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Massacre in Drenica |
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KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues Detonations started at 0400 CET Skenderaj, 7 March (ARTA) In the aftermath of relative calmness, reported in the Drenica
area -- which followed Friday’s overrun of the village of Prekaz -- in what
is stated as "the largest police crackdown in Kosova, since World War
II", the incursion of the special Serb police units are seen continuing
the operation around 0400 CET Saturday, when the first detonations could be
heard, local "Koha Ditore" sources inform. Exchange of heavy machinegun fire could be heard at around 0540
CET, continuing after 0600 CET, mainly coming from the direction of the
Llausha village. Reports show that the operation has already claimed the lives of
over 70 Albanians in a renewed Serb police crackdown, including women and
children. Fightings continue, as Serb media reports on withdrawal attempts
of Kosova Albanian "terrorists" towards Albanian border. KOSOVA: Renewed police attacks on
Drenica "Yugoslav" Army reinforcement regroups at
Albanian border Cooperative
buildings of Bec and Ponishec are being adopted to admit renewed forces of
the "Yugoslav" Army Gjakovë, 6 March (ARTA) During the last days, following the outburst of the police
attack in Drenica, in the region bordering Albania, additional
"Yugoslav" Army forces were spotted regrouping along the
international border with Albania, "Koha Ditore" reports. Past week, cooperative buildings of Bec and Ponoshec (villages
close to Gjakova, city 90 km west of Prishtina) are being adopted for
admittance of more military forces, unconfirmed local sources claim. KOSOVA: Drenica massacre continues
(toll, update) Death toll presumed higher Prishtinë, 7 March (ARTA) 1200 CET - Names of 17 Albanian citizens killed during the renewed police
crackdown are acknowledged, as well as the names of 40 wounded, 18 sheltered,
5 missing, and 7 family houses (compounds) destroyed during the crackdown A: Killed 1. Myftar Rreci (43, M) Llaushë B. Wounded 1. Adem Jashari's son (age and name unknown) C. Destroyed houses: overall seven 1. House of Shaban, Hamit, Bilall and Qerim Jasharit in Prekaz D. Lost 1. Halit Zymer Jashari and Zenë Jashari E. Sheltered 1. Elfije Jashari, (76 F) All were detained by police and kept in the Ammunition Factory
in Skënderaj and were later released in Skënderaj and are being sheltered by
other Albanian citizens. All are traumatized. KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues
(snipers) Snipers aimed at civilians Local
civilian population sought shelter in nearby woods Llaushë, 7 March (ARTA) 1415CET - Serb police aimed sniper fire at Kosova Albanian civilians on
late Friday, report local "Koha ditore" sources in Llaushë. Zenel Rreci from Llausha, along with other 6 neighbors were
heading for the funeral of Myftar Rreci, when they got under the sniper fire.
They survived after seeking shelter in the nearby woods. Same sources claim that the majority of population from Llausha
is already sheltered, however facing disastreous health and safety
conditions. KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues 5,000 local Albanian refugees in Mitrovica and
Vushtrri villages Prishtinë, 7 March (ARTA) Serb police forces continue the strict curfew along the area
struck by the large-scale crackdown on over 14 local Albanian villages, an
operation that has already claimed the lives of over 70 Kosova Albanian
civilians, including women and children. Prishtina-based Kosova Information Center (KIC) reacts on the
local Serb authorities communique -- which asserts "the near end"
of the police crackdown -- as a "total lie". This Albanian-run source states that since the late Friday night
no armed attacks are reported, srtressing the situation as "extremely
tense", with people been massacred inside their house compounds, fields
and house yards. A large number of wounded, remained inside the police ring, is
reported "trapped, with no medical help". According to KIC, Serb
police continues to prevent aid and medical teams reach the war-torn area. Reportedly, around 5,000 of refugees, local Albanian women and
children, are sheltered temporarily in the surrounding villages of Mitrovica
and Vushtrri towns, as new Serb police reinforcements have reached the
isolated region. KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues
(medical help) ICRC delivers aid to the wounded? Prishtinë, 7 March (ARTA) 1730 CET According to a communique by the International Committee of the
Red Cross, the following medical aid was sent for the wounded in the renewed
large-scale police operation in Drenica region (40 km west of Prishtina): - on 2 March, the ICRC reached Skënderaj delivering surgical
sets at medical structure there for 300 wounded people. - on 5 March, it reached the city of Mitrovica delivering
surgical sets at the local medical structures - on 6 March, the ICRC reached Gllogovc delivering surgical sets
at the local medical structrure, for estimated 100 wounded people. Today (7 March) ICRC sources claim the attempt to visit
Skënderaj with medical aid, blankets and food. KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues
(protests) Albanian doctors protest at Prishtina’s USIS Prishtinë, 7 March (ARTA) 1400CET All health-care workers are summoned to convene today at 1700
CET at the USIS office in Prishtina, the Deanery of the Medical Faculty at
the University of Prishtina confirmed. Doctors and other health-care workers were asked to protest
against the continuing police crackdown in Drenica region (40 km west of
Prishtina), wearing the white mantles. They will plead for allowance to enter the war-torn area, to
help the wounded civilians during the large-scale operation, which has
already claimed the lives of over 70 people, including women and children. Hashim Maloku, Dean of the Medical Faculty, confirms that the
Serb police is so far preventing doctors teams, from entering the besieged
Drenica villages, "Koha Ditore" reports. KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues
(toll) More Kosova Albanian civilian corpses received at the
city morgue Prishtinë 7 March (ARTA) 1750 CET Two trucks, loaded with corpses, are spotted arriving late
Friday night at Prishtina's city morgue, claim unconfirmed "Koha
Ditore" sources close to the hospital All of the bodies are presumed to be Kosova Albanian civilians
from Drenica region, massacred and killed during the larg-scale police
operations, which is reportedly still being conducted in this part of Kosova
(40 km west of Prishtina The city morgue building remains besieged by Serb police,
preventing any access to it, hospital sources report. KOSOVA: Massacre in Drenica continues
(Serb media) Albanians staged protests in Tirana and Skopje Police
and VJ reinforcements were spotted in Gjakovë (90 km west of Prishtina),
along the borderline with Albania, whereas there are claims of Albanian army
strengthening its positions along the other side of the international border Prishtinë, 7 March (ARTA) 1300CET Renewed Serb police attack on Drenica region (40 km west of
Prishtina) which has so far claimed the lives of over 70 Kosova Albanian
civilians -- and the refugee influx estimated in thousands, heading towards
nearby cities (Vushtrri and Mitrovica) -- was reminiscent of the beginning of
the war in Bosnia and Croatia for many analysts of the ex-Yugoslavian
conflict. The communique issued by Serbian state security claims that
"the police executed the Kosova Liberation Army (KLA) leader,
demolishing the "terrorists stronghold in Kosova", and stressing
the near end of the large-scale operations. However, detonations could be heard in Drenica on Saturday,
starting increasingly from 0400 CET, local sources report. Blasts and shootings remain mostly concentrated around the
villages of Aqareva, southwest of Skënderaj, between Drenica and Dukagjin,
Kosova western plain. Explosions could also be heard coming from the direction of
Llausha, second-ranked village (after Prekaz) as the bloodbath conducted by
Serb police units. Serb state-rune media reported "terrorists making their way
towards the plain of Dukagjin (Serb. ‘Metohija)’, after the armed
resistance". State run media also state this as an attempt of KLA
members to cross the border with neighboring Albania. Dukagjin lies west of Drenica, a plain located in central
Kosova, with the Albanian border some 80 km to west. 4 APCs were seen entering Gjakova, (one of the main cities in
Dukagjin), on Friday 2300 CET, "Koha Ditore sources" confirm.
Reportedly, the VJ army unites are increasing with the deployement of
reinforcement. According to the paper's sources, two agricultural cooperatives
close to Gjakova, are already adopted as an admittance center to the
increased VJ forces. Same sources state the strengthening of Albanian army units
along the international border, citing the Albanian Defense Ministry
statement, due to the endangered situation in Kosova. On Friday, mass protest of Albanian citizens in Tirana, called
the "One Nation - One Stand", was organized as a national support
to the Kosova Albanians, official Tirana sources confirmed. Tens of thousands of protesters convened for the rally during
which Rexhep Meidani, Albanian president, icluding Sali Berisha, opposition leader,
spoke out claiming supportive messages towards Kosova Albanians. At the same time, around 80 thousand of local Albanian citizens
rallied in support to the Kosova Albanians, in a mass-protest lead by main
Albanian politicians in FYROM, "Koha Ditore" reported. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenicë
(paramilitary forces) Paramilitary Serb forces from Bosnia participate in the Drenica
assault Drenica onslaught lead by "Legija" "Legija",
Arkan's comrade is known as one of the senior leaders of the combined
police-military ethnic cleansing operations in Bosnia Prishtinë, 6 March (ARTA) 1650 CET Serb police forces with war-experience from the war in Bosnia,
previously engaged in paramilitary operations, some of which are now labeled
as war crimes, are involved in the Drenica crackdown, inform reliable
sources. According to the same sources, the so-called "Legija",
known as a senior leader of the combined police-military ethnic cleansing
operations in Bosnia, is responsible for the assault on Drenica. "Legija", previously a criminal and a good friend of
Arkan, was later ranked high within the Serb police structures, ordained for
special affairs. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(villages and the siege) Prekaz remains under artillery fire Almost
all of the Jashari family mambers have been executed, inside of the destroyed
houses, local sources -- Blasts and detonations heard between villages of
Aqareva and Vojnik Prekaz, Skënderaj, 5 March (ARTA)
1730CET The latest reports show that despite the damage caused by
larg-scale detonations and grenade launching by the special Serb police
units, the village of Prekaz is resisting the renowed crackdown, that has so
far claimed the lives of over 50 civilian Albanians. "Koha Ditore" sourse report on killing of almost all
of the Jashari family members, who were at the time of the attack, seeking
shelter within the completely destroyed house complex. Brothers Halit and Zymer Jashari are reported killed. One woman from the Jashari family is also claimed slaughtered,
as her 16-year-old son and daughter (11), are reported killed. Two other
children aged 6 and 2 are reported apprehended by the Serb police. During the early hours, there were reports on forceful detention
of the large convoy consisted of women and children within the former
Ammunition Factory building in Prekaz. Local villagers claim that the number
of detained Albanian civilians is continuously increasing. Another house, claimed the property of Jashari family, is
reported being under severe police siege. Two trucks, an armored vehicle,
have been spotted in the yard of two local elementary school buildings,
presumably turned into a temporary police barracks. Crackdown on the village of Llausha is concentrated at the very
entrance of the village, as continous blasts and detonations can be between
the villages of Aqareva and Vojnik. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(refugees) First Albanian refugees influx from Drenica reaches
Prishtina suburbs Refugees
influx is reported heading by train from Fushë Kosovë through Peja and
Gllogovc to Fushë Kosovë (Prishtina suburb) Prishtina, 6 March (ARTA) 1941 CET "I’m going to Prishtina, to send women and children there.
Then, I’ll return in Drenica, to protect my house", said Hanefi Nekiqi,
villager from Grabovc i Ulët, settlement an hour of walk from Prekaz, where
the fierce Serb police crackdown continues since early morning hours. Over 50 Albanian villagers from Drenica have already reached
Prishtina suburbs. "Hundreds of refugees came to Fushë-Kosovë, by trains
from Peja through Gllogoc" say taxi-drivers, who have worked for free
the entire day, solidarizing with expelled compatriots. KOSOVA: Police attack on Drenica (army
movement) It is reported that state enterprise facilities in
villages of Bec and Ponoshec (surrounding of Gjakova, 90 km west of
Prishtina) are adapted as barracks for increased VJ troops Gjakova, 6 March (ARTA) 2030 CET Increased VJ troops movements are spotted in the region of
Gjakova, city close to the Albania borderline. Meanwhile, unconfirmed sources claim that state-run enterprise
facilities in Bec and Ponoshec -- villages close to Gjakova -- are been
adapted as temporary military barracks for VJ troops. Over 20 thousand people on Skënderbej
square Rally of support to Kosova Albanians Kosova unites all Albanian
political parties "Kosovë,
we are with you" - "One nation - one stand" Tirana, 6 March (ARTA) For the first time after the elections of 22 March, mass
rallies, against Serb violence in Kosova, were organized in the
"Skenderbej" square. "One nation-one stand", asserted a poster placed in
the middle of the square. This was also the motto of the gathering. Rexhep Meidani, the president of Albania, accompanied by all
political party leaders, underlined once more the Albanian stand in favor of
the Kosova Albanians. "All political parties have put down their flags to rise
the one and only flag, the flag of the nation", said Meidani to the
hundreds of gathered Albanians. Meidani continued: "Albanians do not want war, those who
provoke one, will hold the responsibility in front of history" - was the
answer the president gave to the frequent calls overwhelming the square in
demand of war, weapons and clamor in favor of KLA. In order to avoid radicalization of the Kosova issue, Meidani
demanded the stop to violence conducted by the Serbs, the withdrawal of the
military troops, the implementation of the education agreement signed by
Rugova and Milosevic, as well as the presence of the international authorities
in Kosova. "If these are not achieved, any attempt for dialogue would
fail", said the president of the Republic. "We are ready to function as a single trunk against the
Serb aggressor", was the idea transmitted by all leaders of political
forces, gathered as never before, as well as by the senior government
officials and the leaders of the Albanian opposition parties. Sali Berisha, chairman of the Democratic Party, pronounced that
the 22 March elections in Kosova should be held and that the Albanians will
not accept a second Bosnia. Berisha demanded the international community's
condemnation of Milsoevic's massacre in Kosova, as well as the organization
of a conference on Kosova. The rally was also saluted by Iljaz Ramajli, Kosova's
representative in Albania, who said: "Kosova is not alone" Solidarity gatherings also took place in many other Albanian
towns. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(Albanians, FYROM) Over 100.000 Albanians at a Skopje mass-protest "Kosova
we are with you", "Twelve o'clock already", "Long live
the KLA", were cheered during this mass gathering -- Arber Xhaferi and
Abdurrahman Aliti, Albanian political leaders in FYROM were leading the crowd Skopje, 6 March (ARTA) The main square of Skopje, capital of Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia -- FYROM, was too small to accept over 100.000 Albanian
protesters at a gathering held by Albanian parties PPD and PDSH, with a
slogan "Kosova, we are with you". Protesters were gathered at the city park above the old bridge
of Skopje and surrounding areas of "Macedonia" main square. Participants came from all Albanian inhabited parts of FYROM. On
the banners exposed at the rally were stated messages "Kosova we are
with you", "It's twelve o'clock", "Drenica, Albanians are
with you", "UÇK, UÇK", "We give our lives, but we do not
give Kosova away", "We demand NATO intervention",
"Albanians are one", "Kosova does have a lord", "One
Nation, One Stand", "Freedom or Death" etc. The most frequent cheerings were the ones addressing support tio
the Kosova Liberation Army -- KLA. Organizers read a Memorandum, stating that the "evil in
Kosova is common for all Albanians", and that "Serbia will get the
fist of all Albanians". Milosevic's regime was illustrated as "the last apartheid
in Europe". In the Memorandum, appeal was made to NATO, UN and OSCE --
for "stopping the ethnocide in Kosova". Memorandum was sent to all decision-making centers in Europe and
the world. "Koha Ditore" reports the FRY Embassy rejected the
acceptance of the Memorandum. On the stage, at today’s mass-protest, both Albanian leaders in
FYROM, Arber Xhaferi and Abdurrahman Aliti -- usually in fierce opossition
with one another -- were standing side-by side. A group of some thirty Macedonians cheered provoking messages to
Albanian protesters, although isolated by Macedonian police in a side street. It is estimated that the rally was the most massive one ever
organized by Albanians in Macedonia. Macedonian
army prepares for state of emergency According
to reliable sources at the FYROM Defence Ministry, "Koha Ditore"
claims that the state army is preparing to declare the state of emergency. Army
patrols at the border with Kosova are increasing while at numerous police
units patrol with increased weaponry. KOSOVA: Renowed police attack on Drenica
(detonations and artillery firing) Police reinforcement continues Large
convoys of civilian Kosova Albanian population, are seen attempting to break
through the war-torn area -- isolated by a strong Serb police circle. Prishtina, 6 March (ARTA) - 1330 CET First heavy artillery detonation was heard during the early
morning hours of Friday (0300 CET), continuing increasingly until this moment
in and around the village of Prekaz, close to the settlement of Skenderaj (50
km west of Prishtina). Reportedly, mortars and tracked-police tanks are used intensly,
combined with police infantry in this large-scale police operation which put
under siege the entire region of Drenica. Large convoys of civilian Kosova Albanian population, are seen
attempting to break through the war-torn area -- isolated by a strong Serb
police circle. "Koha Ditore" local sources claim that the evacuated
population which managed to reach settlements outside the siege (Vushtrri and
Mitrovica) are consisted of civilians coming from the periferic villages,
outside the circle. Meanwhile, there are reports on increased police reinforcements,
loaded in green VJ trucks. Two local school buildings are also reported as turned into
temporary police barracks. Food and necesities are provided to Serb police
through the network of Serb-run nutritious enterprises in Kosova. Detonations are continously heard south of Skenderaj, between
villages of Aqareva, Vojnik and Turiqevc. Kosova Serb Information Secretary Drobnjak: If the villagers do
not report the terrorists they are terrorists themselves A
statement of Boshko Drobnjak to the Russian TV (NTV) Prishtinë, 6 March-(ARTA) The Information Secretary of the Serb authorities in Kosovë,
Boshko Drobnjak, declared to Russian TV (NTV) that "if there are even
two terrorists in the village that are not reported to the police by the
villagers, then the latter are no longer citizens, they are considered
terrorists as well". This statement was made following the police offensive on
Drenica (40 km west of Prishtina) on 5 March. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(women and children captured) Women and children captured
by police Albanian
civilians are kept inside the former Ammunition Factory building in the
village of Prekaz -- presumably the temporary headquarter of Serb police Prishtina, 6 march (ARTA) - 1330 CET Serb police crackdown on Drenica continues, as large convoy of
Kosova Albanian villagers, women and children, is reported captured by Serb
police. Local "Koha Ditore" sources claim that they are kept inside
the Skenderaj Ammunition Factory building, presumably the temporary Serb
police headquarter. There are no reports on the number of apprehended civilians,
although, according to the villagers, police put under siege a large convoy,
which was heading towards cities outside of the war-torn area -- to Vushtrri
and Mitrovica. The former building of Ammunition Factory in the village of
Prekaz -- which is under severe fire for last 28 hours -- was in previous
reports stated as a Serb paramilitary base, from which several armed attacks
on the village were conducted past months. KOSOVA: Renewed Police attack on Drenica
(Contact Group visit) Contact Group representatives arrive in Prishtina One-day
visit of five Belgrade based officials comes at the peak of renewed police
crackdown on Drenica region Prishtina, 6 March (ARTA) - 1200 CET,
1STLD Contact Group representatives arrived in Prishtina for meetings
with Kosova officials due to the renewed large-scale joint military/police
attack on Drenica region (40 km west of Prishtina). Foreign and local media report overall death toll reaching over
50 Kosova Albanians killed (including women and children) as the crackdown on
12 Albanian villages in the region continues. Serbian state media reported killing of 2 Serb policemen. US Charge D’Affairs, Ambassador Richard Miles, Uk’s Mr.
Donnelly, Italy’s Ricardo Sessa, Germany’s Wilfred Gruber and and Russia’s
Oleg Levitin, will in their one-day visit to Kosova’s capital meet with
officials from both Kosova Albanian and local Serb sides. Talks will continue highlighted by scheduled meetings with
Ibrahim Rugova, Kosova Albanian political leader, and Veljko Odalovic, main Serb
state-official in Kosova. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(journalists) Journalists brutally prevented entrance in the
war-torn area "Koha
Ditore" journalist receives life-threats at the Serb police checkpoint Prishtina 6 March (ARTA) - 1400 CET A large group of foreign and local journalists are reported to
have been brutally prevented to enter the Drenica region -- still suffering
heavy artillery fire -- as the renewed Serb police attack has already claimed
lives of over 50 people, Kosova Albanians, from local Drenica villages. Life threats were adressed to local Albanian journalist, working
with "Koha Ditore" daily, who were stopped and interrogated at the
entrance to the war-torn area -- Komoran, the main police checkpoint in the
direction of Gllogoc and Skenderaj (main Drenica towns). Also, "Koha Ditore" daily distribution was obstructed
in main parts of Kosova, with local distributors being threatened prison and
beating if they continue their work. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(crackdown, villages) Attack on Drenica continues Adem Jashari is alive Serb
sources today stated that Adem Jashari, whom the Serbian government labels as
"a wanted terrorist leader", has been killed Skënderaj, 6 March (ARTA) - 1200CET Latest reports show that shooting in the villages of Drenica
region (40 km west of Prishtina) is continuing with unchanged intensity since
yesterday’s renewed large-scale police and military crackdown. Foreign and local media report on death toll reaching over 50
Kosova Albanians killed (including women and children). Serb state media reported the killing of 2 policemen and 4
others as "slightly" wounded. "Koha Ditore" sources report on clashes being
concentrated in and around villages of Prekaz and Llausha. It has been claimed that 4 houses in Prekaz are surrounded and
subjected to constant firing, whereas from Llausha are heard occasional
artillery detonations The house of Jashari family -- spotted by Serb media and police
as the commanding stronghold of Kosova Liberation Army -- is reported
entirely destroyed, as rumors that Adem Jashari, labeled as in charge of KLA
local units is killed, are denied. KOSOVA: Renewed police attack on Drenica
(Contact group talks) Russia sends deputy minister to Kosova Talks Deputy
Minister Nikolai Afanasyevsky will attend Monday's meeting, stated the
Russian Foreign Ministry MOSCOW, March 6 (Reuters) - Russia will send only a deputy foreign minister to a meeting
in London of the "Contact Group" devoted to the violence in Yugoslavia's
province of Kosovo, Interfax news agency said on Friday. It quoted Foreign Ministry sources as saying that Deputy
Minister Nikolai Afanasyevsky would attend Monday's meeting at which the
foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the United States and
Russia had been expected. The Foreign Ministry could not confirm the report
but said Foreign Minister Yevgeny Primakov had no plans to travel abroad next
week. KOSOVA -- renowed police attack on
Drenica (bunkers) Serb media report on "bunker-shelters of
KLA" Belgrade, 6 March (ARTA) - 1230CET The Serb police found three bunkers allegedly used as Kosova
Liberation Army units shelters, in Prekaz i Epërm, village close to
Skënderaj, says today's Belgrade daily "Politika". Paper says that two of these facilities were loaded with medical
equipment (reanimation apparatus used for surgery, as well as anesthetics),
including medicine, sanitary goods as well as two beds. The third bunker contained ammunition, weapons and explosives,
claims "Politika". "After clashing with Serb police forces, the terrorists
retreated trying to mine the bunker on their way. But, they were stopped at
the last moment". "Politika" asserts that "after
exchanging fire some time, from their hiding behind one bunker in Prekaz i
Epërm, eight Albanian terrorists surrendered".
KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
forces in Drenica (update) Regrouping of police forces
during the night Differing
from Prekaz, none of the houses were burned in Llaushë even after the 12
hours long attack The
circle not controlled by the police: the area between the villages Ujëmirë,
Siçevë and Açarevë, in direction of Prekaz and Llaushë and towards Çiçavicë
up to Runikë. The
ring controlled by the Serb police: starting from Runikë up to Suhogërllë,
Çikatovë and up to Komoran Skënderaj, 5 March (ARTA) - 2200CET Our sources confirm that differing from Prekaz, which was
destroyed duirng the 12 hours long attack of the Serbian police, the other
village which has also been subject to the attack, has suffered no damage.
Moreover, our sources claim that almost no house in the village has been
destroyed. On the other hand, these sources stress that in the evening,
somewhere after 2100CET, Serb policemen are moving and taking new positions
in the direction to the west of Skënderaj, towards Krushec and Rezallë
villages. On the northern side of Skënderaj, the police is moving towards
the Mehaj neighborhood in Prekaz. The inhabitants of Prekaz have withdrawn,
but it is still not certain where they are. It is believed that the movements of the police are, in fact, a
regrouping of forces for the eventual clash that could take place tomorrow. According to the information coming from the field, our sources
confirm that the space between the villages Ujëmirë, Siçevë and Açarevë up to
Prekaz and Llaushë towards the villages of Çiçavicë up to Runikë, in fact,
make up the ring which is not controlled by the police. The police has not withdrawn from the area between Açarevë and
Siçevë and in fact the front-line is somewhere between Siçevë, Açarevë up to
Prekaz, Llaushë and Vojnikë, up north, southward to Açarevë, and to the east
towards Çiçavica up to the village of Beçiq. This is the circles not penetrated by the police. The circle
which covers Runikë up to Suhogërllë, Çikatovë and up to Komoran, is under
Serb police control. Our sources claim that the regrouping of the forces during the
night could lead towards a new possible clash in the morning. According to unconfirmed information, it seems that Albanian
volunteers have entered the Çiçavicë region. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
forces in Drenica (internal displacements) Villages are emptied Prishtina & Drenica, 5 March (ARTA)
- 2200CET "On the way from Vushtrri towards the village of Galicë, we
saw a large number of refugees. There were three cars, several carriages full
of women and children and some of them were going on foot. Some of them had fled their homes at 0200CET, as soon as first
shooting and detonations started, whereas the majority of them fled at around
0800CET. While we were there, we saw a bus full of Albanian men, who told
us that they had come to Vushtrri to bring their wives and children and that
they were plnning to back home to the villages of Llaushë, Skënderaj &
Prekaz. The houses in Dubovc were empty, and only old men, taking care
of the houses, could be seen there", declared a journalist of the Swiss
weekly "fact" to "KOHA Ditore". KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
forces in Drenica (update) Basri Musmurati: We saw
terror Shaban
Jashari's family didn't abandon the house, and it is supposed that the
members of this family were burned inside their house. Skënderaj, 5 March (ARTA) - 2130CET Prekaz i Epërm was visited by LDK Presidency member Basri
Musmurati, who declared: "We were in Prekaz i Epërm from 1700 to
1810CET. We saw how the houses in the Jasharaj neighborhood were burning
down. Artillery shooting wouldn't stop. We could see the mortars that were
being thrown on the neighborhood. The houses were totally destroyed, and only
fire and smoke could be seen. Occasionally, there were also machine-gun
bursts. As we were told, the neighborhoods of Kodrali and Lushak (in Prekaz
i Poshtëm) were also attacked. The police and army besieged the area. The inhabitants of Prekaz
i Epërm, Mikushnicë, Lipovec, Dubovec, Galicë have moved out and are headed
to Vushtrri (30 km north from Prishtina). Some of them found refuge in the
mountains, and it was evident that they had no weapons. As we were told, Shaban Jashari's family didn't abandon the
house, and it is supposed that the members of this family were burned inside
their house". KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
forces in Drenica (paramilitary units) Bosnia war criminals engaged
in Kosova Milenko
Radmilic - "Pjevac" who was released from Brcko prison four days
ago, was spotted in Mitrovica The
Zvornik special unit, known for the war crimes committed in Srebrenica, was
engaged by the Serbian police on 1 February Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 2100 CET According to reliable sources, Bosnia war criminal, Milenko
Radmilic called "Pjevac" ("Rooster") was released from
Brcko prison four days ago and together with other 25 people has put on the
Serbian police uniform. "Pjevac" has been seen and identified by
eyewitnesses in Mitrovica. Otherwise, "Pjevac" is known for having
perpetrated crimes during the war in Bosnia, including crimes against Serbs. The same sources state that since 1 February, a special unit
from Zvornik (Bosnia), known for the crimes committed in Srebrenica has been
engaged by the Serbian police.
KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
forces in Drenica (update) The police halts the attack
on Drenica Serbian
media quote the police sources and state that "20 terrorists were
killed". On the other hand, two policemen were killed and two others
were wounded After
Milosevic's "no" to Cook, the fear is that the attacks will resume Skënderaj, 5 March (ARTA) - 2000CET Twelve hours since the beginning of the police attack that
started at 0600CET and the clashes in Drenicë, Serb special police units
halted the attack at dusk. The last news, at 1830CET, is that a column is retreating
towards Mitrovicë, namely 3 buses and 32 trucks. It is not certain whether
they are full or empty. According to Serb sources, the police has stated that "20
terrorists" and two policemen were killed in today's attack. Another two
policemen were wounded on the same occasion, state the same sources. Having in mind Milosevic's rejection of the proposal made by the
British foreign minister, Cook, whom he met today in Belgrade and to whom he
said that "Kosova was an internal affair of Serbia", local analysts
fear that the Serb special police forces attack in Drenicë will resume
tomorrow. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
forces in Drenica (update) Several thousands of women
congregate in front of USIS Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1830CET Today at 1700 CET, several thousands of women gathered in front
of the United States Information Service (USIS) in Prishtina to protest
against the new police/military offensive in Drenica, witnesses claim. The number of the protesters would have been even bigger if the
police cordons surrounding the neighborhood of Dragodan (where the American
Office is), did not take their positions an hour earlier, and stop the movement
of the women who were headed to protest. Almost all of the journalists, foreign and local, were stopped
from penetrating this part of the town. As the witnesses state, some of the women that actually achieved
to penetrate through police cordons, clamored "S.O.S" and
"Help!", in front of teh USIS, meanwhile the delegation that was
representing these women, headed by the chairlady of the Albanian Women's
League, Flora Brovina, got in and had a talk with the head of USIS Prishtina,
Richard Huckaby. The women's delegation demanded an American military
intervention, while Huckaby promised that "we will do everything to
solve this complicated problem, and we are terrified, with the events that
took place last weekend in Drenicë". On their way out from the office, in front of the building,
women lit up candles (around a thousand), and after a minute of silence paid
to Drenicë recent victims, they dispersed. Otherwise this is the second time that the Albanian women gather
in front of the United States Information Center (USIS) in Prishtinë. The
first time it was last Sunday, when the "Massacre of Drenicë" took
place. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Shooting restarts in Prekaz Skënderaj, 5 March (ARTA) - 1700CET After 15.30 CET new shooting has been heard in Prekaz and in
Llaushë. In Prekaz a strong detonation has been heard and after that smoke
and fire were seen, in the meantime in Llaushë the shootout did not stop,
even now at 17.00 CET. In the meantime, new reinforcement of the Serb police arrived.
According to our sources there are 12 buses and 6 trucks. They were accompanied by 3 trucks filled with sand sacks which
will probably be used to form barricades. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Over 1000 people fled Drenicë
into Fushë Kosovë & Obiliq Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1545CET Over 1000 women and children that fled the Drenica region
arrived in the villages surrounding Fushë-Kosovë and Obiliq at 14.00 CET.
They have been settled in the villagers' houses. They confirm that throughout
the day, heavy explosions were heard from the direction of Skënderaj, adding
that the local Serb police is positioned in the region's forests, controlling
the refuge seekers and letting them continue their journey. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Serbia's Ministry of Internal Affairs claims: "Two policemen wounded in Skënderaj" The
communique states that "a terrorist attack was perpetrated against a
police patrol in the morning, and that they started a chase..." Belgrade, 5 March (ARTA)-15:45 CET Serbia's Ministry of Internal Affairs, notified today about an
alleged "terrorist attack" close to Skënderaj, Drenica (40 km west
of Prishtina). The communique says that "early morning today, in a road
close to Skënderaj, Albanian secessionists perpetrated a terrorist attack on
a police patrol by using automatic guns. Two members of the Internal Ministry
were wounded on this occasion". The communique concludes that "the police fired back and
went on to chase terrorists". KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Televised interview with alleged KLA senior officer There is no threat to Kosova Serbs Flamur:
"The first things to disappear will be the borders between Albanians,
that is the border between the state of Kosova and Albania, between the state
of Kosova and Macedonia and between the state of Kosova and Montenegro," Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 15:45CET Alleged KLA senior officer called "Flamur", was
interviewed by Croatian television. The interview it was broadcasted late
Wednesday evening. He said there was no threat to Kosova Serbs but that a war
in Kosova would result in its amalgamation with neighboring Albanian
territories. "The first things to disappear will be the borders between
Albanians, that is the border between the state of Kosova and Albania,
between the state of Kosova and Macedonia and between the state of Kosova and
Montenegro," he said. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) The attack continues Police
controls Gllogoc Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1400 Sources of "Koha Ditore" informed that, at 1330 CET,
after 7 hours long Serbian police attack, there is still heavy firing
reported in Skënderaj's surrounding area. On the other hand, it is stated that Gllogoc (35 km southeast of
Prishtina), another large Drenicë settlement, is under police control. Mitrovicë, on the other hand is flooded with wounded civilians
coming from the direction of Vushtrri, (20 km north of Prishtina), using
tractors as transportation means. Tractors are used for carrying the wounded
from Drenica into the Obiliq (10 km west of Kosova's capital city Prishtina). KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Albanian women and children
flee the besieged region Green
APCs and two white buses, without registration plates, have been seen,
accompanied by a number of big trucks, filled with police forces and covered
with ordinary orange plastic and backed with cannon guns and heavy military
equipment, witnesses claim. Drenicë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1400CET The joint Serb military and police attack on the civilian
population in the Drenicë region has reportedly resulted with a large number
of women and children seeking refuge in the nearby towns and villages. According to unconfirmed sources, around 1.800 women and
children have fled the villages of Orllat and Llapushnik (15 km southwest of
the besieged town of Gllogoc) moving towards the village of Korroticë e
Epërme, and into the settlement of Sllatinë, near the airport. Witnesses claim that green APCs and two white buses, without
registration plates, have been seen, accompanied by a number of big trucks,
filled with police forces and covered with ordinary orange plastic and backed
with cannon guns and heavy military equipment. It has also been claimed that
Serb policemen are dressed in green and blue uniforms. The participation of paramilitary units has also been claimed. Furthermore, the source repeats the plea of the endangered
population for medicine and sanitation aid. The presence of Serbian national television cameras have been
claimed to monitor the Drenicë terrain a day before the attack. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Attack on Prekaz started at
02:00 CET, witnesses claim The
attack started with the firing of grenade launchers in Prekaz i Ulët. In the
morning these police forces were joined by a helicopter. Mitrovicë, 5 March-(ARTA) - 1400CET "The attack on Drenicë, started last night at two o'clock
after midnight", claim five girls that managed to escape from Prekaz i
Epërm village, along with a 7 years old child. They arrived in Mitrovica and
found shelter at the outskirts of Mitrovicë. The attack started with the firing of grenade launcher mines on
Prekaz i Ulët. In the morning these police forces were joined by a
helicopter. As confirmed from these sources, around 10:00 CET, the
police-military forces reached the school in Prekaz i Epërm. Sources notify that seven buses filled with police, accompanied
by 20 APCs, passed through the Mitrovicë-Skenderaj road at 0200CET. Yesterday, around 08:00 CET, a military transporter carrying
antiaircraft missile equipment of 232 milimeter caliber passed through the
same road. KOSOVA: Tense situation in Podujevë Snipers set on top of the buildings During
last night the police visited all Serb and Montenegrin families Podujevë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1400CET Different sources inform that last night, the police forces used
APCs to evacuate Serb children from the village Kërpimeh, Podujeva mun. (35
km northeast of Prishtina). Witnesses say that during last night, the police in APCs visited
all Serb and Montenegrin families in the direction of Orllan (30 km northwest
of Prishtina). On the other hand, large military-police forces were seen
moving in the direction of Prishtina, in the early morning hours. There are police movements in the center of the town as well as
on the crossroads. Snipers are situated on the top of several buildings and
the police building in Podujevë. Today, around 12:00 CET, military transporters were seen going
in the direction of Kursumlija, Serbia (70 km northeast of Prishtina). KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Serb police barricades water supplies of Mitrovicë According
to Mitrovica citizens, the city has been practically beseiged by Serb police
and military forces Mitrovicë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1345CET Some 80 police force members, equipped with one APC, have been
stationed today by the water supply reservoir in the suburb of Mitrovica,
Shipol (40 km north of Prishtina). They have broken into the house of Haxhi Ferat Ymeri, whose
family numbers 42 members. They have built a barricade within the yard of
this household. These sources also inform that police forces, equipped with
grenade launchers, have supposedly taken position in the mountains on both
sides of the village of Lushtë, close to Mitrovicë. As these citizens claim, the city is practically surrounded by
police and military forces. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Since 13.00 CET sporadic shooting in Prekaz while
shootout continues in Llaushë Thousands
of women and children are fleeing the under siege regions and seeking refuge
in nearby settlements No
one knows the exact number of the victims Skënderaj, 5 mars - (ARTA) 1300CET The circle is getting tighter around the Jasharaj family house
in Prekaz, twice attacked by Serbian police forces in 1992 and January this
year, Since 13.00 CET, the shootout is being concentrated in Llaushë
village. According to eyewitnesses, two of the Jasharaj family houses are
on fire. On the opposite side of their house, Beqir Lushtaku's house has also
been attacked from Serb armed forces. A disturbing, but unconfirmed information claims that there were
attempts to evacuate four tractors with women and children, however
apparently Serb armed forces seized them and no information is available
since. In the meantime, Llaushë is overwhelmed with detonations,
explosions and shooting from different calibers. Throughout the whole day yesterday there was an enormous
concentration of armed Serb forces. First explosions were heard before 06.00 CET. The first shooting
was registered around the Jasharaj family property in Prekaz and around
Skënderaj. The Serb armed forces arrived in Skënderaj using trucks and buses,
whereas once in Skënderaj, they walked as infantry. As informed, large police
forces have arrived from three directions, Mitrovicë, Gllogoc and Klinë, up
to Jashanicë, where the fighting began. It is not yet known whether Serb armed forces coming from Klinë
proceeded towards Skënderaj or went through Ujëmirë in order to reach Açarevë
and thus besiege the whole region once approaching Komoran, 10 km southwest
of Gllogoc. Trucks carrying sacks of sand and tanks equipped with different
calibers, but as our sources claims, some vehicles with "Yugoslav
Army" registrations and other vehicles carrying radio-communications
were seen. As informed, in Prishtina's military garrisons, tanks are on
alert, but so far, they did not leave their compounds. Meanwhile, after 13.00 CET fighting is going on only in Llaushë,
but other short-term shootings still can be heard in Prekaz. Some Prekaz
villagers claim that as soon as doors open, shooting is produced, although
there is no armed resistance. In the meantime, Llaushë is still under fire. The exact number
of the victims is yet unknown. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
in Drenica (update) After shooting from distance, Serb forces are
approaching the attacked villages Sources
claim that there are many wounded Albanians. Some of the wounded have been
sent to Mitrovicë, as KIC reports Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 12:55 CET As Kosova Information Center (KIC) reports, the Democratic
League of Kosova (LDK) branch in Mitrovicë, contacted with it's sources in
Skenderaj at 12:45. This political party branch notifies that after shooting
with cannons, the police forces are entering the villages of Prekaz, Vojnikë,
Açarevë and Llaushë, in the Drenica region (40 km west of Prishtina). Sources claim that there are many wounded Albanians. Some of the
wounded have been sent to Mitrovicë, reports KIC. The Serb forces have destroyed entirely the houses of Shaban
Jashari and Beqir Lushtaku. In the meantime, many policemen aboard several buses with Nish
and Leskovac license plates were spotted on the road from Klina to Skenderaj,
writes KIC. The LDK branch in Mitrovicë notifies that Serb soldiers have
taken position around the army barracks in the same town, whereas the firing
machineguns are aimed towards the villages of Zasellë and Kçiç i Madh. LDK branch in Mitrovicë says that there is increased presence of
unknown Serbs in the town, reports KIC. KIC claims Serb snipers aim on Kosova
President's official residence Prishtinë 5 March, (ARTA) - 1250 CET A Kosova Information Centre statement confirms that "since
morning today (thursday) Serb snipers have been demonstrating their presence
on top of the Serb security and police buildings, which is situated some 100
meters away facing the building of the Kosova Writers Association (KWA) in
Prishtina. The KWA, is where the headquartres or President Ibrahim Rugova,
of Kosova'a office are, as well as the Kosova Information Centre (KIC)
premises". KIC states that "since the peaceful protests of ten of
thousands of Albanians in Prishtina on Monday, March 2, the Serb police have
been agreesively demostrating their presence around President Rugova's
official resedence and the KIC offices". Suburbs of Mitrovicë surrounded by
military and police forces Civilian population fears civil war The
civilian population in panic is trying to store basic nutrition needs in fear
of the Serb police force's attack on Drenicë, spreading, thus causing civil
war. Kosovë, Mitrovicë (ARTA) - 1230 CET "Koha Ditore" sources claim that Mitrovica a city 40
km north of Prishtina, is overwhelmed with military movements. After this morning's firing in the village of Shipol, virtually
a suburb of Mitrovicë the police and miltary forces have surrounded the
suburb and the Mitrovica suburb of Tamnik. The police, it has been reported, has also blocked access to
stores preventing civilians to supply themeselves with basic nutrition needs.
The civilian population in panic is trying to store basic nutrition needs in
fear of the Serb police force's attack on Drenicë spreading, thus causing
civil war. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Drenica seeks humanitarian help So
far, it is reported that none of the humanitarian organizations went to
Drenicë during or after the last massacre or today's latest attack Prishtinë, March 5 (ARTA) - 1220 CET Several phone calls were made from Skënderaj seeking medicines
and other sanitarian aid for the huge number of people that are wounded
during the today's attack of the Serbian police forces in Drenica region, 40
km west of Prishtina. We tried to contact ICRC (International Committee of Red Cross)
and IFRC (International federation of Red Cross), and both of them stated
that they "will do as much as they can, to inform primarily their
superiors". DOW (Doctors of the World) said that they don't have sanitarian
aid for the wounded, because as they claimed- "they only have the
competence to help people with infective diseases". At the PSF (Pharmasis Sans Frontiers) they said that "they
would go to offer help to the wounded, but there are no ways to get in Drenica
region", because the police did not allow any of the humanitarian
organizations to enter there in the previous days. So far, it is reported that none of the humanitarian
organizations went to Drenicë during or after the last massacre, or today's
latest attack. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Massive evacuation of civilians from Drenicë The
population of Drenicë sought help from humanitarian organizations as they
fleed the under attack region Serb
civilian population and Bosnia's Krajina refugees evacuated from Drenicë a
day before Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1215 CET The population of Drenica plea for help from humanitarian
organizations as they flee the under attack region. The villages of which is
known that are attacked in the region of Drenicë are: Tërnavc, Prekaz, Klinë
e Epërme, Klinë e Ulët, Polac, Krushefc, Llaushë, Dubofc, Lubovec, Galic,
Beqiq and Krasalicë. According to a source from Mitrovicë, a great number of trucks,
filled with women and children are coming from the attacked villages to
Shipol, municipality of Mitrovicë (40 km northeast from Prishtinë). In the
meantime in Gllogoc it is reported that the inhabitants of this surrounded
city are abandoning their houses. A source from Vushtrri (11 km south of
Mitrovicë), says there are movements of women and children from Mikushnicë,
Dubofc, Galica and Beqiq heading in the direction of Vushtrri, while women
and children are also leaving the villages Krajkovë, Shtrubullovë and Çikatovë
e Re as well as the inhabitants of the villages Ujëmirë, Shtaricë and Siçev. All these reports are from 10:30 CET, in the meantime it is
learned that there is a great panic among the population, for which reason
people who can, are evacuating in a great majority. A recent report given to "Koha Ditore", by Jakup
Krasniqi, chairman of LDK in Glogoc, says that the villages Dashevc and Plac
have been totally abandoned. Serb civilian population and Bosnia's Krajina refugees have been
evacuated from Drenicë a day before the Serb police attack was initiated. 120
Serb families, Krajina refugees, situated in Skënderaj and Serb citizens were
withdrawn from the region on the eve of the brutal attack on the Albanian
civilians. The Drenicë region is over 90% ethnic Albanian. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedoms
notifies that: The situation in the villages of Drenicë is alarming During
the insurgence on the villages of Prekaz, Llaushë, Marinë, Mikushnicë of the
Skenderaj municipality, infantry units were seen using heavy artillery,
including grenades, cannons, and missiles. Many houses in that region were
burnt Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1200 CET CDHRF notifies that starting from the early morning hours, a
combined police, military, and paramilitary attack is being carried out
against the villages of Drenicë. These forces have surrounded Drenica from
different angles. The Council claims that around 70 military transporters are
on their way to Skenderaj from Mitrovicë and that this road is completely
blocked. Military and police forces are arriving in Skenderaj from Gllogovc
as well as from Peja. The Council quotes it's sources as saying that 5 APCs,
12 trucks, 6 buses with Nish license plates, filled with policemen, as well
as 9 terrain vehicles are on the way from Klina from Skenderaj. The
inhabitants of Ujmirë, Shtaricë and Siçevë have abandoned their houses.
Gllogovc is full of police reinforcements that have built barricades. The council claims that Serb police movements were noticed in
the direction of Junik, city in the middle of Gjakova and Peja. The council
claims during the insurgence on the villages of Prekaz, Llaushë, Marinë,
Mikushnicë of the Skenderaj municipality, infantry units were seen using
heavy artillery, including grenades, cannons, and missiles. Many houses in
that region were burnt, including the house of the family Jashari, subject of
similar attacks in January as well, which has been torched to the ground. The
Council's sources suppose that the number of victims could be very high. Many
villages are being abandoned and the villagers are escaping in the direction
of Mitrovicë and Vushtrri. From Garrisons around Prishtina Military reinforcement on it's way to Drenica? Tanks
and heavy armored vehicles, according to information from LDK at 11:00 CET
have left their barracks in Prishtina and is supposed that they are on their
way to Skënderaj Prishtinë, March 5 (ARTA) - 1200 CET According to information from LDK (Democratic League of Kosova,
leading party in Kosova) military tanks and heavy armored vehicles, at 11:00
CET have left their barracks in Prishtina and is supposed that they are on
their way to Skënderaj in Drenica, whilst the police forces now attacking in
this region are equipped even with cannons and heavy artillery, say members
of mr.Rugova's LDK party. According to them "this is one of the heaviest
police expeditions till now". "We have asked from international factors to intervene as soon
as possible in order to prevent a heavy conflict. We don't know what kind of
uniforms is the police army wearing, but we know that APCs are black. Till
now we don't have any information about any casualties, because the villages
are engulfed with fire smoke", says the LDK. However, according to "Koha Ditore" sources, tanks and
military vehicles in the Prishtina military garrison are in a state of alert,
however so far they have not left the compounds. Other, unconfirmed sources
claim that military units have moved towards Drenicë, from the airbase of
Sllatinë, Prishtina's airport (15 km southwest of Kosova's capital of
Prishtinë). According to unconfirmed sources military movements have been
reported even in cities around Serbia proper. Rugova's spokesman - Press Briefing Xhemajli: Unseen brutality of Belgrade's regime Humanitarian
organizations asked to help all people in attacked villages of Drenicë Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1130 Following last events in Drenica and it's villages, president
Rugova's spokesmen, mr.Xhemajl Mustafa (M), held today e emergency press
briefing. Mr. Mustafa said that "today's attack in Drenica's villages
proves of an unseen brutality of Belgrade's regime. Following the massacres
by serb forces in Drenica villages, Likoshan and Qirez, last weekend, the
serbian regime was warned by american (State) Department and European Union
to prevent further escalation". Evaluating that serb forces have undertaken today a large scale
attack against residents of Prekaz and Llausha in Skënderaj, mr. Mustafa said
the arrogant behavior of serbian regime make it urgent the intervention of
US, EU, UN and especially of Security Council. In this press meeting mr.Mustafa urged for political parties to
be mobilized, whilst from humanitarian organizations it was asked to help all
people in attacked villages in Skënderaj. For further information on Drenica events, mr.Rugova's spokesmen
will hold another press briefing at 13:00 CET. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica (update) Police incursion on Drenicë The
largest serb special police force's attack on Drenica began at 0600 CET, five
hours later it's still under way Prishtinë, 5 March (ARTA) - 1130 CET The brutal special Serb police and military action in the
villages of Drenicë, central Kosova, started today at 0600 CET. According to
witnesses, the villages under attack are Prekaz, Llaushë, Polac, Kuçica and
numerous surrounding villages. Many victims are believed to have resulted from the largest
police assault, which is still continuing. A part of the population in
Gllogoc has been evacuated. According to "Koha ditore" sources, the action has not
ceased even at 09:30 CET. Reinforcements, including APCs and heavy artillery
are believed to have joined the police forces that started the attack. These
sources claim that cannons and artillery are placed in the ammunition factory
in Prekaz, from where they are raiding Prekaz. The Jashari family household (where the unsuccessful attack of
January took place), is burned to the ground. Witnesses assert that the police are using APCs, armored
vehicles with four machine guns with anti-aircraft missiles, and say that
these reinforcements have been transported in army trucks. Special police units (PJP), used during the Bosnian war, were
also seen. The police forces attacking Drenicë, are stationed in the relation
Votesh-Tërnovc, on one side, and Polac-Runik-Llaushë, up to the old brick
factory where large police forces are stationed. Yesterday, all Serb refugees, and those from Krajina, as well as
Serb citizens living there were evacuated. Our sources notify that Gllogovc is also surrounded. In the
meantime, as it is notified, police reinforcements are on their way to
Drenicë from Mitrovicë and Peja. This is believed to be the most vicious attack of the Serb
police forces on Drenicë. Sources from Skenderaj notify that today, at around
9:30 CET, the neighborhood of the Jashari family, in Prekaz, is completely
destroyed. Raids are being carried out from the ammunition factory in
Skenderaj, a kilometer away from Prekaz. There have been detonations on the
neighborhood Lushtak (also in Prekaz) and the biggest part of this
neighborhood has also been destroyed. Detonations have also been reported in the village of Llaushë, 5
km away. The same source claims that hundreds of policemen from special
units, dressed in black, are on their way from Skenderaj to the villages of
Llaushë, Runik, Polac, Klinë e Begut, Vojnik, Aqarevë, Tic, Obri, Likovac,
Rezall, Jashanicë. Tanks are moving in the direction of Prekaz and Polac. In the
meantime, police reinforcements are arriving from the direction of Klinë.
According to the latest report the police attack continues in two directions,
from Klinë towards Jashanicë, equipped with heavy artillery. The attack still continues. KOSOVA: Offensive of Serb special police
units in Drenica DRENICA MASSACRED AGAIN Special
Serb police forces attacked again using gun cannons and heavy artillery, in
addition to terrain vehicles and APCs Kosovë, Drenicë, 5 mars - (ARTA) 1100CET
Drenica region (40 km west of Prishtina) attacked again by
special Serb police forces using gun cannons and heavy artillery, in addition
to terrain vehicles and APCs, at 0600CET. The police stroke on the villages of Aqarevë, Vojnikë, Llaushë, Prekaz and
surrounding villages. Eyewitnesses confirmed that heavy police forces are
moving from the village of Jashanica towards Aqarevë, while supporting forces
have been reported to have left Peja in the direction of Drenicë. According
to the Human Rights Council (CDHRF) the house of the Jasharaj family, in the
village of Prekaz (3 km southwest of Skënderaj) subjected to repeated Serb
unit attacks, in 1992, as well as in early January this year, but never conquered,
has been burned to the ground, using grenades and heavy artillery, stationed
at the ammunition factory in Skënderaj. Even after 0930 CET heavy police
forces are still reported to flood the Drenicë region, accompanied by
furthermore APCs and armored cars with antiaircraft weapons. The front line
of firing stretches across the villages of Tërnovc moving down to Runik,
towards the Southwest and continuing down to Voçnjak, south, Aqarevë and
Rezallë towards the north and Llaushë, thus forming an iron circle of
approximately 30 square km. Tens of villages are under continuous fire, while
the exact number of dead or wounded is not yet known. Witnesses confirm that
along the military logistics, food supplies have also been brought by the
Serb police, which might indicate that the expedition might last. The CDHRF claims, according to on the spot reports, that there
are tens of dead and wounded, while population has fled the city of Gllogovc
(50 km southwest of Prishtinë) and the surrounding villages of Likushan and
Qirez. These two villages were the scenes of what has come to be known as the
Drenicë Massacre, last weekend, in which combined Serb police and military
forces massacred 25 civilians. Despite calls for peace and restraint,
depicted at the all national Albanian protests held in Prishtinë, in sign of
indignation and support for the Drenicë population, which were brutally
repressed by Serb riot police, leaving a large number of injured and despite
the warnings of the International Community, that Yugoslavia might face
further sanctions if the Kosova problem is not tackled in a peaceful manner,
Serbian authorities once again proved that peace is not what they have in
mind. |
http://www.kohaditore.com/ARTA/drenica2_p2.htm