[kcc-news] KLA: From Warriors to Politicians

[Mentor Cana]

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The following message contains news from the following news agencies:

 ARTA:		http://www.kohaditore.com/ARTA/
 Kosovapress:	http://www.kosovapress.com/english


KOSOVA (tension mounts - Kaçanik)

More IDPs and Kosovars to Macedonia

Kaçanik, Hani i Elezit, 4 March (ARTA) 1700CET --

Serb army forces were stationed in only one position today, in the place locals refer to as Kashan, in the northern extension of the bridge claimed mined by Serb forces.

Local Albanian sources in Hani i Elezit, on the other hand, say that 13 houses were burnt when the Serb forces shelled the village of Pustenik on Tuesday, as two KLA soldiers were also claimed wounded.

The border crossing point to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia was frequented today.

Unconfirmed sources say that around 600 Albanians from the villages of Paldenicë and Hani i Elezit, passed the border last night on foot, entering in Macedonia.

No civilians are left in the villages of Pustenik, Rezhancë, Gorancë, Seqishte and Krivenik, as well as the new neighborhood of Hani i Elezit. The Kaçanik municipal village of Gajre is also empty of inhabitants as OSCE verifiers and the UNHCR are currently working on the evacuation of the villages of Ivajë and Kotlinë, of the same municipality. According to some evaluations, the number of internally displaced persons has reached 12 thousand.




KOSOVA (repositioning - Klinë)

Great presence of Serb forces

Klinë, 4 March (ARTA) 1720CET--

A Serb war plane and four helicopters spent several hours hovering over the villages of Llapushë and the town of Klinë on Thursday morning.

A large convoy of Serb military vehicles, including tanks, APCs, and other armored vehicles travelled through the Dollc-Kijevë road axis.

A tank and tens of Serb soldiers, as the "KD" correspondent reported, were stationed in central Gllarevë at 0600CET, as three APCs were reported stationed in the village of Burim.

Serb snipers, according to local sources, have now taken to their positions in Çukë e Gllarevës, aiming their fire against the KLA. KLA defense units, on the other hand, are in their positions, in a state of full fighting readiness.

The Resnikë neighborhood of Bajraktari, was the target of Serb attacks last night, as the inhabitants of this village spent last night outdoors.

The Serb police set fire to the three Albanian houses that were left undestroyed in the village of Jellovc, at around 2200CET on Wednesday. The LDK Information Commission in Klinë notified that the Serb police broke into several Albanian-owned cafes of the town, shooting in the air, looting and mistreating young Albanians.




KOSOVA (situation deteriorates - Malishevë)

More reinforcements and sporadic shooting

Malishevë, 4 March (ARTA) 1730CET --

Serb military vehicles were seen in Orllat, which lies along the Prishtina-Pejë road, at around 0600CET on Thursday.

The "Koha Ditore" correspondent reported that a tank and two twin anti-aircraft machine guns were stationed at Pishat e Llozicës, barrels aimed against the villages of Balincë and Vërmicë. Four tanks and a military truck then took military positions in the neighborhood of Bregu i Llozicës, in a place called "Rrezja", targeting the villages of Llozicës and Mleqan.

There are claims that the twin anti-aircraft machine guns were engaged in sporadic shooting against the village of Balincë. There are no reports on eventual victims.

"KD" reports that four armored military helicopters made several low flights over the region the whole time through. Military vehicles, on the other hand, occupied most of the Prishtina-Pejë road through the day as the withdrawal of Serb forces, in the direction of Kijevë and Orrlat started at around 0930CET.




KOSOVA (repositioning -Podujevë)

Clashes and repositioning

Podujevë, 4 March (ARTA) 1740CET --

Serb forces stationed in Tabet e Llapashticës attacked KLA positions in the village of Llapashticë e Poshtme starting from 1100CET on Thursday, sources close to the KLA reported.

There were movements and repositioning of Serb forces along most of the Podujevë-Prishtina motorway.

A great concentration of Serb units was also witnessed in Lupç, at the Podujevë-Kërpimeh crossroad, as well as in the entrance of the town of Podujevë. Low flights of military planes were evidenced in the regional airspace too.






KOSOVA (kd column -Janusz Bugajski)

KLA: From Warriors to Politicians

Janusz Bugajski

3 March 1999

The Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) is now a force to be reckoned with in the intricate complexities of Balkan and international politics.

While only a year ago American administration officials naively dismissed the KLA as a renegade force of terrorists, these same "renegades" are now being invited to the corridors of power in Washington.

Moreover, while just a year ago the leadership of President Ibrahim Rugova's government discounted the KLA as a serious political player, a KLA leader now heads Kosova's provisional government and the organization is in a position to make or break the internationally sponsored "interim peace accord."

So what has happened in the past twelve months to warrant such a transformation?

Nice guys with wild demands

The KLA began as an idea for active liberation and was forged in armed struggle.

Armies and states are usually born in combat.

Few outside Kosova imagined that after ten years of passive resistance against the Milosevic regime, the Albanians were prepared to organize an insurgency movement under the noses of their Serbian masters.

An image had been created in Allied capitals which concluded that the Albanians were "nice guys" who behaved "responsibly" despite their "wild demands" for independence.

Thankfully, they were not prepared to fight for their beliefs or principles.

This clearly suited Western policy makers who desperately wanted to avoid another messy war on their doorstep.

If only a few dozen Kosovars were killed, tortured, or imprisoned each year by the Serbian police, this was no cause for concern and the status quo could be preserved indefinitely.

These shortsighted calculations were overturned by the dramatic appearance of the KLA on the Kosova stage.

The movement seemed to abide by the old Polish proverb that: "it is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees."

What began as an initial rag-tag assortment of self-defense units and armed squads targeting Serbian security forces quickly developed into a full-scale guerrilla movement in the wake of the Drenica massacre a year ago.

Of course, some tragic mistakes were committed in the course of the armed struggle, such as trying to hold territory and assuming that Milosevic's forces were a normal "civilized" army rather than an organization that thrived on civilian massacres and mass expulsions as witnessed in Croatia and Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Despite its initial shortcomings, the KLA gained important tactical lessons, combat experience, thousands of willing recruits, and an improved flow of weaponry.

But above all, the movement gained prominence, stature, and symbolism as the embodiment of Albanian resistance.

A growing number of policy analysts and decision makers in the West concluded that the KLA could no longer be ignored or dismissed; it had become a critical factor and essential to incorporate into the political process.

The KLA proved resilient and adaptable during Milosevic's assaults and it gained a reputation among military analysts as a credible fighting force with high morale and endurance that would steadily improve with appropriate training, experience, and equipment.

The US objectives

Early overtures by Washington to KLA leaders developed into more intensive contacts and eventual inclusion in the Kosovar negotiating team at Rambouillet despite the opposition of Belgrade and Moscow.

US objectives with regard to the KLA are now threefold.

First, the movement is needed not only to sign the Rambouillet accord but also to make sure that it is honored under a protective NATO enforcement umbrella.

The KLA can therefore play a role as a responsible political player as well as a viable military force.

Second, the Allies are seeking to cultivate a moderate spectrum of political leaders, particularly among the younger KLA members, who can participate in the projected Kosova elections and serve competently in leadership roles.

The longer-term objective is the emergence of a truly representative political elite that can serve its country and conduct the necessary process of institution building and economic reform.

Third,

NATO needs the KLA leadership to ensure the transformation of the guerrilla army into a viable security force for Kosova over the next three years.

Unlike the Serbian army, the KLA has emerged from and is fed by the grass roots.

It is not an organization imposed on the population by a dictatorial ruling clique determined to keep itself in power at all costs.

It therefore has an opportunity to become a force serving the interests of democracy.

During the upcoming trip to Washington, KLA leaders cannot be passive observers and mere signatories to the "peace accord."

They must become active and imaginative participants in the process of transforming Kosova from an unstable entity into a secure state.

The KLA can thereby help ensure that Kosova not only becomes independent but also stable and democratic.

A series of priorities and objectives need to be spelled out to American officials by the KLA delegation.

First, in return for its restructuring the KLA must demand a prolonged "arm and train" program from NATO forces - for both policing and security duties inside Kosova.

To be effective, the force must acquire appropriate modern weaponry, transportation vehicles, communications equipment, and other supplies.

Second, the KLA should petition for eventual inclusion in NATO's "Partnership for Peace" program as a territorial security force.

If this is denied in the short term, then the leadership must request police and military training from the U.S. army, police forces, and National Guards units.

Training programs can be conducted both within Kosova and in the United States.

The heroism to be matched by responsibilities

Indeed, any cooperative arrangements with NATO forces in general and American forces in particular will generate mutual trust, credibility, and inter-operability for future security tasks.

Third, the KLA leaders must seek a pledge that in the event that NATO is unwilling to enforce the "peace plan" and Milosevic escalates his attacks on the civilian population, then the liberation movement will be recognized as the sole Kosova security force and will be properly armed by the Allies.

This would need to happen much more rapidly and effectively than was the case with the Bosnian army during the Serbian siege.

Over the coming months, the KLA will face one of two major tests. Either it will become an effective guerrilla army that will eventually eliminate Belgrade's control over Kosova or it will need to play a politically constructive role under a NATO mandate.

In order to prove Kosova's readiness for independence, a pluralist political structure must be constructed as well as the rudiments of a civil society and market economy.

There must be no room for military muscle in Kosovar politics or the assumption of special privileges and powers by people in or out of uniform.

The heroism of the KLA fighters will have to be matched by the responsibilities of its leaders in helping to form a democratic civilian government while bringing all military units under strict civilian control.

Kosova must not become a mini-Miloserbia.



http://www.kosovapress.com/english/mars/4_3_99.htm

Health sector and social suport of KLA

Prishtinë, 4 mar (Kosovapress)
Based on up to now work of UNHCR in Kosova and in Albania, in relation
with the aid that this internationl organization is obligated to offer
to dhe people who are in risk because of war and ti move within in
Kosova and in Albania and taking in account the last statement of UNHCR
spokesman mr. Kris Janowski made in Geneva on 26.02.1999 about the so
called "manoeuvre" form Serbian forces in Kosova, we are obligated to do
the following reaction: First, we have to stress that we are not
satisfied with dhe up to now work of UNHCR mission in Kosova and in
Albania, too because till now this mission is not doing with preciseness
ist duties towards thousade refugees transfered because of the war.
Sccond, the fact that they are not able to distinguish the so called
military "manoevure" from one destuctive attack, shows best how much
they are present in the regions that are included in the war. Third, in
spite the fact that all international community has been informed for
the new military offensive prepared by Serbs in order to destroy KLA and
to do the ethnic purification of Kosova, offensive that has alredy
started but in contrary, this new Serbian offensive is considered from
representatives of UNHCR as one common "manoeuvre" and that means,
representatives of UNHCR are not willing to deal with dhe real situation
but they are using the informations given by Serbian agencies. These
kind of statements make a lot of harm to the image of this great
organization and is is understood that is also cause deep indignation
for Albanian population, because Albanians being part of Europe and
whole world, expects and hopes that they will be supported and protected
exactly by these great international orgaizotions but they do not expect
that this distructive attacks taken from Serbian forces to be considered
as common "manoeuvre", because by doing like this they do not realize
their mission but simply they do a favor for Serbian propaganda that is
anti Albanian one. In the end of this reaction we ask from the
representatives of UNHCR in Kosova and in Albania to fulfil their duties
with sincerity because only in this way, they will justify the aim for
which this international organization is formed and we hope that these
kind of statements will remain individual one and they will no bi
repeated in the future.

http://www.kosovapress.com/english/mars/3_3_99.htm

Tense situation in Skënderaj and surroundings

Skënderaj, February 3 (Kosovapress)
OSCE's Verifying Mission informed last night that serbian forces are
going to try to go along the Gllogoc- Skënderaj road. This information
has alarmed the population of this region and especially those that live
along this road which have started to flee their homes for more secure
places. UÇK Units are in the state of high alert in order to prevent any
provocation or eventual attack. Serbian forces are trying hard to
complicate the situation and are searching for an excuse for any
eventual offensive.

Shelling continues today also

Shalë, February 3 (Kosovapress)
Serbian forces positioned in the villages Bukosh, Frashër and Dolak have
today started ferocious shelling using heavy artillery. Similar shelling
continued all through the night, last night, and apart from material
damages there are no human loses. UÇK Formations from OZ of Shalë have
increased their level of alert and are ready for immediate intervention.

Burns asks UÇK not to be provoked

Malishevë, February 3 (Kosovapress)
In Dragobil fo Malisheva, yesterday a meeting took place between Sokol
Bashota, member of GHQ and UÇK political representative, and Shawn
Burns, head of KDOM. In this meeting it was discussed about the
difficult situation and the Serb obstructions against OSCE verifiers in
Kosova. Head of KDOM asked UÇK not to fall in the, open, provocation
made by Serbian forces.  Mr Bashota has requested that NATO forces
should react in Kosovë even before the date set for continuation of
talks on Kosova, because of the latest Serbian threats and onslaughts.


http://www.kosovapress.com/english/mars/4_3_99_5.htm

Command of the UÇK 162nd Brigade "Agim Bajrami" appeals

Kaçanik, 4th of March 99 (Kosovapress)
Command of the UÇK 162nd Brigade "Agim Bajrami" is appealing to all
people of Kaçanik, who are subject of occupation forces attack in last
few days, not to leave their land and go to Maqedoni and further. There
is no need for fear and panic, as UÇK is the one who will not allow any
more massacres to be repeated by Serb forces in these areas. Command is
seeking responsibility from displaced people, to return to their homes
and their land in the villages they left. Leaving our homes will only
help Serb barbarians to achieve their goal, so we should not allow this
to happened. Kosova is ours and it will remain ours. Our weapons, our
determined struggle and blood spilled for freedom all over Kosovë, are
our guarantee, continues in the appeal of the command, signed by
Commander Bardhi.

UNHCR should not be mislead by Serb propaganda

Prishtinë, 4th of March 99 (Kosovapress)
UÇK Section for Health and Social Support is not satisfied with the work
and effort of the UNHCR Mission in Kosovë and Shqipëri, because is not
carrying efficiently responsibilities taken upon, towards displaced
people as a result of war. Recent statement made by spokesman of this
international body in Geneva, Mr Chris Yanowski, who called destruction
by Serb forces only ," an exorcise" by those forces, proves again that
UNHCR Mission is not making serious effort to face the reality, and,  is
using and is satisfied with information released only by Serb propaganda
machinery, continues in the reaction by UÇK Section for Health and
Social Support signed by co-ordinator in section for Foreign Relations,
Dr Shaip Muja.

Another Regional Committee of the "Homeland Calling" Fund formed

Cham, 4th of March 99 (Kosovapress)
Initial Committee of the "Homeland Calling" Fund organised meeting with
our countryman, who live and work in Cham (Germany). Hereto, they all
gave their unanimous support for Kosova Liberation Army as the only
force that can liberate Kosova. Furthermore, it was stressed that it is
necessary to form another Regional Committee for this Fund, so UÇK can
be helped in the best possible way. In this meeting Regional Committee
for this Fund was formed.

On the 7th of March 99, in the US, commemorative meeting dedicated to Mr
Adem Jashari

New York, 4th of March 99 (Kosovapress)
On the first anniversary of the heroic fall of  Mr Adem Jashari and all
the Others who fell for freedom of our fatherland in battlefields in
Kosovë, Central Fund "Homeland Calling" in US, in co-operation with some
other organisations in New York and surrounding states, is organising
commemorative meeting in the "Royal Regency" restaurant in Yanks (USA).
Very large number of our countryman, warriors who fought in different
fronts in Kosovë and others, confirmed participation. Also, teem of UÇK
political representatives who are expected to visit USA in days to come,
confirmed participation. In this meeting there will be speech about life
and life-achievements of these national heroes.


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