Events in Drenica region of Kosova (Yugoslavia)
To: MINELRES list submissions <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 02 Mar 1998 08:44:04 -0800
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Subject: Events in Drenica region of Kosova (Yugoslavia)
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Besnik Pula <[email protected]>
Events in Drenica region of Kosova (Yugoslavia)
--- begin forwarded text ---
Date: Sun, 01 Mar 1998 13:19:46 -0700
From: "Ibrahim Sh. Makolli" <[email protected]>
Top Urgent!
STATEMENT Nr.1/III/98.
BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE DEFENCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND
FREEDOMS ON THE LATEST TERROR PERPETRATED BY THE
PUNITIVE POLICE SQUADS IN THE ALBANIAN VILLAGES
The villages of the municipalities of Skenderaj and Gllogoc were
yesterday and at this day subjected to massive attacks by the
Serbian special police and paramilitary forces against the Albanian
settlements in these regions.
Based on the latest informations from the spot, 5 Albanians have
been reported dead yesterday. We have been also informed be
reliable sources that another 7 Albanians were shot down in the
village Qirez of Skenderja, of whom 4 belonging to one family.
It is believed that the number of killed and wounded is much bigger.
At this very day, the shootings started at 7 o'clock a.m. We have
been also informed by our field associates that at this morning 2
Albanians were killed in the village of ^ikatovae.
Last night from Ferizaj, there were noted two buses with new fresh
police forces heading toward Municipality of Skenderaj, however at
this very morning, from Mitrovica were noted in the same direction
large armored police forces.
Today about 8 o'clock a.m. from the Komoran cross road were
noted large armored police forces, 80 vehicles, including both the
tanks and heavy arms, heading to villages Likoshan and Pokleku.
Shots and random shooting are being heard too.
In the village Polac of Skendarej special police forces were blocked,
which were unblocked by large police forces later on, which came
from Skenderaj. In the same village there were noted Arkan's
paramilitary forces, however in the forest nearby, there are being
lodged large Serbian police forces.
There were shootings by fire arms in Skenderaj and Gllogoc today,
but in Gllogoc, in the villages Zabel te Poshtem and Korotice of
Skenderaj, the police forces have started to conduct house to
house searches.
We have also been informed by our field workers in Klina that about
9.30 a.m.large police forces including snipers and other
sophisticated police vehicles headed in the direction of Skenderaj.
Other details will follow later on.
March 1, l998 Information Service
-----------------------
For more news see:
http://www.koha.net/ARTA/drenica.htm
http://www.kosova.com
For information on Kosova see:
http://www.albanian.com/main/countries/kosova/
------------------------------
At least fifteen dead
Albanian Council for Defence of Human Rights and Freedom
confirms 14 victims
Prishtina, 1 March (ARTA)
Albanian Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms in
Prishtina (CDHRF) notifies about the rising tensions in the villages of
Drenica municipality. Other than the five Albanians killed yesterday
in the village of Likoshan, Gllogovc municipality, they claim that
seven Albanians were killed in the village of �irez, Skenderaj
municipality. Also, two Albanians were killed in village of �ikatov�ere,
Gllogovc municipality. This makes the total of 14 Albanians dead
even though they presume the number to be much higher. Albanian
sources notify that there has been extreme intensification of police
and Arkan's paramilitary forces in this region, and that the shootings
today started at around 7 am.
Journalists of local daily, "Koha ditore", editor in chief, Veton Surroi,
and editors Ylber Hysa and Baton Haxhiu, were prevented from
going to the scene.
Intense fighting in Drenica
Police and military reinforcements arrive - At least ten civilians dead
until now, among them women and children, claim unconfirmed
sources
Prishtina, 1 March (ARTA)
After last night's fighting in Drenica ceased for some time, late last
night and early this morning, Serbian police and military reinforcement
have arrived at the scene only for the fighting to recommence with
more intensity. According to witnesses, around 30 military vehicles,
among them APCs were the military-police reinforcements to be sent
to the villages surrounding Likoshan, where the fighting took place.
Members of such forces, had been singing and offending in order to
provoke the people along the roads leading to Gllogovc, claim the
sources.
Till now, at least ten civilians were killed, among them women and
children. Witnesses assert that the wounded lack medical treatment.
The people have been mostly shot at whilst being in their own
houses, say sources in Gllogovc.
The village of Likoshan has been practically evacuated.
Arms of different calibers, helicopters, APCs equipped with machine
guns and anti-aircraft missiles, were used say witnesses. It is not
confirmed yet, but there have been words of artillery being used as
well.
According to witnesses, Serb forces have surrounded Gllogovc with
it's villages whereas police have been spotted in Zabeli i Ul�t and
Komoran too.
There is much tension among the inhabitants while the fighting
continues. Shots from heavy artillery and explosions have been
heard in the morning hours as well in the relation Likoshan - �ikatov�.
--
==============================================================
MINELRES - a forum for discussion on minorities in Central&Eastern Europe
Submissions: [email protected]
Subscription/inquiries: [email protected]
List archive: http://www.riga.lv/minelres/archive.htm
==============================================================