|
March 09, 2004
ERP KiM Newsletter
09-03-04
Bishop Artemije:
aerophotogrammatic survey a prelude to revision of land registry
books in Kosovo
Kosovo Serbs expect and request that the newly formed institutions of
government in Belgrade, the Government of Serbia as well as the
Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, carry out an expert
assessment of this decision by the Kosovo provisional government,
and adopt an official position with regard to this issue. Can Serbs
participate in the aerophotogrammatic survey in Kosovo and Metohija,
then, and by doing so will they give legitimacy to the establishment
of new land registry evidence and thus contribute to further
deterioration of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the
Serbian state on this part of its territory and, by doing so,
endanger the survival of the Serb people on their own land?
 |
|
The goal of the announced aerophotogrammatic
survey of Kosovo's territory is to produce new
cadastral records which will make impossible for
displaced Serbs to easily prove their property
possession once they return to their homes. In
fact the new aerophotogrammatic survey is a
"legal way" of keeping Serbs out of Kosovo and
taking their possession of property for good.
Any attempt to retrieve their property rights
will be so time consuming for Serb returnees
that they would rather prefer to sell the
property, which is exactly what most Kosovo
Albanians, particularly those who illegally
usurped Serb property, want. |
|
Holkeri's
unsuccessful attempt to win unconditional support of Belgrade
Editorial ERP KIM Info-Service
Gracanica, March 8, 2004
These days UNMIK officials have launched an intensive campaign
to win support of Kosovo Serbs and Belgrade government for
further participation of Serb representatives in Kosovo
provisional institutions. However, things are not the same as
they used to be several months ago. Despite their internal
disagreements Serbs are unified in one thing - Kosovo Serbs
should not give a carte blanche to UNMIK in finalization of
ethnic Albanian state on the sovereign Serbian soil.
The
latest elections in Serbia and the general feeling among Kosovo
Serbs, particularly in the circles of the influential Serbian
Orthodox Church, have demonstrated that further participation in
building Kosovo institutions is possible only if the process of
institutionalization is returned within the framework of the
UNSC Resolution 1244. This is exactly what UNMIK and Holkeri did
not expect because the plan of UNMIK is to finish the transfer
of powers on Albanian dominated institutions by the end of the
year, and immediately open a process of establishing Kosovo's
final status.
While on one hand Holkeri and UNMIK officials never blamed
Rugova and Rexhepi for spreading their own views of Kosovo's
future status, even misusing the capacity of their official
functions in so called "multiethnic" Kosovo government, the
first time Kosovo Serbs made their clear position that no
independence is acceptable a canonade was fired against PM
Kostunica and other Serb officials. Even the vampires of
the bloodstained Clinton administration like Holbrooke
immediately appeared out of anonymity to say that independence
is the only acceptable solution hurling new threats against
Belgrade.
However, the solution will be finally reached by the Security
Council but only on the basis of an negotiated settlement. In
other words Belgrade must agree with the final status settlement
otherwise Kosovo's secession will be an open example of forceful
change of internationally recognized borders which all members
of UN Security Council will hardly support. It is hard to
believe that any Government in Serbia will survive a day after
signing any kind of Kosovo secession. Therefore, the
international community which has been used so far, since
Milosevic's arrest, that Belgrade will obediently sell its
property for US dollars must understand that a more constructive
dialogue with wider variety of options is necessary.
If
POVRATAK Coalition nevertheless agrees to participate in
institutions without clear concessions and guarantees that would
very soon mean the end of the Coalition which will be replaced
by other political groups with much less readiness for
cooperation.
In
his message to Kosovo OSCE chief Mr. Fieschi Bishop Artemije
clearly articulated the position of the Church and the vast
majority of Kosovo Serbs - We can participate only within the
framework of UNSCR 1244 which guarantees sovereignty of Serbia
in Kosovo, not formally but practically. Acting as a decoration
in the Parliament hall, already decorated with kitchy Albanian
nationalist murals, is a scene which no Kosovo Serb
representative will be able to politically survive among their
own people.
CONTENTS:
 BISHOP
ARTEMIJE: A press release on announced aerophotogrammatic survey
All this has caused us great worry and forced us to speak
publicly, warning of the danger hiding behind this decision, since
the aerophotogrammetric survey represents a serious threat to the
property, first of all, of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as
of the Republic of Serbia, and of all expelled Serbs and other
non-Albanians.
Prime
Minister Kostunica meets Holkeri in Belgrade
Speaking about standards and their implementation, Kostunica
expressed doubt that this process can improve the position of Serbs
and the respect for human rights in Kosovo-Metohija. He said that
the recent activities showed that Belgrade's constructive stance
towards UNMIK did not bring about positive changes in this field and
therefore both sides should work on the decentralisation of
Kosovo-Metohija.
Two
Serbs attacked by Albanian mob in Lipljan - one injured
According to Lazic, who was unhurt in the incident, a group of
Albanians aged 20 to 25 years attacked them from behind, injuring
Doric. Doric was transferred to Simonida Medical Center in Gracanica
soon after the incident where he received medical care.
Kostunica
on Kosovo's cantonization - In accordance with European ideas
"It might sound strange, but the idea that I explained in the speech
about Kosovo and Metohija is not something that has not been
mentioned in Europe. Two years ago in the European Council a plan
for decentralization appeared through which would have provided
additional institutional protection for the Serbs and the other non
- Albanian population. That autonomy can be realized through three
dimensions, territorially, so the names if is it decentralization or
cantons, personally or culturally, are not important.
Svilanovic:
Kosovo standards violate Resolution 1244
On Monday, Goran Svilanovic, the Serbia and Montenegro Foreign
Minister, evaluated that UNMIK document "Standards for Kosovo" means
overstepping authorizations given under resolution 1244 of the UN
Security Council, and added that this solution did not take into
consideration the key suggestions and amendments recommended by the
Serbian government.
Both
EU and Kosovo and Metohija
'Holbrook's stance is his private opinion Fortunately, however.
Pristina is not deciding about settlement of Kosovo status and if
Serbia is going to respect all international obligations, we shall
have the possibility to protect our interest in Kosovo and Metohija.
Serbia's road to EU is with Kosovo and Metohija', Dusan Petrovic DS
vice president said.
Extremists
warn international forces
It
seams that the Civilian Mission is becoming a bone in the throat for
the Kosovo Albanians. Placing explosive devices in front of the
UNMIK headquarters, appropriated with political pressures of the
Albanians from time to time toward the general secretary of UN and
his assistants are everyday.
News
from Kosovo and Metohija, 6-8 March
Racak
- the battle and the lies (What really happened in Racak)
These liquidated terrorists, who had fought furiously all day,
needed to be depicted as "peaceful civilians". Along with the
bodies, the terrorists removed the weapons the policemen had not
managed to collect because of approaching darkness and the sheer
size of the area. The antiterrorist operation in Racak was finished
but another campaign, a media campaign full of lies and
fabrications, was just beginning.
More News Available on our:
Kosovo
Daily News list (KDN)
KDN Archive
This newsletter is available on our ERP KIM Web-site:
/erpkiminfo.html
Announced aerialphotogrammatic survey - a prelude to revision of
land registry books in Kosovo
Consequently, we expect and request that the newly formed
institutions of government in Belgrade, the Government of Serbia as
well as the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, carry out
an expert assessment of this decision by the Kosovo provisional
government, and adopt an official position with regard to this
issue. Can Serbs participate in the aerophotogrammatic survey in
Kosovo and Metohija, then, and by doing so will they give legitimacy
to the establishment of new land registry evidence and thus
contribute to further deterioration of the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Serbian state on this part of its
territory and, by doing so, endanger the survival of the Serb people
on their own land?
TOP
Orthodox Diocese of Raska-Prizren
and Kosovo-Metohija
Gracanica, March 8, 2004
PUBLIC COMMUNIQUE
regarding announced aerophotogrammetric survey
of Kosovo and
Metohija territory and adoption of law
on registry of real property
by Kosovo Parliament
 |
|
Bishop Artemije concerned |
|
Taking into account that in recent days there has been
increasing talk in Kosovo and Metohija regarding plans to carry out
a aerophotogrammetric survey, as well as necessary preparations for
conducting this survey, namely, marking of territory and informing
the public about the aerophotogrammetric survey, an increasing
number of our priests have turned to us for help in interpreting
this decision. This fact, of course, implies that the priests on the
ground, who are in direct contact with the people, are encountering
the same question daily, and are at a loss as to how to answer it
for their faithful people, and help them to assume a position
regarding this decision by the provisional institutions of
self-government in Kosovo and Metohija.
Here we will note the fact that in
February 2004 an announcement appeared on the territory of the
municipalities of Kosovo and Metohija generally issued by the Office for
Land Measurement, Registry and Property of the appropriate municipal
offices, and addressed to all residents of these municipalities, stating
that in March 2004 an aerophotogrammetric survey and registry of
border markers would be conducted. Toward that end, residents were
called upon to mark their land parcels, and education of residents for
the proper preparation of their land parcels took place at meetings
organized by municipal offices in the villages of every municipality.
The deadline for marking property was March 5, 2004.
All this has caused us great worry and forced us to speak publicly,
warning of the danger hiding behind this decision, since the
aerophotogrammetric survey represents a serious threat to the property,
first of all, of the Serbian Orthodox Church, as well as of the Republic
of Serbia, and of all expelled Serbs and other non-Albanians.
Is the aerophotogrammetric survey supposed to serve as the
basis for creating new evidence for the land registry books that
is different from existing ones?
How will people mark their
property and how with they indicate the borders of every land parcel
when more than 200,000 people were expelled from Kosovo and Metohija and
are unable to access their property?
When and in what manner will they be informed of the results
of the survey and how will they be enabled to express possible
disagreements with survey results?
What will happen to Serb owned
property that has been usurped and illegally appropriated by the
Albanians?
Will the aerophotogrammetric survey invalidate valid
documents of the Republic of Serbia relating to property and land
registry books?
How will the land of the Serbian Orthodox Church
be marked when our priests and monks still living in Kosovo and Metohija
have no ability to access a large part of the territory where church
property is located?
How will property confiscated from the Serbian Orthodox
Church by the Communist authorities in various moves (the agrarian
reform, nationalization, etc.) be marked?
In this manner every sign of church property, both
confiscated or presently used, will be lost, as well as the possibility
of its ever again being reclaimed by the Church as its own.
How
will destroyed and torched churches and Serb owned houses be registered?
How will torched and destroyed Serb villages be marked? As fields and
meadows?
All these and many other questions emerge and remain
unanswered, or perhaps the answer is so horrible that we are afraid to
confront it.
Consequently, we expect and request that the newly formed
institutions of government in Belgrade, the Government of Serbia as well
as the Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija, carry out an expert
assessment of this decision by the Kosovo provisional government, and
adopt an official position with regard to this issue. Can Serbs
participate in the aerophotogrammatic survey in Kosovo and Metohija,
then, and by doing so will they give legitimacy to the establishment of
new land registry evidence and thus contribute to further deterioration
of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Serbian state on
this part of its territory and, by doing so, endanger the survival of
the Serb people on their own land?
Taking into account that the deadline for marking property
was March 5, it is our opinion that until an official position with
regard to this issue is adopted, the Government in Belgrade should call
on the Serbs not to participate in the aerophotogrammatic survey because
doing so would inflict irreparable and irreversible harm to the
interests of the Serb people and Kosovo and Metohija's remaining within
the Republic of Serbia.
As well, we ask that authorities in
Belgrade launch an initiative with competent international institutions
(the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe) to examine the competency of the
Kosovo provisional government in carrying out a remeasuring of
territory.
Here we wish to emphasize that we do not seek to
undermine their decisions and laws but at the same time, we cannot
permit further attrition and ruin of the already sufficiently
jeopardized Serbian national being and Serbian territory.
On this occasion we would also like to comment on the law on
establishment of a registry for rights on real property recently passed
by the Kosovo Parliament.
At its session on October 17, 2002 the
Kosovo Parliament adopted a law on establishment of a registry for
rights on real property. Mr. Michael Steiner gave his acquiescence for
the enactment of this law by UNMIK decree no 2002/22 dated December 20,
2002, under the condition that the Kosovo parliament adopt and correctly
publish amending regulations providing for the effective informing of
the public and other necessary measures for the protection of persons
whose rights may be endangered by registration.
At a session on June 26, 2003 the Kosovo Parliament voted to
adopt changes and amendments to the aforementioned law, providing for
the effective informing of the public as well as other security measures
for the protection of persons whose rights may be endangered by
registration. After that, the law was enacted by Mr. Harri Holkeri
immediately upon his assuming the position of Special Representative of
the UN Security General for Kosovo, by UNMIK decree no. 27/2003 dated
August 18, 2003.
With respect to this law, too, the first
question that poses itself is regarding expelled and displaced persons,
i.e., how will they realize their right to real property, when they are
largely prevented from accessing their property.
Besides this, from the law itself it is unclear what
documentation is necessary for registry of the right to property, just
as it is unclear what is the "applicable" law that the law on registry
cites.
In article five of the law on registry it is said that "a
person who claims that the registry of rights to real property has no
legal basis and that his rights are endangered", can lodge "an objection
to the right to real property".
"The submission of an objection", however, according to
article 5.2, "will not create or reduce the legal rights of any person.
Specifically, an objection cannot serve as a hindrance to the sale or
transfer of real property".
This certainly means that there is
no effective mechanism to prevent transfer in the case of unscrupulous
or illegal acquisition of property.
Finally, in the changes and
amendments to the law on establishment of registry for real property
that were passed for the purpose of effective informing of the public
and protection of persons whose rights may be endangered by
registration, it is said that this will be provided by posting of
requests for registry on a public bulletin board in every municipal land
registry office, "at least five working days before a decision
permitting registration is made". After this period the municipal land
registry office will register the right to real property in its
register.
It is a legitimate question whether posting a request for
registration on a bulletin board in a local municipal office five
working days before making the decision on registration is an effective
means of public notice, first of all for persons expelled from their
land who have no possibility to access their property (as is the case in
Metohija, Drenica, etc.)
On the basis of everything presented above, we believe that
the concern of the Diocese of Raska-Prizren and Kosovo-Metohija for its
own property and the property of all expelled Serbs and other
non-Albanians, as well as for the property of the Republic of Serbia, is
clearly justified.
We therefore expect the newly elected
authorities in Belgrade to launch an initiative with appropriate
international institutions for the review all laws and decisions enacted
by UNMIK and the provisional institutions relating to property in order
to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of
Serbia on the territory of Kosovo and Metohija, as well as enable the
survival of the Serb people in this region.
Gracanica, March 8, 2004
Bishop of
Raska-Prizren
and Kosovo-Metohija
+ ARTEMIJE
| Serbian press
regarding the announced aerial photographing, March 8,
2004 Beta
News Agency, Belgrade
March 6, 2004
Covic: Preparations in progress
for filming of terrain in Kosovo
BELGRADE - Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija
head Nebojsa Covic informed Serbian prime minister
Vojislav Kostunica and minister for capital investments
Velimir Ilic of possible negative consequences of the
announced aerial filming of the terrain in the province.
This project is being organized and implemented by the
Kosovo Cadastre Agency with the acquiescence of UNMIK,
the Coordinating Center advised.
The statement notes that Covic advised Kostunica and
Ilic of current preparations for aerial filming of
terrain in Kosovo and Metohija, and informed them of the
"very negative consequences" this could have on "the
interests of displaced Serbs, other non-Albanians, the
Serbian Orthodox Church and Serbia as a whole".
Covic also informed the ambassadors of the Contact Group
and representatives of international organizations
involved in the resolution of the Kosovo problem of the
announced filming, as well as sending a separate letter
to UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri, advised the Coordinating
Center.
Goran Bogdanovic on aerial photographing (Vecernje
Novosti)
Aerial photographing of the land in Kosovo and Metohija,
prepared by the Kosovo Cadastre Agency, with UNMIK's
consent, would change the structure of the owners of
property and houses, and could legalize ethnic cleansing
and expulsion of Serbs from this province. The Minister
for Agriculture and Forestry in the Kosovo government
Goran Bogdanovic has also been warning about this
danger.
"For almost one year now, this initiative was being
launched in the Kosovo Assembly, so it came before the
government now. I was, of course, against this at
sessions, explaining that cadastre books already exist
and that new measuring would be catastrophic for Serbs
who have, as estimated, records of at least 70% of the
property and houses in the province. This would, in
fact, be an attack on Serb property, on those who
remained to live, and most of all on the expelled since
their property would be practically seized from them,"
warned Bogdanovic. |
TOP
Two Serbs attacked by Albanian mob in Lipljan - one
injured
According to Lazic, who was unhurt in the incident, a group of
Albanians aged 20 to 25 years attacked them from behind, injuring
Doric. Doric was transferred to Simonida Medical Center in Gracanica
soon after the incident where he received medical care.
TOP
Beta News Agency, Belgrade
March 8, 2004
 |
|
Lipljan Serbs constantly targeted by Kosovo
Albanians while KFOR dismantles checkpoints |
|
LIPLJAN - Marko Doric (19) sustained head injuries in Lipljan today
when a group of Albanians from Lipljan attacked him and his friend
Marko Lazic (18) with a hail of rocks.
Doric and Lazic were attacked in the afternoon as they were walking
through Lipljan on their way from the bus station to their homes,
reported Radio Gracanica.
According to Lazic, who was unhurt in the incident, a group of
Albanians aged 20 to 25 years attacked them from behind, injuring
Doric. Doric was transferred to Simonida Medical Center in Gracanica
soon after the incident where he received medical care.
According to on-duty surgeon Dragan Peric, Doric sustained a cut to
the head seven centimeters in length. After receiving treatment
Doric was released to recover at home.
TOP
PM
Kostunica meets Holkeri in Belgrade
Speaking about standards and their implementation, Kostunica
expressed doubt that this process can improve the position of Serbs
and the respect for human rights in Kosovo-Metohija. He said that
the recent activities showed that Belgrade's constructive stance
towards UNMIK did not bring about positive changes in this field and
therefore both sides should work on the decentralisation of
Kosovo-Metohija.
TOP
Serbian Government
Belgrade, March 8, 2004
 |
|
Kostunica and Holkeri in Belgrade |
|
Belgrade, March 8, 2004
- Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica and UN Secretary-General
Special Representative for Kosovo-Metohija Harri Holkeri met in
Belgrade today to discuss situation in the province, and highlighted
the importance of the dialogue of energy working groups from
Belgrade and Pristina that was launched recently.
Holkeri said that it is very important that other working groups
also launch negotiations, such as the working groups on the missing
and kidnapped persons which will start talks on Tuesday.
However, Holkeri expressed concern over the fact that Serb
representatives do not take part in the preparation of the standards
implementation plan, which he said is a crucial issue, although it
is not related to the issue of the province's status.
Speaking about standards and their implementation, Kostunica
expressed doubt that this process can improve the position of Serbs
and the respect for human rights in Kosovo-Metohija. He said that
the recent activities showed that Belgrade's constructive stance
towards UNMIK did not bring about positive changes in this field and
therefore both sides should work on the decentralisation of
Kosovo-Metohija.
The Serbian Prime Minister said that the territorial, cultural and
personal autonomy of the Serb community would help break a deadlock
in the field of human rights practices. He also said that changes
that will be made to this end should not be related to the issue of
Kosovo-Metohija's status.
Kostunica and Holkeri agreed that such meetings should be held in
the future.'
=======================================================
SRSG Harri Holkeri
meets Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade
UNMIK Press Service
March 8, 2004
PRISTINA – SRSG Harri Holkeri today met Serbian Prime Minister
Vojislav Kostunica in Belgrade and briefed him about the
developments in Kosovo, including the standards and the
Pristina-Belgrade direct dialogue.
Later Mr. Holkeri had a meeting with representatives of the Contact
Group and the European Union.
In his meeting with Mr. Kostunica, Mr. Holkeri urged him to
encourage Kosovo Serbs to participate in the standards
implementation process. He informed him that he couldn't offer a
separate consultation process with them or Belgrade. "I will always
be, and have been, transparent with them and with you. But to
contribute to the process, and to the plan, they must participate in
the process."
Mr. Holkeri said "I am serious about the standards process as a
genuine partnership between UNMIK and the people and institutions of
Kosovo. We are producing the plan together with the government."
On the issue of the direct dialogue, Mr. Holkeri said he was happy
that the meeting of the first working group on energy last week had
gone well, with both sides adopting constructive approaches. He said
he hoped that the participants of all working groups, who are
experts discussing technical issues, will not be diverted by
political issues.
At the end of the visit, the SRSG addressed the media. Asked about
Mr. Kostunica's comments on cantonization of Kosovo, Mr. Holkeri
said that neither the cantonization nor the partition of Kosovo is
an issue for UNMIK. He said: "On the basis of UNSCR 1244 this kind
of ideas or proposals are not on the table. But, of course, we are
ready to listen to ideas and views of the Serbian Government."
TOP
Kostunica on Kosovo cantonization - In accordance with European
ideals
"It might sound strange, but the idea that I explained in the speech
about Kosovo and Metohija is not something that has not been
mentioned in Europe. Two years ago in the European Council a plan
for decentralization appeared through which would have provided
additional institutional protection for the Serbs and the other non
- Albanian population. That autonomy can be realized through three
dimensions, territorially, so the names if is it decentralization or
cantons, personally or culturally, are not important.
TOP
Danas, Belgrade daily
Belgrade, 08 March 2004
 |
|
PM Dr Vojislav Kostunica |
|
"It might sound strange, but the idea that I explained in the speech
about Kosovo and Metohija is not something that has not been
mentioned in Europe. Two years ago in the European Council a plan
for decentralization appeared through which would have provided
additional institutional protection for the Serbs and the other non
- Albanian population. On the other side, that idea is present among
our people in Kosovo and Metohija as well as among the ones that
were expelled from there. I have formulated the way, which expresses
their wishes, and every plan that is related to Kosovo, as I swore
in the Kosovo Assembly, has to go through parliamentarian
examination. The Government's proposal would be presented to the
Assembly and that word would be absent", stated the president of the
Serbian Government, Vojislav Kostunica, on Saturday.
On the question what his proposal means exactly, which are mentioned
cantons and entities, Kostunica responded that "as Resolution 1244
of the Security Council of the UN means essential autonomy of Kosovo
and Metohija within Serbia and Montenegro, autonomy is needed also
for the Serbian and the other non-Albanian people in Kosovo and
Metohija".
That autonomy can be realized through three dimensions,
territorially, so the names if is it decentralization or cantons,
personally or culturally, are not important.
The idea is all people, including the ones that cannot be seen
within some territories where the Serbian population is the
majority, to be protected, explained Kostunica.
TOP
Svilanovic: Kosovo
standards violate Resolution 1244
On
Monday, Goran Svilanovic, the Serbia and Montenegro Foreign
Minister, evaluated that UNMIK document "Standards for Kosovo" means
overstepping authorizations given under resolution 1244 of the UN
Security Council, and added that this solution did not take into
consideration the key suggestions and amendments recommended by the
Serbian government.
TOP
Free
Serbia
Helsinki, March 08. 2004
On Monday, Goran
Svilanovic, the Serbia and Montenegro Foreign Minister, evaluated
that UNMIK document "Standards for Kosovo" means overstepping
authorizations given under resolution 1244 of the UN Security
Council, and added that this solution did not take into
consideration the key suggestions and amendments recommended by the
Serbian government.
In his lecture given at the Alexandreti institute in Helsinki,
during his one day visit to Helsinki, Svilanovic pointed out that
the main remarks of the Serbian side were related to defining of
sustainable return, return of property and property rights,
privatization, protection of cultural treasures, and the disbanding
of the Kosovo Protection corps.
"In spite all of this we are still ready to support the efforts of
the international community in building of multiethnic society in
Kosovo and Metohija," said Svilanovic. He also pointed that Serbian
and Montenegro is in undeniable need of help and support of the EU
in its road to reforming. "I believe that EU is aware that there can
be no uniting of Europe without the Balkan countries" stated
Svilanovic.
TOP
Both EU and
Kosovo and Metohija
'Holbrook's stance is his private opinion Fortunately, however.
Pristina is not deciding about settlement of Kosovo status and if
Serbia is going to respect all international obligations, we shall
have the possibility to protect our interest in Kosovo and Metohija.
Serbia's road to EU is with Kosovo and Metohija', Dusan Petrovic DS
vice president said.
TOP
Blic,
Belgrade daily
Belgrade, 8 March 2004
Former USA diplomat
Richard Holbrook said that Serbia was facing a historical choice: to
remain where it is today and never join European Union or to choose
either Europe or Kosovo and Metohija.
'In case Serbia chooses Kosovo, Serbia will get nothing. Serbs have
to accept that Kosovo must have independence', Holbrook said.
'Blic' asked representatives of the most important political parties
about their comment regarding the mentioned choice.
'Holbrook's stance is his private opinion Fortunately, however.
Pristina is not deciding about settlement of Kosovo status and if
Serbia is going to respect all international obligations, we shall
have the possibility to protect our interest in Kosovo and Metohija.
Serbia's road to EU is with Kosovo and Metohija', Dusan Petrovic DS
vice president said.
'I think nothing about Holbrook's statements. Who is Richard
Holbrook and why should I comment his statements?', Dragan
Marsicanin, DSS vice president asked.
'Holbrook belongs to former USA administration. I think his
statements should not be taken very seriously, This Government has
to do what the previous one has not. It should solve Kosovo problem
in favor of Serbia using diplomacy', Goran Paunovic, G17 Plus
official said.
'Want both Europe and Kosovo and Metohija. We want with the help of
the international community to keep Kosovo within Serbia. That is
the crucial task of our diplomacy', Aleksandar Cotric of Serbian
renewal Movement believes.
'Holbrook's statement is a cry of former USA administration.
American officials confirmed to me that he was not expressing the
official stance of Washington. Serbia should continue to insist on
complete implementation of UN SC Resolution 1244 on Kosovo', SPS
official Ivica Dacic said.
'Holbrook's stance is not official USA stance. That is his hope.
However, this Holbrook's stance might come to life by Carry's
victory in presidential elections in USA', Aleksandar Vucic,
official of Serbian Radical Party said.
TOP
Extremists warn
international forces
It
seams that the Civilian Mission is becoming a bone in the throat for
the Kosovo Albanians. Placing explosive devices in front of the
UNMIK headquarters, appropriated with political pressures of the
Albanians from time to time toward the general secretary of UN and
his assistants are everyday.
TOP
Glas
Javnosti, Belgrade daily
Belgrade, March 8, 2004
 |
|
Who is UNMIK afraid of - a thick concrete wall
encircling the UNMIK HQ in downtown Pristina |
|
Belgrade, 08 Mar (Glas Javnosti) – It seams that the Civilian
Mission is becoming a bone in the throat for the Kosovo Albanians.
Placing explosive devices in front of the UNMIK headquarters,
appropriated with political pressures of the Albanians from time to
time toward the general secretary of UN and his assistants are
everyday.
Because of this it is not strange why their have been walls
surrounding the headquarters of the Civilian Mission in Pristina
since this past autumn. On Sunday, a policemen of the Kosovo Police
Service found an improvised explosive device placed right outside
the UNMIK headquarters.
The office of the chief of UNMIK stated that parallel with the
police investigation, there has also been conducted security
measures to prevent this kind of attacks in the future.
Is this event not another warning for the international community?
Four and a half years ago they (the Albanians) who strive for Kosovo
independence welcomed them as liberators now are generally growing
intolerant toward the international community. KFOR and UNMIK more
and more are becoming occupation forces.
The radical groups do not hide that they are ready to realize their
aims by force, and more than 4,000 international and 6,000 local
policemen, along with 18,000 KFOR soldiers who their intention to
care about the security in Kosovo have turned into observers.
Their (internationals) own weakness, lack of desire or orders were
expressed in the summer of 1999 when in their presence a number of
crimes against the Serbs were committed, such as usurping of
properties, robberies, arson directed against churches and expulsion
of Serbs.
The internationals themselves admit that the peace mission in KFOR
and UNMIK do not generically take actions against extremists,
because they are afraid of massive revenge toward the international
organizations.
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News from Kosovo and
Metohija, March 6-8
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INET
News
KOSOVO AND METOHIJA NEWS
Monday 08 March 2004
20:40 Stojanka Petkovic, a Serb Return Coalition (Povratak) MP in
the Kosovo Parliament, said that women of Serb nationality in Kosovo
and Metohija are the most endangered in Europe.
20:20 The Pristina Albanian-language daily "Koha Ditore" assessed
that the division of Kosovo will be difficult to prevent because
this is the "long prepared" strategy of the Belgrade government.
20:00 Dusan Janjic of the Forum for Ethnic Relations assessed that
the plan for cantons in Kosovo is actually based on the
decentralization of the province, which cannot take place without
Belgrade and the Serb community.
19:40 UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri stated that he spoke with Serbian
prime minister Vojislav Kostunica regarding the prime minister's
proposal for cantonization of Kosovo but added that this option is
not foreseen by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and therefore
cannot be a subject of negotiation.
Sunday 07 March 2004
20:00 Dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina between groups of
experts for missing and kidnapped persons will begin on Tuesday in
Pristina. The meeting will be chaired by the head of the
International Red Cross for the U.S. and Europe, Francois Smith
(sp?) The five member Belgrade delegation is expected to include
three Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija officials, one
member of the Association of Families of Kidnapped and Missing
Persons from Kosovo and Metohija, and one representative of the
Serbia-Montenegro Red Cross.
19:40 Coordinating Center for Kosovo and Metohija head Nebojsa Covic
informed Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica and minister for
capital investments Velimir Ilic of the negative consequences that
may result from announced aerophotogrammetric surveying of land in
the province. This project is being organized and carried out the
Kosovo Agency for Land Registry with the acquiescence of UNMIK, the
Coordinating Center advised.
Saturday 06 March
2004
22:00 His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch Kyr Pavle and Serbian prime
minister Vojislav Kostunica appealed to all business organizations,
citizens of Serbia and the entire Serbian nation at home and abroad
to assist in the restoration of Chilander Monastery.
21:00 The co-minister for repatriation in the Kosovo provisional
government Milorad Todorovic expressed satisfaction with the fact
that Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica has placed the
solution of the Kosovo problem on the list of government priorities.
20:20 Serb National Council of Northern Kosovo president Milan
Ivanovic announced that his organization supports the proposal of
Serbian prime minister Vojislav Kostunica to divide Kosovo into
entities.
20:00 UNMIK chief Harri Holkeri condemned the planting of an
explosive device in Pristina as a threat to public safety and
expressed regret that extremists are continuing to threaten people
in Kosovo and Metohija in this fashion. According to a written
statement, members of the Kosovo Police Service found an improvised
explosive device on Saturday morning near UNMIK headquarters and a
residential building.
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Racak: The battle and the lies - what really happened in the Kosovo
village of Racak
These liquidated terrorists, who had fought furiously all day,
needed to be depicted as "peaceful civilians". Along with the
bodies, the terrorists removed the weapons the policemen had not
managed to collect because of approaching darkness and the sheer
size of the area. The antiterrorist operation in Racak was finished
but another campaign, a media campaign full of lies and
fabrications, was just beginning.
http://www.srpskapolitika.com/kosovo_2/tekstovi/15.html
By a participant in Operation Racak
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Srpska
politika.com
The village of Racak, which is located not far from Stimlje, in the
foothills of Mt. Jezerska, has 250-300 houses and is located in a
valley. At the beginning of January 1999, the village was home to
the headquarters of a terrorist brigade of 126 terrorists. Among
them was the notorious terrorist family of Mujota (father, two sons
and a daughter) responsible for the death of six policemen. The
surrounding villages of Petrovo, Luzak and Rance were also under the
control of terrorists. In Racak, with the exception of a few old
women, there were no other civilians. Police had informed the OSCE
so-called verification mission regarding the antiterrorist operation
they planned to carry out in Racak. The operation was scheduled to
begin at 08,00 hours. At that time on the hill next to the pine
forest by the side of the Pristina-Suva Reka-Prizren road there was
a Reuters television team.
Approximately 15 OSCE vehicles were lined up along the road toward
Racak. Some one hundred policemen blocked the road from Petrovo to
the village of Rance. They were spread out along the length of the
asphalt road. In the pine forest to the right of the road was an
army unit tasked with supporting the police. The police was supposed
to set up a blockade, enter the village and rout the terrorists.
The plan for the antiterrorist operation in Racak was for a part of
the police force to go around Racak and assume positions above the
village and then for the rest of the policemen to move forward from
the road. In this way the terrorists would be encircled and routed.
Despite the fact that there was an elevation between the village in
the valley and the asphalt road, the terrorist had not dug their
trenches and bunkers on the elevation but behind the village toward
Mt. Jezerska. On the overlapping hills they built two rows of
trenches, shelters and bunkers.
The first and second fortified lines were some 200 meters apart. The
trenches followed the contours of the terrain and were exceptionally
well disguised and invisible. Permanently positioned in the first
row of trenches were a 7.62mm machine gun, a 12.7mm Browing machine
gun and two handheld missile launchers. From the first line the
terrorists controlled the village, the terrain beyond the village
and a part of the asphalt road. The hills where the fortified lines
were located are covered with low brush.
NIGHT SIEGE The realization of the first part of this very
well-planned antiterrorist campaign began at midnight when a part of
a special police unit set out to take the fortified positions of the
terrorists above the village. This small group of experienced,
battle forged policeman, who had always emerged the victors in
numerous clashes with terrorists, had night vision equipment which
permitted it to move despite the thick darkness. The police advanced
in a loosely formed arrow. In front is the head scout, to the left
and right the flank scouts. Behind them is the group commander, then
the other policemen distributed in zig-zag formation to protect the
flanks of the group. They are arranged in four such groups. They are
going into the unknown because they do not know exactly how many
terrorists there are in the village, where the fortified lines are,
whether the terrain is mined. They pass under the bridge along the
asphalt road and walk through the stream. They move as if they were
walking on needles, in absolute silence, for any sound could reveal
their presence. They creep forward, constantly keeping watch because
they do not know where the terrorists are. Step by step, at one with
the darkness and silence of the night, with guns at the ready and
fingers on the triggers, they surmount meter by meter. They use the
configuration of the terrain to hide, following recesses, channels,
streams, like shadows. Every muscle on the body is tense; senses are
maximally alert. After four hours of night advance during which it
covers five kilometers, the first group arrives in a place from
where it controls the outskirts of the village. The policemen from
that group fan out, assuming the best positions. The darkness still
remains very thick. They do not see the village but only the
outlines of its houses. The night is cold and they are wet.
The second group passes the first, continues on and assumes
position. The last man from the first group in position joins the
last man from the second group. At this time they discover the
trenches, which they enter cautiously and silently. In this part of
the trenches there is no one. They spread out in the trenches
prepared by the terrorists. The third group is creeping up behind
the second. They see that the trenches are long and there are too
few of them to cover the entire terrain where the fortified line is
located. The last group, headed by the most experienced member,
enters the trenches above the village itself. At that time they see
a terrorist: a sentry at the top on the hill smoking and coughing
next to a Browing machine gun.The policemen, like shadows, approach
him. If he sees them and starts firing from the Browing the campaign
could fail and they could be killed. They creep forward in bent
position, silently moving through the trench which winds like a
snake and climbs uphill above the center of the village. They arrive
a few meters away from the sentry, who reaches for his rifle. They
liquidate him using a silencer. Twenty or thirty meters away,
however, a second sentry next to a machine gun hears something
happening and approaches the location of the first sentry. Before he
can open fire, the policemen liquidate him and take over the first
row of trenches over two kilometers in length.
There is exceptionally few of them for an area of this size. They
wait until the crack of yet another cold Kosovo and Metohija dawn.
At dawn, the Yugoslav Army unit in the pine forest starts up its
transporters and the policemen on the asphalt road start their
vehicles. The terrorists have been encircled without their knowledge
or the knowledge of their protectors and allies, the so-called
verifiers in front of the village.
The policemen on the road arrange themselves into battle formation
and slowly move toward Racak. Their move is observed by terrorist
sentries, who alert the village.
DECISIVE BLOW After the alert is sounded, the terrorists head for
the trenches in the hills, not knowing the policemen are there. With
rifles in their arms, the terrorists run up in small groups, each
heading to a fixed position according to a rehearsed routine. All of
them are wearing black or camouflage uniforms. The policemen in the
trenches see them.
They do not open fire; they wait for them to get closer. The
terrorists are now at 50-100 meters' distance. The outnumbered
policemen in the trenches open intense fire from automatic rifles on
about one hundred hardened and experienced terrorists who are
totally surprised and in shock. They begin to run around in panic
and some of them head back to the village. They shout and they
scream; after the initial shock, they begin to organize themselves,
get down on their bellies and open fire.
Many of them are already dead.
In order to prevent terrorists from the neighboring villages of
Rance and Petrovo from heading to reinforce the headquarters of the
brigade in Racak, the policemen launched a campaign against them,
too, thus preventing them from heading for Racak. The policemen who
moved in from the front are increasingly close to the village, which
is why the terrorists now make several attempts to break through
toward the hills and Mt. Jezerska. They try to break through in
groups. Five-six or about ten of them rise, run forward while firing
and get down again. They fight fiercely. They fire missiles from
handheld launchers at the policemen in the trenches, who are armed
solely with automatic rifles.
They try to find a way to get through between the policemen. Several
such attempts fail in which they die massively. Also killed in an
attempt to break through is a woman terrorist in uniform. The battle
lasts all day. At about 15,30 hours, as twilight approaches, the
battle begins to wane. That is when one of the policemen is shot in
the arm.
The policemen who approached from below enter the village. Dead
terrorists are lying scattered over an area two kilometers wide.
Only a few terrorists managed to escape through the ravines and low
brush. The rest of them got the punishment they deserved for
misdeeds and crimes they committed. The police sustained no
casualties and only one injury, the policeman shot in the arm.
It was an exceptionally effective and well-executed antiterrorist
operation resulting in the destruction of the headquarters of a
terrorist brigade. The policemen from the trenches joined their
colleagues who entered the village. Some of the weapons of the
liquidated terrorists, about 40 automatic rifles, machine guns and
handheld missile launchers, were collected before dusk when the
policemen who fought the battle with the terrorists in the hills
returned to their base, while the policemen who came through the
villages assumed control of the trenches where they were to remain
overnight. In the meanwhile, AP and Reuters television crews entered
Racak, as well as OSCE observers who spoke with two old people near
the village mosque. In the center of the village, in the house that
served as the headquarters, police found a computer with information
about the terrorist brigade and a list of the 126 terrorists based
in Racak. Among them were four foreigners with U.S. or British
family names. These were foreign special forces instructors.
CORPSES RECLOTHED When the policemen who came through the village
began to assume control of the trenches, terrorists from Mt.
Jezerska (from Budakovo) and surrounding villages headed for Racak
arrived. They opened intense fire from the hills, above the trenches
the police were attempting to enter. Because of their intense fire
and their own unfavorable position, the policemen abandoned the
trenches and left through the village on their way to Urosevac. The
terrorists entered Racak. That is when the great lie began that was
propagated worldwide as an alleged massacre of civilians by Serbian
police. From the streams and ravines they collected the dead
terrorists, who were placed on a field where there was not a single
corpse, as filmed by one of the foreign TV crews that entered the
village with the police. The terrorists the reclothed about 40
corpses in civilian clothes; they ran out of clothes for the rest.
The rest were taken in their uniforms in the direction of Budakovo,
where they probably buried them. Of course, it was completely
against their best interests to allow anyone to see dead terrorists
in uniform.
These liquidated terrorists, who had fought furiously all day,
needed to be depicted as "peaceful civilians". Along with the
bodies, the terrorists removed the weapons the policemen had not
managed to collect because of approaching darkness and the sheer
size of the area.
The antiterrorist operation in Racak was finished but another
campaign, a media campaign full of lies and fabrications, was just
beginning.
Translated by
www.serbian-translation.com
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