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Kosova Communication, 306, 97-07-15
From: Kosova Information Centre - London <[email protected]>
Kosova Communication
Bulletin of the Ministry of Information
of the Republic of Kosova
6th year, No. 306, 15 July 1997
CONTENTS
[01] FYROM police kills two Albanians and wound 138
[02] Albanian MPs in FYROM write to International Institutions
[03] President Berisha condemns police actions in Tetova and Gostivar
[04] Note of protest of Albanian Foreign Ministry addressed to FYROM
[05] Kosovar Political Parties Denounce FYROM Crackdown on Albanians
[06] Serb court sentences 15 Albanians to 264 Years in Prison
[07] President Rugova meets Italian officials
[08] Sweden and Former Yugoslavia fail to reach an agreement
[09] Report on the violation of human rights and freedoms in Kosova during
June 1997
[01] FYROM police kills two Albanians and wound 138
Gostivar 11 July - On the morning of 9 July special police units of the
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) removed the Albanian flag
from municipal assemblies in Tetova and Gostivar, two municipalities with
an overwhelming Albanian population. The FYROM Interior Ministry said it
was removing the "flag of a foreign country", referring to the ethnic
(national) Albanian flag as the flag of Albania. On the previous day, FYROM
parliament adopted a law which restricts use of the flags of nationalities,
despite the disapproval of Albanian deputies.
10,000 Albanian citizens gathered in front of the municipal assembly
building to peacefully protest against the actions of the FYROM police and
to defend the Albanian flag. FYROM police replied by using fire arms,
killing two and wounding 138 demonstrators. Shpend Hyseni (32) a doctor and
Nazmi Salihu (17) were killed. Over 700 people were arrested and many
houses were searched.
Chair of the municipal assembly in Gostivar, Rufi Osmani, and Ernad
Fejzullahu , spokesperson of the Albanian Democratic Party in FYROM, were
among 20 arrested political activists. Later Mr. Osmani was charged with
"refusal to execute the court orders, organising a resistance and
instigating national, racial and religious hate, division and national
intolerance".
The town of Gostivar has been under a state of emergency since 9 July. The
situation in Tetova was also very tense when special police forces also
removed today the Albanian flag from the Tetova municipal assembly
building. The town hall of Tetova has been sealed off by heavy FYROM police
forces, according to reports.
Reports speak of damage to the Gostivar and Tetova Town Hall buildings. A
state of emergency has also been imposed in Tetova.
The Mayor of Tetove, Alajdin Demiri, has pressed charges against the FYROM
Ministry for Internal Affairs for attacking and destroying the property of
Tetova Town Hall.
Latest report state that in the Clinical Centre in Skopje on 14 July the
third victim of the riots in Gostivar from the 9th July. Miljam Dauti
succumbed his wounds and died.
[02] Albanian MPs in FYROM write to International Institutions
Shkup, 11 June - The Parliamentary group of the Albanian Democratic Party
in FYROM, wrote to UN,CSCE, European Council, European Parliament, US State
Department and to the UN Commission for Human Rights in Geneva.
In a letter that explains the discriminatory position of Albanians in FYRO,
they call upon the international institutions to do their utmost to halt
the violence and mediate in re-establishing a dialogue between Albanians
and the FYROM government
[03] President Berisha condemns police actions in Tetova and Gostivar
Tirana, 10 July 1997 - Sali Berisha, president of the Republic of Albania
expressed his deep concern about the situation in FYROM and condemned the
use of violence by the police, the killings of at least two Albanians and
the wounding of tens of others in Tetova and Gostivar.
Berisha called upon the FYROM authorities to show restraint and to withdraw
from the course of violence for the solution of political problems with the
Albanians in this republic. He expressed his conviction that the
consolidation of the equal rights of the Albanians with other citizens of
FYROM would be the best contribution towards the strengthening of the state
itself.
[04] Note of protest of Albanian Foreign Ministry addressed to FYROM
Tirana, 10 July 1997 - Mr. Arian Starova, Foreign Minister of the Republic
of Albania, summoned on 10 July 1997 the ambassador of FYROM in Tirana,
Nikola Todorcevski, and expressed his deep indignation of the Republic of
Albania at recent events in Tetova and Gostivar. He handed him a note of
protest of the Albanian Foreign Ministry adressed to the Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia.
Starova stated, that the Albanians in the FYROM had to be provided with the
necessary space for the realisation of their rights and that any attempt to
crush their protests and their demands through violence would endanger the
stability in the region. He further stated that events such as those in
Tetova and Gostivar could have been avoided and demanded that the
ambassador transmits to the authorities of FYROM the Albanian request that
such events be not repeated in the future.
[05] Kosovar Political Parties Denounce FYROM Crackdown on Albanians
Prishtina, 10 July - Albanian political parties, in Kosova denounced today
in the strongest terms yesterdays crackdown by the troops of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) the Albanian community in the
republic.
LDK
A statement issued by the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) states: The
chauvinist-nationalist forces in FYROM see Macedonian statehood as a
license to rule over the Albanians and the others, the LDK said, adding
that in this, they have traced the policies of Milosevics Serbia. Such
Macedonian circles "cannot accommodate with the normal and legitimate
requests of the Albanians to freely use their national flag, equal usage of
Albanian language, as well as an Albanian-language University, the LDK
noted. The newly emerged independent Macedonia, after the demise of former
Yugoslavia, has not marked a new stage in Albanian-Macedonian relations,
according to the LDK. "Acceptance of Macedonian statehood by Albanians has
been misconstrued and misinterpreted by the Macedonian national
chauvinists, for they cannot understand that Albanians can accept as their
own state only a Macedonia which would be a common state of Albanians and
the Macedonians", the LDK said.
PPK
The Parliamentary Party of Kosova (PPK) is of opinion that the intervention
of FYROM police once more verifies that the anti-Albanian wing of FYROMs
authorities is becoming harsher, strongert and ready to escalate the
conflict which would have tragic consequences for Albanians and
Macedonians. The PPK states that it is appalled international monitors in
FYROM failed to react in accordance with the new circumstances and that the
CSCE office in FYROM ignored this crime.
PSDK
The Social-Democratic Party of Kosova (PSDK) expressed its admiration for
Albanian population in FYROM. By standing up for our national flag they
proved that they will not allow subjugation of their national being.
"Regardless of current circumstances, the unsolved Albanian is one and
indivisible. The Albanian nation in situations such as the one in Gostivar
would not hesitate to act as a nation".
PSHDK
Meanwhile, the Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosova (PSHDK)
denounced the "vandalism of the Macedonian special police forces against
the Albanian population".
The PSHDK calls on the international community to step in so as to prevent
the escalation of the conflict in FYROM. It calls on the FYROM government
to give up its discriminatory policies against Albanians. "Usage of the
national flag is an inalienable right for all the peoples", the PSHDK said.
PLK
The Liberal Party of Kosova (PLK) said the attack on Albanians in Gostivar
was "a premeditated act of the FYROM police units" The FYROM crackdown on
Albanians comes after a meeting of the Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic
with FYROM Prime Minister Crvenkovski, the PLK said. The FYROM behaviour
towards the Albanians is evidence of the fact that this newly emerging
independent state has been "prematurely recognised by the world", the PLK
concluded
[06] Serb court sentences 15 Albanians to 264 Years in Prison
Prishtina, 11 July - Fifteen Albanians were sentenced yesterday (Friday) by
a Serbian regime court in Prishtina to prison sentences ranging from 4 to
20 years in yet another staged political trial.
The trial of Albanians on charges of hostile activities and terrorism-
commenced on June 3 in the Serb-run District Court in Prishtina.
Only three of the accused stood trial (Besim Rama, Idriz Asllani and Avni
Nura), the remaining being tried in absentia.
Besim Rama, the first defendant, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment,
Idriz Asllani to 15 years, whereas the third defendant Avni Nura to 4 years
imprisonment. Adem Jashari, Jakup Nura, Fadil Kadriu, Nuredin Lushtaku,
Sahit Jashari, Rafet Rama, Sami Lushtaku, Ilaz Kadriu, Rexhep Selimi and
Zenun Kadriu were sentenced to 20 years in prison each. Ali Jonuzi received
15 years, whereas Hashim Thai 10 years of imprisonment.
Most of the defendants are from two municipalities in central Kosova,
Skenderaj and Vushtrri (in Serbian: Srbica and Vucitrn). The first three
defendants, Besim Rama, Avni Nura and Idriz Asllani, have been held in
Serbian custody since last autumn. When the verdict was announced Friday,
the presiding judge Sladjana Petrovic said nothing about whom did the
accused kill or wound or when and how, Bujku newspaper noted today
(Saturday), adding that she did not offer any evidence on which the verdict
was based. Self-incriminating confessions the defendants had made during
the pre-trial period was the only evidence the Serb regime court had in
support of the draconian sentences.
The defendants denied in court their confessions which had been obtained
under torture in the hands of the Serbian state security. What became
clear during the hearings in the trial was the cruel tortures the Albanians
had been subjected to while in detention in order to make them confess to
having been involved in hostile and terrorist activities. Besim Rama and
Avni Nura had been abducted last autumn and held incommunicado for 16 days.
The Serb regime court could not substantiate charges that Besim Rama was a
member of the so-called Ushtria lirimtare e Kosovs (UK) [the Liberation
Army of Kosova], that the defendants had been in Albania and received
military training there and that Besim Rama was head of a terrorist gang.
Mr. Bengt Bondeson , representative ofInternational Federation of Lawyers,
who monitored this trial stated that in his 17 years of experience as a
judge, he had never seen that any court try 12 people in absentia, charged
even for political terrorism. He was appalled by the way the trial in
Prishtina Court.
[07] President Rugova meets Italian officials
Roma, 9 July - President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova had
separate meetings yesterday (Monday) in Rome with the Italian Minister of
Foreign Affairs Lamberto Dini and the Italian Defense Minister Beniamino
Andreatta.
During a long and friendly meeting with Foreign Minister Dini and his aides
in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the current situation in Kosova as well
as the ways and prospects for a negotiated settlement to the Kosova issue
were discussed. President Rugova and Minister Dini discussed also about
the current developments in the region.
President Rugova said the situation continued to be grave and tense as a
result of the systematic repression and violence the Serbian regime
institutes against the Albanian people. The unexplained killings of
Albanians, arrests, as well as the Serbian regime engineered show political
trials of Albanians had further added to the volatile situation in Kosova,
President Rugova said.
The response of the people of Kosova has been peaceful and democratic,
Dr. Rugova said, recalling that an independent infrastructure of political
and democratic institutions had been built in Kosova. Open confrontation
has been averted owing to this path the Albanians have pursued, though
sacrificing much, President Rugova said.
The Foreign Minister Lamberto Dini said his country was concerned about the
situation in Kosova and that his government supported an equitable solution
to the Kosova problem. Mr. Dini shared an interest in the prospects for a
dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade.
President Rugova said the Kosovar leadership was willing to engage in a
talks process with Belgrade, which should be done under the mediation of a
third authorized party. He reiterated his call for the United States of
America, in close co-operation with the European Union, to mediate the
Prishtina-Belgrade dialogue on Kosova.
Foreign Minister Dini said Italy would insist on securing mediation in the
talks process on Kosova.
President Rugova thanked Mr. Dini for his personal and his governments
engagement towards Kosova and called for the establishment of a permanent
Italian presence in Kosova.
President Rugova also met with Italian Defense Minister Beniamino
Andreatta, Umberto Ranieri, head of the foreign relations committee in the
Democratic Party of the Left, and member of the Italian Parliament, chair
of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Italian Senate, Gian Giacomo
Migone, and the chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the House of
Deputies in the Italian Parliament, Achille Occhetto .
[08] Sweden and Former Yugoslavia fail to reach an agreement
Prishtina, 9 July - The Signing of an agreement between Sweden and the
Former Yugoslavia to repatriate over 2,000 Kosova asylum seekers did not
take place as anticipated on 4 July 1997. According to sources from the
Swedish Foreign Ministry, the Belgrade regime at eleventh hour stated that
it would not allow the return of Albanians whose application for asylum in
Sweden had been refused.
[09] Report on the violation of human rights and freedoms in Kosova during
June 1997
The situation in Kosova continues to be very difficult and tense. The
brutal campaign of arrests and raids followed by demolition, ill-
treatment, threats and assaults on a national basis continued during the
month of June 1997. During June 1997, 146 persons, including 11 women, 2
children, 45 political activists 6 journalists and 6 repatriated asylum
seekers, were subjected to different forms of ill-treatment.
According to the report released b the Council 1 person was killed; another
one was wounded, due to their political activity 3 persons were sentenced
to prison terms, 4 others were sentenced for petty- offences; there were 39
cases of physical ill-treatment; 77 persons were arbitrarily arrested; 31
persons underwent routine checking; 61 were taken into custody for
"informative talks"; 1 person was dismissed from his job; 3 passports were
seized; 17 families were raided; 1 person was taken hostage; 59 cases of
ill-treatment for weapons; 49 persons were summoned and searched for
weapons; 4 Albanian families were evicted from their flats; and 3 cases of
police interference in educational institutions have been reported
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