Kosova Daily Report #1355, 98-02-26

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From: Kosova Information Center <[email protected]>

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1355

Prishtina, 26 February 1998

CONTENTS

[01] Dr. Ibrahim Rugova Re-elected LDK Leader, Nominated Presidential Candidate

[02] Dr. Rugova Thanks Delegates for the Trust They Put in Him

[03] LDK Convention Adopts Amendments to the Party Statute, Some Delegates Disagree

[04] New General Council of the LDK Elected

[05] Unidentified Gunmen Shot at and Wound 16-Year-Old Boy in Skenderaj

[06] Serb Police Beat Severely Albanian Student in Komaran

[01] Dr. Ibrahim Rugova Re-elected LDK Leader, Nominated Presidential Candidate

The Third Party Convention decided by a unanimous vote, in a standing ovation, that he lead the party in the next term. With a unanimous vote was Dr. Ibrahim Rugova nominated as the LDK candidate for the March 22 presidential election in the Republic of Kosova.

Dr. Fehmi Agani, the LDK Vice-President, said in support of president Rugova's candidacy, "There is no doubt that the name of the LDK, its operation and its results, by and large are connected with the personality of its incumbent and future leader."

The basic political direction of the Democratic League, an in a way of the Albanian political movement, is self-determination, independence, the Republic of Kosova as an independent and sovereign state, Dr. Fehmi Agani said. The peaceful policies in pursuit of independence and "an essential democratization of all sectors of life in Kosova" are linked principally with the name of Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, he added.

"Our main results express the political unity on an independence for Kosova platform, to the extent that Serbia has failed to this day to garner support in any segment of the Albanian society", Dr. Fehmi Agani said.

Further, he said the averting of the bloodbath that threatened Kosova, not by subjugation to Serbia, but rather its contestation in all sectors where it was possible and to the degree that it was possible to secure an independent organization in Kosova, as well as internationalization of the Kosova issue are the results of the LDK, but in the first place of its leader, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova. "We have now international support for our demands to the degree never seen before in our history", the LDK Vice- President said.

After a long standing ovation of the delegates who chose Dr. Rugova by a unanimous vote, Dr. Fehmi Agani put forward the proposal that Dr. Ibrahim Rugova be the party candidate for the Republic of Kosova presidential election, scheduled for 2 March 1988, as he said being "encouraged by the support" his proposal on electing Dr. Ibrahim Rugova as the LDK President had received by the party congress.

The next parliamentary and presidential elections will be "the biggest political action, not only of the LDK, but of all the political forces of Kosova and the Kosovar society as a whole", Dr. Agani said.

"Of course, we are very much interested to ensure that this huge political action be a success, to secure the necessary prestige and dignity of this action, which will be carried out by virtue of our maturity and overall efforts, the Dr. Ibrahim Rugova's figure being one of the guarantors of that", Dr. Fehmi Agani concluded.

This proposal was accepted by a unanimous vote and a standing ovation of the delegates and guests in the LDK Convention.

[02] Dr. Rugova Thanks Delegates for the Trust They Put in Him

Dr. Rugova said he would continue working with all to ensure unity, especially in these hard times.

Under heavy burdens, harsh words come out sometimes, but this is with the intention of ensuring that we move forward in the best way possible, he said.

"God bless Kosova, God bless the people of Kosova", Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said at the end of his short address.

[03] LDK Convention Adopts Amendments to the Party Statute, Some Delegates Disagree

The debate focussed on Article 24 of the Statute which ensures this, namely the way members of the General Council, the Presidency, the vice-president and the secretary-general are elected. Some delegates, including Hydajet Hyseni, the LDK Vice- President, opposed such amendments. Others, including Dr. Rexhep Gjergji and Ms Edita Tahiri, LDK Presidency members, expressed support for the motion.

The newly-amended Statute envisions that the LDK leadership comes up with a 55-name list on the election of the General Council, with the Convention putting 1/3 more candidates for the 55-member General Council, for instance.

The amendments to the Statute have been proposed by the outgoing Presidency, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, Dr. Rexhep Gjergji and others explained.

In the last two party conventions, the number of candidacies was double to that to envisioned for election, that is around 110 for 55 seats.

Noting that this new proposal may cause dissatisfaction, Dr. Rugova recommended that the Convention puts 20 names in the list of candidates, besides the 55. This was adopted by a majority of votes.

[04] New General Council of the LDK Elected

New members of the General Council from the list put forward by President Ibrahim Rugova are: Idriz Ajeti, Nexhat Daci, Sabri Hamiti, Alush Gashi, Ymer Muhaxheri, Eqrem Kryeziu, Aqif Shehu, Bardhyl ^aushi, Faruk Spahia, Ali Sadria, Fehmi Rexhepi, Haki Shatri, Zejnullah Rrahmani, Hazir Krasniqi, Ismet Rraci, Enver Maloku, Milazim Krasniqi, Sim& Dobreci, Fatmir Rexhepi, Sanije Aliu, Rexhep Osmani, Sanije Zeqiraj, Fadil Hysaj, Nekibe Kelmendi, Shaip Surdulli, Musli Bajraktari, Lutfi Haziri, Ibush Jonuzi, Ferat Hajzeraj, Idriz Rreci, Sabit Rrustemi, Xhevat Olluri, Agim Krasniqi, Kol& Berisha, Shaban Manaj, Uk& Byty^i, and Mark Marleti.

Members of the General Council put forward by the delegates are: Rexhep Ismajli, Fadil Jashari, Jakup Krasniqi, Skender Blakaj, Adem Salihaj, Ali Mehmeti, Shasivar Sadiku, Gani Krasniqi, Shukrije Rexha, Mustaf& Blakaj, Emin Krasniqi, Zenun Pajaziti, Ismajl Gashi, Melihate T&rmkolli, Ali Gashi, Ali Laj^i, Nimon Alimusaj, Bedredin Shehu, Xheladin Shala and Ilir Salihu.

President Rugova put in his initial list for the General Council the names of all members of the outgoing Presidency.

One of the three vice-presidents, Hydajet Hyseni, said he was withdrawing his candidacy in dissatisfaction over the fact that Rugova's list did not include some people he thought should have been included. Some other delegates, including outgoing presidency members like Skender Kastrati, Mehmet Hajrizi and Basri Musmurati, said they were withdrawing their candidacies too.

A long debate ensued, most of the participants calling for Hyseni and company to change their minds and "subject their candidacies to the vote of the Convention".

This did not happen, though. Many delegates said this was evidence to the fact that Hydajet Hyseni and his supporters, afraid that a secret ballot would leave them in a negligible minority, chose this way to blackmail the party and its leader. It cannot be allowed that a few members, be they even former senior members, set arbitrary rules to impose their will on all the rest, including the party leader, some delegates emphasized.

After a half-hour pause, the outgoing presidency of the LDK came up with a common position that they all be dropped as candidates for the new General Council.

A new presidency will be elected by the new General Council, which is seen as an opportunity to revitalize the party along the policies of President Rugova.

The composition of the General Council provides for such an opportunity, according to observers close to the LDK.

[05] Unidentified Gunmen Shot at and Wound 16-Year-Old Boy in Skenderaj

Sources in Skenderaj said that unidentified gunmen opened fire at Zen& Hajra in front of his house Tuesday at around 22:00 hrs.

Before being shot someone had knocked at the gates of his house, sources said. As soon as he stepped out to see who could be knocking, fire was opened at him without warning.

Zen& Hajra was hit at his head and is reported in a critical condition. He was initially taken to a clinic in Mitrovica to be later transferred to Prishtina hospital intensive care ward where is still being treated.

[06] Serb Police Beat Severely Albanian Student in Komaran

The police ordered him to pile up some sand-bags, and since he refused to do so they beat him severely, inflicting on him heavy body injuries, LDK sources in Gllogovc reported.

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