News: ARTA (June 23rd, 1998)
Mentor Cana
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Have you called your government officials and asked
them to act against the Serb state terror in Kosova?
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Radio 21 (Prishtina) http://www.radio21.net/
Koha Ditore (Prishtina) http://www.kohaditore.com/ARTA/index.htm
KCC (Kosova Crisis Center) http://www.alb-net.com/html/kcc.html
Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/
Kosova Info Line (German) http://www.dardania.com/kosova-info/
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KOSOVA (renewed attacks – Gjakovë)
Smolicë, Morinë, Shishman i Bokës and Ramoc are shelled
Hundreds of children, women and elders from Has (Gjakovë municipality), fled, as the men stayed to protect their homes
Gjakovë, 23 June (ARTA) 2130CET--
Many villages, including those where the local population is unarmed, were exposed to constant shelling. The village Shishmon i Bokës, in Rekë e Keqe, was subjected to a very large-scale attack, which resulted with many houses burnt and destroyed.
Similar situation took place in the village Ramoc as well. Due to the constant shooting, the house of Zef Ndrecaj was leveled to the ground. Albanian forces are confronting the Serb army and police by all means. Houses in Smolicë and Morinë were shelled throughout Monday and Tuesday. The material damages in the village Berjahë, Stubëll, and Nec are disastrous.
Thousands of women, children and elders from Has (Gjakovë municipality), abandoned their homes today, feeling threatened by the great number of tanks and APCs belonging to the Serb forces, while the men stayed to defend their homes. Serb forces with heavy weaponry are now stationed in the neighborhood of Muhadra in Pnish. Food provision is getting more difficult every day as well.
KOSOVA (fighting continues - Deçan)
62 grenades were thrown in Baballoç during the afternoon only
Fierce clashes took place between Serb and Albanian forces in Baballoç, Prejlep, Strellc, Carrabreg, and other villages
Deçan, 23 June (ARTA) 2200CET--
Fierce clashes of KLA forces and civilians, that have undertaken the task to defend their homes, against Serb forces, took place in Baballoç, Prejlep, Strellc, Carrabreg, and other villages yesterday.
Over 62 grenades were thrown in Baballoç during the afternoon only. Strong clashes also took place in Isniq and Strellc i Epërm. The village of Shaptej is constantly being shelled from a place called Suka e Biteshit. Presently there isn’t any information about eventual victims on the Albanian side; the Serb forces on the other hand suffered great losses.
There is still no information on Rrustem Brahim Lataj, Muharrem Lataj and a number of others missing.
Lavdim Tetaj (19M), from Lluka e Epërme, and another person, were seized by Serb civilians on Saturday in Pejë. There is no knowledge about them ever since, as nothing is known about Shaban Ahmetaj, Din Tetaj, and many others seized a day before.
KOSOVA ("free territory")
The Liberation Army extends the front line
KLA units appeal to the people living in the region that they control, not to abandon their houses, asking those that have fled to return because they will be guaranteed complete security
Obiliq, Fushë-Kosovë, 23 June (ARTA) 2015CET ---
KLA units in Çiçavicë have extended the front line in the direction of Fushë-Kosovë, in the quick action undertaken during these past two days. Thus, the majority of the villages of Fushë-Kosovë and Obiliq are under KLA control.
KLA units entered this area yesterday morning, only to take positions in many strategic points of this region. KLA now controls the coal enterprise "Kosova" in Bellaqefc and the asphalt road that leads to these villages from the direction of Sllatinë. Otherwise, large "Yugoslav" military forces are still concentrated around this region, as well as the asphalt road links it with Obiliq.
The Serb civilians, employees in "Kosova" enterprise, were allowed to pass through this territory, but the security workers were disarmed.
Many young Albanians have adhered to the KLA units.
On the other hand, soldiers at the military barrack in Pomozotin, which is situated only tens of meters away from the new front line, have withdrawn. There are reports that they were picked up by a military bus later on in the afternoon.
KLA units appeal to the people living in the region that they control, not to abandon their houses, asking those that have fled to return because they will be guaranteed complete security. They claim that "the most important thing is to work in normalizing life in these villages and that we are counting on the full support of the people of this area.
KOSOVA (Serb attack – Suharekë)
Shelling in the village of Bllacë
KLA units managed to resist the Serb police and military attacks, which came from three directions - Rifat Bekteshi was wounded and great material damage was caused
Suharekë, 23 June (ARTA) 1915CET--
Serb police forces attacked the village of Bllacë, in the municipality of Suharekë, yesterday afternoon, using different caliber weapons.
The LDK Information Commission and the CDHRF branch in Suharekë reports that the neighborhood of Bajraktari and Sukaj suffered the worst consequences of the hour long offensive.
Despite numerous efforts made by Serb forces to reach the village, the KLA forces managed to push them back, without suffering any losses. Fortunately, nobody was reported killed in the attack. Rifat Bekteshi, however, was slightly wounded as the police destroyed the gas station he owns. Despite the shelling, the inhabitants did not flee their homes.
Large movements of the Serb police\military forces were also witnessed today, with forces going from Qafa e Duhlës in the direction of Suharekë. These prosaic movements of the police\military forces in the territory of Suharekë made a great impact in increasing the tension.
KOSOVA (NATO Secretary General)
Javier Solana is ready to receive Rugova
Brussels, 23 June (ARTA) 1945CET --
The earlier announced meeting between Kosova Albanian leader, Ibrahim Rugova and NATO Secretary General, Javier Solana, is scheduled to take place tomorrow morning, NATO sources confirmed in Brussels. No details of the meeting, considered to be of high importance, were given away. NATO officials reiterate the stand that the alliance backs Rugova and his moderate policy. Rugova and the Secretary General are going to meet at a time when Solana's eloquence for NATO military intervention, as means to persuade the "Yugoslav" President to end the violence in Kosova, is becoming more emphatic. NATO has evaluated the situation in Kosova as very dangerous for the whole region, a threat to Europe's stability and maintaining world order. NATO does not want Kosova to affect the results that it achieved in Bosnia, Solana stated.
NATO's Council is scheduled to meet again after Solana receives Rugova. The Council will discuss the situation in Kosova and is expected to adopt the options for NATO intervention in Kosova.
KOSOVA (Surroi corresponds with German Ambassador)
Surroi: "I cannot attend the meeting with Kinkel, because of the serious deterioration of the situation in Kosova"
I am sure that President Rugova and Prime Minister Bukoshi will transmit this message, in the meeting on Thursday
Prishtina, 23 June (ARTA) 2000CET--
Kosova is undergoing a negative trend, starting from the position of the first stage of war, in which it is
today, to the stage of the complete war, writes the Albanian negotiating member, Veton Surroi in a letter addressed to the German ambassador, Wilfred Gruber. The letter among others informs that Surroi "cannot attend the meeting with Minister Kinkel, because of the serious deterioration of the situation in Kosova, although I am sure that this message will be transmitted by President Rugova and Prime Minister Bukoshi, in the meeting on Thursday".
KOSOVA (Albanian Prime Minister)
Nano: "The Albanian people are now fighting another people - Serbs"
"Most of the Albanians that fled, want to get arms in Albania, and return to fight in Kosova, in defense of their homes and property which are being attacked by Serb forces", he stated
Vienna, 23 June (ARTA) 2015CET --
The Albanian Premier, Fatos Nano, said on Monday in Vienna, that Albanians are at war with another people - Serbs. "The Albanian nation is still living in a world, surrounded by dangers and enemies", he added. In the speech he made at the meeting that NATO member states and countries involved in the program "Partnership for Peace" held in Vienna, Nano appealed for NATO troops to be stationed in Albania to prevent the conflict in Kosova from spilling over the borders.
"We are requesting for harsh measures to be taken against Belgrade, for troops to be stationed along the border, so the conflict does not expand", Nano said during the forum "Bruno-Kranjski", organized by former Austrian chancellor, which was held in Vienna.
Nano stressed that over 650,000 kallashnikovs, 1 billion bullets and other infantry weapons are still in the hands of citizens, since military depots were looted during last year's turmoil. He added that there are around 2,700 army depots in Northern Albania, which cannot be guarded as needed by the Albanian army. He presented this fact to point out the danger of the situation getting out of hand, especially since Kosovar refugees could try to get their hands on them.
"Most of the Albanians that fled, want to get arms in Albania and return to fight in Kosova, in defense of their homes and property which are being attacked by Serb forces", he stated.
He appealed to the KLA and political leadership of Ibrahim Rugova to cooperate.
Nano said that his government considers that the solution to the conflict must be achieved by reconstructing "Federal Yugoslavia" and making Kosova its third constitutional unit - a minus republic. The constitution of the government of Kosova, according to him, must exclude the possibility of separation (from the federation) and uniting with Albania, in order to ease tension among Serbs.
However, the Albanian Premier, expressed his pessimism about the possibility of finding a peaceful solution to the issue of Kosova, stressing that it is clear that Milosevic is not ready for such an option. He said that he is convinced that an agreement for a peaceful solution to the problem could be reached between Prishtina and Belgrade only through international mediation.
KOSOVA (German Foreign Ministry – communiqué)
Kinkel-Primakov: "Continue with pressure on Milosevic"
Both ministers agreed on international community involvement in talks between Belgrade and Prishtina, as well as the urgency of withdrawing special military troops from Kosova
Bonn, 23 June (ARTA) 1940CET--
Both German and Russian Foreign Ministers, Kinkel and Primakov, agreed that diplomatic pressure should continue being applied by all means, in order to stop the conflict and the further escalation of the violence. They agreed to allow the German Government to organize the Contact Group meeting in Bonn. Both ministers agreed on international community involvement in talks between Belgrade and Prishtina, as well as the urgency of withdrawing special military troops from Kosova.
From this point, the Russian Minister warned that the withdrawal of the Serb troops could cause a new wave of Serb refugees, who would immediately move out of Kosova due to the insecurity.
It is very important for violence in Kosova to stop immediately and efforts to be made, so dialogue between Prishtina and Belgrade to begin. Russia still views that foreign intervention requests a UN Security Council mandate. The Ministers agreed that pressure should continue being applied on Milosevic the communiqué issued by the German Foreign Ministry states.
Albanian daily "KOHA Ditore" received this e-mail today. We thought it would be interesting to share it with our readers.
ARTA staff.
THE FATE OF KOSOVO COMMON DECLARATION ON BASIC PRINCIPLES
The Current Situation in Kosovo
Serbian police, army and paramilitary units continue to wage war on ethnic Albanian citizens of Kosovo. Entire villages are laid waste by artillery and air assault. A Serbian blockade prevents food and medical supplies from reaching the population of endangered regions, with consequent risk of famine. Ethnic Albanians are being systematically "cleansed" from villages in western Kosovo, their houses shelled and set on fire. Over 50000 people have fled their homes. The destruction of homes and villages, massacres, arbitrary arrests, and state-sponsored terrorism with the apparent goal of "ethnic cleansing" is a repeat of the pattern in Bosnia in 1992-1995.
The International Community and its Responsibilities
In such circumstances, how can "talks" be meaningful? The precondition for serious negociations can only be an end to the human-rights violations and the withdrawal of all Belgrade's repressive forces.
International troops placed on the borders between Kosovo and Albania, or between Kosovo and Macedonia, to "contain" the confilit would only increase the suffering of the Kosovo Albanians, by preventing refugees from fleeing to safety and by preventing arms from reaching Albanian fighters.
Do we really want "peace" at the price of genocide?
If the repression continues, international military intervention within Kosovo itself should be considered. Such intervention should not be falsely "neutral" -- it should have a clear mandate to protect the civilian population, using force if necessary.
But it is essential that any military intervention should also have the clear political goal of a just solution to the Kosovo problem. This means that the international community should reconsider its opposition to Kosovo's independence. Mere autonomy for Kosovo (as under the 1974 constitution) is no longer possible. The present Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is not the former Yugoslavia -- which Milosevic destroyed precisely through a forcible assault on the autonomies of its constituent parts, including Kosovo. Serbia can never be democratic as long as it holds Kosovo by force.
The truth is that Serbia has no legitimate claim to Kosovo, which it annexed by force in 1912 -- and never in fact legally incorporated. The post-1945 Yugoslav Federation of which Kosovo was indeed a constituent part no longer exists. Under its last (1974) constitution, Kosovo was part of the Federation on an effectively equal footing with the other units (six republics and two provinces in all). No interference in Kosovo's internal affairs, nor any change of its borders or status, was legally permissible without its own freely-given consent. Serbia's suspension of Kosova's autonomy in 1989 was not simply forcible (the province was placed under siege, its assembly was ringed with tanks and overflown by MiG jets), it was also illegal -- i.e., contrary to the existing constitutions of Serbia, Kosovo and Yugoslavia. Kosovo's subsequent declaration of independence, a reaction to this illegal act of annexation, was taken by its legally elected assembly and validated by popular referendum. Therefore, Kosovo's claim to independence rests on far stronger ground than any Serbian claim to Kosovo.
The European Parliament, in 1990, condemned the illegal suppression of Kosovo's autonomy. In 1991, moreover, it passed a resolution recognizing the right to self-determination of the eight constitutive units of the former Yugoslavia. In 1992, the Badinter Commission presided over the dissolution of the former Yugoslavia into its "constituent units". The international community chose (purely pragmatically) to consider these units to be the six Republics. However, it could equally well (and should) have chosen to include the two autonomous provinces of Kosovo and Vojvodina, since each had its own constitution, governmental institutions and even its own Terrirorial Defence force. (It should be stressed that the dissolution of a federal state into its components, as took place with the former Yugoslavia, is not the same as the secession of regions from a still-existing state. So recognizing Kosovo's right to independence would not set any precedent for the secession of other regions of existing Balkanic states.)
Once the current repression has been halted, negocations must take place within a framework in which justice, democracy, legality and human rights are the underlying principles, not sheer power. The international community should use its influence to ensure such a framework and should act as a guarantor of any settlement. Otherwise, discussions risk being merely a cover for the extension of violence and "ethnic cleansing".
First signatures :
Marie-Françoise ALLAIN, Klara BUDA, Bashkim BYTYQI, Jean-Yves CARLEN, Alic CHERKI, Catherine COQUIO, Marie-Christine DAVY, Alice C. DEPRET, Faik DIZDAREVIC, Steve DUCHENE, Fati CASET, Antoine GARAPON, Paul GARDE, Laurence HANSEN-LOVE, Musa JUPOLLI, Dr. Veton KEPUSKA, Muhamedin KULLASHI, Charles de LESPINAY, Branka MAGAS, Fares NABILE, Véronique NAHOUM-GRAPPE, Boris NAJMAN, Hélène PIRALIAN, Dr. Danica RAMLJAK, Elinore SCHAFFER, Sedak SELLAM, Taleha TALAHITE, Jay TAYLOR, Enzo TRAVERSO, Laura TROMBLEY, Julie WORNAN
Contact:
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email : ju...@prointegra.fr
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