[kcc-news] INFO: kosovapress on May 30, 1999 (fwd)

[Mentor Cana]

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News at 23:30  http://www.kosovapress.com/english/maj/30_5_99_7.htm

- Hashim Thaçi meets Robin Cook
- Hashim Thaçi 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 Thaçi meets Robin Cook

London, May 30, (Kosovapress)
Hashim Thaçi, 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.
Thaçi 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. Thaçi, 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.
Thaçi also said that Cook had promised that all the deportees from
Kosova will return in the homes as soon as possible.

Hashim Thaçi speaks with Albanian TV after seeing Cook

Tiranë, 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 Thaçi, -"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."
Thaçi 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 Kroikovë 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 Qikatovë e Re and Shtrubullovë.
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 Poshtëm, 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. Kiçmari.
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 Thaçi.
_______________________________________________________________________
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 Plakiçi (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 Batushë. 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

Malishevë, May 30, (Kosovapress)
Serb forces, from positions in the village of Verimca have shelled the
districts of Shurdhanëve and Tupanëve 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 Verimcë, 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 Vaganicë-Pirç-Pantinë
front. Serb forces have heavily shelled the villages of Oshlan,
Okrashticë, Pantinë, Pirç and Gurbardhë. 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 Shtrubullovë four young Kosovars were injured
in the process of finding food for their families who are trapped in the
village. Those who were injured, Aruç Qallapeku, from Baica, Gëzim
Cakiqi, from Verboci, Xhevdet Hajdaraj, from Tersteniku and Bashkim
Halilaj, from Tërdeci, all from Gllogoc were attacked as they searched
the neighbouring area for any sources of food.

Fighting in area between Gjakova and Peja

Deçan, May 30 (Kosovapress)
Today there have been reports of continuous fighting in the regions of
Dushkaja, Deçan 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 Gërvalla" and
132nd "Myrtë 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 Prapaçani. 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 "Myrtë 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
Gërvalla" 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 Lajthishtë, Bislim
Alijaj, from Dujaka, Rexhep Çaka 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 të
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 Köln, 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, Kaçanik, Shtime
and Shterpcë 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 Çeku


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