[kcc-news] Kosova: Fierce clashes - Walker visits the KLA Llap Operative Zone

[Mentor Cana]

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16 February 1999

FRANCE (Rambouillet - day twelve)
Calm before the storm
Beqë Cufaj & Augustin Palokaj \ KOHA Ditore

Rambouillet, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
Day 10 of the negotiations was extraordinarily calm and according to
sources from inside the chateau, there was no particular activity.
Two side are now studying the security annexes, while the
"Yugoslav"-Serb side has submitted its remarks and comments regarding
economic and humanitarian annexes.
The Albanian side hasn't received yet the military annexes in written
form and it seems that they are not so happy over this.
According to some information, the issues of security and military are
interpreted orally and its expected to be delivered soon in written
form. From the moment that some parts of the annex are presented orally
from the troika Hill, Petritsch and Mayorsky, three days have elapsed.

Deliberately not being submitted

It's speculated that these annexes deliberately aren't being submitted
immediately so that the sides wouldn't have too much time to debate. For
the military issues the sides have got just three days left to accept,
and all are conscious that this annex is the biggest challenge for the
Conference.
This is in line with the statement of mrs. Albright, quoted by some
sources of saying to both delegations: "I have come here, not to debate
with you, rather to deliver you a clear message what is awaiting you if
you accept and what if you don't".
There are reports that the Albanian side has some remarks regarding the
economic and humanitarian issues. Our sources inform that these issues
concern possession, privatization and fiscal policy.
Some remarks and comments have arrived to the Albanian delegation from
experts of these fields from Kosova. Yesterday's Russian Foreign
Minister Igor Ivanov's, announcement that during this week direct
negotiations are going to take place between the Kosova delegation and
the "Yugoslav"-Serb delegation haven't been realized yet, say "KD"
sources.
There was no information today of a meeting, thus the only direct
meeting of the two delegations remains the one, on Sunday, held after
the insisting of the US State Secretary, Madeleine Albright.

FRANCE (Rambouillet - day twelve)
Security annex unnegotiable?

Rambouillet, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
No essential change seems to have been made in the twelfth day at
Rambouillet. Serbs continue not to cooperate with international
mediators, not handing in any objections to the drafts proposed so far.
The Albanian side shows readiness to cooperate, passing by several of
the drafts and annexes proposed. Annex 4 and annex 4A, which have to do
with economy and reconstruction, as well as humanitarian assistance,
were discussed on Tuesday.
According to some claims from the Chateau, the most problematic issue
remains the draft on security issues. "Koha Ditore" sources say that
this annex is unnegotiable. There are even claims that this annex will
be issued just before the conference in Rambouillet ends, namely on
Saturday noon.
In other words, this annex will not be given to the negotiating parties,
despite requests by the Albanian side, which is determined to know the
fate of the KLA.
The pat position, which the Serb side imposed by not cooperating with
the mediators, resulted with Ambassadors Hill, Petritsch and Mayorsky,
travelling to Belgrade to meet Milosevic. Sources say that this is an
effort to evade the negotiation stalemate. NATO, on the other hand, is
now finalizing operation plans.

KOSOVA (fighting resumes - Podujevë)
Fierce clashes - Walker visits the KLA Llap Operative Zone

Podujevë, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
Shooting and shelling was witnessed today, as of 1000CET, from the Serb
military positions in Tabet e Llapashticës, aimed against KLA positions
and the villages of Llapashticë e Epërme, Katunishtë and Gllamnik. The
exchange of fire continued through the greater part of the day, the "KD"
correspondent informed.
Fierce attacks began at around 1300CET, from the Serb police and
military force positions in Lupç i Poshtëm, Lluzhan, Sallabajë, taking
over the villages of Majac, Lupç i Poshtëm, Godishnjak and Buricë.
There are reports that Serb police\military forces used heavy weaponry
starting from praga (anti-air vehicles), mine launchers to cannons.
There are no reports on eventual damages, however the people travelling
to Prishtina through Lluzhan said that: "thick smoke could be seen in
the village of Godishnjak, most probably coming from burning houses".
The KLA maintained great resistance, keeping its positions, CDHRF
sources in Podujevë inform.
The police was present in a large number, today also, exercising strict
control. They arrested Beqir and Arsim Mustafa, from Gllamnik, owners of
the bus "Mentori-tours", near the "Besiana" Motel, at around 1000CET.
They were arrested in their working place. They were sent to the police
station where they were subjected to maltreatment.
"They were held at the police station in Podujevë for about 2 hours,
during which time they underwent maltreatment. They were not even told
the reason of the arrest", tells their brother.
With the mediation of the OSCE mission in Podujevë, the residents of the
village of Lupç made an attempt to go back to their homes, but the Serb
forces did not allow them, even though they had previously given them
permission.
New military and police forces continued to arrive from Serbia to
Kosova, during the evening hours and throughout the night last night.
According to CDHRF sources in Podujevë, "a large military convoy,
composed of 20 tanks, tens of transporters and many other military
vehicles and fighting machinery, arrived from the direction of Serbia
last night at around 2100CET. Serb military forces also arrived from
Serbia late last night, going in the direction of Prishtina".
Large military\police presence was witnessed on Tuesday in the road axis
Mërdar-Podujeva-Prishtina, particularly in certain localities, such as
Shtedim, near the "Besiana" Motel, Lluzhan etc.
In the meantime, increased Serb police forces continue to control the
roads of Podujevë proper. Military planes started flying at around
1500CET today. They flew at a very low altitude, and mainly in the
direction of the war afflicted villages.
Meanwhile, the head of Kosova Verification Mission, William Walker
visited Podujevë on Tuesday. After staying at the mission's office in
Podujevë, he along with his staff and escorted by journalists, went to
the village of Llapashticë, at the Llap Operative Zone, where he met KLA
commander for Llap operative zone, Commandant Remi. Concerning the
visit, Walker told journalists that it was a regular one.

KOSOVA (tension mounts - Mitrovicë)
Albanians ill-treated, abducted

Mitrovicë, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
Many Albanians were stopped and ill-treated by some 30 Serb policemen
near the open market in Mitrovicë from 1900CET through to 2200CET on
Monday, local LDK sources said.
Also on Monday, many policemen mounted a checkpoint in the "Ibri"
neighborhood, where many Albanian passersby were ill-treated. Four Serb
policemen abducted two young Albanians near the bus station in Mitrovicë
today morning, LDK sources reported on Tuesday.
Their names have not been issued yet. The policemen who kidnapped the
Albanians were with a car with license plates KM: 618-530, the LDK
chapter said.
A convoy of Serbian police forces left Mitrovicë for Skënderaj today
morning, local sources said.
Four APCs were deployed yesterday morning, between the villages of
Zhabar i Epërm and Koshtovë e Bobit.
Serb police forces have been routinely fining Albanian motorists in
Mitrovicë.

KOSOVA (tension mounts - Gjakovë)
Serb soldiers in Albanian house yards

Constant movements of the Serb army have been witnessed, during the past
three nights in the Albanian owned house yards of the village of Devë,
particularly in the houses near the border belt, CDHRF in Gjakovë
notifies.
There are also reports that the soldiers ordered the residents of the
village to turn the lights off during the night.
Large Serb army forces have been stationed in this border village, times
ago.

KOSOVA (mysterious killings - Pejë)
The "Black Hand" in Pejë, Istog and Klinë

Pejë, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
Small civilian Serb organized groups have recently kidnapped and killed
several Albanians in the municipalities of Pejë, Istog and Klinë, KLA
sources inform.
This phenomenon becomes alarming, when people recall the previous
actions of the terrorist "Black Hand".
The KLA command of the brigade 133 "Ardian Krasniqi", that operates in
this region, calls the population to undertake protective measures and
remain vigilant towards these criminal activities. The OSCE Verification
Mission in Pejë and Klinë was also informed on these activities.

KOSOVA (trials - Suharekë)
Albanian sentenced with two years imprisonment

Suharekë, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
Two Albanians, from the municipality of Suharekë, were tried today in
the Serb installed Court in Prizren.
Xhavit Mala (39), from Mushtisht, a teacher at the elementary school
"Edit Durham", was sentenced with 2 years mprisonment.

KOSOVA (trials - Gjilan)
The trial of eight political activists postponed

Gjilan, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
The trial scheduled for today, against the political activists of the
municipality of Gjilan: Avdullah Tahiri (1956), Ahmet Demiri (1964),
Lutfi Haziri (1969), Nexhat Bunjaku (1971), Ismet Hashani (1962),
Ibrahim Oruçi (1968), Ekrem Qerimi (1962) and Tajar Berisha (1954), was
postponed for another week, respectively for 23 February, LDK sources
reported on Tuesday.
The beginning of this hearing was postponed following the request of the
defense attorneys of the accused, who have not been given a chance to
consult with their clients regarding their accusations.

KOSOVA (KD column - Iso Rusi)
Rufi Osmani released from prison, and (temporarily) out of politics

Prishtina, 16 February (ARTA) 2230CET --
After president Gligorov refused to decree the Amnesty Law, and the
Macedonian parliament adopted it for the second time, it became clear
that it was a matter of hours when the former mayors and chairmen of
municipality councils Rufi Osmani, Alajdin Demiri, Refik Dauti and Vebi
Bexheti would be released from prison. This eventually happened. The day
the law was adopted, they left the "Idrizovo" prison and the Tetova
municipality prison.
The new coalition in power thus fulfilled one of the promises it had
given that it would solve the case of political prisoners n spite of
objections from a part of opposition and a part of media. It was seen
from the debates in the Parliament, during the readoption of the law,
that the whole thing of keeping the national flags on the masts at the
municipality buildings and the police intervention was a classical
political action. The Minister of Justice Vlado Kambovski literally
silenced the former Prime Minister Branko Crvenkovski asking him to show
the court decision or the decision of the government where the police
had the duty to remove the flags the way they did. He read the decision
of the Constitutional Court which said that decisions of Tetova and
Gostivar municipalities about putting the national flags at the
municipality buildings were revoked and that was all. It became clear
that the then Prime Minister, and the Minister of Internal Affairs
Tomislav Cokrevski interpreted this based on the removal of the legal
basis for putting the flags and on the fact that by not removing the
flags by the municipality officials this meant that the decision of
Constitutional Court is not respected. Without any decision from a court
or the government they ordered the police intervention in Tetova and
Gostivar July 7, 1997. There were three human casualties in Gostivar and
many others were beaten up and maltreated. Farcical trials of local
municipality leaders were organized after these events which are
examples of political trials.

The actions in Macedonia were undertaken to devaluate the denar

After such an outcome of the case, a question is raised: was there,
according to present Justice Minister, no valid court or a Government
decision for the police intervention in Tetova and Gostivar, or is this
at least a surpass of authorities of Prime Minister and the Justice
Minister, instead of obeying state duties as the then government
explained the action? Naturally, it was clear that the government
decided to make the move to divert the attention of the public from the
decision to devaluate the denar the same today. Now, when the government
coalition of the Social Democratic Alliance (SDSM) is not in power, it
is clear from this time distance that one of the most efficient levies
in the internal and external plan was to hold the tension between
nationalities at an explosive level. The whole story regarding the flags
was worse with the casualties and the people who were beaten up and
maltreated in their houses and ended up in prison. The Amnesty Law
brought freedom to the political prisoners but it did not clarify things
as they were supposed to. The least the Parliament can do is to form a
new investigating commission which would investigate into the Gostivar
case and give a full satisfaction to the population who were maltreated,
and normally to locate the responsibility of those ordering the
ntervention and those taking part in it. It is absurd that the brutality
of the action, which is not hidden - the local TV channels showed the
scenes of people being beaten up - not to initiate at least a
disciplinary procedure against some policemen. The only satisfactorily
option for the four local officials is a revision of the case. In case
this is not approved, ustice must be sought at the European court in
Strasbourg.

Gostivar was elimination of political opponents

This must be the case, first of all, with Rufi Osmani because everything
that happened after the events of Gostivar is clearly an elimination of
a political opponent. Although there was no Constitutional Court
decision, he was charged with calling on the people to physically resist
the removal of the flag. It is also a fact that he was kept at gunpoint
at his office by special police forces during the time of the incident
in the Gostivar streets. Ironically, during the days of the readoption
of the law, Macedonian president, with tears in his face, called on the
population of Macedonia to make their influence "one or the other way"
on the Macedonian government to revoke decision for establishing
diplomatic relations with People's Republic of China (Taiwan). His
calling is of equal intensity with the words of Rufi Osmani which
brought him 13 years and 8 months in prison. After their release from
prison, Rufi Osmani said Arben Xhaferi and Albanian Democratic Party
(PDSH) are "a part of my painful political past", and he would dedicate
his time to his family, his health and science. He confirmed thus his
definitive parting with his party, first of all with its present
leadership. There was much talk about their disagreements and the climax
of all was the refusal of Rufi Osmani to meet the leader of Albanian
Democratic Party (PDSH) at the prison of Idrizova. It's a different
thing whether Osmani is definitely leaving politics. This counts not
only for the speculations that he would form a new party which could
easily gain the empty space which results from a silent disappearance of
Democratic Prosperity Party (PPD) and the entering of Albanian
Democratic Party (PDSH) in the government, whereby a space is opened for
someone from aside, who has nothing to do with compromises which are
necessary when you take part in the government, to take a more radical
stand regarding the collective rights of Albanians.

Whatever Osmani does he does it good

Rufi Osmani is undoubtedly a charismatic personality and is still very
popular and he could seriously challenge the present Albanian parties by
his political activity. Osmani chose the family, health and something
which was good at before he entering into politics which is a wise
decision after everything bad that happened to him in personal and
family plan. On the other hand, it would be nice if this would be an
interphase of "charging the batteries". Anyway, the people he cooperated
with in the business plan, among them the present finance minister,
remember him as an able economist. Some of the most angered opponents
from VMRO-DPMNE an idea was initiated to give Rufi Osmani the post of
deputy minister of finance in the new government because at the time
when he was a member of the parliament, Osmani was one of the few
Albanians who lucidly questioned certain parts of proposed acts in the
sphere of economy. Rufi Osmani was of one of the rare people who at a
time of the worst national tensions had their supporters among the
Macedonian population. An example of this are the stories of the weekly
"Puls" which used to attack him in the past, and now regarding his
announcement that he was going to quit politics says: "We could say this
is a damage for such a political talent.
Whatever Rufi Osmani chooses to do, one thing is sure, he will be
successful in it.


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