FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aferdita Rakipi January 17, 1999

(202) 290-4944 

NAAC CALLS ON NATO TO LAUNCH AIRSTRIKES ON SERB TARGETS

Warns That NATO Losing Credibility to Negotiate Political Settlement

WASHINGTON—International observers on Saturday discovered at least 48 Albanians who were brutally massacred and mutilated by Serb military forces near the town of Racak. NATO is holding an emergency session today in Brussels to consider a response to the massacre, as Serb forces continue to attack Albanian civilians in Racak.

"NAAC denounces the Serb atrocities in Racak as crimes against humanity and as clear violations of the Holbrooke-Milosevic cease-fire agreement," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the National Albanian American Council. "We call on NATO to launch military airstrikes to stop Serb attacks on Racak and its continued violation of the cease-fire agreement.

"After launching military airstrikes against Serb targets, NATO should insist on full compliance with the agreement, including the removal of ground forces, the release of political prisoners, and unfettered access by OSCE monitors and UN War Crimes Tribunal investigators."

President Clinton, upon announcing the October 12, 1998 agreement, expressed his concern that Milosevic would violate that agreement, but promised military action to enforce it: "Balkan graveyards are filled with President Milosevic's broken promises. . . [NATO] will remain ready to take military action if Mr. Milosevic fails to make good on his commitments this time."

"The Serb crimes against humanity committed this weekend in Racak are simply the latest evidence of an ineffective NATO policy in Kosova that is heavy on rhetoric and light on action" said Zherka. "The United States and NATO are quickly losing their credibility. The Serbs now fully believe -- with good reason -- that they have a virtual free hand to violate any and all of its agreements with the West without fear of retaliation. Moreover, the Serbs have shown their contempt for the West by launching the attack against Racak immediately after the OSCE negotiated a release of Serb soldiers. For their part, the Albanians are losing faith in the ability of the United States to negotiate a peaceful settlement to the conflict. If NATO cannot enforce the cease-fire agreement, it seems increasingly unlikely that the U.S. and its NATO partners will be able to convince the Serbs to grant self-determination to the Albanians."

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aferdita Rakipi

January 11, 1999 (202) 955-1428

NAAC CALLS ON NATO TO STOP SERB MILITARY ATTACKS IN KOSOVA BY STANDING UP TO MILOSEVIC

WASHINGTON – Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic today set a deadline for the release of Serb soldiers by the Kosova Liberation Army ("KLA"). Milosevic promised a major crackdown on Albanians if the deadline is not met. Knut Vollebaek, Norwegian foreign minister and chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, also called on the KLA to release the hostages, but did not criticize Serbia for repeatedly violating the Holbrooke cease-fire agreement. In response, Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the National Albanian American Council, issued the following statement:

"As Serb tanks and soldiers are positioning themselves for a major offensive against Albanian civilians in Kosova, NATO countries are blaming the victims - the Albanians - for the resumption of the war. But the position of the west is untenable given the facts on the ground. The present crisis has erupted because of Serb violations of the Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement, not because of actions by the KLA.

"Both President Clinton and Secretary Albright promised that NATO would bomb Serb targets if Milosevic violated the terms of his agreement with U.S. Ambassador Holbrooke in October. Instead, NATO has sat on the sidelines as Serbs have executed Albanians in cold blood, arrested civilians without cause, and repeatedly bombed Albanian villages – all in flagrant violation of the Holbrooke-Milosevic agreement.

"Unfortunately, the current crisis fits perfectly with NATO’s Kosova policy: NATO secures an agreement from the Serbs, and the Serbs violate that agreement, while NATO looks the other way. The Serbs then use some event to justify launching military strikes against innocent Albanians. NATO responds by tacitly agreeing with the Serbs and by holding its collective nose until the military assault becomes unbearable, at which point we start the cycle all over again. But the Albanians cannot be expected to sit by silently as Milosevic and his henchmen continue their campaign of murder and repression.

"If the United States and its western allies are serious about preventing another round of fighting in Kosova, it must deal with the source of the conflict – Milosevic and the Serbian regime. NATO should strictly enforce the Holbrooke agreement and take military action, as it has threatened to do, if the Serbs do not comply. Otherwise, the war in Kosova will continue in the foreseeable future, threatening all of the Balkans and Europe as well."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aferdita Rakipi

January 08, 1998 (202) 955-1428

NAAC MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR WALKER CONCERNING OSCE MISSION

WASHINGTON – Ilir Zherka and Aferdita Rakipi, with the National Albanian American Council, met today at the State Department with U.S. Ambassadors William Walker and Allan Wendt to discuss the OSCE’s verification mission in Kosova.

Ilir Zherka stated at the meeting that "Albanian Americans understand the value of having an international presence in Kosova and generally support the OSCE’s mission. Our concern, however, is that the OSCE has not been able to deter Serb violations of the Holbrooke-Milosevic cease-fire agreement. We believe that an international peacekeeping force is needed to ensure Serb compliance with the cease-fire and to create a climate in which fruitful negotiations can take place."

During the meeting, Ambassador Walker expressed his frustration with violations of the agreement by both sides, while laying considerable blame on the Serbs for violations. He stated that he believes the OSCE verification mission is doing some good, but expressed concern that the verifiers are increasingly at risk. Walker stated that if the risks outweigh the benefits, or if conditions make it impossible for the verifiers to fulfill their mission, he would consider terminating the mission and withdrawing the verifiers.

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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact: Aferdita Rakipi

December 16, 1998 (202) 955-1428

CLINTON ADMINISTRATION SHIFTS POLICY, ABANDONING AUTONOMY FOR KOSOVA

WASHINGTON: Ambassador Chris Hill recently presented a revised proposal on the status of Kosova, which places the region directly under Serb control. Both Albanians and Serbs rejected the proposal. Reportedly, Hill and Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke are applying enormous pressure on the Albanians to accept it.

"After years of promising to support an enhanced autonomy for Kosova, the Clinton Administration appears to be abandoning its policy in favor of a settlement that rewards Milosevic for his crimes against humanity," said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the National Albanian American Council. "This is not autonomy. The Administration’s proposal provides only for weak, municipal governments, while placing Kosova permanently under Serbia’s control.

"The Administration is hoping no one will notice its retreat, but the evidence is clear. Their latest proposal falls far short of the autonomy Kosova enjoyed as late as 1989 and which both the President and Secretary Albright have publicly supported. This dramatic shift in policy, unfortunately, makes it more likely that the war in Kosova will continue."

Unlike the autonomy Kosova previously enjoyed, the recent Hill proposal provides for a parliament with no legislative authority and strips the presidency of most of its executive powers. The proposal also makes Serb law preeminent and provides Serb courts with appellate jurisdiction over Kosova, and as such makes Serb control of law enforcement in Kosova almost inevitable. Additionally, the proposal places control of the health, social, and educational systems firmly within Serbia. Finally, the proposal provides Serbs with a veto over any future decisions relating to Kosova’s status. Despite arguments to the contrary, the proposal envisions no role for the international community in ensuring implementation and compliance with the agreement.

Sources on Capitol Hill report that Members of Congress are calling the State Department to express their concern about the December 2 proposal.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Aferdita Rakipi

October 30, 1998

(202) 955-1429

ALBANIAN AMERICANS MEET WITH DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JIM STEINBERG

WASHINGTON, DC October 30, 1998 - Albanian Americans, representing the National Albanian American Council, the Democratic League of Kosova, Plav Guci Association, Albanian Fund, and the Dibra Association, met on Thursday with Deputy National Security Advisor, Jim Steinberg.

Other Administration Officials on hand included Jim O'Brien, Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State, Walter Slocombe, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Marc Grossman, Assistant Secretary of State for Europe, Stephen Flanagan, White House Senior Director for Central, and Lawrence Rossin, State Department Director for South Central Europe.

Ilir Zherka, spokesperson for the Albanian Americans, told the Administration delegation, "We appreciate the role the United States played in bringing about the cease fire, although we would have liked to have seen NATO action come eight months ago. We are concerned, however, that Milosevic will violate the cease fire agreement and will try to rewrite the agreement at every turn. Our hope is that NATO will insist on full compliance and will take military action to ensure compliance. We are also particularly concerned that the Serbs will try to prevent Albanians outside of Kosova from returning home. We urge NATO to take every step to ensure that all the refugees can freely and without threat return home. Milosevic must not be allowed to achieve his goal of ethnic cleansing.

"As for the future status of Kosova, we believe that there is agreement among Albanians here and in Kosova that, in the interim, Albanians must receive the same rights and privileges as those enjoyed by the Serbs and Montenegrins. Albanians cannot be treated as third class citizens. After a three year period, the Albanian people must be allowed to choose for themselves their own destination and future through a referendum, which must include independence as a choice."

Although the Administration officials spoke off the record and could not be quoted directly, they indicated that the NATO activation order will remain in effect, and that NATO will not accept anything short of full compliance on all aspects of the agreement, including the return of all the refugees. Additionally, the officials stated their desire to work to help Albanians obtain their full rights to democratic self-governance. But they also asked that the Albanian American community send a message to the Albanian leadership in Kosova that the time to engage in the negotiation process on the status of Kosova is now.

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aferdita Rakipi October 30, 1998

(202) 955-1429

NAAC APPOINTS ILIR ZHERKA AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WASHINGTON – The National Albanian American Council ("NAAC") today appointed Ilir Zherka as its Executive Director. NAAC is a non-profit, advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. NAAC’s mission is to advocate at all levels of government and in the media for the rights of Albanians in the Balkans; to involve Albanian Americans in the democratic process here in the U.S.; and to provide information on Albanian issues to decision-makers, Balkan experts, and the media. Zherka will direct all of NAAC’s operations.

Zherka is a long-time activist on Albanian issues. He has written numerous articles concerning the repression of Albanians in the former Yugoslavia, which have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post, Illyria, and Liria, as well as other publications. Zherka has appeared on television and radio programs to discuss Albanian issues, and has organized and led community protests in Washington. In 1992, he gave up a law firm job in New York City to go, together with his wife, Linda, to Albania to provide assistance in its transition from communism to democracy. He lived in Albania for ten months and assisted that country in rewriting its criminal procedure code. He also taught seminars at the University of Tirana’s Law School and organized a major conference in Tirana on the "rule of law." The national Albanian television network aired a prime-time news program on Zherka in May of 1993.

Zherka also has considerable organizational experience. In 1996, Zherka was instrumental in helping create NAAC, the first Washington-based Albanian American advocacy organization. He also serves on the executive board of the National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee, a leadership organization within the National Democratic Committee. He has led over a dozen organizations in the last decade. In 1996, Zherka joined the Clinton-Gore re- election campaign, where he served as the Director for Ethnic Outreach throughout the United States. He was responsible for organizing Americans of European and South Mediterranean descent in support of the President and Vice- President’s reelection efforts. Zherka created the first Albanian American campaign committee to be formally adopted by a presidential campaign. Zherka organized campaign efforts in 15 key states and served as the spokesperson for the President during rallies, and for ethnic radio, television, and newspaper interviews. Zherka’s work helped President Clinton win the votes of a majority of "Reagan Democrats," who had voted for Republicans throughout the 1980s.

Zherka also has significant political experience in Washington. He most recently was appointed by President Clinton to the Department of Labor, where he served between 1997 and 1998 as a Senior Legislative Officer in the Office of the Secretary. Between 1994 and 1997, Zherka was the only Albanian American to work in the Congress, where he served as Legislative Counsel to Congressman George Miller (D-CA) for labor, judiciary, and foreign policy issues. As a result, Zherka has an intimate understanding of the workings of the legislative and executive branches of government, and has political contacts throughout Washington.

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Washington – October 27, 1998 Today, NATO Ambassadors are meeting in Brussels to decide whether Slobodan Milosevic is complying with an agreement on Kosova. NATO has threatened air strikes of Serb targets if the Serbs are not in compliance by today. The National Albanian American Council issued the following statement:

Although the withdrawal of Serb troops from Kosova over the last twenty-four hours marks an improvement in the situation on the ground, the Serbs are clearly not in compliance with the agreement reached between U.S. Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke and Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Among other things, the agreement called for the full withdrawal of Serb paramilitary troops to pre-crackdown numbers, a return of refugees to their homes, the deployment of at least 2,000 OSCE "verifiers," and the establishment of a meaningful dialogue with the Albanians on the future of Kosova. None of these conditions have been met. Instead, the Serbs are dragging their feet, and at each turn Milosevic is forcing NATO to accept partial compliance. The result of this non-compliance is that Albanians are afraid to return home, and when they do, many are subject to being attacked or murdered. Additionally, Milosevic’s refusal to honor his agreement does not bode well for reaching an acceptable political solution on the future of Kosova.

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Washington, DC October 16, 1998--- The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) has received word from independent sources that a new offensive against ethnic Albanians has been launched. Contrary to reports that Milosevic has begun pulling his forces out of Kosova, independent sources cite that they are further "digging in" and resuming attacks upon innocent civilians. NAAC calls upon NATO to force immediate compliance from Milosevic through all means necessary including targeting strategic Serb positions.

History has shown that Milosevic only complies and understands the actual use of force, and nothing less. Again, this is one more grave yard of Milosevic’s broken promises. How many will it take? NAAC calls upon NATO to act immediately, no further evidence is needed to understand that Milosevic has no intention of fully complying.

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The National Albanian American Council Cautions Against Concessions Made to Milosevic in Belgrade

Washington, DC Oct 14, 1998—The National Albanian American Council ( NAAC) is deeply disturbed by the news reporting an agreement reached in Belgrade between the war criminal Slobodan Milosevic and the US Envoy to Kosova, Ambassador Richard C. Holbrooke. The Agreement appears to have conceded a new victory to the "Butcher of Belgrade" by allowing him to make unilateral statements granting limited autonomy to ethnic Albanians of Kosova in the areas of local government, schools, and policing, and promising a full review of the Kosova status in three years.

Additionally, the West and the international community are repeating the mistakes of Bosnia in which the proposal rewards Milosevic for his campaigns of ethnic genocide against innocent Albanian women, children and the elderly, rendering almost half a million homeless. There will be no viable mechanisms in place to sustain any agreement since the purposed 2,000 OSCE monitors can only "observe" thus Milosevic now has 2,000 people which he can take hostage if he decides not to comply. There are enough grave yards in the Balkans with Milosevic’s broken promises according to a statement made by President Clinton.

NAAC cautions the international community, and especially the Contact Group on Kosova that any agreement made without the approval of the Albanian people of Kosova will be considered a dangerous concession to the war criminal Slobodan Milosevic, and cannot serve as a basis for further discussions on the status of Kosova. Moreover, the proposal rejects the freely expressed will of the Albanian people for Independence, who have been denied their basic human rights by Belgrade. Peace in Kosova is essential. Yet, a peace without justice in Kosova is a prelude to continuing instability and conflicts and therefore is unacceptable when a deal is made rewarding the oppressor and further victimizing the Albanian people.

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Albanian Americans Encouraged by US ‘Last Ditch Effort’ to Force Kosova Cease- fire; Warns that Air Strikes Will be Needed

New York Oct.05, 1998— National Albanian American Council (NAAC) today called upon supported US "last ditch diplomatic mission" to Belgrade in an effort to press Serbian strongman Slobodan Milosevic to comply with United Nations demands for a cease-fire in Kosova.

The State Department announced yesterday that Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who brokered the 1995 Dayton accord on Bosnia, would meet with Milosevic today.

"We support a diplomatic solution to the Kosova crisis as a means of bringing an immediate end to the blood shed and terror inflicted on the Albanian citizens of Kosova by the Belgrade regime," the statement continued.

The statement went further to say, " However we are convinced a use of NATO military force is the only message Milosevic will understand. Failing any progress with this 11th hour appeal, NATO must move immediately against the Serb aggressors."

NAAC said Milosevic must comply with the September 25 UN resolution that calls for the removal of all Serbian special police forces, paramilitary and Yugoslav armed forces from Kosova; unrestricted flow of humanitarian assistance to the refugees; return of all displaced people to their homes; deployment of international observers without restrictions; examination of mass graves by international forensic experts; and resumption of unconditional negotiations with international mediation and guarantees.

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NAAC MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR HOLBROOKE, PRESSES FOR GREATER SELF-DETERMINATION FOR KOSOVAR ALBANIANS

Washington – Representatives from the National Albanian American Council and other community leaders met on Monday in New York City with United States Ambassador Richard Holbrooke. Last week, the West presented a proposed agreement on the future of Kosova which provides the Kosovar Albanians with less political rights than they enjoyed under the old Yugoslav Constitution. Albanian Kosovar leaders have thus far rejected the agreement.

The proposed agreement falls far short of the Clinton Administration's support of "expanded" autonomy for Kosovar Albanians.

NAAC conveyed to Holbrooke its strong belief that the proposal is unacceptable. It rewards Slobodan Milosevic for his murderous campaign, while punishing his victims – Albanian women, children, and the elderly. Furthermore, the proposal plants the seeds for future repression of Kosovar Albanians and greater Balkan instability, and will only serve to continue the radicalization of both Albanians and Serbs. Lastly, the proposal strengthens Milosevic at a time when the West should be working to decrease his influence in Yugoslavia and the Balkans.

Although Ambassador Holbrooke's comments were "off the record," he did indicate that there is not yet an agreement and that the United States is continuing to discuss the future of Kosova with both sides.

NAAC believes that our Nation's interests can be best served if the United States mediates negotiations between the Serbs and Albanians in an effort to achieve independence and self-determination for the Albanians and real peace in the Balkans.

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Albanian Americans Support NATO Air Strikes to End War in Kosova

Washington, DC-- Oct.06, 1998-The National Albanian American Council (NAAC) today called on NATO to press ahead with air strikes on Serb targets to bring about a cease fire and a negotiated settlement in Kosova in light of strained diplomatic efforts.

The State Department announced yesterday that Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, who brokered the 1995 Dayton accord on Bosnia, would meet with Milosevic again today to explore a diplomatic solution to the Kosova crisis.

NAAC appreciates the effort of the United States to bring about a diplomatic solution to the Kosova crisis as a means of bringing an immediate end to the bloodshed and terror inflicted on the Albanian citizens by the Belgrade regime. However, we are convinced that NATO military force is the only message Milosevic will understand. Failing any progress with this 11th hour appeal, NATO must move immediately against the Serb aggressors.

NAAC said Milosevic must comply with the September 23 UN resolution that calls for the removal of all Serbian special police forces, paramilitary and Yugoslav armed forces from Kosova; unrestricted flow of humanitarian assistance to the refugees; return of all displaced people to their homes; deployment of international observers without restrictions; examination of mass graves by international forensic experts; and resumption of unconditional negotiations with international mediation and guarantees.

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Azem Hajdari's assasination

Washington, DC—Sept 15, 1998 The recent developments in Albanian culminating with the assassination of Mr. Azem Hajdari, member of the Parliament and a major figure of the democratic changes of 1990-1991 movement in Albania, indicate the disturbing degree reached by the political instability in Albania today. We condemn this assassination, as well as all acts of violence and all forms of incitement to violence as unacceptable to a civilized society, as they reflect the failure of human reason and offend human conscience. Therefore, we support the appeal of the US Government urging Albanians to "put down their weapons, cease threatening violence and pursue legitimate democratic and legal means to deal with the situation".

We express our deep sympathy to the family of the victim and to all the families who have fallen victims of the irrational forces bent into creating chaos and bring more death and destruction to Albania. This is more so in these difficult days when half of the Albanian Nation, presently living in the martyred Kosova, are going through one of the most critical moments of their history—the aggression of the reactionary forces of the Serb army and Police with catastrophic consequences for two million innocent Albanians there.

Today, no one should loose sight of the fact that we are One nation, under God, but unjustly divided and struggling to secure liberty and justice for all. As Albanian Americans we repeat this pledge everyday. As members of the Albanian nation, we wish it for all Albanians, wherever they are, and we work for it with conviction.

Let us see this critical moment of our national history not as a time for revenge and retribution, but as a time to rally together, united by the ideals of freedom and democracy as One Nation.

Let all Albanian political parties become fully aware of the ultimate seriousness of this moment for the entire Albanian Nation, and think and act accordingly.

Let us adopt a unified approach to our national problems. Let us convince ourselves that our enemies are not our brothers and sisters, but our oppressor. Let us see the present tragedy as the bell tolling for unity and cooperation. Let us devote ourselves to strengthening our symbols of unity, our dreams for the future, and our determination to achieve them.

In these difficult days, we appeal to the international community, and specifically to the United States, to reassure the Albanian people around the world that the independence and the territorial integrity of Albania are secure and inviolable.

We renew our faith that a redeemed Albania can engage herself on the path to national reconciliation, democracy, rule of law and economic prosperity.

The Board of Directors of the National Albanian American Council

Washington, DC September 15,1998

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HURTING AND OFFENDING VICTIMS IN KOSOVA

September 09, 1998 Washington, DC –An agreement was reached earlier this week on September 5th , between the US Assistant Secretary of State, Julia Taft, and the Belgrade Serb authorities supposedly to assist the Albanian displaced persons in Kosova, victims of Serbian aggression since February 28, 1998. Next day, a US Aid official confirmed that the United States would allocate $21.5 million to meet the emergency need of the Albanian internal displaced persons.

The "Agreement" contains several unacceptable provisions. It is "unrealistic" wrote the New York Times of Sept 07, 1998 in its Editorial, and it could " …come at a cost of making the United States Mr. Milosevic’s partner and thus blocking long term solutions."

The "plan" agreed upon would create eleven centers where refugees would receive their food under "the protection of Serbian police", which are responsible for the population’s displacement in the first place. These centers are the equivalent of Bosnia’s "safe Havens’ whose fate shook the consciences of the civilized world. By luring the hungry and the homeless to these centers, Serbian Police would be able to separate women and children- seen as refugees-, from young people and adults only three days ago, in Ponorac, 450 Albanians were separated from their families and carried away in Police trucks.

There are several humanitarian organizations presently operating successfully in Kosova: "Mother Teresa", Mercy Corps International, Merhamet etc. assisting the needy and the homeless, in spite of Serbian obstacles to prevent their activities. These are the best channels for the aid. We are appalled at the U.S. Government’s decision to put the daily bread of the Albanian victims in Kosova in the hands of the criminal Serbian Police directed by Milosevic. It will be used to starve Albanians, as well as a strong card in Serbian dealings with ethnic Albanians.

"If the United States Government has failed to convince Milosevic to stop the killing and destruction of Kosova through diplomacy," said Dr. Sami Repishti President of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC), " then, it should not add insult to injury by "helping" the Albanian victims through the hands of the criminal. The US Government should use the only language dictators understand, and that is sufficient force to convince the criminal that crime does not pay. Dealing with Milosevic it means treating him as a reliable partner, and that is wrong, immoral and dangerous."

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NAAC Calls On The Administration to Support Military Action in Kosova

Washington, D.C. May 6, 1998---Recent developments in Kosova have brought the region to the brink of an all out war. "These are the first stages of war" Veton, Surroi, Member of the negotiating team.

The United States must acknowledge that the situation in Kosova has worsened reaching the point of a full-scale assault by the Serb Police and Army units against innocent Albanians civilians. More than half of the over 200 people killed by the Serbs in Kosova are women and children. "A systematic attack of ethnic cleansing and genocide is being wage against the Albanians while the world stands silent" declares Sami Repishti, President of the National Albanian American Council.

The actions of the so-called Six member Contact Group have been ineffectual and reminiscent of our earlier failures in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

In order to prevent the slaughter of Albanians and a Balkan wide war, the US Administration must recommit itself to its 1992 and 1993 threats of using military force, and it should not hesitate to act unilaterally, if necessary.

More specifically, unless there is an immediate cease-fire the US should take the following steps: · Immediate end to the violence and bloodshed · the US should establish and enforce a "no-fly zone" over Kosova; · destroy Serbain military in Kosova; · help the unarmed Albanian population defend itself.

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U.S. Names Deputy Envoy to Gelbard for Kosova, Urges EU to Open Prishtina Office Immediately

Deputy Assistant Secretary Malloy Assures Albanian-American Leaders That Six- Nation Contact Group is Moving Quickly

WASHINGTON,D.C. (March 10,1998)-Albanian-American leaders, in a meeting yesterday with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs Eileen Malloy, were told that the U.S. has names James Swiggart, director of the State Department’s Office of South Central European Affairs, as special deputy to U.S. Balkans envoy Robert Gelbard with specific responsibilities for Kosova.

Ms. Malloy also told the delegation that the U.S. has urged the European Union to open an office in Prishtina, capital of Kosova, immediately as a further demonstration of increased international presence in the troubled region. She assures the Albanian Americans that the Contact Group, which met in London Monday, provided a rapid response to the Kosova crisis with a set of actions that keep the pressure on the Belgrade regime to end the bloodshed.

Ms. Malloy said that the Contact Group has asked all of its embassies in Belgrade to send representatives to Kosova regularly as a means of stemming further bloodshed through an increased international presence. She made it clear that the U.S. and others members of the Contact Group are monitoring Serbia’s actions and will meet again March 25 to assess Belgrade’s response and further steps to increase pressure on the Milosevic regime.

The Albanian-American leaders will meet with Ambassador Gelbard Friday, March 13, at 4:00 p.m. at the Department of State receive a briefing following Gelbard’s return from meetings with Milosevic and Kosova President Ibrahim Rugova this week.

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SERB REPRESSION IN KOSOVA THREATENS A NEW BALKAN WAR

March 2, 1998--Another weekend of bloody confrontation in the Republic of Kosova has taken the lives of at least 16 Albanians and 4 Serb police. Scores of other Albanians were wounded , including women and children, in the latest clashes with Serbian police and paramilitary units. Kosova is controlled by over 45,000 Serb police and army units and it is seen as "the most over- policed, over-secured territories in the world", according to NATO sources. The Republic of Kosova has a population of 2.2 million of which 90% are ethnic Albanians.

Today, a crowd of over 100,000 demonstrated in the capital of Prishtina waving their fists at a police helicopter overhead and chanted: "We’ll give our lives, but we won’t give up Kosova". Serb riot police broke up the rally by firing tear gas and water cannons and indiscriminately beat demonstrators as they fled. Some of the wounded demonstrators were left bleeding in the streets while local Serbs encourages the police from their home windows.

NATO diplomats’ rather mild warnings could encourage Milosevic to increase Serbian repression in Kosova or even initiate Serb paramilitary criminal activities reminiscent of those in Bosnia in 1991 and in 1992. Last week, Congressman Eliot Engel(D-NY) strongly criticized the loosening of sanctions against Belgrade: "…with the situation in Kosova actually getting worse, it is stunning that the State Department would even consider lowering sanctions against Belgrade . . . Only a few months ago Serb riot police beat thousands of peaceful protesters in Prishtina, Kosova’s capital". Clearly, a concerted international effort initiated by the U.S. is needed to pressure Belgrade and to prevent further bloodshed.