Kosova Communication 213
CONTENTS
[01] Massive Kosova Albanian protest through Europe
[02] Rugova telegram to the Bern rally
[03] Rugova receives Norwegian and French Diplomats
[04] Serbian Violence in Kosova Risks Balkan peace
[05] Half of Albanian Nation Outside Borders
[06] Law that discriminates and robs
[07] A ICFTU office to be opened in Prishtina
[08] Serbian Government Reports on Violence in Kosova
[09] News in Brief
Newsgroups: soc.culture.albanian
Subject: Kosova Communication 213
Date: 27 Mar 1995 10:04:43 -0600
KOSOVA COMMUNICATION
Bulletin of the Ministry of Information of the Republic of Kosova
4th Year; No213, 27 March 1995
[01] Massive Kosova Albanian protest through Europe
The Democratic League of Kosova, the largest political party of
Albanians in Yugoslavia, on 25 March organised protest rallies .
Tens of thousands of Albanians in Bon (Germany), Bern
(Switzerland), London (Britain), Paris (France), Vienna(Austria),
Stockholm(Sweden), Helsinki (Finland), The Hague (Netherlands)
Melbourne (Australia), and Toronto (Canada) demanded the
recognition of Kosova as an independents and neutral state. A just
solution for the Kosova issue would be a peace factor in the
Balkans. The German President Herman Hertzog and the President of
the German Bundestag sent their greeting to the participants of
the rally in Bon. A petition signed by 100,000 people was handed
to German authorities. 'We strongly support the right of Kosova
people for self-determination'- Peter Volner , a Swiss MP stated
addressing the Bern rally. Swiss writer Manfred Zulfi said: 'it is
a big opportunity and great honor for the Balkans and Europe to
have a personality such as Mr. Rugova, who rightly represents a
shining symbol of peace."
[02] Rugova telegram to the Bern rally
The President of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, sent the following
telegram of support to the participants of the rally in Bern: 'I
salute and thank you in the name of the people of Kosova for your
gathering in support of Kosova's independence. We thank
Switzerland and the Swiss people for admitting Albanians from
Kosova and former Yugoslavia in last 20 years as workers, who
helped develop Kosova and other regions. We also thank the Swiss
Government for showing understanding towards our youngsters who
left the Serbian army refusing to fight against others. We also
thank Switzerland for showing understanding towards other Kosova
citizens who ran away from violence and repression. I ask you to
behave in accordance with the Swiss and Swiss peoples laws and
standards. I am aware of your difficulties on foreign soil,
especially as you are victims of violence, but with your help and
with the non-violent resistance of the Kosova people, we will work
together for a free, independent and neutral Kosova. We hope that
Switzerland will continue to support the political will of the
people of Kosova, because an independent and neutral Kosova is a
stability factor in the Balkans and Europe. I would also like to
personally salute the Foreign Minister of the Helvetic
Confederation, Mr. Koti."
[03] Rugova receives Norwegian and French Diplomats
The President of the Republic of Kosova, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova,
received on the 21st and 22nd March in Prishtina Tryne Skymoen,
Charge d'Affaires of the Norwegian Royal Embassy in Belgrade, and
Stefano Sanino, First Secretary of the Italian Embassy in
Belgrade.
President Rugova expounded the plight of the people of Kosova in
view of the continued and systematic Serbian regime's crackdown.
Dr. Ibrahim Rugova reiterated the position of the Kosova
leadership regarding the commitment to see a peaceful resolution
to the Kosova issue, while respecting the will of the people for
an independent state.
In these meetings, Rugova called for the demilitarisation of
Kosova and the placement of an international civil administration
as the first step in the normalisation of life in Kosova, and
ensuring the preconditions for a genuine dialogue between
Prishtina and Belgrade, under a third authorized party.
The diplomats also expressed interest in other aspects of the
situation and developments in Kosova.
[04] Serbian Violence in Kosova Risks Balkan peace
According to the monthly bulletin of the Parliamentary Party of
Kosova (PPK) , No. 22 dated 11.03.95, in a regular meeting with
the representatives of their branches, Bajram Kosumi, President of
the PPK, stated that it was not possible to talk about the present
situation in Kosova without mentioning the systematic,
institutionalised Serbian violence, which threatened not only the
situation in Kosova but also in the Balkans. This violence is part
of the political inclination of the Serbian leadership. As in
Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia is also applying violence
as a means for the solution of political issues in Kosova, but not
in the form of a declared war due to the international community's
attitude towards her. For as long as Serbia is not interested in
avoiding war in Kosova, her aim will be to to continue exercising
constant violence against ordinary citizens, to separate them from
the movement, to frighten and force them out of the country,
therefore performing quiet 'ethnic cleansing'. Serbian violence
is accompanied with a cruel campaign for the colonisation of
Kosova, a process destined to fail as did similar attempts in the
past. These Serbian actions show not her force, but her
insecurity. The colonisation of Kosova is Serbia's last stride to
cling to Kosova and convince Serbs there of her presence. Serbs of
Kosova should, therefore, realise that they are simply being
manipulated by the Belgrade regime. Recently, stated Kosumi, a
census of property has been announced by Serbia. This is expected
to support the 'ethnic cleansing' of Kosova, it aims to repossess
properties owned by Albanians and hand them over to Serb
colonists. This process should be completed by the year 2002.
Regarding the latest Serbian press speculations on the division of
Kosova, Kosumi stated that it would be the most tragic variant of
the solution of the Kosova problem which Albanians would never
allow.
[05] Half of Albanian Nation Outside Borders
In a recent visit to Germany the Albanian writer Ismail Kadare
gave an interview to journalists of the German radio station
Deutche Welle. Answering questions regarding the situation in
Albania , Kosova and FYROM, Kadare stated that half of the
Albanians live outside their national state borders. "In this
case, the figures play a major role. Can you imagine 70 million
Germans living outside Germany. I do not support an adventurous
solution or the violation of peace in Europe. But a way should be
found to end this deception and find a just solution . Of course,
most important would be the emancipation of the whole of the
Balkans, but this is to far off. In Kosova there are no schools
for children. In FYROM people were killed just because they wanted
to open an university. They were not killed because they wanted to
overthrow the government and impose Islamic fundamentalism, or
something else, but because they wanted to open an university.
FYROM police shot at crowds and killed.
[06] Law that discriminates and robs
In an interview given to Radio Deutche Welle on 20 March,
commenting the new Serbian law governing foreign currencies, Dr.
Mustafe Blakaj, Chairman of the Central Council for Financing
Social Activities in the Republic of Kosova stated: 'After the
occupation of Kosova, Albanians were dismissed from their jobs.
Because of this they were forced to go abroad, where they provided
existential means for their families. In the absence of banking
mechanism, the money transfer was irregular. Serbia is now trying
to abolish these methods and to direct the transfers via banks,
which up to date actually robbed the population. This law ensures
the continuation of this robbery. This law targets Albanians in
particular, trying to make their life in Kosova impossible. The
new Serbian law on governing foreign currency is not a regular
law, it is robbing, punishing and putting into a discriminated
position a whole nation', concluded Dr. Blakaj.
[07] A ICFTU office to be opened in Prishtina
In an interview given to the BBC on 19 March, following his second
visit to Kosova, Jean Mari Cheval, the International
Representative of Independent Trade Unions, spoke about the
destitute position of the Albanian population under occupation,
the dismissal of Albanians from their jobs and the closure of
schools and university. She stated that 'in Gjakova region the
land is being illegally taken from Albanians and is given to
Serbs. Another fact is the persecution of former policemen,
members of the trade union. 200 of them were arrested, ill-treated
and tortured, and in two-three cases even killed. The
International Confederation of Free Trade Unions wants to provide
permanent aid to Kosova Independent Trade Unions, as a
confederation democratically chosen in Kosova.' She also stated
that the international confederation will financially help its
member from Kosova, and will make efforts to send as many
delegates possible to Kosova to monitor the situation. She
revealed that there was a will on both sides to open an
International Confederation office in Prishtina. Ending Ms.
Cheval stated that an inter-ethnic conflict in Kosova would
compromise the whole Balkans, when it would become to late. Thus,
the actions by the International Confederation of Trade Unions to
help their colleagues in Kosova, are being seriously understood,
and moral and material support would not be found lacking.
[08] Serbian Government Reports on Violence in Kosova
In a Serbian government crime report in the self proclaimed
Yugoslavia, published by the Serbian press on 22 March, it is said
that in Kosova the 'formation of a base' which would have become
a 'factor of organised terrorism of extremists and separatists'
was obstructed. 172 people were charged for the alleged formation
of the 'Republic of Kosova Interior Ministry'. Another 18 people
were charged for 'illegal paramilitary organisation and,
possession of arms' while 29 others have been charged with
'participation in military training in Albania'. 19 members of
Balli Kombetar, the Kosova National Movement (LPK) and the
National Unity Party (UNIKOMB) were also charged. 69 people were
charged for alleged possession of fire arms. The report informs
that for dealings with foreign currencies 10,854 people were
detained, from whom 4.7 m DEM and 1.6 m Dinars were seized.
[09] News in Brief
On March 18 in Ferizaj, around 10 p.m., three armed and masked
people wearing the military uniform of the Serbian army entered
the house of the brothers Ixhri and Sahadi Maloku and proceeded to
maltreat the families of both men and stole hard currency valued
at over 10,000 DM and other family valuables. During the raid,
which lasted 15 minutes, all three spoke Serbian. Police and
military authorities later visited the site of crime.
On the evening of 21 March, Serbian police gave Vehap Shita (72)
formal notification to report to a police station in Prishtina
for "informative discussions". Mr Shita, writer and activist and
translator for the Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms in
Prishtina, reported to the police station expecting to be
questioned on his activities for the Human Rights Council.
Surprisingly he was given several hours to hand in a weapon. Mr.
Shita replied that he does not posses one neither can he afford to
buy one.
On March 22, in Gjakova, around 8 am, five Serbian police entered
the home of Avni Brovina, former employee with the Kosova Bureau
for textbooks Publishers, and confiscated the equivalent of one
lorry load of school textbooks in the Albanian language. Mr.
Brovina was held for over eight hours at the local police station
were he was questioned on the activities of the Bureau.
For several days there has been an increase of military low level
flights over Prishtina . These flights coincide with a recent
increase in Belgrade's attempts to provoke fear amongst Albanians
and encourage Serbian nationalist extremists. Recently there has
also been an increase in the distribution of draft orders for
young Albanians throughout Kosova as well as call ups for
reservist forces.
In line with the declaration by Belgrade to settle Kosova with
100,000 Slav colonisers, yesterday in Kamenica construction was
begun on 30 homes. According to the Serbian newspaper Jedinstvo,
construction is to be completed within nine months and will cost
over 2 million Dinars. Serbian authorities hope that among the
colonisers will be 'much needed experts' for the 'revival' of the
Kamenica economy.
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