[kcc-news] INFO: kosovapress on May 22, 1999 (fwd)

[Mentor Cana]

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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 Shkëlqim 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 Samadrexhë, a
unit of the 141st "Mehë 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 Frashër të Vogël 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 Vushtrrisë 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, Vaganicë-Pirç-Pantinë, inflicting heavy
damage.

New evidence of Serb crimes in Suhareka

Suharekë, 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 Maçitevë. He himself saw the body of Ramadan Duçit
(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 Buçajn (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 Rexhë Kokollarit (55) in
Budakovë 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 Reçani 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 Rekë të Keqe,
on May 13 in the afternoon, Serb police executed around 30 civilians,
many of whom were elders, sick and paralyzed.

The abduction of Shkëlqim Selimi

Lipjan, May 22 (Kosovapress)
Yesterday, in the village of Banullë located in the municipality of
Lipjan, around 70 Serb police officers, led by among others:
Momcillovic, Çernovic, Toshic, the know boxer Igic, Ceka and others had
surrounded the house of Shkëlqim 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 Shkëlqim
to an unknown destination.

Deportees have been forced back on the road

Prishtinë, May 22, (Kosovapress)
Yesterday some inhabitants of Prishtina, Mramor and Grashticë, 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 Banullë.

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

Podjevë, 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 Batllavë-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: Budakovë, Mohlan, Dellovë, Vraniq, Savrovë,
Graiçec, Papaz, Topillë, Devetak, Jezerc, Bukosh, Shirokë, and Duhël.
Many among them have been forced out of their homes in the past week and
had taken refuge in a place called Reka e Topillë, 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 të 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 Banjës së Pejës and Vrellës së 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

Kaçanik, 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: Runjevë, Krivanjevë, Stagovë and Lagjën e
Re of Kaçaniku. 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 Stagovë 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 Stagovë 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

Suharekë, May 22, (Kosovapress)
In the areas where Serb forces are concentrated in the villages of
Budakovë 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

Suharekë, 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
Budakovë 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 Muçaj, Zaim Muçaj, 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

Malishevë, May 22, (Kosovapress)
Serb forces, with one Praga and other heavy weapons have been positioned
at the top of Kiku, close to Gurëbardh, 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 Jançisti, Jahir Mazreku
from Malisheva and Mustafë 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 Zatriçi, 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 Turjakë të Vogël, Lubizhdë,
Mirushë, Malishevë, Dragobil, Astrazub, Llapçevë and Drenoc të Zatriçit
On May 22, Serb forces attempted to enter with tanks, Praga, and armored
personnel carriers the villages of Maxharre, Marali and Jançist. 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, Thaçi and Qosja visit the Mullet Refugee Camp

Majko, Thaçi 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 Thaçi
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 Thaçi 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 Gjakovë 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 Smederevë 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 Kaçanik, Palist, Novi
Sad, Mladenovac and Prepolac radio and television transmitters were
destroyed while the oil storage sites in Prahovo and Smederevë 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

- Thaçi 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

Thaçi 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

Tiranë, 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.
Thaçi`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 Thaçi, 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 Thaçi. 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.


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