Kosova Daily Report #1356, 98-02-27

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From: Kosova Information Center <[email protected]>

Kosova Information Center

KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1356

Prishtina, 27 February 1998

CONTENTS

[01] President Rugova Discusses Situation in Kosova with USIS Director in Prishtina

[02] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

[03] Drenica Region Under Further Isolation, Lack of Food and Other Supplies

[04] Serbian Police in Sk&nderaj Ill-treat Casual Passersby

[05] Serbian Police Intimidate Albanian Teacher in Zhur

[06] LDK Activists Arrested in Prizren

[01] President Rugova Discusses Situation in Kosova with USIS Director in Prishtina

The current developments in Kosova were discussed at length.

President Rugova noted with concern that the situation in Kosova has continued to deteriorate as a result of repression of Serb regime throughout the country, noting that increased build-up of Serb forces in several municipalities in central Kosova, coupled with large-scale campaigns of repression and provocations have added to the already tense situation.

The need for restraint and avoidance of violent conflicts was underlined during the meeting. The President reaffirmed the commitment of the people of Kosova for a peaceful solution to the Kosova issue.

Issues related to the recently held Convention of the LDK as well the 22 March presidential and parliamentary elections were also discussed in the meeting.

Dr. Ibrahim Rugova voiced his appreciations to the U.S State Department over the continued interest and concern for the situation in Kosova.

[02] Summary from President Rugova's Press Conference

Speaking to reporters in Prishtina Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, said the LDK Convention "was a conference of continuation and revitalization of the party, features demonstrated during the elections in all the party ranks" which preceded the event.

Commenting on the fact that all members of the outgoing Presidency of LDK were dropped as candidates for the new executive body of the party, the General Council, President Rugova said that "the Convention proved that the LDK is not only a party of its functionaries and of separate streams but rather a party of broad membership". He recalled that the conference itself was an election convention and that it is quite normal if some people are out and new ones included in the leadership. "Members of the outgoing [LDK] Presidency will continue to be my associates, and any of them who wishes can join in our common activity", the President said, and added that some will certainly be his aides in certain fields as they are "experienced in organizing the LDK and in keeping contacts with the world".

Asked by a questioner whether he intended to create a "president's council of experts after the withdrawal of members with political experience", President Rugova said that they are here and he will further cooperate with them. He recalled that there "are legal and public institutions of the Republic of Kosova, like University, Academy [of Sciences and Arts], and other institutions which maintain constant contact with the President of the Republic".

Touching upon the current situation in Kosova, Dr. Rugova noted that the last week saw a continuation of the Serb regime repression and provocations in many municipalities up and down the country. He 2spoke of many cases of Serb police brutalities against Kosova citizens, including the killing last week of two Albanians, Murat Dajaku (Skenderaj) and Ali Raci (Klina) in still unsolved circumstances.

The President pressed for preventive action on the part of international community, and for an interim international civil administration so help in avoiding possible armed conflicts and to pave the way for a peaceful solution for Kosova. He recalled that independence and neutrality of Kosova, coupled with guarantees for Serb here is the best and workable solution.

In the very outset of the conference today President Ibrahim Rugova expressed appreciation to the several governments and over a dozen of international organizations for their concern and actions undertaken towards a peaceful solution for Kosova. He thanked Ambassador Robert Gelbard, President Clinton's special representative for the former Yugoslavia for the visit to Prishtina last week, as well as for his engagement on Kosova and his statement that the Kosovar elections scheduled for 22 March are acceptable.

[03] Drenica Region Under Further Isolation, Lack of Food and Other Supplies

The Serb policemen stopped the car which was driving Imer Spahiu to the medical center in Runik, which is under the same roof with the police station. The police saw that Imer Spahiu was not well, and caused problems for him to pass through their check-point. They told his son Sefer Spahiu to let him die, "better now than later, because we will kill all of you!".

According to Human Rights Council in Skenderaj, Sefer Spahiu was apparently arrested and taken to the police station together with the driver Sk&nder Spahiu. They were both reported beaten severely at the police station.

The police did not allow them to enter the medical center.

Reportedly, the doctors went home afterwards to offer medical assistance to Imer Spahiu.

Meanwhile, the daily Bujku writes today that there has been an increase of Serbian police and military movements over the last two days in the Drenica (Drenitza) region. Serbian army and police convoys go in and out of the Game Ammunition Factory in Sk&nderaj, a place where Serbian police deployed heavy forces prior to the attack on the Albanian family of Shaban Jashari 22 January, have become frequent.

Local Albanian authorities have been calling on the population to avoid any possible provocation, fearing that frequent movements of the Serbian army and police are a good indication they have been preparing for something very nasty, which may result to fatal consequences.

The Human Rights Council in Mitrovica reports that the free movement of the population and goods has been limited drastically.

There is an enormous lack of supplies and food in the region.

[04] Serbian Police in Sk&nderaj Ill-treat Casual Passersby

They stopped a bus and searched people in the bus thoroughly.

The police stopped Jahir Rexha (48) and his son Avdi Rexha (24), from Prekaz i Ep&rm. After having searched their car they began hitting them. After Jahir Rexha's complaint that they were hitting them without any reason, the police called for back up, which arrived soon. They beat father and the son severely on the street, and took them to the police station consequently.

The police seized the ID of Jahir Rexha's daughter-in-law and told her to go and fetch it at the police station in person.

Jahir Rexha went to the Serbian police HQ in Mitrovica to lay a complaint but he was refused enter, nor did anyone receive him.

[05] Serbian Police Intimidate Albanian Teacher in Zhur

Mrs. Ademaj was initially stopped by the Serbian police on the street and taken to the Serbian security on 18 February. She was interrogated for two hours about her teaching activities, and the her engagement with the Kosova Fund.

Since, Mrs. Ademaj was summoned to report to the Serbian security five other times. The Serbian security has kept her personal documentation and ordered her to report at their offices again Monday.

Mrs. Ademaj is also member of the LDK Women's Forum in Zhur.

[06] LDK Activists Arrested in Prizren

Following the raid the police arrested Xhevat Berisha, Isa Berisha, Osman Qengaj, Hajrim Qengaj and Ali Qengaj. The police released Osman and Ali Qengaj but held the rest in detention. reportedly, during the raid the police beat Ali Qengaj severely.

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