoured vehicles.

    [11] Llausha Villages Still Under Serb Siege, Albanian Dies of Wounds Received Thursday

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - A source from Llausha village told KIC early afternoon today the village was being held under a strong grip of Serb forces, which have been reportedly moving on it.

    The sources said there was random shooting by Serb forces.

    The situation within the village itself was described as very grave indeed. Women, old men, and children are in because they could not leave the area, which has for two days been sealed off by Serb forces.

    KIC has learned that Miftar Rreci, who was shot and wounded near his house in Llausha yesterday, died today.

    [12] International Community Should Step in With Preventative Measures in Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova Says

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova's regular Friday press conference focussed today on the dramatic situation in Drenica in the wake of Serb police and military attacks on Albanian villages.

    "Yesterday's attack of Serb police/military forces in Drenica against the local civilian population resulted in scores of casualties. This is the second Serb massacre in a week over the Drenica regions's population, and indeed the people of Kosova.", President Ibrahim Rugova said.

    He recalled that in the massacres many innocent Albanians were killed, including old men, women and children. "These attacks on the Drenica region are part of long-standing Serb schemes to ethnically cleanse Kosova", Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said.

    The Kosova leader condemned yesterday's Serb police/military crackdown in the strongest terms and pressed for an immediate end to these "deadly attacks" against Albanians.

    The international community should step in with preventative measures in Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova said, reiterating his call for the U.S. and the EU to undertake speedy steps on Kosova.

    He reiterated his plea to President Clinton, Prime Minister Blair, President Chirac, Chancellor Kohl and Prime Minister Prodi, to use their powers to save the people of Kosova from a Serb massacre.

    "The people of Kosova have sacrificed a lot for years to avert a conflict break-out in Kosova", the President said, adding that such a conflict would have grave consequences for the entire south- eastern Europe.

    The people of Kosova are committed to pursue their legitimate demands for freedom, independence and democracy by peaceful and political means, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said.

    President Rugova pressed for the Kosova issue to be urgently put on the UN Security Council agenda. "Kosova needs international protection in all possible forms".

    President Ibrahim Rugova urged for international pressure on Belgrade to immediately end the ongoing Serb forces' attacks.

    At the end of today's conference, President Rugova urged the people of Kosova caution against diverse rumours and falsehoods, which are aimed at instilling fear and panic, "part of the special warfare of Serb security services".

    Dr. Ibrahim Rugova expressed his appreciation for the international reaction condemning massacres in Drenica and the work journalists have been doing to cover developments these days.

    The Belgrade-based ambassadors of the Contact Group countries will be visiting Kosova today, President Rugova told reporters today.

    Italian and U.S. diplomats were here yesterday. The Contact Group will meet in London Monday.

    "The thing of the highest urgency is for Serb operations in Drenica to end", President Rugova concluded.

    Asked by reporters regarding a possible crisis group here, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said Kosova has got its institutions - the Presidency of the Republic, the Coordinating Council of Political Parties, the Presidency of the LDK, as well as other political parties operating in Kosova.

    [13] President Rugova Receives Italian, Swedish, Norwegian Diplomats

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received for talks in Prishtina Thursday with Italian Ambassador to Belgrade, Mr. Riccardo Sessa.

    President Rugova received Friday Mr. Milan Bobic, First Secretary in the Swedish Embassy, and Trond Olsen Naess, First Secretary in the Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade.

    The dangerous situation in Kosova amidst operations of Serb forces against Albanian villages in Drenica was discussed in the meetings.

    President Ibrahim Rugova urged for international pressure on Belgrade to immediately end the ongoing Serb forces' attacks.

    [14] Over 450 People, Fleeing Drenica, Arrive in Fush& Kosova Villages

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - Albanian families, mostly women and children, fleeing the area surrounding the Drenica villages which were attacked by Serb forces started arriving in the villages of the municipality of Fush&- Kosova (in Serbian 'Kosovo Polje').

    The Fush& Kosova chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said 120 persons have gone to Miradi e Ul&t, in Sllatin& e Madhe - 81, in Bardh i Madh - 60 women and children, in Grabovc i Ep&rm - 80 women and children, in Fush&- Kosov& - 58, in Miradi e Ep&rme - 5 families, in Pomozotin - 20 women and children, etc.

    [15] 1000 People Arrive in Mitrovica, Fleeing Affected Area

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - LDK sources in Mitrovica said around 1000 Albanians, fleeing Drenica have arrived in the town of Mitrovica and the villages in the municipality.

    [16] Malisheva and 40 Villages Without Electricity and Telephone Lines

    PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) - The Malisheva municipalities, the town and its forty villages, have had electricity and telephone lines cut off since yesterday.

    Kosova Information Center


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