Kosova Daily Report #1363-C/
Prishtina, 6 March 1998/
Third Edition: 13:45 hrs/
Serb Attack on Prekaz Continues Unabated/
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – Serb attacks on several family compounds of the Prekaz village of Skenderaj (in Serbian ‘Srbica’) have been going on today, an eye-witness from Vushtrri, who was able to approach Prekaz, as well as LDK sources in Llausha of Skenderaj (in Serbian ‘Srbica’) and in Mitrovica told KIC.
Four houses of the Brahovi family compound were said to be in flames after Serb shelling. A house was reported ruined completely.
Latest reports indicate that Serb forces have entered the large Lushtaku and Kadrijaj family compounds.
Zenë Lushtaku from Prekaz, who had a telephone conversation from Prishtina with her sister living in the near vicinity of Prekaz i Ulët village, said it is feared Serb forces are terrorizing the people who could not escape the affected area.
Zenë Lushtaku told KIC his extended family has 30 members. He said he was afraid police forces would massacre his own family and other Albanian people there, just like they did on 28 February and 1 March, slaughtering 24 Albanians in their own houses and yards.
The eye-witness near Prekaz said by phone the above family compounds have been encroached upon by advancing Serb forces, backed up by tanks and armoured vehicles.
Llausha Villages Still Under Serb Siege, Albanian Dies of Wounds Received Thursday
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – A source from Llausha village told KIC early afternoon today the village was being held under a strong grip of Serb forces, which have been reportedly moving on it.
The sources said there was random shooting by Serb forces.
The situation within the village itself was described as very grave indeed. Women, old men, and children are in because they could not leave the area, which has for two days been sealed off by Serb forces.
KIC has learned that Miftar Rreci, who was shot and wounded near his house in Llausha yesterday, died today.
International Community Should Step in With Preventative Measures in Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova Says
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova’s regular Friday press conference focussed today on the dramatic situation in Drenica in the wake of Serb police and military attacks on Albanian villages.
“Yesterday’s attack of Serb police/military forces in Drenica against the local civilian population resulted in scores of casualties. This is the second Serb massacre in a week over the Drenica regions’s population, and indeed the people of Kosova.”, President Ibrahim Rugova said.
He recalled that in the massacres many innocent Albanians were killed, including old men, women and children. “These attacks on the Drenica region are part of long-standing Serb schemes to ethnically cleanse Kosova”, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said.
The Kosova leader condemned yesterday’s Serb police/military crackdown in the strongest terms and pressed for an immediate end to these “deadly attacks” against Albanians.
The international community should step in with preventative measures in Kosova, President Ibrahim Rugova said, reiterating his call for the U.S. and the EU to undertake speedy steps on Kosova.
He reiterated his plea to President Clinton, Prime Minister Blair, President Chirac, Chancellor Kohl and Prime Minister Prodi, to use their powers to save the people of Kosova from a Serb massacre.
“The people of Kosova have sacrificed a lot for years to avert a conflict break-out in Kosova”, the President said, adding that such a conflict would have grave consequences for the entire south-eastern Europe.
The people of Kosova are committed to pursue their legitimate demands for freedom, independence and democracy by peaceful and political means, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said.
President Rugova pressed for the Kosova issue to be urgently put on the UN Security Council agenda. “Kosova needs international protection in all possible forms”.
President Ibrahim Rugova urged for international pressure on Belgrade to immediately end the ongoing Serb forces’ attacks.
At the end of today’s conference, President Rugova urged the people of Kosova caution against diverse rumours and falsehoods, which are aimed at instilling fear and panic, “part of the special warfare of Serb security services”.
Dr. Ibrahim Rugova expressed his appreciation for the international reaction condemning massacres in Drenica and the work journalists have been doing to cover developments these days.
The Belgrade-based ambassadors of the Contact Group countries will be visiting Kosova today, President Rugova told reporters today.
Italian and U.S. diplomats were here yesterday. The Contact Group will meet in London Monday.
“The thing of the highest urgency is for Serb operations in Drenica to end”, President Rugova concluded.
Asked by reporters regarding a possible crisis group here, Dr. Ibrahim Rugova said Kosova has got its institutions – the Presidency of the Republic, the Coordinating Council of Political Parties, the Presidency of the LDK, as well as other political parties operating in Kosova.
President Rugova Receives Italian, Swedish, Norwegian Diplomats
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – The President of the Republic of Kosova Dr. Ibrahim Rugova received for talks in Prishtina Thursday with Italian Ambassador to Belgrade, Mr. Riccardo Sessa.
President Rugova received Friday Mr. Milan Bobic, First Secretary in the Swedish Embassy, and Trond Olsen Naess, First Secretary in the Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade.
The dangerous situation in Kosova amidst operations of Serb forces against Albanian villages in Drenica was discussed in the meetings.
President Ibrahim Rugova urged for international pressure on Belgrade to immediately end the ongoing Serb forces’ attacks.
Over 450 People, Fleeing Drenica, Arrive in Fushë Kosova Villages
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – Albanian families, mostly women and children, fleeing the area surrounding the Drenica villages which were attacked by Serb forces started arriving in the villages of the municipality of Fushë-Kosova (in Serbian ‘Kosovo Polje’).
The Fushë Kosova chapter of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms (CDHRF) said 120 persons have gone to Miradi e Ulët, in Sllatinë e Madhe – 81, in Bardh i Madh – 60 women and children, in Grabovc i Epërm – 80 women and children, in Fushë-Kosovë – 58, in Miradi e Epërme – 5 families, in Pomozotin – 20 women and children, etc.
1000 People Arrive in Mitrovica, Fleeing Affected Area
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – LDK sources in Mitrovica said around 1000 Albanians, fleeing Drenica have arrived in the town of Mitrovica and the villages in the municipality.
Malisheva and 40 Villages Without Electricity and Telephone Lines
PRISHTINA, March 6 (KIC) – The Malisheva municipalities, the town and its forty villages, have had electricity and telephone lines cut off since yesterday.