From mentor at alb-net.com Mon May 3 11:50:33 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 11:50:33 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] Kosovapress 16:40/15:30/14:50 May 3rd 1999 (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- News at 16:40 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/03_05_99_3.htm New massacres over civil population, are being descovered De?an, May 3rd (Kosovapress) Many cruel crimes have been executed over the albanian civil population by serbian terrorists during their latest offensive in Dukagjin. As result, Misin Bardhosh ?elaj (75), from Mazniku, who was taking care about his cattle in the field, has been killed, whereas on April 27, Sadik Shaban Berisha (73), mentally ill, from Prapaqani of De?an has been massacred, whereas in the village Brodiq , father and his daughter ; Hysen Curr Gashi (70) and Hyr? Hysen Gashi (30), are found massacred in cruel way.In the same village in the house of Adil Boshnjakut, four carbonized bodies have been found, their identity is unknown.Also, in this village, the 103 year old woman, Han? Dervish Ymeraj, has been massacred near her yard, where her hands and her head was cut off. Rexhep Ali Ymeraj is massacred in the same way.Another massacred cadaver has been discovered during these days in the ward Popaj of Lluk? e Posht?me, in the edge of the Bardh? river(White river),about the age of 3 and her eyes were taken out and her ears have been cut off. Meanwhile in the village Rashiq of Peja, Syl? Tahir Gjocaj, age 70 and Taf? Miftar Shala with his wife, have been massacred. For all of them, KLA units in spite of difficult conditions, they have buried them. Whereas in private house in the village Bardhaniq during the serbian criminal offensive, these persons have disappeared: Fatime Gashi (1937), from Kusuriqi; Adile Gashi (1969), from Kusuriqi; Hysen Hatashi from Jabllanica of Peja, Qazim Musaj (1951), from Lluka e Ep?rme; Miftar Dan Pavataj from Strellci i Ep?rm- teacher and his wife Hatixhja (1951), Miftar Vishaj (1934), from Belegu i De?anit and others. It is supposed that in Lubeniq of Peja, there other massacred and killed persons as result of the latest serbian offensive, but because of the limited possibilities caused by the presence of serbian forces there, it is difficult to collect the evidences. Serbian terrorist attacks over the villages of Shala Vushtrri, May 3rd (Kosovapress) Serbian terrorist forces are attacking villages of commune of Vushtrri continuously as in villages of Kovaqic?, Bajgor?, Ceceli, Bare, Sllakoc, Samadrexh?, Oshlan, Gumnisht?, in Studime t? Ep?rme etc,and as result all of them are captured in the flames of the fire. The attacks are very fierce and the serbian terrorists are using all their artillery arsenal. Civil population, some 40 000 inhabitants, now are divided in two parts, one part has left in the direction of Vushtrri and Prishtin?, whereas the other part is evacuated in secure places. They died in absence of the medical assistance Prishtin?, May 3rd (Kosovapress) Today, Rexhep Shaban Obrija (40), from Sankoci commune of Gllogoc, has died. The cause of this death were badly wounds and serbian police maltreatments. Yesterday, in a village of De?an, the pregnant woman named Flora, age (19), died in the absence of the medical assistance. In Gjurgjedell of Ka?anik, also as result of the medical assistance absence, Ejup Hasan Dushkaja, from Ka?aniku, has died. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 15:30 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/03_05_99_2.htm - "Kosovapress"- is aviable through Internet - The consequences the chemical poisons used by serbian terrorist forces against civil albanians and KLA soldiers, are appearing "Kosovapress"- is aviable through Internet Prishtin?, May 3rd (Kosovapress) We inform the albanian and the foreign opinion that the site of "Kosovapress" is again aviable through Internet. The site of "Kosovapress"-was attacked before three days in its distributive center, so the biggest part of the world opinion was unable to open it. We would like to recall wide opinion that our site in Internet can be followed in these addresses: www.kosovapress.com and kosovapress.com, whereas very soon it will be aviable in these addresses, too: www.kosovapress.net and www.kosovapress.org . The consequences the chemical poisons used by serbian terrorist forces against civil albanians and KLA soldiers, are appearing Podujev?, May 3rd (Kosovapress) Serbian terrorist forces used chemical poisons against displaced albanian population in the zones of Llapi and in the combats with KLA units, on April 28. Journalists of"Kosavapress"- informed that the poisons have been throwen through projectiles, from long distance, even over civil albanian population and KLA soldiers during the combats that occurred in that day in the villages of: Dobratin, Revu?? and in Qafa e Ka?anollit. According to informations, tens of civilians and KLA soldiers are being hit by these chemical poisons and the health consequences such as : loss of consciousness, dry of breath organs( mouth, nose) and the throat, unclear look, unclear speak, contractions of the body, difficulties while walking and permanent paralyzes, are evident now. Also, near the border with Albania, serbian forces have thrown chemical poisons but fortunately the strong wind has spread this poison away.There are only few KLA soldiers in this zone that have been infected by this poison. Doctors from the health service of KLA, have not yet reached to clarify the category of this chemical poison that has been used there, nor in the zones of Koshare and Juniku. Doctors of KLA, zone of Llap are doing everything to help tens of civilians and soldiers of this zone who are affected by these chemical poisons. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 14:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/03_05_99_1.htm -Two KLA soldiers have fallen in the mines placed by serbians -We should not leave our homeland in these difficult days -Conversation with mr. Izet Ibrahimin, Chief of Communal Directorate for Public Affairs and Civil Administration inn Gllogoc Two KLA soldiers have fallen in the mines placed by serbians Ka?anik, May 3rd (Kosovapress) In the border between Kosova and Macedonia, in Pustenik, the Commander of Platoon of the I-st Battalion, Feriz Faik Guri (1970), from the village Nikaj and Xhevdet Faik Guri (1969), also from the village Nikaj, members of KLA, have fallen in the mine fields placed by serbian terrorists. On April 30 , in the so called place Uji i Nxeht?, two persons have been kidnapped.These are: Xhevdet Hamdi Guri (1975) and Idriz Nuhi Guri (1960) both from the village Nikaj. There no informations about their fate On April 28, two other persons have been taken by serbian forces in Gerlic?, Ismet Hysen Gashi and Sk?nder Behxhet Gashi, from the village Begrac?. Ismet has been released on May 2nd after being badly beaten by serbian police,whereas there no information about the Skender`s fate. We should not leave our homeland in these difficult days May 3rd (Kosovapress) The civilian albanian population from the dwellings of Kosova is still continuing to immigrate massively in Albania and Macedonia. Trends of this immigration now are becoming really dramatic, without taking in consideration the reasons that are pushing these people to leave their homeland. These deportations,expulsions,immigrations are organized by serbian fascist forces by trains, cars,buses and other means of private transportation by paying high sums of money for each person. Emptying of the dwellings by albanian population, presents big problem for our liberation war. This goes in direct service to serbian fascist aspirations for Kosova`s ethic cleansing and it is also big loss for the support of KLA soldiers. Thus, before deciding to leave homeland, lets think just a little bit for the consequences of this emigration, even more, those who are already outside Kosova should to think how to come back soon as possible. Our homeland is calling all of us, today or never anymore! Conversation with mr. Izet Ibrahimin, Chief of Communal Directorate for Public Affairs and Civil Administration inn Gllogoc Gllogoc, May 3rd (Kosovapresss) We had a conversation with mr. Izet Ibrahimin, Chief of CDPAA about the alarming situation in this region: Kosovapress: Z. Ibrahimi, where is concentrated the civil population of your commune? Z. Ibrahimi: Population is concentrated in Gllogoc, in Shtrubullov, and Qikatov t? Re, and there are people from our commune but also there people who have came from the villages of the communes of Vushtri, Skenderaj and Klin?. There over than 75000 displaced inhabitants and they are isolated by serbian military-police enclosure for a month and half. In a way I can say that it is a concentration camp here.people can try to escape from this camp only during the night but the threat of serbian terrorist forces is evident every moment There large numbers of the displaced population in the mountains of Berisha,Tunnel of A?arev? etc, including a number of some 100.000 displaced persons. Kosovapress: What are the conditions of these population? Z. Ibrahimi: The population is without food, clothes and medicines. The conditions are very brave. There no even one canal of furnishing.The food and the other things, have been looted by serbian terrorist forces during the way. Serbian barbar have burnt all grains granary, sacks with flour, means of transportation,ornaments and all their money. Kosovapresss: But how the reach to stay alive in these conditions? Z. Ibrahimi: Thanks to solidarity within the population, they are reaching to survive. But there cases that serbian criminals are selling the looted flour by themselves. as it happened in Zabel i Poshtem etc. Somehow they are arranging to live but most of them are starving, they eat just a little bit, once a day. Many of them are eating the boiled corn grains. Kosovapress: What`s the average of the damages caused by the latest serbian criminal offensive in your commune? Z. Ibrahimi: From the previous serbian offensives the average of the destructions in our commune reached a percentage of 68%, but after the latest offensive, this average goes further than 90 %. From 42 dwellings, only two of them are not burnt yet and these are: Qikatova e re and Shtrubullova. I`ve to mention also that, there is no house left in our commune that has not been stolen. Kosovapress: Civil population in your commune is concentrated in some places, mainly in open areas. Are there cases of the immigration outside Kosova ? Z. Ibrahimi: No, there have not been massive displacements of the population from this regions outside Kosova. In spite the violence, massacres, killings and kidnappings, there have not been such attempts. There was an attempt before few days from some definite individuals, who claimed that they will provide secure transfer of civilian population to Macedonia, but the number of the interested people for taking such step, was very small. Also the organizers of such deportations have been found in Gllogoc and they were related with a serbian agency from Ferizaj, as well as with serbian police. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From kosova at justiceforall.org Mon May 3 21:36:34 1999 From: kosova at justiceforall.org (kosova at justiceforall.org) Date: Mon, 3 May 1999 20:36:34 -0500 Subject: [kcc-news] KosovaTaskForce: Message-ID: <199905040136.SAA06273@newshub1-work.home.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Task Force Action Alert May 3, 1999 CBS News continues unjust coverage of the genocide occuring in Kosova. Last night, in a ?60 Minutes? report, CBS News Anchor Dan Rather interviewed the wife of Slobodan Milosevic, in which she denied the ethnic cleansing occuring in Kosova. Such an outrageous statement can not go unanswered. We must not remain silent on the sidelines while CBS News paints Milosevic as the victim in this war. The victims of this eight year long war against non-Serbs are the 50,000 women and girls as young as seven who have been raped. The victims of this war are the ones found in the mass grave sites in Kosova. The victims of this war are the 1.1 million Albanians forced to flee Kosova in this ethnic cleansing. Demand more accurate coverage of the war in Kosova. Remind CBSNews that the genocide is in Kosova, not in Belgrade. Insist that CBS News move their team out of Belgrade and onto the Kosova border, where the images from the refugee camps speak for themselves. Ask Dan Rather why the interview was not conducted in Kosova. Why not bring Milosevic?s wife face to face with the refugees. Let her confront the tear-stained faces, full of suffering and then ask her again if she can deny the killing and expulsion of these people. Get in touch with CBS News and 60 Minutes and voice your opinion. Please Call: CBS News (212) 975-3247 ?60 Minutes? (212) 975-2006 or (212) 975-3247 or Write to: 60 Minutes 524 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 or email CBS News: http://www.cbs.com/navbar/feedback.html May God bless and protect the oppressed in Kosova and the innocent in Serbia. ==================================== Kosova Task Force, USA 730 W. Lake St., Suite 156 Chicago, IL 60661, USA Phone: 312-829-0087 Fax: 312-829-0089 Email: kosova at justiceforall.org The following organizations constitute the Kosova Task Force, USA: Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, American Muslim Council, Balkan Muslim Association, Council of Islamic Organizations of Chicago, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Council of New England, Islamic Medical Association, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Majlis Shura New York, The Ministry of Imam W.D. Muhammad, Muslim Students Association of US and Canada, The National Community. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From kosova at justiceforall.org Tue May 4 21:05:34 1999 From: kosova at justiceforall.org (Kosova Task Force, USA) Date: Tue, 4 May 1999 19:05:34 -0600 Subject: [kcc-news] KosovaTaskForce: When Jesse Jackson is visiting the victims of Genocide Message-ID: <199905050001.RAA16830@newshub1-work.home.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- That one man, travelling with a religious delegation, can cross enemy lines and negotiate the safe release of three of our American soldiers is an impressive feat. It will not be forgotten. Jackson has worked such feats in the past, and will surely work such feats in the future. It is with this spirit that the Kosova Task Force calls on the Reverend Jesse Jackson to continue to increase his involvement in the Balkan Crisis. Jackson is known for his skills in negotiating for relief for the oppressed, be it the abused soldiers in Kosova or the downtrodden among our own United States. The Kosova Task Force calls on Jackson to listen to the cries of the broken families, who are forcibly exiled away from the sanctity of their homes. The Kosova Task Force calls on Jackson to push forward in providing for the complete safety and security of the Kosovar Albanians. As three important soldiers are now safe at home with their families, the Kosova Task Force obliges the Reverend Jackson to increase the vigor of his efforts. He must work to provide for complete shelter and nourishment for the hundreds of thousands of expelled and oppressed Kosovar Albanians. We know that the three soldiers will not heal quickly from the broken bones they have suffered; our sympathies go out for them. We know too well that the young Albanian girls will not heal very quickly from the repeated rapes they are still suffering. Our hearts break for them. If a religious man of the Reverend Jackson's stature were to work toward anything less than the complete protection and freedom of these poor Kosovar Muslims, then, perhaps, we would all feel the pain of his absence -- and his absence would provide no help for those thousands of young, raped girls. We ask that you please contact the Reverand Jesse Jackson through email, snail mail, phone or fax to the following addresses and request him that it is time for him to visit the victims of genocide. Be polite yet firm: jackson at rainbow.org Reverand Jesse Jackson President of Rainbow/PUSH Coalition National Headquarters 930 East 50th Street Chicago, IL 60615-2702 773/373-3366 phone 773/373-3571 fax Washington Bureau 1002 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20007-3601 202/333-5270 phone 202/728-1192 fax New York - Wall Street 330 West 42nd Street Suite 1511 New York, NY 10036-6902 212/425-7874 phone 212/968-1412 fax ==================================== Kosova Task Force, USA 730 W. Lake St., Suite 156 Chicago, IL 60661, USA Phone: 312-829-0087 Fax: 312-829-0089 Email: kosova at justiceforall.org Internet: http://www.justiceforall.org ==================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Wed May 5 16:11:26 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Wed, 5 May 1999 16:11:26 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] News: Irish Times article: Serbian aim to kill all Kosovans is nothing new (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Serbian aim to kill all Kosovans is nothing new By Fintan O'Toole Here is the Catholic archbishop of Skopje, Macedonia, writing to the Pope about the situation in Prizren in the neighbouring province of Kosovo: "The city seems like the Kingdom of Death. They knock on the doors of the Albanian houses, take away the men, and shoot them immediately. In a few days the number of men killed reached 400. As for plunder, looting and rape, all that goes without saying; henceforth, everything is permitted against the Albanians, not merely permitted but willed and commanded." Or consider the testimony of a Ukrainian newspaper correspondent in Kosovo. A Serbian officer has told him the worst atrocities are committed by irregular paramilitary bands. "Among them were intellectuals, men of ideas, nationalist zealots, but these were isolated individuals. The rest were just thugs, robbers who had joined the army for the sake of loot." He concludes that "the Serbs . . . in their endeavour to correct data in the ethnographical statistics that are not quite favourable to them, are engaged quite simply in the extermination of the Muslim population." These stories could be multiplied many times over from any number of reports on the situation in Kosovo. But the dates are worth noting. Both of these accounts, cited by Noel Malcolm in his book Kosovo: A Short History, were written in 1913. The first, by Archbishop Lazar Mejda, included an estimate that 25,000 Albanians had by then been massacred in Kosovo. The second was written by Lev Bronstein, afterwards known as Leon Trotsky, then an obscure journalist. Though he had seen much violence already in Russia, he was deeply shocked by the viciousness of the assault on the general Albanian population which followed Serbia's invasion and annexation of Kosovo in 1912. It is worth recalling these events because they put into perspective what is happening in Kosovo now. It is easy to assume that the all-out Serbian assault on the Albanian population there is a response to NATO's bombing campaign. No one reading accounts this week of the terrible massacre of Albanians at Mej defends what the Serbs are doing. But many do believe that things would be better were it not for the bombing, that the Serbs have been somehow maddened by the air raids. This is to misunderstand the deep-seated impulse within Serb nationalist ideology towards the extermination of the Kosovans. It's important, when such impulses are discussed, that we make certain things clear. One is that what is going on is not an inevitable working-out of immemorial animosities, some pathological aberration bred in the Balkan bone. On the contrary, what we are talking about is something quite recent, a 20th-century response to 20th-century conditions. And it must be stressed that all of this has no more to do with the Serb character than, say, the Omagh bombing is an expression of the Irish character. It's about a specific political ideology, developed in very particular circumstances over the last century and exploited for very particular political purposes over the last 15 years by Slobodan Milosevic and those around him. An analogy with Nazism is useful. There was, even in the 19th century, a strong strain of antiSemitism in Germany. It was what historians call "eliminationist", geared towards the physical removal of the Jews from Germany. But in conditions of crisis, and under the ideological direction of Hitler and his party, it became "exterminist". The same kind of movement is evident in the dominant strain of Serb nationalism. A desire to get the Albanians out of Kosovo has slipped, in conditions of crisis and ideological exploitation, into a desire to eliminate the Kosovans altogether. These genocidal tendencies are not a product of NATO's bombing campaign. They were evident in 1912 and 1913, when Serbia first invaded Kosovo. They were implicit in the policy, after the formation of Yugoslavia, of denying the very existence of the Kosovans: the Yugoslav government told the League of Nations in 1929 that "there are no national minorities" in what it called "Southern Serbia". They were evident in the fierce suppression of the language and culture of the Kosovans and the assassination of their intellectuals and writers. The aim, essentially, was to push the Kosovans into exile by making their lives unbearable. In 1937, for example, the leading Serb historian Vaso Cubrilovic wrote: "At a time when Germany can expel tens of thousands of Jews . . . the shifting of a few hundred thousand Albanians will not lead to the outbreak of a world war". He recommended a series of measures: the enforcement of laws to make economic activity by Albanians impossible, the "ill-treatment of their clergy, the destruction of their cemeteries", and "secretly burning down their villages and city quarters". All of these measures were adopted. This strain of Serb nationalism was largely buried during the Tito years, but reemerged after the collapse of the Communist regime. After Milosevic came to power, on the back of his promises to "defend" the Serbs of Kosovo, Kosovo's autonomy was withdrawn and a systematic oppression of the Kosovans was resumed. This was not oppression for its own sake. It was aimed at the actual removal of the Albanians. Arkan, the notorious gangster and war criminal, who was elected to the Serbian assembly as a "representative" of Kosovo in elections boycotted by the Albanian population, made this quite clear. Most of the Kosovans, he explained, had come in from Albania in the last 50 years and they ought to be regarded as "tourists". This claim is, of course, utterly ludicrous, even by the standards of Serb nationalist rhetoric. But it's not meant as a rational argument. It is an implicit demand for the mass expulsion of the vast majority of the population of Kosovo. Tourists, after all, go "home", in this case presumably to Albania. All of this predates NATO's involvement. None of it was a response to any action by the international community or, indeed, by the Kosovans themselves who persistently sought peaceful solutions. It has no more to do with foreign interference than Hitler's assault on the Jews had. It was axiomatic for the dominant strain of Serb nationalism that, sooner or later, one way or the other, the Kosovans were to be eliminated. Their obliteration was fundamental to the whole Serb project as envisaged by Milosevic and his allies. The achievement of this aim was a matter of timing and tactics, not of principle. Because of this, the international community was wrong to assume that Milosevic would give up Kosovo after a little huffing and puffing, and wrong not to anticipate that bombing would encourage him to intensify the assault on the Kosovans. But justified criticism of NATO should not blind us to the truth that a European government was planning genocide against a European people. Unless we can face that reality and articulate a genuine response to it, those of us who are unhappy about the conduct of NATO's war are taking refuge in comfortable evasions. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From kosova at justiceforall.org Thu May 6 13:40:00 1999 From: kosova at justiceforall.org (Kosova Task Force, USA) Date: Thu, 6 May 1999 11:40:00 -0600 Subject: [kcc-news] KosovaTaskForce: Support Kosovar Independence & Justice Act of 1999 Message-ID: <199905061635.JAA25245@newshub1-work.home.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Task Force, USA May 6, 1999 Action Alert *** 130 VOLUNTEERS ARE LOBBYING CONGRESS *** CALL AND SUPPORT ?KOSOVAR INDEPENDENCE & JUSTICE ACT OF 1999? *** TEXT OF HR 1425 Can Serb war criminals be trusted to rule the victims of Genocide in Kosova? No. But the Congress must hear this from you. 130 volunteers are lobbying in Congress today (Thursday, May 6th, 1999). They are lobbying in support of H.R. #1425 which calls for Kosovar Independance and arming Kosovars so they can defend themselves. While these volunteers are doing their part, we need to do ours. Call the local office of your congressperson this Thursday and Friday (May 6 and 7,1999 ) to express your support for ?Kosovar Independence and Justice Acto of 1999. Call, fax and mail them your opinion. If your congressperson voted against the airstrike then ask him this is his chance to stand up against genocide by allowing liberty and freedom to the victims. If your congressperson supported the airstrike resolution then tell him that final and lastign solution is recognizing Kosovar independence and arming them to liberate their country. If you do not know how your congressperson voted, check the following url before you call: http://www.msnbc.com/modules/Kosovo_WarAct_Votes/VoteNoArt.asp Make sure that you call both the local and DC office of your congressperson. Congress Switch Board Number: 202/224-3121 *** TEXT OF HR 1425 ?KOSOVAR INDEPENDENCE & JUSTICE ACT OF 1999?: Kosovar Independence and Justice Act of 1999 (Introduced in the House) HR 1425 IH 106th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1425 To authorize security assistance for the Kosova Liberation Army to be used for training and support for their established self-defense forces in order to defend and protect the civilian population of Kosova against armed aggression. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 14, 1999 Mr. TRAFICANT introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations A BILL To authorize security assistance for the Kosova Liberation Army to be used for training and support for their established self-defense forces in order to defend and protect the civilian population of Kosova against armed aggression. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Kosovar Independence and Justice Act of 1999'. SEC. 2. POLICY. It shall be the policy of the United States-- (1) to provide the Kosova Liberation Army with the capability to defend and protect the civilian population of Kosova against armed aggression; (2) to publicly declare that the Albanians of Kosova have a legal right to self-determination and that independence is the only political solution acceptable to Kosovars; (3) to work in conjunction with United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other multilateral organizations to facilitate an orderly transition to independence for the Albanians of Kosova; and (4) to work in conjunction with the United Nations and other appropriate multilateral organizations to have Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic indicted and tried by the international war crimes tribunal for crimes against humanity. SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF SECURITY ASSISTANCE FOR THE KOSOVA LIBERATION ARMY. (a) AUTHORIZATION OF ASSISTANCE- In addition to funds otherwise available to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2763), there are authorized to be appropriated to the President for fiscal year 2000 to carry out the provisions of such section, $25,000,000, which amount shall be made available only for grants to the Kosova Liberation Army to be used for training and support for their established self-defense forces to carry out the policy of section 2(1). (b) RELATION TO EXISTING AUTHORITIES- Assistance provided under subsection (a) may be made available notwithstanding any other provision of law. (c) AVAILABILITY- Amounts appropriated pursuant to the authorization of appropriations under subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until expended. ==================================== Kosova Task Force, USA 730 W. Lake St., Suite 156 Chicago, IL 60661, USA Phone: 312-829-0087 Fax: 312-829-0089 Email: kosova at justiceforall.org Internet: http://www.justiceforall.org ==================================== --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Tue May 11 12:29:01 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Tue, 11 May 1999 12:29:01 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] May 08, 1999New wave of Kosovo refugees crosses into Albania (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- New wave of Kosovo refugees crosses into Albania MORINA, Albania, May 8 (AFP) - More than 5,300 refugees crossed into Albania here Saturday, a majority of them coming from western Kosovo where they reported new shelling and rampages by Serb forces. Representatives of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the influx had slowed somewhat since the morning, when refugees had arrived at the border in large numbers by tractor from the Pec region in western Kosovo. The latest groups were arriving mainly on foot from Zur, some six kilometers (four miles) from the border where they had been dropped off by buses, the officials said. Residents of Djakovica, in southwest Kosovo, also reported fighting over night. Trailing the tractors during the morning were dozen of passenger cars, followed by people on foot who came mainly from the Pristina region, officials said. Some of the latest arrivals said they had tried to cross the border into Macedonia by train but had been turned back two days ago and had returned to their villages, leaving again Saturday morning. Earlier, UNHCR spokesman Ray Wilkinson said that 4,042 people passed through this border post in northern Albania by midday and more were on the way. The influx was in sharp contrast to the previous two days, when the border was calm. Wilkinson said that only 569 refugees came through Morina on Friday, most of them fleeing from the southern Kosovo city of Prizren. Most of the refugees arriving early Saturday rolled through on tractors, their families huddled in trailers covered with plastic sheeting. A procession of cars started to arrive in the afternoon. They told AFP they had come mainly from the region around the town of Pec in western Kosovo, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the Albanian border. "We hid in the hills for a week because the Serbs were burning down our villages," one mother said. She said her husband was beaten and two of her neighbors hauled off by masked men in military garb who surrounded their group. "They said they were going to kill them, and they ordered us to leave, pointing their rifles at us," she said. "We don't know what happened to the two men." Wilkinson said that the villages and hills around Pec had apparently become a target in the Serbs' campaign to rid the province of Albanian Kosovars. An elderly man listed two dozen people from his village who he said were killed by the Serbs after one of their men was slain by soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Some of the women refugees passing through here said they saw tanks hidden in the trees. They said they crossed a bridge near the town of Djakovica which the Serbs had camouflaged to protect it against NATO air strikes. "They stole our jewels," one of them said. "They threatened us and demanded our money." Entire families burst into tears on arriving at the border checkpoint, having left behind a brother, cousin or friend in Kosovo where they were taken away by Serb police or para-military troops. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Mon May 17 15:02:06 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Mon, 17 May 1999 15:02:06 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] UNHCR - Kosova Refugees Daily 17 May, 1999 (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.unhcr.ch/news/media/daily.htm UNHCR - Refugees Daily A digest of the latest refugee news, as reported by the world's media. ... Monday 17 May, 1999 Kosovo KOSOVO: NATO BOMBS KILL 87 DISPLACED? 17 May 99 - NATO acknowledged that two bombs fired from US fighters on Friday may have accidentally killed ethnic Albanian refugees camped out next to a Yugoslav special police command post in Kosovo, reports the Washington Post. While expressing regret, NATO spokesmen blamed the deaths in Korisa on Yugoslav authorities, who they said had originally driven the ethnic Albanians from their homes and knew of the risk of a NATO air attack. Yugoslavia said Saturday that 87 people died in the attack. "If there were civilians at a target that was a military location, it wasn't NATO that brought them there," said NATO spokesman Peter Daniel. The Los Angeles Times reports Pentagon officials sought to deflect blame by strongly suggesting Serbian troops had used the refugees as "human shields" against a NATO assault. The Daily Telegraph reports the German defence ministry said more than 600 Kosovan Albanians were held against their will in Korisa. An Albanian said he was among a group of refugees held prisoner there. BBC News reports Serbian media continued to focus on the "deliberate massacre" of refugees at Korisa, with Tanjug saying it was an attempt to prevent the return of refugees. Many other newspapers reported on this. [NATO Says Its Bombs Hit Kosovo Refugee Campsite - www.washingtonpost.com; Pentagon Admits Refugee Casualties, Decries `Human Shields' - www.latimes.com; Survivor says 600 were used as human shields - www.telegraph.co.uk; Korisa 'massacre' dominates Serb news - http://news.bbc.co.uk] KOSOVO: SOME RETURN, NOT HARRASSED 17 May 99 - Something strange is going on in the ethnic Albanian village of Svetlje in northern Kosovo, once a hard-line guerrilla stronghold, where NATO accuses Serbs of committing genocide, reports the Los Angeles Times. An estimated 15,000 displaced ethnic Albanians live in and around Svetlje and hundreds of young men are everywhere. By their own accounts, the men are waiting with their families for permission to follow thousands who have risked going back home to nearby villages because they do not want to give up and leave Kosovo. "We wanted to stay here where we were born," said one man through a translator. "Those who wanted to go through Macedonia and on to Europe have already left. We did not want to follow." Ethnic Albanians interviewed in Svetlje said they haven't had any problems with Serbian police since the police allowed them to come back. [Refugees Return Home, Say They're Not Being Harassed - www.latimes.com] KOSOVO: UN MISSION 17 May 99 - A UN exploratory mission, the first of its kind since the start of NATO bombing campaign on Yugoslavia, arrived in Belgrade yesterday, to evaluate humanitarian needs in the country, especially in Kosovo, reports AFP in Belgrade. "This is a combined humanitarian team that will be looking obviously at emergency, humanitarian needs, at the problem of the displaced, particularly in Kosovo," said Sergio Vieira de Mello, the head of the team. During its 10-day visit to Yugoslavia, the team would also be evaluating "needs of rehabilitation and reconstruction, especially for those who would be able to return to their homes in Kosovo," De Mello said. The UN team is composed of representatives of a number of UN agencies, including those from the UNHCR. The Guardian reports UNHCR has warned it will not go back until ethnic cleansing stops and it can provide protection for more than 500,000 displaced Albanians. [UN exploratory mission arrives in Belgrade - www.afp.com; UN risks return to Kosovo - www.guardian.co.uk] MACEDONIA: NEW INFLUX? 17 May 1999 - Macedonia is bracing itself for a new influx of thousands of refugees after at least 1,200 refugees crossed the border at Blace this weekend, reports the Financial Times. The latest flow will put renewed pressure on Macedonia's already stretched resources. More than 45,000 refugees have been airlifted to countries outside the region, but more than 230,000 remain there. UNHCR spokesman Ron Redmond said: "There are probably tens of thousands more waiting to come to Macedonia," adding that the latest arrivals came as word spread inside Kosovo that it was possible again to cross the border. UNHCR had hoped to transfer several thousand refugees from Macedonia to Albania where sites have been identified for up to 60,000 refugees. However, only 200 people have agreed to be moved. Many have been deterred without guaranteeing they will still be eligible for humanitarian evacuation to countries such as Germany, Canada and the US. The BBC News reports UNHCR officials say some of the new refugees were driven from their homes by Serbian police while others, mainly from Urosevac, were prevented from buying food by Serbian authorities and so had no choice but to leave. New York Times adds refugees arriving in Macedonia said Yugoslav forces have killed more than 100 civilians in villages in the Drenica region. [Macedonia braced for big new Kosovar influx - www.ft.com; Refugees say Serbs withhold food - http://news.bbc.co.uk; Refugees Report Slaughter Of Civilians In Kla Region - www.nytimes.com] MACEDONIA: PRESIDENT URGES FASTER EVACUATIONS 17 May 99 - President Kiro Gligorov of Macedonia yesterday urged the west to speed up the evacuation of Kosovo refugees from his country, as Hillary Clinton, the US first lady, toured the country's crowded refugee camps, reported the Financial Times this weekend. Gligorov, in an interview, singled out Britain, France and Italy as "lagging behind" other states in accepting refugees. He promised Macedonia would keep open its borders to new arrivals thought to be on their way from Kosovo. But he said the pledge was "linked" to European Union countries fulfilling their promises to take 100,000 refugees. "This should move at a much faster pace in order to create room for more refugees here and enable us to keep to international conventions [on refugees] of which we are signatories." President Gligorov also urged the west to provide more money for refugee aid and to buy more supplies locally to help support the Macedonian economy. [Macedonia calls on west to speed up the evacuation of refugees - www.ft.com] MACEDONIA: HILLARY CLINTON, VIPs VISIT 17 May 99 - US First Lady Hillary Clinton visited Macedonia on Friday morning, to highlight the plight of Kosovan refugees and assure Macedonia that the US understands the stress that the influx has placed on it, reports the Los Angeles Times. At Brazda refugee camp, Mrs. Clinton announced the release of the first US$2m in a US$21m economic development package for Macedonia to help it create new small businesses. Several of the refugees with whom Mrs. Clinton spoke, said they were happy and surprised by her visit. They did not know she was coming until about an hour before she stopped into their tent. AFP reports almost every day some jet-setting VIP pops in to walk the dusty rows of crowded tents, chat with Kosovans, and beg the world not to forget their plight. Others last week included actors Roger Moore and Vanessa Redgrave; Bianca Jagger; Italian President Oscar Scalfaro; and NATO Secretary-General Javier Solana. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is expected this week. The Guardian adds that aid agencies, facing signs of compassion fatigue, know there's no business like show business to keep donations coming in. [First Lady Hears Heart-Rending Story From Refugee Mother - www.latimes.com; VIPs lend celebrity glitter to Kosovo refugee camps - www.afp.com; Showbiz aid cuts compassion fatigue - www.guardian.co.uk] ALBANIA: FEW CROSS BORDER AMID BOMBING 17 May 99 - NATO jets pounded Yugoslav targets close to the main border point between Kosovo and Albania for the fifth consecutive day on Saturday as only a handful of refugees came across, reports Reuters. Relief officials said it was not clear if the flow had been reduced in recent days because refugees feared being caught by NATO fire while heading for the border. Eyewitnesses reported at least 10 explosions by midday aimed mainly at the Kosovo town of Zhur beyond the border crossing at Morina, near Kukes. The refugees crossing into Albania on Saturday included an injured man carried by two others. He was said to have been wounded by Serb shelling near the town of Meja. [Fighting, few refugees, at Albanian border - www.reuters.com] ALBANIA: 'EMERGENCY' ENDS 17 May 99 - The Albanian government has overcome the "emergency stage" of the humanitarian crisis caused by the influx of about 430,000 refugees from Kosovo, Information Minister Musa Ulqini said on Saturday, reports Deutsche Presse-Agentur. "We are now working on a medium-term programme for the refugees," said Ulqini. Refugee camps have been set up in several cities of Albania. The government has also turned formerly factories, military buildings, dormitories and other public facilities into refugee accommodation centres throughout the country. Ulqini also said that for the first time, after several days of evacuation, the number of refugees in Kukes had fallen below the figure of 100,000. About 6,500 refugees were evacuated in 48 hours. But the Los Angeles Times reports UNHCR's mass evacuation has taken less than 10% of the displaced Kosovans southward since it began Friday, but officials expect the pace to accelerate as new accommodation opens for 160,000 people along Albania's coast. "We have always said that refugee camps shouldn't be set up on borders. There is the risk of shelling, the risk of spillover of the conflict and the risk of infiltration of non-refugee elements," said UNHCR spokeswoman Melita Sunjic. But only those sleeping in the open or under plastic sheets are being swayed by the call to move out of Kukes. [Refugee 'emergency stage' overcome, Albanian minister says - www.dpa.com; Many Refugees May Have to Move Again - www.latimes.com] ALBANIA: KOSOVANS KILLED ON BOAT TO ITALY 17 May 1999 - At least three Kosovan refugees died overnight Saturday when a boat smuggling more than 40 refugees from Albania to Italy hit a reef in the bay of Vlora off the southwestern Albanian coast, Italian officials said, reports AFP. The bodies of a woman and two children were found by Italian customs and navy boats, who carried out the rescue operation, said Captain Bruno Biagi. Thirty-nine others were injured in the accident, and "it is feared that three children are still in the water under the rocks," Biagi said, adding that the exact number of refugees aboard the craft was unknown. The smugglers fled the scene, he added. It is not yet known how the accident, which occurred shortly after midnight, happened. Thirty-eight of the injured were being treated in a Vlora refugee camp run by the Italians, while one seriously injured child was hospitalised in Tirana, Biagi said. [At least three Kosovo refugees die in boat wreck off Albania - www.afp.com] MONTENEGRO: SERBS SEIZE MEN FLEEING 17 May 1999 - The Yugoslav army has seized up to 150 male Kosovo refugees as they tried to flee to Albania and Bosnia via Montenegro, local refugee organisations said yesterday, reports Reuters. Officials believed that the ethnic Albanians had been transported back into Kosovo, leaving their families stranded in Montenegro. "This is the first time that the army has taken men and stopped people from going to Albania. It is extremely alarming,'' said Dzema Nikaj, head of a refugee crisis centre in Tuzi, a small southeastern town near Albania. Montenegro's reformist government, which is strongly opposed to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic, has denounced the army action and called on the military to leave the border areas. The Daily Telegraph reports the Yugoslav army tightened the noose around the increasingly insubordinate republic of Montenegro at the weekend when it rounded up about 100 ethnic Albanian refugees seeking sanctuary across the border in Albania. Le Monde reports UNHCR has asked the government to relocate refugees away from the tense border town of Rozaje. [Yugoslav army seizes Kosovo men in Montenegro - www.reuters.com; Montenegro refugees rounded up - www.telegraph.co.uk; Serb forces use same methods in Montenegro's Rozaje - www.lemonde.fr] KOSOVANS: NATO CHIEF WANTS RETURNS BY WINTER 17 May 99 - Nato chief Javier Solana has said he wants the Kosovo Albanian refugees home this year, reports BBC News. "It is our wish, and we are doing our best so they can return home as soon as possible, in any case before the winter." He said he also expected to learn "dramatic facts" of alleged atrocities of ethnic cleansing in Kosovo once international troops had escorted the Kosovo Albanians home. The Washington Post reports US and European officials have stepped up work on how to restore order in Kosovo and resettle masses of refugees after 1.5 million ethnic Albanians were displaced and Kosovo's devastation altered many of the assumptions behind peacekeeping plans drafted by NATO before the bombing. Meanwhile Paul Rogers, professor of peace studies at Bradford University, in the Guardian said it's time to talk. Agree a ceasefire but insist on a UN military force in Kosovo. If it comes to a ground war, it may not be feasible to overrun Serb forces in Kosovo in the time-scale necessary and, even if Kosovo is occupied, the difficulties of maintaining control may be sufficiently high to dissuade refugees from returning. It could take up to two years to resettle the refugees, with all the implications that entails for caring for three-quarters of a million displaced people. [Nato: Refugees home by winter - http://news.bbc.co.uk; NATO Plans for More Troops in Kosovo to Handle Damage, Refugees - www.washingtonpost.com; Exit strategy - www.guardian.co.uk] KOSOVANS: ALBRIGHT, COOK SAY FIGHT IS RIGHT 17 May 99 - We and our NATO allies initiated a campaign in response to ethnic cleansing in Kosovo because it was the right thing to do, say US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and British Foreign secretary Robin Cook in an op-ed in the Washington Post yesterday. Continuing that campaign is still the right thing to do. We will not stop until we have prevailed - created the conditions under which the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo can be reversed. It is time for a reminder of what this is all about. We are fighting to get the refugees home, safe under our protection. Their homes have been destroyed, their villages burned, their lives ruined by a regime determined to achieve ethnic purity and prepared to use cruel and violent means to achieve it. We are pursuing a settlement under which President Slobodan Milosevic would withdraw his forces and allow the deployment of an international security force, with NATO at its core, thus enabling the refugees to return in safety. We remain supportive of the political framework negotiated at Rambouillet under which the Kosovars would enjoy genuine self-government, and the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia would be preserved. These are the terms of a fair settlement. If Milosevic accepted and began to implement them immediately, the NATO air campaign could end immediately. We are determined to persist in our efforts until Milosevic reverses course and the people of Kosovo are able to return, reunite and begin, with our help, to rebuild. [The Air Campaign Remains the Right Thing to Do - www.washingtonpost.com] KOSOVANS: UNHCR COPES BADLY, SAYS REPORT 17 May 99 - A committee of British MPs has condemned UNHCR for its handling of the Kosovo refugee crisis, reports BBC News. They said UNHCR had not coped well when the crisis first broke and was still failing to meet refugees' needs. The International Development Committee report, published on Saturday, said: "UNHCR did not even make adequate preparations for the volume of refugees which it itself had predicted would flee from Kosovo . . . Several weeks into the crisis we have no sense that UNHCR has as yet taken control of the situation, providing clear direction, leadership and co-ordination." Committee chairman, Conservative MP Bowen Wells, said it was no excuse that UNHCR had been taken by surprise by the crisis. The report also highlights the failure of UNHCR to set up a registration system for refugees after they had their identity documents taken by Serb forces. It said little had been done to provide proper shelter for winter or sanitation for summer. BBC News separately reports UNHCR has attacked the report. UNHCR's London representative, Hope Hanlon, said the criticism was "regrettable." UNHCR was not consulted and in some cases it was based on inaccurate information, she said. UNHCR spokeswoman Judith Kumin said observers visit the camps for 24 hours, getting only a "snapshot" view. "It would be much better to see them working day after day, week after week and month after month in exhausting conditions," she said. [UN failing Kosovo refugees: MPs + UNHCR hits back at critics - http://news.bbc.co.uk] KOSOVANS: COSTS COUNTED 17 May 99 - Officials in Brussels and Washington are being forced to produce numbers, however tentative, on the eventual costs for reconstructing the Kosovo region and taking long-term care of the hundreds of thousands of refugees, reports the Financial Times. The job of assessing the needs and of mobilising donors has been handed to a special task force formed last week by officials of the World Bank and the European Commission. Initial estimates suggest humanitarian assistance for coping with the refugees could amount to around US$780m based on a total of 967,000 refugees, a nine-month conflict and a 12-month period of return and resettlement. Meanwhile, Michael Emerson, a senior researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies in Brussels, also in the Financial Times says the European Union must add substance to its promise to draw up a Balkan stability pact. The Balkans need something as effective as a Marshall Plan. This should include emergency assistance and compensation to households and local authorities to accommodate refugees away from tent cities. [Reconstruction costed + After the war is over - www.ft.com] CYPRUS: SERBS FLEE BOMBS 17 May 99 - With no end in sight to the NATO bombing campaign on Yugoslavia, growing numbers of Serbs are seeking safety in Cyprus, taking advantage of Greek-Cypriot sympathy for their Orthodox co-religionists, reports AFP in Nicosia. At least 120 Serb families have applied for asylum in the island since late March, UNHCR's Cyprus representative said. The Cyprus-Yugoslav Humanitarian Fund, a support group which raises funds to help Serbs fleeing the war, said up to a thousand Serb women and children had come to Cyprus via Bulgaria and Hungary since the beginning of the NATO bombing campaign. "It's mostly women and children coming here because a lot of the men are sending their families away. The men don't want to leave - they are waiting for the ground war," said a fund worker. The growing influx of Serbs fleeing the war is hampering the authorities' ability to process applications for full asylum. [Serbs seek refuge from NATO bombing campaign in friendly Cyprus - www.afp.com] BOSNIA: SERBS SEEKING AID 17 May 1999 - The head of the Bosnian Serb refugee agency on Friday said it did not have enough money to take care of some 30,000 Serbs who had fled Yugoslavia since the NATO bombing campaign started on March 24, reports Reuters. Dragan Kekic, commissioner for refugees, told the Bosnian Serb news agency SRNA that he would seek funds from UNHCR and the Serb republic's government for food, medicine and shelter. "The arrival of these unfortunate people - mostly women, children, elderly and sick - has caused new problems for the Serb republic Commissioner for Refugees, which is not in a position to find shelter and feed all of them," he told SRNA. [Bosnian Serbs struggle to cope with Yugo refugees - www.reuters.com] (...) Europe EUROPE: APPLICANTS DROP BY 20% 17 May 99 - In spite of the escalating crisis in Kosovo, the number of people applying for asylum in European countries in the first three months of this year was one-fifth lower than at the end of 1998, UNHCR said Friday, reports AP. The number of Yugoslav citizens overwhelmingly Kosovo Albanians who made applications in 21 western and central European countries fell from 38,000 in the last quarter of last year to 26,300 between January and March, a 31% drop. "One can only speculate on the reason for the decline," said UNHCR spokeswoman Judith Kumin. The blocking of traditional routes across Serbia into Central Europe could be a factor, she said. "And the fact that most people don't have any money any more to pay for the passage because they've either spent it or it was taken away from them when they were leaving would explain why there has been less movement into Western Europe than we would expect," Kumin added. Asylum applications by Yugoslav citizens accounted for 29% of the 92,200 new requests made in Europe a quarter of them in Germany, 19% in Britain and 13% in Switzerland between January and March. The total figure was down from 114,590 between October and December. [European asylum applications drop despite Kosovo crisis - www.ap.org] (...) This document is intended for public information purposes only. It is not an official UN document. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Thu May 20 13:38:06 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Thu, 20 May 1999 13:38:06 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] Info: State Dept Briefing on Kosovo Massacre (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- TRANSCRIPT: DOS BRIEFING ON VIDEOTAPE CONFIRMING KOSOVO MASSACRE (Spokesman says it "conclusively" confirms atrocity report) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman May 19, 1999 ON-THE-RECORD BRIEFING JAMES P. RUBIN, DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN VIDEO OF MASSACRE OF KOSOVAR ALBANIANS May 19, 1999 Washington, D.C. MR. RUBIN: Let me begin by explaining to you what we're going to try to do today. First of all, as many of you know, a group of Kosovar National Albanian American Council released a rather shocking videotape earlier today. We're not going to use those same images because of the graphic nature of them. We do have some of those tapes available and you all can get that from the National Albanian American Council. But what we are going to be able to do -- and this is the first time we've ever been able to do this -- is to link videotape shot on the ground with overhead imagery that our national technical means has provided. So we've, in the past, had many refugee accounts of massacres and we've tried to track those accounts and the details provided by those refugees with overhead imagery. But this is the first time we've been able to link video evidence with overhead imagery. We've tried to put this together in a videotape that will be helpful to all of you. There will be an opportunity for all of you to see it at your leisure, but I will take this opportunity to walk you through the combination of the videotape and the overhead imagery on the same screen. What that combination will show is conclusively that the videotape that was released earlier today of a massacre of over 100 Albanians in Izbica, Kosovar Albanians, is the very same location that we were able to release from overhead imagery earlier in the year on April 17. So let's begin the tape. If you could stop it there, please. This image may look familiar to all of you. This is an image of this particular location near Izbica on March 9, and as you can see, this field is untouched. Here is the image of April 15, and you can see three neat rows of graves right here in this area. What I'd like you to be aware of is that on April 18, when we first showed this imagery, Serb radio and television said there were no graves in Izbica and that Serb forces were not responsible for mass executions there. Someone on camera even claimed that there is no killing in Izbica, they are lying. When the videotape was first shown that we're about to show you matched with the imagery, the Serb radio and television said that it was an outright forgery -- this combination of imagery and videotape -- and that the objects seen in the village in this imagery differ from the videotape, and that obviously this was all taken somewhere else. What I hope to be able to demonstrate to you all is to conclusively show that the imagery we're showing you here is the very same location of the videotape. So let's now move to a wider shot of this location. What we're going to show in this wider shot that's appearing right now -- if you could pause the tape -- is that this up here to the right is the graves. These are two fields where there are burned tractors and burned vehicles and where there is a great deal of debris on both sides of this road here. Down here where it says tree line is where the refugee says the actual massacre took place. This is what we can confirm from above. The way the refugees and media accounts tell the story -- and again, I'm stressing here this is now media accounts -- is that a group of refugees was traveling along this road and were stopped by Serb police; that the men were separated -- and elderly men, as you can see from the tape that was distributed earlier today -- that the men were removed from these tractors; there was killing that took place along this tree line; and that then after the Serbs left, Kosovar Albanian villagers came to the location and moved the bodies from this tree line back up here to the grave sites that they dug themselves. Before we move, you should be aware that these two buildings right here correspond to the grave site that was from the previous picture, and these two buildings are going to display prominently in the videotape. So let's move to the videotape. This is the videotape that Dr. Losci took that was released earlier today. It's about to stop and superimpose an overhead imagery right now. If you could stop it there. Now, here we regard as conclusive proof that this video was taken at the very same location of the imagery. If you look up here, you'll see darkened lines in the field. If you look over here, you'll see darkened lines in the field. If you look over here, you'll see these two buildings; and there you'll see those two very buildings. You even see these three trees there that correspond to those three trees there. So in our view, this is an example of conclusive proof that this is the overhead imagery that corresponds directly to the location of the videotape. Let's continue now. Now, as the camera moves, you're going to see it stop before a building where these are the burnt vehicles, these are the debris, this is the road and this is the shot from the camera to that building right there where the arrow is pointing. Now we're going to move to the mass burial. This is where the graves were dug; that's again there. And you'll see that this building, when they move the camera, is the very same building that's shown in the overhead imagery. Stop right there. Now, this building, as you can see, has a walled compound around it, which corresponds identically to that building there, which also has a walled -- a set of walls around it. Q: (Inaudible.) RUBIN: Let me work my way through the whole presentation and then take your questions. All right, let's continue the tape. You're next going to see a shot of the people digging the graves; and again, you're going to see that very same building that you can see in the overhead imagery as they go about digging the graves. It will now have a wide shot of the three rows of graves, and that very same building that we referred to earlier is in the upper left-hand corner. This man told Dr. Losci -- he's one of the survivors -- that he survived by hiding under the bodies of the other men. He was sitting on the debris field pointing back towards the hill behind him, where he said the massacres took place. That's this tree line here and that's this tree line here. That is the orientation of the video camera. Now you're going to see, as they walked up the hill, again, three cues that demonstrate that the video and the overhead imagery is the identical location. Please stop there. Again you see the darkened areas of the fields there and there; you see the three trees there, there and there; and the two buildings there and there, and the two buildings there. Again, evidence -- conclusive in our view and in the view of all the analysts in the U.S. Government -- that this videotape and this imagery come from the same location. Please continue. He's walking through and reenacting the location, and that's another cue of the direction of the videotape. Finally, if you could stop there. This survivor is now describing to Dr. Losci how the Serbs lined him and others into four lines. The man had three people in front of him; when the shooting started, he fell down and people jumped on top of him. When this videotape was shot, the man pointed to ground that he said still contained blood and pieces of flesh and bones -- this is the location where the shooting took place -- and that his own brother was among the victims of this massacre. The point of all this -- and you can continue and turn it off at this point -- is we wanted to demonstrate three things. First, that the imagery that NATO released on April 17 and this videotape that was released earlier today are identical locations where these massacres took place. When you look at this kind of visual record and the conclusive cues that this is the very same location, I hope it will make it clear to all of you that when Serb radio and television say that these are forgeries, these are made up, these are propaganda, that it's the same regime that is telling you that that is responsible for the Serb police who allegedly committed this massacre. These kinds of episodes have taken place. This is not the only example, but it is the only time we've been able to match actual videotape with overhead imagery. It is only a small part of this story. There are normally not cameras where these massacres take place, and it will take many, many days and months of hard work by investigators, after NATO has achieved its objectives, for us to get the whole story. But clearly, war crimes are being committed; clearly, this is an example of that; and clearly, the Serb efforts in Belgrade are to try to lie to the world and tell you that that just didn't happen. I'd be happy to take some of your questions, and when we're done with that, we do have some experts from several agencies interspersed in the room who will try to give you some technical answers if I can't answer them. Q: (Inaudible) -- related to this because it came up, if you can entertain a couple of other questions. BBC is reporting, you said, some 500 deserters; BBC evidently is reporting 2,000. Is there any updating that you'd like to give us? RUBIN: Well, I said at least 500 because we did have some indication that the number was larger. But I don't have a specific number to offer you. Q: Can I ask on a substantive thing and then I'm sure we'll all get to the videos in a minute. It's second-hand and I hate to ask you from second-hand, but presumably, reportedly, Strobe Talbott said on Helsinki TV that the fundamental differences between the U.S. and Russia have been resolved. I didn't hear it, obviously, but I'm going to use that as a way to ask you if, since the briefing a few hours ago, if there's been any narrowing -- RUBIN: There's been no development since the briefing. Q: Okay. Thank you. Q: Can you tell us exactly on which day this massacre occurred? And what explanation -- did they give any explanation for why -- how you managed to videotape this? And what happened to the Serbs after the massacre? Did they just abandon the place and leave the bodies there, or what happened? RUBIN: I think at the press conference earlier today, those who released the tape may have been able to make available some of that information, but let me tell you what I know. What we believe is that this massacre occurred in late March. Some say March 29, but we can't confirm that; but clearly in late March. That's consistent with the imagery that shows the field without disturbed earth and no graves in mid-March, and the graves existing in mid-April. As far as how this was done, my understanding is that after committing this atrocity, the Serbs left, and that the Kosovar Albanians discovered the bodies and went through the painful and tragic job of burying the bodies. As you saw, there were a lot of people, in response to Roy's question, in this tape because this was an effort by the Kosovar Albanians to move the bodies from the area where the massacre occurred down by that tree line in the lower left-hand part of the screen from earlier, all the way to where the graves were dug. That process was videotaped by Dr. Losci because he felt very strongly that although all the other massacres may not be recorded for history, that this one ought to be. Q: This may be not best directed to you, but toward him - but in the one scene where they were digging, there is a guy in the foreground who was wearing a green uniform with a gun, a side-arm. RUBIN: Right. I wouldn't rule out that the KLA was there. But when you see -- Q: Is that -- RUBIN: That's perfectly possible that there were KLA fighters who were working with the villagers to bury the dead. But I would urge you, before drawing significant conclusions from that fact, to take a look at the video that I didn't choose to show because of its graphic nature. That makes very clear that the people who were killed were elderly men. Q: Is this particular area under heavy surveillance by you all, that you got a before -and-an-after picture? RUBIN: Well, it would be very hard for me to talk about our intelligence capabilities. Clearly, this is part of the product of that effort; and given what's going on in Kosovo and the preparations that needed to be made, I think it would be fair to say that we train a lot of our efforts on trying to know what's going on inside of Kosovo. Q: You said that this is evidence that war crimes are being committed. I may have misheard you, but did you say that this is an example of a crime that the Serbs allegedly committed? Is there any doubt in your mind that this massacre occurred because of Serb forces? RUBIN: Well, again, I try to be very clear in my briefings about what we know, what we believe to be possible and what we don't know. What I can tell you is that we know that the graves were dug, that they were dug during that area. We have every reason to believe that the video that was shot of those men is the very same location on the map where our imagery took place. The accounts of who did the killing, we don't have overhead imagery of the event as it took place. But the same refugees who recorded in great detail all of this information and told investigators and journalists and human rights workers all of the detail that proved to be exactly accurate when the video came out and when the overhead imagery came out have said it was Serb police who did this. But we don't have a flat, independent, overhead shot of that. But given the fact that every other thing -- or nearly everything -- that was told by the refugees and the survivors was proven to be correct by things we can prove, we have every reason to believe that they are speaking truthfully when they said the Serbs are responsible. Q: To follow up, how did you get this video? RUBIN: It was provided by the Kosovar Albanians to us some days ago. Q: The Kosovar Albanians, or the KLA? RUBIN: Well, I don't think Dr. Losci necessarily considers himself a KLA representative. Q: Do you have any sort of imagery around that time that would show you where Serb forces were or anything to back up that they were in the area? RUBIN: We've shown some imagery, as you may recall, a couple of weeks ago, where we had actual scenes of Serbs sweeping through fields, seeking refugees or civilians who we believe were fleeing. We don't have that in this case, to my knowledge; it may exist somewhere. But again, we just got this tape a few days ago; we tried to put efforts together to show the link between this videotape and our overhead imagery and provide that information to the Tribunal. Every single bit of information we may have, we're not always in a position to release publicly, immediately. Q: I think on the tape, one of the witnesses said that Yugoslav forces were surrounding that area, but then the paramilitary came in. Is that your understanding? RUBIN: I don't have direct information of what I answered to Andrea's first question, I said that it is our understand that the Serb police, based on the refugee accounts were responsible for this massacre. But exactly the array of forces in the area on this particular date, I don't have information I can provide to you. Q: Is there any evidence of the graves being disturbed since the -- RUBIN: On that subject, I'm not aware there is evidence of these graves being disturbed but we do believe there is a planned campaign to destroy evidence by Serbian authorities, including through a variety of means and destroying those who were killed in rather gruesome ways. We do believe that they recognize the importance of trying to hide evidence, but I'm not aware that in this case they have made any effort to destroy this evidence. The fact of the matter is, we decided to release this combination of video imagery with overhead imagery so that it won't matter if the Serbs destroy the evidence. This is the kind of evidence that makes it not necessarily relevant that the investigator goes to that location. Because if you have refugee accounts, you have a videotape, you have overhead imagery and you have a whole other set of information, you don't necessarily need the kind of direct evidence that would be normally needed. The reason why we put this information -- feel comfortable putting it out is because we have what we need and what we think can provide a compelling case. Given that the video was released, it's very possible the Serbs may choose to destroy this evidence. But with the combination of the video and the overhead imagery, they can't destroy that. Q: Since you had the KLA present there, is there any concern or fear that maybe there might have been a clash between the KLA and the Serbs, prior to this? RUBIN: Have you seen the videotape? Q: I haven't. RUBIN: I recommend you take a look at that, because what you'll find is elderly men who were murdered -- one who looked like a woman to me -- and none of them in anything resembling military uniforms; all of them elderly men. And the refugee accounts of the tractors being stopped were civilians who were stopped on that road I showed you, where the men were taken out and separated from their women and children. The women and children were allowed to leave -- ended up in Macedonia and Albania. So I wouldn't go looking for reasons to believe the Serbs in this case, because -- Q: I don't think he's doing that. Q: The question really is what the KLA were doing there -- what they were doing there during the time of the massacre, and what happened then subsequent to the massacre? They got there within -- RUBIN: Again, the point is we know the KLA is operating in Kosovo, and I hope it won't be a surprise to you or anyone else that they're operating in Kosovo. A war crime is a crime against civilians. The fact that the KLA may have assisted in the burial of civilian victims doesn't change the fact that it was a war crime. Q: Is this material going to the War Crimes Tribunal? RUBIN: Yes. Q: Do you know what happened? You have an eyewitness, somebody who's easily identified, because we know what he looks like -- the fellow who fell under three bodies -- giving an on-the-record, televised account of what happened. He went back to live in that village, with the Serb troops all around ready to cut his throat; is that what you're telling us? RUBIN: I don't understand your question. Q: All right. You refer to these people as refugees. RUBIN: Sometimes I meant civilians, if I said refugees. It's hard to say civilians every time when you're talking about refugee accounts of this massacre from the women and the children who - men were taken from them on the road, gave accounts of this massacre and thus led us to link it to our overhead imagery, and now link it further with the videotape. Q: I understand, but refugees is used for people who are on their way out of town -- RUBIN: In Macedonia and Albania. Q: And people who were just -- if it's not bad enough, but who have lost their homes. RUBIN: Right. Q: What I'm driving at is whether that eyewitness and other people that you consider credible eyewitnesses remained in the area, exposed to retaliation? RUBIN: Well, I think everyone in Kosovo is exposed to Serb retaliation. The whole place has been exposed to Serb retaliation. Where that gentleman is, I do not know; I will try to check for you. Q: And Roy's point, I would put it a different way possibly. Nobody, I don't suppose, I don't imagine anybody's suggesting that any war crime is justifiable. It has been known in the Holocaust, for instance, that civilians are massacred as a response, in retribution, unjustified, of course, for some other action taken against the people -- RUBIN: Right, let me answer that question. Q: So if the KLA conducted a little campaign and killed a few Serb soldiers and then the Serbs went out and massacred a lot of old people, that would be dreadful; but it would be different if, sui sponte, they came in and killed a bunch of old people. RUBIN: Not to the War Crimes Tribunal it wouldn't be different. Q: I know it's still a war crime, but do you know the circumstances? RUBIN: Again, the way I would answer that question is to say a war crime is a war crime. There is no justification for a war crime. The KLA has been operating in Kosovo in response to the repression that President Milosevic committed against the people of Kosovo for the last ten years. They agreed to a peaceful solution. They made a decision to choose peace. President Milosevic rejected peace and mounted a massive offensive to eradicate the KLA. The KLA has been harmed in the course of that offensive by the tens of thousands of Serb troops who are operating throughout Kosovo. As a result of that, they were scattered; they lost equipment; and they probably had significant losses. On the other hand, the massive killing of civilians, deportations of women and children from Kosovo created new recruits for the KLA. The KLA continues to operate in Kosovo and engage in hit-and-run operations. There's no secret about that. But regardless of that and regardless of whether it took place in this area or in some other place in Kosovo, it is a war crime. Q: Can you tell us who it was that saw the link in the first place between this footage and the overhead imagery, and when exactly that -- RUBIN: Well, maybe after the formal briefing is over, we'll be in a position to provide you a little bit more information. But we received a videotape from the Kosovar Albanians, and we sent it to our experts. Our experts examined it and compared it to information they had, and we were able to put this tape together. Who exactly our experts are is -- clearly, they're government experts; they work for the U.S. Government. I wouldn't be able to be more specific than that. Q: I don't want their names, but what part -- RUBIN: I wouldn't be able to be more specific than that. Q: Well, they don't work for the IRS, do they? RUBIN: You're right about that. Q: Then can you tell us when exactly whoever it was -- RUBIN: In the last few days. Q: Yes, but it would be nice to be able to say, look, we got the tape on Monday and on Tuesday one of our ace workers at some agency said, hey, there's a link here and we -- RUBIN: It took about a day. Most of that time was devoted to carefully studying Dr. Losci's videotape scene by scene to make sure we could relate it to what we already knew from imagery and other sources. Putting together this presentation took another day or so. So it was at the beginning of this week the tape was examined by our experts; it took about a day for them to conclude that it could be correlated to the overhead imagery; and then it took about a day or so to match the videotape with the overheard imagery in the tape you just saw. Q: What day was it that you actually got the tape? RUBIN: I think the work began on Monday, really, in earnest. The tape found its way to Washington before that, but the work began in earnest on Monday. Q: We have what we need, I think, paraphrasing you, to provide a compelling case. RUBIN: Right. Q: Is that a political statement or a legal statement, in terms of war crimes? RUBIN: Well, the question was about whether they would remove the bodies or their disturbing the earth. It is our lawyers' judgment that the fact that one has a videotape, refugee accounts and the overhead imagery provides a compelling case, ultimately that test will have to be met by the War Crimes Tribunal itself. Q: Can you tell us a little more how that would work, then? Who would they have a case against? I mean, if you can't go in and see exactly who did it, is it Milosevic? Who -- RUBIN: Again, if you followed the previous cases in Bosnia, what you'll see is that it starts with a process where one refugee identifies - or a victim or civilian, to help Barry's question there - identifies who they think did it. Then the investigators do interviews and use other information that might be available to try to isolate the unit. Then over time, one is maybe able to isolate the leader of the unit. Then when one is able to investigate and move closer, one may be able to get to the individuals themselves who might have committed the atrocity. The point I was making is that the videotape plus the overhead imagery plus the refugee and eye witness accounts limit the damaging effect of any Serb attempt to disturb the earth and hide the evidence that are in these mass graves. That's the only point I was making. Q: I'd like to ask you two questions. First, to follow-up Barry's, is there any witness protection program? It seems to me a little bit disturbing if the person who witnessed a massacre, is still in Kosovo. And secondly, obviously this is a message to Belgrade; but according to the situation in Bosnia, is it fair to say that having Mladic and Karadzic at large, after Srbrenica and after everything what happened in Bosnia, that Belgrade is not going to get -- the perpetrators are not going to get the right message? RUBIN: On the first question, arrangements can be made for dealing with witnesses. I wouldn't be in a position to detail those arrangements; those would be done by the War Crimes Tribunal or others. With respect to the second question, this is a subject that has been addressed before in this briefing room and my answer is the same as before; and that is there are a number of people who were indicted - roughly half of those indicted -- who have either voluntarily surrendered under pressure from the West or have been captured. So the fact that some did not yet face justice in The Hague should not mask the fact that many have. The fact also is that there is no statute of limitations on war crimes, and that Karadzic and Mladic will have their day, and people in Belgrade, as we know from their effort to hide the evidence and their concentrated effort to hide evidence, are concerned about this and that's why they go to some considerable lengths to hide the evidence. Would it have been better if Mladic and Karadzic had faced justice? I think that's a question for historians to debate. The fact is that many have faced justice; there are many in prison; there are many in the dock; and there are many indictees who were submitted to the justice of The Hague. Q: Just one other question. At the top you said your decision not to show some of the very graphic images -- you decided they were too graphic -- but don't you think that by showing them it presents more evidence of what -- RUBIN: Well, we're going to make that videotape available. We'll have some copies for you, and news organizations can make that judgment for themselves. We thought our job here was to make the case as compellingly as we could of why our overhead imagery about this place matched directly the videotape that was shown, of which I only showed some selected excerpts. The full videotape has been released by the group at the Foreign Press Center, and we do have some copies. All of you can make that judgment for yourselves. We thought that the right role for the United States here was to make clear that when the Serbs tell all of you that this is a fabrication, that this is a lie, that they are lying. I hope that any fair-minded person, having seen this videotape, and having an opportunity to look at some of the stills when we're done, will know that the Serbs have lied to the world about what happened in Izbica. Q: Can I have one more try? Would you not want to, for the sake of just making this comprehensible, give the context in which this massacre occurred? I mean, what kind of operations were going on in the area at that time; who was involved; things that you know? Because I'm sure you can reconstruct a lot of that from your own data. RUBIN: Well, when we have more information to provide on this, I will be happy to provide it to you. This information comes very quickly. I was just asked how quickly we got it. We did move very fast to try to create this videotape and make it available to you. And as additional information about Izbica becomes available, we will provide it. Q: Thank you. (end transcript) ************************************************************* --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Sun May 23 09:26:25 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Sun, 23 May 1999 09:26:25 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] INFO: kosovapress on May 22, 1999 (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- _____________________________________________________________________ News at 21:30 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_8.htm - KLA actions cause many Serb Casualties - New evidence of Serb crimes in Suhareka - The abduction of Shk?lqim Selimi Deportees have been forced back on the road - NATO`s response to its attacks on the KLA base at Koshara and the Istog prison - Four Serb Superior Officers killed inDyz KLA actions cause many Serb Casualties Vushtrri, May 22 (Kosovapress) Midday yesterday, after a NATO attack on Serb positions in Samadrexh?, a unit of the 141st "Meh? Uka," Brigade attacked the Serb troops and killed six and injured many others. On this occasion, KLA forces also destroyed a tank and Praga while capturing a large amount of ammunition. Today, since 14:00, the unit of the 142nd Brigade has confronted Serb forces at a training center in Frash?r t? Vog?l and killed seven. The unit of the same brigade, around 15:00 at the exit of the village facing Prishtina, destroyed a jeep killing all its passengers. In revenge, Serb troops gathered a large number of male civilians from the village of Vushtrris? holding them in the sports hall. Their fate is unknown. Today, NATO airplanes attacked some military and police bases which were set along the front line, Vaganic?-Pir?-Pantin?, inflicting heavy damage. New evidence of Serb crimes in Suhareka Suharek?, May 22, (Kosovapress) Ahmet Lugaxhiu, from Vraniqi i Suhareka, declared that on May 13, 1999 Serb police massacred 35 inhabitants in the surrounding hills of the villages Vraniq and Ma?itev?. He himself saw the body of Ramadan Du?it (35), from Vraniqi, whose eyes were removed by Serb soldiers while he was alive and had salt poured into the wounds. Shefkije Bajraktari (55), from Budakova, stated that on the 11th of May, after Serb police officers had separated Mursel Bu?ajn (60) from his family, put him in a pile of hay and set him on fire. His family was forced to watch as he burnt to death. Shefkije Bajraktari also witnessed on May 11, the Serb police enter the house of Rexh? Kokollarit (55) in Budakov? and proceeded to set his home on fire with him tied to the stove inside. Serb police also captured in Vraniq, Ymer and Zylfije Palushin from Budakova and poured burning oil on their bodies while the father of two children, Zejnullah Kokollarin, was shot in his backyard, again in the presence of his family. Ganimete Tershana (28), from Re?ani i Suhareka, stated that on April 22, her father in law Muhametin (60) as well her brother in law, Afrimin (27), were murdered by Serb police while working in their yard. Bajrush Bajrami (68), from Duhla e Suhareka stated that at Rek? t? Keqe, on May 13 in the afternoon, Serb police executed around 30 civilians, many of whom were elders, sick and paralyzed. The abduction of Shk?lqim Selimi Lipjan, May 22 (Kosovapress) Yesterday, in the village of Banull? located in the municipality of Lipjan, around 70 Serb police officers, led by among others: Momcillovic, ?ernovic, Toshic, the know boxer Igic, Ceka and others had surrounded the house of Shk?lqim Selimit (17). These known criminals, after stealing anything of value, burnt two cars, maltreated the other members of the Selimi family and their neighbors, and then took Shk?lqim to an unknown destination. Deportees have been forced back on the road Prishtin?, May 22, (Kosovapress) Yesterday some inhabitants of Prishtina, Mramor and Grashtic?, were placed on a train for Macedonia but were turned back by Serb police at Ferizaj. According to witnesses, these people have taken refuge in several villages around Lipjan, such as Gllogoc and Banull?. NATO`s response to its attacks on the KLA base at Koshara and the Istog prison Brussels, May 22 (Kosovapress) Officials of NATO have given some explanations today about the attacks on the Dubrava prison located near Istog and the KLA base in Koshara. According to the military spokesman of the alliance, Colonel Conrad Freytag, NATO airplanes had attacked military bases surrounding the prison, where Serb troops were stationed as well as a variety of military vehicles, suggesting it was a legitimate military target. Spokesman Freytag, did not know why Serb authorities showed dead bodies inside the prison`s compound since that was not the target. Concerning the attack on the KLA base in Koshara which has been in the hands of the KLA for a month, Jamie Shea, NATO spokesman, said it was a legitimate target and NATO was not aware that the KLA had captured the site. "If we had known that this position was under the control of the KLA, we would have taken it off our target list," said Mr. Shea, who used the word "Kosani" for the mentioned target. Four Serb Superior Officers killed in Dyz Podjev?, May 22 (Kosovapress) Yesterday around 3:30, a unit of the Vth Battalion Guard of the Llap operational Zone conducted an operation at the village of Dyz, attacking a military vehicle driven by four high-ranking officers of the Serb army. All four were killed and the vehicle was completely destroyed. Another unit of the same Battalion, at around 01:00 after midnight, attacked a convoy traveling on the Batllav?-Orllan road destroying a number of vehicles and killing scores of Serb soldiers. Midday today, in the village of Ballaban, KLA forces confronted Serb units which were in the process of looting Kosovar homes. As a result of this battle, two Serb soldiers were killed and a number were injured. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 19:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_7.htm - 2,670 Kosovars deported at Morina yesterday - Fighting in the hills of Junik Another operation near Istog 2,670 Kosovars deported at Morina yesterday Prizren, May 22, (Kosovapress) Yesterday around 19:00 at the Albanian border post of Morina 2.670 inhabitants of Suhareka and its neighboring villages arrived. The list of villages include: Budakov?, Mohlan, Dellov?, Vraniq, Savrov?, Grai?ec, Papaz, Topill?, Devetak, Jezerc, Bukosh, Shirok?, and Duh?l. Many among them have been forced out of their homes in the past week and had taken refuge in a place called Reka e Topill?, in the mountains of Suhareka and Shtime. According to those crossing the border last night, there are between 10,000 and 15,000 civilians still seeking shelter in these areas. We have learned from these deportees that Serb forces have taken a number of these people, sending one group towards Shtime of Ferizaj, and another group to the factory "Damper" in Suhareka, where Serb troops are using them as human shields to prevent NATO air strikes. It has reported that a number of these captives have been placed in residences in Suhareka. This took place before May 21, when, at 10:00, they all were given 15 minutes to leave for the Albanian border. Many of these inhabitants had been given a document by Serb police which, in Serbian, stated they were required to report to Serb police upon being forced from their residence and to hand over this document to Serb police. (This is possibly used to legitimize the "transaction" between the former inhabitants and anyone, presumably Serb colonists, who will take their place. Serbs have learned their lesson from Bosnia and have prepared for the return of deportees). Among those interviewed at Mornia, the Serb forces were assisted by the collaborator, Agim Sopaj from Sopia of Suhareka. Fighting in the hills of Junik Junik, May 22, (Kosovapress) Last night KLA units confronted Serb forces in the hills surrounding Junik. The battle lasted throughout the night and has continued today. During the course of the fighting, thirteen Serb soldiers have been killed, including a high officer. There have not been confirmations on the extent of any material damages. According to our sources in the region, two fortified posts and a military vehicle were destroyed. KLA artillery units have coordinated with other ground units throughout the Rrafshit t? Dukagjini region last night and today. The battle is in progress. Another operation near Istog Istog, May 22, (Kosovapress) May 18, in Podi i Mavriqeve, near Staradran, in the municipality of Istog, a KLA unit of the 132nd "Adrian Krasniqi," Brigade undertook an attack on a Serb police unit and their vehicles. Six were killed four others were injured as a result. The two vehicles have been destroyed. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 19:15 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_6.htm - Serb Forces from Montenegro enter Kosova - A truck filled with Serb Troops Destroyed - Two Serb Paramilitary Soldiers Liquidated - Serbs plant decoys to trick NATO planes - Serbs use Albanian Flags to trick NATO Serb Forces from Montenegro enter Kosova Istog, May 22 (Kosovapress) In the last two days, a large number of forces have entered Kosova from bases in Montenegro. These forces are concentrated at several sites in the Banj?s s? Pej?s and Vrell?s s? Istog areas. This force in the afternoon began to shell the few remaining civilians in the area and KLA positions. Serb forces have reportedly burned all summer cabins used in peaceful times by locals visiting this mountainous area. KLA units are making all possible efforts to help these civilians. A truck filled with Serb Troops Destroyed Ka?anik, May 22, (Kosovapress) Reports from fighting that occurred well into last night state that dispersed Serb units, unable to penetrate KLA lines resorted to burning down the following villages: Runjev?, Krivanjev?, Stagov? and Lagj?n e Re of Ka?aniku. In defense of civilians, KLA troops from the 162nd "Agim Bajrami" brigade operating out of the Nerodima region, inflicted big loses on Serb troops and their equipment. The inhabitants of these villages have taken refuge in the mountains. In the village of Stagov? ten civilians were killed and three others injured. It has not yet been possible to identify the victims since Stagova had been a place of refuge for displaced people from throughout the region. It has been reported, however, that Ekrem Gudaqi and three of guests were abducted from his home in Stagov? during this attack. Two Serb Paramilitary Soldiers Liquidated Ferizaj, May 22, (Kosovapress) In the city of Ferizaj two Serb paramilitary soldiers were killed, including Ivica Miodrag Petrovic (29) from Aleksandrovc. They were in the process of looting Kosovar homes when then were killed. Elsewhere, Serb forces stationed along the road "Zenel Hajdini," executed Faik Gurin (60) along with two guests around 40 years of age as they looted his home. Serbs plant decoys to trick NATO planes Shtime, May 22 (Kosovapress) According to our sources, Serb troops have planted many decoys all along the Shtime-Lipjan road today. Among them are fake tanks, armored vehicles and cannons which are made from plastic. Serbs use Albanian Flags to trick NATO Suharek?, May 22, (Kosovapress) In the areas where Serb forces are concentrated in the villages of Budakov? and Papaz in Suhareka, Albanian flags have been raised to trick NATO air planes. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 17:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_5.htm - 37 Days of Valiant Resistance - The War as Reported from Llapusha 37 Days of Valiant Resistance Suharek?, May 22 (Kosovapress) The IInd Battalion of the 123rd brigade operating out of Pashtriku, resisted for 37 days the attacks of Serb forces in the village of Budakov? in the Suhareka region. In these clashes, more than fifty Serb police and military personnel were eliminated and three armored vehicles and one cannon was destroyed. This KLA unit has captured the weapons and ammunition of these defeated forces. During this battle, the following members of this valiant KLA unit have fallen in action: Besnik Mu?aj, Zaim Mu?aj, Azem Behluli, Bafti Shala, Selim Veselaj, Emrush Buzhala, Avdyl Beqiraj and Jemin Musliu. 22 other freedom fighters have been injured, three badly. The War as Reported from Llapusha Malishev?, May 22, (Kosovapress) Serb forces, with one Praga and other heavy weapons have been positioned at the top of Kiku, close to Gur?bardh, in the district of Malisheva. Until two days ago, there were reportedly 6 dead Kosovars spotted there. According to Adem Berisha, from Gurbardhi, who had seen from close range the six dead, he could identify Maliq Sopaj from Jan?isti, Jahir Mazreku from Malisheva and Mustaf? Krasniqi from Astrazubi. Two days ago, Serb troops took the bodies and it is not known what they did with them. In the zone under the control of the 122nd brigade which operates in the Pashtriku region, over the last two months, Serb forces have reportedly killed up to 145 innocent civilians. Among the victims were women, children and the old. More than 30 of the dead bodies were burnt by Serb forces in an attempt to destroy evidence of the massacre. From this area, there are 18 civilians who have survived, although they are gravely injured. >From the 122nd Brigade itself, 14 soldiers have died in their confrontation with Serb forces. In the mountains of Damaneku and Zatri?i, there are over 30,000 displaced villagers who are in hiding. These people are facing starvation and lack the basic necessities of life. The number of displaced persons is growing as internally displaced persons arrive from other war zones. >From this group, attacks by Serb forces have killed 150 and caused the disappearance of 150 more. In addition, more than 200 have died from exposure to the elements and a lack of basic supplies. Serb forces are reportedly positioned in Turjak? t? Vog?l, Lubizhd?, Mirush?, Malishev?, Dragobil, Astrazub, Llap?ev? and Drenoc t? Zatri?it On May 22, Serb forces attempted to enter with tanks, Praga, and armored personnel carriers the villages of Maxharre, Marali and Jan?ist. In the course of the battle which ensued, KLA units forced these Serb forces to retreat, causing damage to one Praga, and a number of casualties including three dead. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 16:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_4.htm - Majko, Tha?i and Qosja visit the Mullet Refugee Camp Majko, Tha?i and Qosja visit the Mullet Refugee Camp Tirane, May 22, (Kosovapress) The spokesperson for the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Kosova, informed this agency that Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko, The Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Kosova Hashim Tha?i and the prominent Kosovar academic, Rexhep Qosja visited today the refugee center of Mullet. They came to the camps to observe for themselves the conditions of the deportees. "We will do the impossible in order to improve the conditions of this camp. We believe that once Milosevic is forced to accept the five demands of NATO you will be able to return to your homes," Prime Minster Majko told the deportees. Prime Minister Hashim Tha?i said that "I came here to bring you the message that the day of your return is not far and your stay here is only temporary. In Kosova we are fighting at this moment to realize your return home. In this struggle, we are not alone. We have the support of Prime Minister Majko, his government and the international community." The inhabitants of the camp thanked Prime Minister Majko for the support of his government and the Albanian people. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 16:30 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_3.htm - Did NATO planes attack KLA troops during its most intensive day of bombing since the air campaign started? Did NATO planes attack KLA troops during its most intensive day of bombing since the air campaign started? Brussels, May 22, (Kosovapress) According to NATO officials, in the last 24 hours the largest number sorties to date took place. There were 684 sorties flown, in which 254 were attack sorties and 90 others used to counter the air defense systems of the Serb military. "We took full advantage of the good weather," said the spokesperson of the alliance, Jamie Shea. In Kosova NATO airplanes reports to have struck 33 pieces of artillery, twelve tanks and eleven assorted types of heavy weapons. Seven other military vehicles were also reported to be struck in the course of the last 24 hours. According to the spokesperson, NATO attacked a military and police complex in Istog which housed forces that took part in the ethnic cleansing in Kosova. The target which was hit in Istog, know as the Dubrava prison, according to Mr. Shea was a legitimate target. Serb sources stated 19 died from this latest attack. Other fixed targets attacked in Kosova were the police station at Gjakov? and two border posts. Electrical transformers in Belgrade, Veliki Crljeni, Bajina, Nish and Drmno were reportedly attacked along with the transformer that provided electricity to a factory in Bor and a steel factory in Smederev? was also hit. NATO also struck weapons depots in Sremski Karlovc, Sremska Mitrovca, Kraljev and Pozeg; bridges in Veliko Orasje and Banatski Dvor; the military barracks in Pirot and Prizren; and in Dobanovci, the Serb military`s command and control was targeted. In Ka?anik, Palist, Novi Sad, Mladenovac and Prepolac radio and television transmitters were destroyed while the oil storage sites in Prahovo and Smederev? were also attacked. According to NATO, all its airplanes returned safely to base. Concerning the issue of the bombing of the Koshara base, which has been under the control of KLA forces for the last few weeks, there are contradictory reports that it was NATO planes that attacked the base. NATO spokesmen declared they are investing whether or not the base had been, in fact, attacked by NATO planes. Seven KLA troops died in their sleep and more than 25 were injured in this attack. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 15:20 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_2.htm - Tha?i has invited Rugova to come to Tirana to unify Kosova`s political factions An Open Letter from the Prime Minster of Kosova to leader of the LDK, Ibrahim Rugov Tha?i has invited Rugova to come to Tirana to unify Kosova`s political factions An Open Letter from the Prime Minster of Kosova to leader of the LDK, Ibrahim Rugova Tiran?, May 21, (Kosovapress) On Friday, the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Kosova, in an open letter, has invited the leader of the Democratic League of Kosova, Ibrahim Rugova to visit Tirana and to meet all the political and military leaders of Kosova. The Minister of Information of the Provisional Government of Kosova has provided the complete text of Mr. Tha?i`s letter to Kosovapress: "Due to the difficult realities on the ground in Kosova, your party`s participation in the Provisional Government of Kosova is needed, as agreed upon in Rambouillet. I invite you to an urgent meeting in Tirana to finalize this agreement. It is now time to meet in face of the new realities created inside Kosova. The tragedy of the People of Kosova, the pain that the Serb occupation has inflicted upon us, the blood shed for freedom, and the Serb`s attempt to evict us from our sacred land demands that all political activists, cultural figures, intellectuals and professional from different fields contribute in our shared future." _______________________________________________________________________ News at 14:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/22_5_99_1.htm - Information concerning a Russian Officer killed on the Kosova-Albanian Border - Support for the Provisional Government of Kosova from Kazakstan - A delegation from the Provisional Government of Kosova met with members of the Albanian Caucus in the United States Congress Information concerning a Russian Officer killed on the Kosova-Albanian Border Moscow, May 22, (Kosovapress) The Russian news agency, ORTI, has identified, Vitalin Gregov, a Russian Officer who has died in the Junik region of the Kosova Albania border region, and reported: The killed Russian Captain who was serving the Yugoslav army had served in previous campaigns in Chechnia and Central Asia. ORIT adds that Gregov left the Russian Army in 1997 to join the Yugoslav army and was reportedly identified as a criminal and mentally ill by authorities in Russia. A few days earlier, the Russian newspaper, "Moskovskaja Vrjeme," reported that more than 12,000 Russian soldiers, include high ranking officers, all graduates of the Soviet military academy have gone to Serbia. The newspaper also mentioned the accompaniment of 2000 Russian women who would serve the various needs of the troops. In a televised interview provided by ORTI, a Russian Officer who has been in Belgrade since 1997 working with the Serb army, called for his former classmates at the Soviet military academy to join him in Yugoslavia. According to eyewitnesses inside Kosova, there are a number of these Russian officers already, many who are known to have served in earlier conflicts in Afghanistan, Chechnia, Croatia and Bosnia. Inhabitants of Kosova are afraid of these individuals for they have committed a number of crimes, including murder, rape, and the plunder of Kosovar homes. Reports suggest these Russian officers are paid between two and three thousand US dollars a month by the Serbian government to commit such crimes in Kosova. Support for the Provisional Government of Kosova from Kazakstan May 22, 1999 (Kosovapress) In communications with a number of personalities in Central Asia, in particular Kazakstan, Albanians living in the region report there is a great deal of support for the provisional government of Kosova and the just war being fought by the KLA and its leader, Hashim Thaci. It is added in a letter sent to our agency, that the citizens of the countries in Central Asia are praying for Kosova and its population and hope that they remain united around the cause of Kosova. A delegation from the Provisional Government of Kosova met with members of the Albanian Caucus in the United States Congress Washington DC, May 22, (Kosovapress) Representatives of the Provisional Government of Kosova based in the US, Dino Asanaj, its spokesperson Shinasi Rama, and legal council Martin Vulaj, met with their homologue of the Albanian Caucus in the US Congress, Democrat Eliot Engel, and others. In the name of the Provisional Government of Kosova, Mr. Asanaj requested assistance from the US Congress, including the arming of the KLA. "Arming the KLA will allow them to better assist the Kosovar people and defend them from Serb barbarism" said Asanaj. Asanaj also requested that the arm embargo be lifted and the continuation of NATO bombing in order to weaken the Serb army until they conform to the demands made by NATO. Representative Engel stated that the present situation requires the unity of all the political forces inside the Kosovar community. Mr. Asanaj informed the Congressman that the Provisional Government of Kosova, led by Prime Minister Tha?i, and Kosova Liberation Army will continue to play a unifying role for Kosovars. Asanaj added that Rugova himself signed the agreement in Rambouillet on the 23rd of February 1999, in which the political and military elements of Kosova would unite behind a coalition government which will serve as the provisional government until the conditions are created for a free and democratic Kosova. "The provisional government of Kosova is the only legitimate government of Kosova today." declared Asanaj. One of the newest members of the Albanian Caucus, Judy Biggert, who will soon visit the deportee camps in Albania and Macedonia, expressed her desire to meet with officials from the Provisional Government including Prime Minister Hashim Tha?i. Biggert supports the KLA`s war for freedom. Meanwhile, representative Dana Rohrabacher, one of the strongest voices in support of Albanian interests in the US Congress said: "The Albanian people of Kosova have the right to defend themselves. I will vote in favor of Albanians every time there appears a legislative proposal for the arming of the KLA." The leader of the Albanian delegation, Mr. Asanaj, informed Representative Engel and other members of Congress about the situation on the ground inside of Kosova and the recent KLA successes, the only force inside Kosova fighting against the Serbs. He noted, that despite their success, the struggle is imbalanced, and it is only after the KLA is provided with the sophisticated weapons they need, that they can expand the area of operation and better defend the Kosovar population on the ground. Members of Congress have been informed of the difficulties arising from the lack of food and medication which the internally displaced need. In addition, Mr. Asanaj informed his audience of the intolerable conditions in the camps of Albania and Macedonia. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Wed May 26 16:21:12 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Wed, 26 May 1999 16:21:12 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] U.N. Agency Reports on Rape, Abduction of Kosovo Refugees (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- UN AGENCY REPORTS ON RAPE, ABDUCTION OF KOSOVO REFUGEES By Judy Aita USIA United Nations Correspondent United Nations -- Kosovar women refugees have told alarming accounts of rape and abduction, according to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA). A report released May 26 by UNFPA said that "Gjakova, Pec, and Drenitza were often indicated as places where kidnapping and collective rapes took place. The women were individually raped by many men during a few hours but sometimes even for days. "It is primarily the young women who are rounded up in villages and small cities," the report said. "The soldiers take groups of 5 to 30 women to unknown places in trucks or they are locked up in houses where the soldiers live. Any resistance is met with threats of being burned alive." "Women who were released have lacerations on their chests, evidence of beating on their arms and legs," the report said. "Their backs also show signs of beatings and they were covered in dirt. Agonizing screams could be heard for many hours." The report, the first attempt by a UN organization to verify the accounts and nature of sexual violence among refugees, was prepared by Dominique Serrano, a psychologist who specializes in sexual violence and trauma counseling. She interviewed women refugees and health care workers in camps around Tirana and Kukes, Albania, during the first week of May 1999. The information comes from victims and direct witnesses. The women spoke on the condition of anonymity, came forward to talk with Serrano on their volition, and were not recommended or pre-selected by any humanitarian organization. While reports of sexual violence had been circulating for several months the significant upsurge in sexual violence seems to correspond to the first week NATO began bombing, Serrano said. "New women arriving from Kosovo indicate that the violence is increasing," Serrano said. "According to interviews, it seems that the phenomenon, and in particular the abduction of groups of women, is more and more prevalent." Serrano also fears for the women remaining in Kosovo. The daily evolution of the situation and the weight of the evidence collected from the interviews indicate that even though it existed to some extent already, "the politics of terror have proliferated in the last month based on a deep-seated racism," she said. Kosovar men who tried to interfere were killed on the spot, Serrano reported. One woman was beaten to death in front of the house where her daughters were being tortured. "Families are generally turned out of their homes by armed men and sometimes even by their Serbian neighbors. They often have only a few minutes to leave the premises and sometimes their homes are burned," Serrano said. One victim's husband said that he saw a building in Prizren where the first floor contained weapons, the second floor was for the soldiers and the third floor contained about 30 women. One of the women who was able to escape was shot down in the street, she said. In the city of Berlenitz a group of 30 young girls was forced to follow the soldiers into a house while the mothers waited outside, Serrano also said. "For two hours the mothers listened to the screams of the young victims who then came out one by one. Some were covered in blood, others were crying and their heads were hanging low." Describing other acts of torture, Serrano said that in Berlenitz young boys had their ears and noses cut off before their throats were slit; many pregnant women's stomachs were cut open and the fetus skewered. The torturers sharpened their knives in front of women and terrorized children. All the victims Serrano interviewed were raped or sexually violated in Kosovo, and none of the women interviewed were locked up for more than three days. Some of the kidnapped women who were taken to unknown places have not yet reappeared, according to their families and neighbors. Serrano said that the victims felt that rape was a "concrete manifestation" of the profound hate which the Serbians feel toward the Kosovars. "Judging from the insults and threats of the torturers, some victims were allowed to live so that they could tell other people about the determination of Serbian power, and thus eliminate any desire on the part of the refugees to return," she said. Some of the women described themselves as being forever "dead" to their families after the violation, which carries tremendous stigma in their society. Serrano discussed the difficulty in getting women to admit to rape let alone seek help for fear of social stigma. Many victims fear being divorced, excluded from their community or family, or fear that a husband will try to take revenge. She added that many women will never discuss what has happened and other cases will only be revealed when women begin giving birth. There were also many other women who did want to talk to Serrano about what happened but only under appropriate circumstances and on conditions, including no men or journalists present. Serrano also found reluctance among some medical personnel in the area to discuss incidents of rape and found other aid workers not trained to handle the situation. She told of one aid worker who used a loud speaker to invite women who had been raped to come forward and complete a questionnaire. While there are volunteers and UN personnel in the maternity hospitals and camps in Tirana who are sensitive to the problems of rape, "unfortunately the amount of work to be done, the number of refugees that need assistance and the lack of specifically trained personnel prevents many women from receiving support," Serrano said. In response to the report, UNFPA is providing counselling and psychological support training to health professionals to enable them to offer help to victims of sexual violence in Kosovo. In addition, local Albanian women's groups will receive counselling training. *** ************************************************************* For more information regarding the latest policy statements and other materials related to the Kosovo crisis, visit http://www.usia.gov/regional/eur/balkans/kosovo/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From mentor at alb-net.com Mon May 31 19:22:20 1999 From: mentor at alb-net.com (Mentor Cana) Date: Mon, 31 May 1999 19:22:20 -0400 (EDT) Subject: [kcc-news] INFO: kosovapress on May 30, 1999 (fwd) Message-ID: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- _____________________________________________________________________ News at 23:30 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/30_5_99_7.htm - Hashim Tha?i meets Robin Cook - Hashim Tha?i speaks with Albanian TV after seeing Cook - Concentration Camp is being masked as a Serb Army Base - Provisional Government Meets with US official in Vienna Hashim Tha?i meets Robin Cook London, May 30, (Kosovapress) Hashim Tha?i, Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Kosova met today in London with the British Foreign Minister, Robin Cook. This meeting was a continuation of diplomatic contacts by the Provisional Government of Kosova in seeking assistance in finding a political solution in Kosova. Tha?i discussed with Cook the realities on the ground in Kosova, about the conditions of the deportees, and about the conditions of the population in general. Mr. Cook promised that the people can expect aid from the air to be sent in the next few days. The two discussed the role of the international community, especially member nations in NATO, but including Russia in the search of a political solution. Tha?i, said in a press conference that he has been given a full guarantee from the international community that they are determined to expel all military and paramilitary troops from Kosova. Tha?i also said that Cook had promised that all the deportees from Kosova will return in the homes as soon as possible. Hashim Tha?i speaks with Albanian TV after seeing Cook Tiran?, May 30, (Kosovapress) After meeting with the British Foreign Minster, Robin Cook, the Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Kosova has conducted an interview with TVSH, Albanian Television. Today's discussion with the British Foreign Minister and one of the leaders of the Rambouillet conference, Robin Cook, was the continuous diplomatic contacts with the Provisionary Government of Kosova for finding a political solution to the crisis in Kosova. "I am pleased that the Albanian factor is being more respected in the actual political process for the resolution of the Kosova crisis. We discussed with Mr. Cook about the realities that have been created in Kosova, of the possibility to overcome the situation of the civilians inside Kosova, the possibility of sending humanitarian aid and the role of the international community." "Great Britain and the international community," said Tha?i, -"has played and are going to play an important role in finding a political solution in the Kosova crisis. I have taken Mr. Cook's full guarantee that the international community is determined that all Serb military and paramilitary forces should leave Kosova. He also guaranteed the achievement of a just peace and the freedom for my people in Kosova, for all refugees to return to Kosova. Cook also promised that NATO will go and intensify its campaign against Serb forces because as Mr. Cook said, with Milosevic, there will be no compromise on NATO's five demands." Tha?i ended by saying: "I will again be in Brussels to continue with my contacts with high-level military and diplomatic officials." Concentration Camp is being masked as a Serb Army Base Gllogoc, May 30, (Kosovapress) >From May 28th, in a calf farm in the village Kroikov? which has not functioned for many years, between 350 and 400 men between the ages of 15 and 60 are being held. They were abducted by Serb forces on May 28 from the villages of Qikatov? e Re and Shtrubullov?. At the same time, Serb forces have brought 70 other Kosovars who were captured on May 6th and were being held up until now at the elementary school in Kroikova. It must be stressed that all around the building in which the hostages are being kept, Serb forces have placed wooden and plastic decoys to attract NATO attacks on the site and then to accuse NATO of killing Kosovar civilians allowing them to protect the real weapons which are hidden not far away. In the village of Zabel i Posht?m, near the quarter inhabited by civilians, the only area which is still inhabited in this village, once again, fake tanks and AAA guns and other "weapons" have been placed, where as only 600-700 meters away there is a veritable arsenal of heavy, authentic weapons are hidden. Once again, the intention is to have Kosovar civilians killed by NATO bombs, much as happened in Korisha earlier in May. There are other decoys in other inhabited villages, such as Lipjan. Provisional Government Meets with US official in Vienna Vienna, May 30, (Kosovapress) With the request of the American Director of the State Department's office of Southeastern Europe, Mr. Rossin, a meeting was held in Austria with the Provisional Government representative in Vienna, Mr. Ki?mari. Mr. Rossin in this meeting was interested about the condition of the Kosovar refugees, about the work of the representative of the Provisional Government in Austria and about the condition of the Kosova Liberation Army. In the meantime, the diplomatic representative of Kosova spoke of the conditions of the refugees in Austria, about the conditions inside Kosova and the objectives of his office in Vienna, its cooperation with NATO, as well as the positions of the Provisional Government of Kosova on issues that have to do with the conditions created in Kosova. Mr. Rossin on this occasion stressed that "NATO has no intention of giving up on its demands, therefore, without the withdrawal of all Serb forces from Kosova and the introduction of some 40,000 international forces under the command of NATO, bombing will not stop. Mr. Rossin also said "I have spoken with Mr. Jakup Krasniqi and the academic Rexhep Qosja on the idea of a national security council telling them that it was a good idea," according to Mr. Rossin but, he stress, this must still be implemented. Mr. Rossin expressed his wish to meet with the Prime Minister of Kosova Hashim Tha?i. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 19:07 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/30_5_99_6.htm - Citizens Eager to Return their Homes fall into Serb Trap - Fighting Continues in all of Junik - Serbs Shell Drenoc and Llapush - NATO sends 68 more planes to bases in Hungary and Turkey Citizens Eager to Return their Homes fall into Serb Trap Komoran, May 30, (Kosovapress) Taken from unconfirmed rumors that Serb troops have left their village, some villagers tried to return to their homes, falling into a Serb ambush. Muhamet Murtez Plaki?i (aged 39) from Nekoc, was gravely wounded while the rest have been able to escape unharmed. It is for this that the KLA pleads with the civilian population to not fall into traps set up by Serb forces who may be setting up those anxious to return to their homes. If citizens wish to return to their villages they should confirm with near by KLA units who can make sure the area is safe. Fighting Continues in all of Junik Junik, May 30, (Kosovapress) Information coming from the 138th "Agim Ramadani" Brigade, has reported that fighting between KLA units and Serb troops have continued throughout last night as well today in the morning. Serb forces have shelled KLA units with tanks hidden in the village of Batush?. They have fortified their positions in the village and have taken precautions against detection by NATO planes. Yesterday a reconnaissance unit of the KLA have killed Serb soldiers and injured one more. Today, since the morning, KLA artillery units have begun operations. Fighting has continued in all districts of Junik. Serbs Shell Drenoc and Llapush Malishev?, May 30, (Kosovapress) Serb forces, from positions in the village of Verimca have shelled the districts of Shurdhan?ve and Tupan?ve of Drenoc in Malisheva. Tanks and mortars of different calibre were used. From these attacks, the village's primary school and the mosque was heavily damaged; no one was reportedly injured. In the village of Verimc?, in the municipality of Malisheva, Serb forces have positioned themselves close to the Kastrati district. There can be found 7 tanks, 1 mobile AAA vehicle (Praga), bazookas, mortars of various calibre, trucks and other military vehicles. This is a site where a number of ground troops are positioned in a mountain position near the district as well as in houses of the district. NATO sends 68 more planes to bases in Hungary and Turkey Brussels, May 30, (Kosovapress) At NATO headquarters today, they reported that attacks on Serb positions will intensify. For this reason, in the following days, 68 more American attack air craft will be sent to the region. They include 36 F-15, 12 F-16 and 20 KC-135. This brings the number of NATO air craft involved in the air strikes against Serb positions to 1089, 769 of which come from the United States of America and 320 coming from European countries of NATO. All new air craft will be stationed in Hungary and Turkey and they will soon begin operating from military bases in these countries. "It is important that we have a 360 degree strategy, that is to say that Milosevic will feel the pressure from all sides." declared a NATO spokesman. According to a spokesperson of NATO, another package of NATO's planes will be transferred from Italy to Hungary and Turkey in order to relieve the pressure on Italy from where most of the planes are departing for missions against Serb targets. In other news, during the last 24 hours, NATO has conducted 697 sorties, 309 of which were strikes and 85 air defence repression. NATO has reported also that 18 anti-air missals were fired at their. "These rockets, after they miss their targets fall back to earth hitting other parts of the country and causing damage," said Major General Walter Jertz, military spokesman for NATO. In his words, during the last hours there has been heavy fighting between KLA and Serb forces especially in the Pashtriku and Junik regions. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 18:20 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/30_5_99_5.htm - Civilians targeted in fighting near Vushtrri - Civilians are ambushed by Serb troops as they search for food - Fighting in area between Gjakova and Peja - KLA push Serb Forces out of important post - Serb Forces have attempted to Seize Vranoc - Luan Qerimaj Died for Kosova - Out of fear of NATO bombs, Serbs dismantle TV transmitter Civilians targeted in fighting near Vushtrri Vushtrri, May 30, (Kosovapress) Fighting has continued to intensify along the Vaganic?-Pir?-Pantin? front. Serb forces have heavily shelled the villages of Oshlan, Okrashtic?, Pantin?, Pir? and Gurbardh?. Nine civilians have been injured, among whom were 4 women, in this barrage of fire. Brahim Brahimi (aged 50), from Okrashtica, and a 20 year old women whose name we could not confirm are the two civilians who have died from the shelling. Civilians are ambushed by Serb troops as they search for food Gllogoc, May 30, (Kosovapress) Last night around 21:30 in Shtrubullov? four young Kosovars were injured in the process of finding food for their families who are trapped in the village. Those who were injured, Aru? Qallapeku, from Baica, G?zim Cakiqi, from Verboci, Xhevdet Hajdaraj, from Tersteniku and Bashkim Halilaj, from T?rdeci, all from Gllogoc were attacked as they searched the neighbouring area for any sources of food. Fighting in area between Gjakova and Peja De?an, May 30 (Kosovapress) Today there have been reports of continuous fighting in the regions of Dushkaja, De?an and Peja, along the Albanian border where the 138th "Agim Ramadani" Brigade is operating as is the 133rd "Adrian Krasniqi" Brigade in the Istog region. KLA push Serb Forces out of important post Lumbardh, May 30, (Kosovapress) Yesterday in the afternoon, KLA units of the 131st "Jusuf G?rvalla" and 132nd "Myrt? Zeneli" Brigades have penetrated Serb defensive positions and captured Lumbardh village. They captured considerable amounts of ammunition, some bazookas, uniforms and other military equipment which were abandoned by Serbs making a hasty retreat. Upon capturing the village KLA units discovered the newly buried bodies of Islam Lekajt (aged 65), Ismet and Shaban Lekajt (aged 90), twins, from Lumbardhi, as well as Ismail Sadik Berisha from Prapa?ani. Villagers said they were killed by Serb forces on May 27. Serb Forces have attempted to Seize Vranoc Baran, May 30, (Kosovapress) Yesterday in the evening around 6:00 Serb forces stationed at the Baran Factory have begun to shell the village of Vranoc at the same time enter it on foot. Heavy fighting has taken place between these Serb units and the 132nd "Myrt? Zeneli" and "Agim Zeneli" Brigades who came to defend the village. In the battle two Serb police officers were killed. Luan Qerimaj Died for Kosova Gllogjan, May 30, (Kosovapress) After a chain of successful operations inside enemy-held territory, in the night of May 26th, while conducting an action close to Shaptej, Luan Isuf Qerimaj, from Glogjan and unit commander in the 131st "Jusuf G?rvalla" Brigade operating in Dukagjin, died in action. Luan, for a long time has distinguished himself on the battlefield, bringing fear to Serbs who faced him. On the night of May 26, in Lajthisht?, Bislim Alijaj, from Dujaka, Rexhep ?aka a medic from Bec, and Haki Ali Krasniqi, from Vranoc also died in action. Out of fear of NATO bombs, Serbs dismantle TV transmitter Hani i Elezit, May 30, (Kosovapress) Yesterday afternoon, Serb forces dismantled a TV transmitter of Television Prishtina in the "Maja e Shullanit" district of Hanit t? Elezit where Serb soldiers are stationed. This is a result of the fear that NATO planes may bomb the site as a target to cut TV transmissions since other similar sites have been attacked in the past. It is unknown to where the transmitter has been moved. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 15:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/30_5_99_4.htm - News Briefs - Another Russian Officer is Killed in Action - An appeal from the Commander of the 125th News Briefs Washington: American Secretary of Defence William Cohen, declared that NATO will not halt air strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia until its president, Slobodan Milosevic will, at least orally, accept the demands of Western Countries, respectively to order the retreat of Serb forces from Kosova and permit the entry of an International Force which would encourage the expelled Kosovars to return to their homes. Toulouse: Joschka Fischer and Hubert Vedrine, the diplomatic chiefs of Germany and France talked over the phone with US Secretary of State Madeline Albright about the situation in Kosova, France Press quoting French Diplomatic sources in Toulouse. Warsaw: In Warsaw, under the shadow of the war in Kosova a spring meeting between 19 member states of the North Atlantic assembly will be held. Brussels: In tomorrow's meeting in the halls of government of the European Community, MPs will discuss the preparation of the European Senate that will be held in K?ln, on June 3 and 4 and will deal with agreements with Balkan countries. Another Russian Officer is Killed in Action Prizren, May 30, (Kosovapress) The 125th Brigade of the Kosova Liberation Army, under the command of Basha, has in the last few days persecuted a number of successful operations in and around the suburbs of Prizren. These operations have been taken against Serb military, police and paramilitary forces stationed in the area, resulting in 37 killed Serb soldiers, among them a Russian Officer who was serving as a mercenary in Kosova. In the same area, the dramatic shortage of food are threatening thousands of civilians who are under the protection of this brigade. An appeal from the Commander of the 125th Prizren, May 30, (Kosovapress) The commander of the 125th Brigade appeals to the youth of Prizren and all Kosovars not to waste time but as quickly as they can respond to the call for service from the General Staff of the KLA. Otherwise, all those that are idle in Albania and Macedonia and do not return to fight for their country, will be responsible in the eyes of future generations for the deaths of those still inside Kosova. They must not forget that in their homes today Serb mass murders, rapists and pathological liars are desecrating their memories, the graves of their descendants and the cradle of the nation's future. The members of the Brigade pledge that soon they will march to the center of Prizren, "it is now or never" declared the commander of the 125th Brigade, Commander Basha. _______________________________________________________________________ News at 14:50 http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/30_5_99_3.htm - Another Concentration Camp in Kosova - Ferizaj a nearly empty city, is under siege - Telegram: Eulogy for the Martyr Ilaz Kodra Another Concentration Camp in Kosova Ferizaj, May (Kosovapress) At the fast-food restaurant called "Pranvera," located close to the small mosque and in front of the Electrical management building of Ferizaj is another concentration camp in which Kosovar civilians are being tortured and murdered. We have learned of the conditions inside this camp from depositions, both in writing and in interviews, from more than 200 former inmates. It is determined that this camp has been open for more than two months and that more than 3 thousand civilians from Ferizaj, Ka?anik, Shtime and Shterpc? have been brought to the camp, including many women, children and the elderly. According to witnesses, a large number of Kosovars that entered the camp have been murdered; nobody knows how they died or who were they. The camp is directed by men from the security apparatus of the Milosevic state who have been know for years for their brutality. Nebojsha Gjorgjevic, Dragan Jashovic, Serbolub Vujovic, and Radovan Klaric have been identified over and over again by our witnesses as the ones directing the torture, humiliation and murder of innocent Kosovar civilians. Ferizaj a nearly empty city, is under siege Ferizaj, May 30, (Kosovapress) Ferizaj and its suburbs has been turned into a ghost town and is surrounded by Serb military, paramilitary and police forces. Throughout the streets of the city moves only the men in uniform and dogs, sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between them. On one street, Zenel Hajdini, a Serb military zone has been established. Tanks and other artillery pieces along with military personnel using them as barracks have been positioned in many homes of both sides of the street. Serb forces are also stationed in the building of BANKOSS, in the Institution of Social Security, in the private clinic "Uroplastika," close to the railway tracks, and the private clinic "Pleura" of Dr. Shyqeri Hysen that is across the street from of the Albanian graveyard to the left of the Ferizaj-Gjilan road. Meanwhile, in the cellar of the Hotel Lyboteni located in the center of the city, Serb soldiers have been sleeping to avoid NATO air strikes. Serb army units are also using houses in the Llojza quarter, close to the school Lloshkobare to the right of the Ferizaj-Shtime road. Kosova Liberation Army General Staff Nr G8/94 on 30.05.1999 Telegram: Eulogy for the Martyr Ilaz Kodra Dear fellow countrymen, participants of this Commemorative Ceremony for the fighter of freedom, Martyr, Ilaz Kodra! A month has passed since Illaz has left us and as every days passes, in our mourning we know more and more how much we need him. We are dedicating this telegram to you, using this moment to express our condolences to his family and to those close to him for the loss of their precious son and our brave comrade-in-arms; his loss is difficult to replace in the units of the Kosova Liberation Army. As much as it is to be proud, it is painful to acknowledge that he is now among martyrs, but it is our obligation to remember them, for their blood which they shed on and for the land of Kosova. Brothers and sisters, we, at the General Staff of the Kosova Liberation Army bow before the heroic deeds of Ilaz Kodra. He is not dead, but remains in the minds and hearts of his fellow countrymen. He is an inspiring example for all of us and for future generations. We, his comrade-in-arms, swear that we will fight until the end in order to realize the dream of Ilaz Kodra, a free Kosova. His name and his deeds will be eternal. Chief of General Staff Agim ?eku --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From kosova at justiceforall.org Sun May 23 00:37:21 1999 From: kosova at justiceforall.org (Kosova Task Force, USA) Date: Sat, 22 May 1999 22:37:21 -0600 Subject: [kcc-news] MORE EMPTY PROMISES WHILE GENOCIDE CONTINUES Message-ID: <199906040332.UAA14986@newshub1-work.home.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Task Force,USA Action Alert-6/3/99 WE'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN WE SEE IT! News today from Belgrade indicates that Milosevic and the Serb Parliament have tentatively agreed to most of NATO?s demands, but an actual troop withdrawal has yet to be seen. Although a resolution of the conflict is in everyone?s interest, we must not let the rights of the Kosovars, and the long overdue need for justice be compromised. Serbian Americans and sympathizers are taking advantage of today?s announcement to push for an immediate stop to the bombing, especially with reports of heavy Serb military casualties. This must be balanced by pressure on the White House to bring the wily Milosevic to justice, who is well known for making and breaking deals. Milosevic has reneged on multiple ?agreements? in the past . He even continues to violate key demands of the Dayton Accords resulting in more than a million Bosnian refugees being unable to return to their homes. To trust the Serb government on their ?word? is an insult to the millions who have suffered at their hands. TALKING POINTS -the Serb proposal does not include the recognition of Kosova?s independence, which is the only long term solution to ensure Kosovar dignity and security. -the proposal leaves Milosevic in power, which is completely unacceptable as he is an indicted war criminal who must face trial. -the proposal indicates that Serb military must be stationed on the Kosova border and that Serb police must monitor Serb holy sites in Kosova. These same police who have been instrumental in carrying out atrocities against civilians cannot be allowed to remain in Kosova under any circumstances. -Milosevic has promised to withdraw his troops in the past.-removing some only to send additional forces shortly thereafter. ACTION REQUESTED Contact the President, Secretary of State, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and demand the following: 1) independence for Kosova is the only long term solution 2) Milosevic must not be dealt with directly in any negotiations as an indicted war criminal 3) air strikes should continue until Serb troops are withdrawn fully President Bill Clinton ph: 202-456-1111 e-mail: president at whitehouse.gov Secretary of State Madeleine Albright ph:202-647-6575 e-mail: secretary at state.gov Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Jesse Helms ph: 202-224-4651 e-mail: jesse_helms at helms.senate.gov ==================================== Kosova Task Force, USA 730 W. Lake St., Suite 156 Chicago, IL 60661, USA Phone: 312-829-0087 Fax: 312-829-0089 Email: Kosova at justiceforall.org Internet: http://www.justiceforall.org ==================================== The following organizations constitute the Kosova Task Force, USA: Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, American Muslim Council, Balkan Muslim Association, Council of Islamic Organizations of Chicago, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Council of New England, Islamic Medical Association, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Majlis Shura New York, The Ministry of Imam W.D. Muhammad, Muslim Students Association of US and Canada, The National Community. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS From kosova at justiceforall.org Tue May 25 17:28:53 1999 From: kosova at justiceforall.org (Kosova Task Force, USA) Date: Tue, 25 May 1999 15:28:53 -0600 Subject: [kcc-news] KosovaTaskForce:Official Response to "Peace Plan" Message-ID: <199906062024.NAA17909@newshub1-work.home.com> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ! READ & DISTRIBUTE FURTHER ! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosova Crisis Center (KCC) News Network: http://www.alb-net.com --------------------------------------------------------------------- Kosovapress http://www.kosovapress.com/ Kosova Information Center http://www.kosova.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- -------> Want to HELP the people of Kosova?? <-------- http://www.alb-net.com/kosovahelp/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- KOSOVA TASK FORCE, USA OFFICIAL STATEMENT REGARDING "PEACE PLAN" 6/6/99 AMERICAN MUSLIMS REACT TO POSSIBILITY OF PEACE IN KOSOVA Muslim coalition says any peace settlement must be based on justice for Kosovars (WASHINGTON, DC, 6/4/99) - The Kosova Task Force USA,issued the following statement on 6/4/99. "American Muslims, along with all people of conscience, wish to see an end to the genocide in Kosova. But any peace settlement must be based on justice for the almost two million Kosovars who are the victims of mass expulsions, massacres and systematic rape by Serbian forces. "Few Kosovar refugees will feel safe returning to their homes unless: 1. All Serbian military and police forces are withdrawn from Kosova, 2. Minefields and booby-traps set by Serbian forces are removed, 3. The right of Kosovars to 'keep and bear arms' for self-defense is affirmed, 4. The Kosovar people have the right to freely choose their own form of government, 5. International aid organizations support the returning Kosovars in their efforts to rebuild home and businesses destroyed during the Serbian terror campaign, 6. An effective and temporary international peacekeeping force guarantees Serbian compliance with the settlement. 7. Slobodan Milosevic and his top commanders are apprehended and tried as war criminals. He and his followers have committed crimes against humanity in Croatia, Bosnia and now Kosova. These atrocities cannot go unpunished. "All these items must be seen as steps toward eventual independence for all of Kosova. (Any attempt to create a de facto partition must be rejected.) The Serbs, through their own actions, have forfeited any claim to rule the Kosovar people." KOSOVA TASK FORCE, USA 730 W. Lake St., Suite 156 Chicago, IL 60661, USA, TEL: 312-829-0087 FAX: 312-829-0089 Washington, DC, TEL: 202-393-6210 E-MAIL: Kosova at justiceforall.org URL: http://www.justiceforall.org *Kosova Task Force,USA members include: Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, American Muslim Council (AMC), Balkan Muslim Association, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), Council of Islamic Organizations of Chicago, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan, Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Islamic Council of New England, Islamic Medical Association, Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Majlis Shura New York, The Ministry of Imam W.D. Muhammad, Muslim Students Association of US and Canada, and The National Community. --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe from this list send a message to majordomo at alb-net.com In the body of the message include: UNSUBSCRIBE KCC-NEWS