Kosova Daily Report #1363, 98-03-06
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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