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Kosova Daily Report #1652, 98-12-31
Kosova Information Center
KOSOVA DAILY REPORT #1652
Prishtina, 31 December 1998
CONTENTS
[01] Happy New Year!
[02] President Rugova's New Year Message
[01] Happy New Year!
[02] President Rugova's New Year Message
PRISHTINA, Dec 31 (KIC) - "The outgoing year has been a critical one, with
all of us in Kosova having had to make great sacrifices", the President of
the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said at the outset of his New
Year Message to the people of Kosova.
"As a result of the Serbian aggression against Kosova, we have seen this
year many victims, tragic consequences and systematic destruction of
settlements and property, aimed at the ethnic cleansing of Kosova", Ibrahim
Rugova said.
The President said, however, this year saw further affirmation and
international recognition of Kosova, "a year of a more intensive
preoccupation of the international factors with the Kosova issue".
With the help of the international community, "we managed to stop a massive-
scale ethnic cleansing of Kosova".
The deployment of the OSCE Kosova Verification Mission, which should become
fully up and running early next year, and a permanent attention by the NATO
will contribute to the calming of the situation in Kosova, according to
Rugova. "However, in the prevailing circumstances, we are confident that
only the commitment of NATO (ground) troops in Kosova would create greater
security for all the citizens, as well as the preconditions for a
political resolution to the Kosova issue", the Kosova President said in
his message.
Rugova thanked world leaders - Clinton, Blair, Schroeder, Solana - as well
as the Holy Father, John Paul II, for their engagement on Kosova.
"I herewith convey my best wishes to all of you for the New Year, hoping
that with joint efforts we will further realize the freedom and
independence of Kosova", President Rugova said in his address to the people
of Kosova. He sent his best wishes to the members of the Kosova
Verification Mission and all representatives of the many international
humanitarian organizations operating here to help the people of Kosova.
"In the night when years change hand, we should find a little time for joy,
cherishing great hopes that next year will be a prosperous one for Kosova",
President Rugova said in his message to the people of Kosova.
"A happy New Year!
God bless Kosova.", the Kosova President's New Year Message concludes.
Kosova Information Center
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