Kosova Daily Report #1499, 98-07-23

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From: Kosova Information Center <http://www.kosova.com/>

Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1499
Prishtina, 23 July 1998

CONTENTS

[01] Declaration of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova

[02] No News from Rahovec, Devastated Town under Serb Siege

[03] Trade-mark, Scandalous, Serbian Reporting on Kosova by the BBC Serbian Section

[04] Large-scale Serb Police House-to-House Raid Campaigns in Peja

[05] Serbs Shell Gremnik Village in Klina Thursday Morning

[06] Serbs Provoke Albanian Neighbors, Fire on Their Houses

[07] Serbs Abduct Albanian in Prishtina

[01] Declaration of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova

The Declaration, signed by Idriz Ajeti, the Speaker of the Parliament, unveils the position of the legislative body of the Republic on a range of issues pertaining to the reality of Kosova.

The text of the Declaration recalls that the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova is an institution that coordinates concerted political and military efforts towards the attaintment of independence for Kosova.

Following is the full text of the Declaration, rendered into English by the KIC: (Begin text)

DECLARATION from the inaugural meeting of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova

The Parliament of the Republic of Kosova convened its first session in conditions of Serbian occupation of Kosova, in circumstances of Serbian state-sponsored terror amounting to genocide, but also at a time of a stepped up, general resistance and an invigorated liberation struggle in Kosova.

Elected in the 22 March 1998 vote, likewise conducted in conditions of [Serbian] occupation, and as a political and institutional opposition to this occupation and the occupier's institutions, and, first and foremost, as an expression of the political will of the people of Kosova for freedom and independence, the top political, representative, constitutional- legislative institution instrumental in attaining independence for Kosova, the PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA is and will be: - an institution that articulates clearly and strongly the aspirations and the commitment of the people of Kosova to freedom and independence; - an institution that expresses and orchestrates the interest and action of the Albanian people and other peoples of Kosova for a free and democratic development; - a body of political unity of the people of Kosova and the orchestration of efforts for the resolution of the Kosova issue, primarily through political and peaceful means, on the basis of the results of the 1991 Referendum, pursuant to the principles of self- determination and democratization, and other internationally acknowledged principles today.

Expressive of the aspirations for independence and the determination to actually achieve it, an institution and agent instrumental in achieving independence, the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova is the representative of all those who see independence and democratization as their basic tenets, regardless of their political and party affiliations and other possible differences.

In order to discharge its basic functions under the current circumstances, the PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOSOVA strives to be: - an institution of political unity and of a basic consensus among all the political forces in Kosova; - an institution for coordinating comprehensive political and military efforts to achieve independence for Kosova; - a body of good will and of an equitable cooperation of all the peoples of Kosova; - a body of further promotion, internationally, of our liberation struggle in accord and in cooperation with the international community; - a body to democratically sanction relations and guarantees of liberties and individual and collective, political and national rights; The Parliament of the Republic of Kosova convened and began functioning in very grave, complex and dangerous circumstances. The Serbian occupation rule has been cracking down on Kosova with all its weight in a bid to subject its people to submission. Kosova is now drifting to a war which may turn much bloodier and devastating.

These are decisive times for Kosova and its future.

The overall political and military setbacks of Serbia in Kosova, the growing popular resistance in Kosova, the expansion of the increasingly powerful U^K [Kosova Liberation Army], the international condemnation of Serbia's claims, its isolation, as well as stepped up international efforts - all these are harbingers of a certain and final defeat of the 'Greater Serbian' hegemony.

Yet, up until the definitive liberation a painfully hard work remains to be done and new sacrifices to be made. Therefore, now, more than ever, there is need for the commitment, the determination and cooperation of all in the bid to achieve independence.

Despite the situation Kosova has been going through, the possibilities for dialogue and a peaceful solution, although greatly reduced, have not been exhausted. Therefore, while not giving up vigilance and self-defense, let us try to use them.

In order for us to achieve these goals, it is an imperative that we be united and resolute. Let us unify in a genuine unity all the Albanian political forces, all the physical and mental, moral and political powers in the common front of our resistance and independence bid.

Let us cooperate more and coordinate our efforts with all those who can help us, with the Republic of Albania, with Albanian lands outside [Albania proper], and with the diaspora.

Let us cooperate with our friends, wherever they are. Let us - with our commitment, maturity, responsibility and determination in our views and action - deserve the understanding and assistance of international factors and other mechanisms in all their powers.

Let the inauguration and continued functioning of the Parliament of the Republic of Kosova be an agent for overcoming disputes, an agent for a qualitatively new cooperation, an agent of a new and essential turning point in our orientation and our activities."

(End text).

The text of the Declaration was carried in full by the "Informatori" evening daily yesterday, and the "Bujku" daily today.

The third Kosova daily in Albanian, "Koha Ditore", has not carried it. "Koha" has been a mouthpiece of those opposed to the Parliament convening at all. The Albanian state-run television, RTSH, which has a two-hour program aired via satellite mostly aimed at Kosovars, read out the whole text of the Declaration in its evening news program yesterday.

[02] No News from Rahovec, Devastated Town under Serb Siege

Scores of Albanians are known to have been slain, some of them executed and burned in the town of Rahovec, which in peace had a population of 20.000, over 80 percent of whom Albanian.

Some press accounts, including foreign ones, suspected that killed Albanians were buried in massive grave sites.

Some local people were quoted as saying yesterday, when foreign reporters were allowed to tour the town, Serb forces piled the corpses and got them away in tractors.

The LDK branch in Prizren, the area where many Rahovec residents have found refuge and others jailed, called on international organizations to be instrumental in having the bodies of slain people in Rahovec collected and buried.

[03] Trade-mark, Scandalous, Serbian Reporting on Kosova by the BBC Serbian Section

The BBC correspondent, Milivoje Mihajlovic, quoted yesterday exclusively Serb police sources in Rahovec, and the Serb-installed mayor of the town.

As far as the BBC correspondent was concerned, there were scores of Albanian 'terrorists' killed there, but no civilian. There were smashed up windows in the businesses and shops in the town center, and only scores of destroyed houses!

Mihajlovic saw nothing else in Rahovec, although he had himself - on behalf of the Media Center which he heads - organized a tour for foreign reporters in Rahovec.

This kind of scandalous reporting is no surprise for the Kosovar audience.

Milivoje Mihajloviq is currently editor-in-chief of the Serb regime-run Radio Prishtina, and head of the Serb military-police administration's mouthpiece, 'Media Center', in Prishtina.

One wonders why the BBC, the prestigious broadcasting corporation, has chosen to have Mihajlovic, who had leading positions in the Milosevic regime's propaganda machinery, serve as a correspondent from Prishtina.

Mihajlovic's scandalous reporting credits him before Milosevic. How does it fit within the BBC editorial policies? - is the question requiring an answer.

Regarding Rahovec, see the Western media accounts of the past two days. They are full of shocking reports on the wanton slaying by Serb forces of Albanian civilians.

[04] Large-scale Serb Police House-to-House Raid Campaigns in Peja

The LDK chapter in Peja said a dozen Albanians in "Haxhi Zeka" neighborhood had their homes searched and family members harassed by outraged Serb police Tuesday afternoon.

Homes of family compounds of Mus&shabanaj, Gogaj, Kryeziu, Dervishaj and Nik^i were thoroughly searched, and around 20 members were arrested. Xhavit Musshabanaj, two visitors with his family, Zenel Muriqi, Gani Gogaj, Fatmir Gashi, Avdyl Gashi, Seit D&rvishaj, Avdyl Tahiri and his son, Hajzer, Muhamet and Hysen Kryeziu and Musa Nik^i, were some of the detained Albanians.

During a two-hour operation (23 through 01:00) on Tuesday night many other Albanians had their places raided by the Serb police.

Agim Rakoci and Enver Rakoci ware detained and reportedly tortured in custody until next morning.

The LDK chapter in Peja said the Serb police undertook operations in several parts of the town on Wednesday. A number of Albanians were arrested in the streets of the town as well.

Last evening the Serb police raided the homes of Nexhat Xhemaili, Kol& Prekaj, Luan Tha^i. Nehat Xhemaili's son, Arbnor Xhemaili, was reported beaten up brutally.

The LDK named other people who had their homes raided on by the police, such as Ms Sherine Muhaxheri, Avdiharrim Muleci, Rexhep Ali^kaj.

Serb policemen smashed up household items and looted valuables of Albanians. Avdiharrim Muleci' wife had all her jewelry and DM 480 seized by Serbs.

Many Albanians in villages of Peja have had their homes searched and members of their families harassed by Serbs.

The LDK Commission in Peja named some of them as Ramadan Maxhuni in Poter^i i Ul&t, Zyj& S. Muriqi, Sk&nder Nik^i in "Fidanishte" suburb.

M&hill Bibaj said an explosive device was planted in his courtyard in Peja. Mr Bibaj was quoted as saying Serb callers have sent him verbal threats, by phone, to abandon his house.

[05] Serbs Shell Gremnik Village in Klina Thursday Morning

The local LDK chapter in Klina said 54 mortar shells landed in Gremnik during a short period of time today. There were no casualties, as the villagers were hiding in basements, but immense damage was caused on farmsteads in the village.

Electricity was cut to the village as a couple of poles were hit and fell, the Commission said.

The Gremnik village has been attacked on repeated occasions by the Serb forces over the past two months.

[06] Serbs Provoke Albanian Neighbors, Fire on Their Houses

Quoting Albanians in the two villages, the LDK chapter in Vushtrri said the Serbs fired from automatic rifles for almost tow hours after midnight. The Serbs first opened fire in the air, then on roofs and walls of Albanian houses.

Residents of Novolan and Vernica said provocations from their Serb neighbors have been proliferating on a daily basis and the Serbs were supplied with additional weapons lately.

Prishtina: Meanwhile, witnesses told the KIC Serb civilians were given arms in a police station at "Lagjia a Muhaxherve" neighborhood in Prishtina today. Many Serbs were seen entering the local police station, where they were distributed arms today from 9 a.m. through 1 p.m., the local LDK chapter in the area said.

[07] Serbs Abduct Albanian in Prishtina

Witnesses told the KIC that Besnik Kastrati was abducted by four Serbs and led away to an unknown destination.

Mr. Kastrati's wife, Hasibe Kastrati, said four Serbs raided her apartment in Prishtina at around 19:30 last evening. She said the Serbs searched her place and robbed her of some gold jewelry.

At around 10 p.m. last evening, an unidentified man has phoned Mrs Kastrati telling her that her husband "was not in police custody and his fate is unknown".

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