WORLD NET DAILY (USA)

http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41072

FROM JOSEPH FARAH'S G2 BULLETIN

Suspected terror fund-raiser attended event for Kerry KLA militant bonded with advisers, reportedly boasted of special favors

Posted: October 25, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern

Š 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

A militant from a group some have connected to al-Qaida and that many have claimed is financed in part by the international drug trade and prostitution rings, recently attended a John Kerry fund-raiser, where he wrote a check and later boasted about his getting "paid back" in future favors from the presidential candidate.

According to Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, Brooklyn-based Florin Krasniqi, a member of the Kosovo Liberation Army, is featured in the recently released Dutch documentary "De Brooklyn Connectie" attending a Kerry fund-raiser with several KLA members, where he writes a check, and then makes clear he expects a quid-pro-quo for his donation.

"With money you can do amazing things in this country. Senators and congressmen are looking for donations. If you fund them and raise the money they need for their campaign they pay you back," Krasniqi says in the documentary.

The video later shows Krasniqi, a known KLA member and fund-raiser, purchasing weapons from an American gun store. He reminds viewers that in the past, such weapons have been smuggled into Kosovo, disguised as humanitarian aid.

Toward the end of the documentary, Krasniqi warns that "just in case NATO pulls out, or we don't get our independence peacefully, then we'll use those weapons."

Many have called the KLA, also known as the UCK, a terror organization, charging it led a violent campaign against civilian Kosovo Serbs, and linking it to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida and Iran. As recently as 1998, the U.S. State Department recognized the KLA as a terrorist group.

The KLA consists of armed militias seeking to unite the Albanian populations of Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania into a greater Albania.

Some of the KLA's anti-Serb violence took place under the auspices of U.S.-led NATO, which moved into the province promising to guarantee peace and democracy. At one point KLA officials took over the running of refugee camps in Albania and Macedonia.

Many liberals, particularly the Clinton administration, have openly negotiated with KLA leader Hashim Thaci, whom they have referred to as the legitimate representative of the Kosovar people.

In fact, Thaci, who goes under the nom de guerre "Snake," attended the Democratic National Convention in Boston earlier this year. Upon returning, Thaci told the Albanian-Language Kosova Live agency, "It was a very successful visit at the Democratic Convention, where the PDK [Thaci's political party] had been invited as a guest. It was confirmed once again that the Democratic authorities would recognize and respect the will of the people of Kosova for self-determination"

At the Kerry fund-raiser, Krasniqi is seen in the documentary introducing himself and his brothers-in-arms to Gen. Wesley Clark, former Democratic presidential candidate who commanded the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia.

Krasniqi says, "Mr. Clark. This is your group, your KLA." Clark then praises the group saying, "They fought against tremendous odds."

Kerry's senior foreign policy adviser and Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs under Clinton, Richard Holbrooke, who apparently knows one of the KLA members, then comes over and jokingly says, "He almost got me killed." To which Krasniqi quips, "He would not let his Kalashnikov go. He will keep his Kalashnikov."

The KLA is a controversial organization. The group made its military debut in February 1996 with the bombing of several camps housing Serbian refugees from wars in Croatia and Bosnia.

In 1999, The Washington Times obtained intelligence documents showing what it described as a "link" between bin Laden and the KLA, including a common staging area in Tropoje, Albania, a center for Islamic terrorists. The reports says al-Qaida has both trained and financially supported the KLA.

German journalist and ex-Army Maj. Franz Josef Hutsch, who was in Kosovo between September 1998 and December 1999 as an embedded reporter with the KLA, recently testified at the Hague's trial of former Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic that bands of KLA militants had been regularly led by Afghan mujaheeden.

There have been unsubstantiated reports from SHIK, Albania's Intelligence Service, that bin Laden visited Albania himself, promising the KLA to send units to fight in Kosovo.

Credible intelligence indicates that Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, which the U.S. State Department says sponsors terrorism, has been training KLA members and funneling millions of dollars through Bosnia and Albania to buy arms for the KLA.

This was corroborated by Director of the U.S. House Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare Yossef Bodansky in a report for Defense and Foreign Affairs Strategic Policy:

"In the Fall of 1997, the uppermost leadership in Tehran ordered the IRGC [Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps] High Command to launch a major program for shipping large quantities of weapons and other military supplies to the Albanian clandestine organizations in Kosovo. [Ayatollah] Khamene'i's instructions specifically stipulated that the comprehensive military assistance was aimed to enable the Muslims 'to achieve the independence' of the province of Kosovo," says the report.

In 1997 "the Iranians began sending promising Albanian and UCK commanders for advanced military training in al-Quds [special] forces and IRGC camps in Iran," writes Bodansky.

It has also been established the KLA relies on funds raised by the powerful Albanian mafia, which deals in narcotics and prostitution.

Interpol has in the past estimated Kosovo Albanians have controlled 40 percent of the European heroin trade, and in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic, they may have controlled as much as 70 percent of the market, with much of the money going to fund the KLA.

The London Times reported the KLA was "an outgrowth of the Kosovo Albanian mafia ... these Kosovan criminals operate the most powerful drug-running network in Europe."

Many KLA-linked Albanian gangs have also run prostitution and sex-trafficking rackets across Western Europe.

According to a recent internal British-government briefing, Albanians or Kosovars now control more than two-thirds of the "massage parlors" in London. That estimate fit with another study completed last year by Britain's National Criminal Intelligence Service.

But the U.S. policy toward the KLA has been mixed. Some have warned against relations with the KLA, while the Clinton administration maintained close ties with the group.

At the 1999 signing of the Rambouillet Accords, a 3-year interim agreement to "provide democratic self-government, peace, and security for everyone living in Kosovo," the U.S. seated the KLA at the head of the Kosovo delegation.

Clinton went out of his way on more than one occasion to praise the KLA for having chosen "the road of peace" at the initial Rambouillet talks.

When confronted in 1999 with Thaci's record of violence within his own organization, State Department spokesman James Rubin said, "We simply don't have information to substantiate allegations that there was a KLA leadership-directed program of assassinations or executions."

On Nov. 15, the Hague will start the trial of three former KLA members who stand accused of crimes against Serb and ethnic Albanian civilians in a prison camp in eastern Kosovo in 1998. All three of the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include torture and murder.

Belgrade Media Update, October 26

Annan on Kosovo elections (RTS)
UNSG Kofi Annan has congratulated Kosovo citizens on the peaceful course of the assembly elections, but pointed out that the low turnout of Serbs represents a disappointment. “The turnout and good organization of the election process, in charge of the Kosovo institutions for the first time, shows that they understand how important it is for their voice to be heard and that they take direct participation in shaping Kosovo’s future,” states the message by the SG sent by UNMIK in Pristina. Pointing out that the low turnout of Serbs represents a disappointment, Annan congratulated “those who voted and who were candidates at the elections on their courage, even though they were exposed to great pressure not to take part in the elections.”

Belgrade “blocking Kosovo progress” (B92/Reuters)
UNMIK Head Sřren Jessen-Petersen accused Serbia of undermining efforts to forge a multiethnic democracy in the province. In his harshest criticism of Serbia's leaders since taking the job in August, Sřren Jessen-Petersen told Reuters: “There are clearly those, both in Belgrade and among the Church, who are determined to block any effort ... to create a multi-ethnic society that is safe and secure for everyone.” “It's clear there are far too many people in Belgrade ... whose primary interest is not the citizens," Jessen-Petersen said, saying some Serb leaders were "stuck in the past". “Their point is to prove that a multiethnic Kosovo is impossible.” Jessen-Petersen said a “dramatic improvement” in conditions for the Serb minority was needed before negotiations on Kosovo's future could begin. But he saw little risk of violence from Albanians and was more concerned about Serbian tactics. “I am concerned that there are clearly those determined to go to great lengths - even undemocratic means - to block progress, to block the way forward,” he said. “That's where the tension lies.”
The governor said the tactics would not hold up a decision on independence: “Such obstruction should not be rewarded by an eventual delay in review of standards.” He reiterated the need for “constructive dialogue at the political level” between senior leaders in Belgrade and Pristina. Talks should begin on security “as soon as possible.”

Tadic receives UN delegation (RTS)
On the occasion of October 24, the UN Day, Serbian President Boris Tadic had talks with representatives of the UN Agencies in the SCG on the importance of peace missions of the world organization. The necessity of improving health protection and education development as well as the struggle against poverty, has been emphasized, these being basic goals of the Millennium Declaration, signed in the year 2000 by the then Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It has been concluded that the fulfilment of these goals by 2015 will signify greater economic development and the inclusion of the SCG in Euro-Atlantic integration processes.

Tadic meets MacShane (RTS)
British Foreign Secretary of State Dennis MacShane and Serbian President Boris Tadic expressed regret in Belgrade over the low turnout of Serbs for the elections in Kosovo. Tadic said that the boycott of the elections is a result of the catastrophic situation Serbs are facing in the province. I believe that the reply of Kosovo Serbs is theirs, above all, and not a consequence of my call on them to turn out for the elections or of the election boycott campaign, Tadic emphasized. He assessed that the international position of Serbia with regards to the protection of Serb national interests in Kosovo is even graver now, as it is much harder to defend those interests without their participation in the institutions. MacShane said he hopes Serbs will take part in the work of the Kosovo Assembly, for otherwise, a path for those in favour of an independent Kosovo would be opened.

Marovic meets MacShane (RSCG)
The SCG President Svetozar Marovic discussed with British Foreign Secretary of State Dennis MacShane the situation in Kosovo, the SCG’s European integration, and the cooperation with the Hague Tribunal. The two sides underlined the importance of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the achievement of international community standards with the aim of protecting the rights of all Kosovo inhabitants.

Kostunica meets MacShane (RTS)
Poor response of Serbs in the elections in Kosovo represents the consequence of absence of basic human rights for the Serb community in the province, Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica has stated in his talks with British Foreign Secretary of State Dennis MacShane. Kostunica has stated that it is necessary to continue dialogue with members of the international Contact Group on accepting solutions from the Serbian Government plan, related to securing institutional guarantees for Serbs in Kosovo.

Draskovic meets MacShane (RTS/Tanjug)
The SCG Foreign Minister Vuk Draskovic voiced the view in Belgrade that the international community would not award Kosovo Serb stand to nearly completely boycott the Saturday elections in the province. "They should have participated in the elections and we could have had 30-35 AMs who would have been a considerable force capable of fighting for the Serb people's rights. Sometimes even the absolute majority makes mistakes and these are the biggest mistakes," Draskovic said addressing reporters after talks with British Foreign Secretary of State Dennis MacShane.

Vujanovic in Tirana (RSCG)
The issue of Kosovo is the most important priority in the Balkans and its speedy resolving is inevitable and represents mutual interest of all states in the region – stated Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic following his talks with the Albanian head of state Alfred Moisiu in Tirana. Vujanovic emphasized that the issue of the status of Kosovo should be resolved through an intensive Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, under the auspices of the international community. The Montenegrin president stated that the position of Serbs who boycotted the elections in Kosovo was not based upon recommendations of the international community.

Foreign reactions to Kosovo elections (RTS)
The Serb boycott of the elections in Kosovo has additionally increased tension in ethnic relations and aggravated future negotiations on the final status of the province under UN auspices, the world media unanimously assessed. A position prevails in the media that Kosovo Serbs succeeded in turning the elections into a referendum, whereby they wanted to focus world attention on mistakes by the international community and to demand changes in order that the province should become multi-ethnic. Serbs in Kosovo have boycotted the elections because they are disappointed with the work of provincial institutions, the spokesperson of the Russian Foreign Ministry Boris Malahov assessed. He has pointed that Serbs have ignored the elections because security problems have not been resolved, minority rights are being violated, the return of refugees is very slow and the consequences of violence of Albanian extremists in March have not been eliminated. French officials have expressed regret over the poor response of Serb voters, pointing that it is necessary to fulfil the international community standards, primarily in the sphere of protection of minorities, decentralization and the rule of law. German Foreign Minister Josef Fischer has expressed disappointment due to poor participation of Serbs in the elections, calling upon all ethnic groups in Kosovo to jointly work on the implementation of standards, which are the condition for the discussion of the final status of the province.

Solana and Scheffer on Kosovo (RTS)
EU and NATO heads Javier Solana and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said in Brussels that the low participation of Serbs in Kosovo elections will not change the goals of the implementation of democratic standards, the protection of minorities and the decentralization of power, which were set before the elections. Following a meeting of the Political and Security Committee of the EU and the NATO Council, they emphasized that efforts invested in ensuring security for Serbs must continue and that that represents the responsibility of local authorities in the province. Scheffer emphasized that PISG have to realize that the solution to the Kosovo issue will be the one supported by both the majority and the minority. The EU and NATO heads stressed that talks between Belgrade and Pristina represent an important element for the processes launched by the international community and reminded that the measure of standards will be assessed in 2005. The beginning of talks on the final status of Kosovo will depend on that, Solana and Scheffer reiterated.

Sami meets Chinese parliamentarian (RTS)
As a permanent member of the UNSC, China will continue to pledge for the preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty of the SCG, as well as for the respect of UNSCR 1244, stated the Vice President of the Chinese Parliament Li Jangdong following his talks with the SCG Parliament Speaker Zoran Sami in Belgrade. Jangdong has underlined that the SCG is one among the most important partners of China in southeastern Europe and that Beijing is ready to improve cooperation between the two countries in all fields. Sami has informed the Chinese parliamentarians on the difficult situation in Kosovo where Serbs are exposed to ethnic cleansing and systematic violation of human rights.

Indjic: Tadic will not accept secession of Kosovo (Tanjug)
Serbian President Boris Tadic will never accept Kosovo's secession, but will always be ready for a direct dialogue with Kosovo Albanians aimed at seeking a long-term, stable solution, acceptable for all, in the spirit of a European perspective for the Balkan region, Tadic's adviser Trivo Indjic said.
"It is our duty to do everything in order to be a relevant participant in talks on Kosovo's final status," Indjic said in an interview for the Novi Sad daily Dnevnik.

Djinovic on elections (RSCG)
By boycotting the Kosovo elections, the Serbs have defended their right to freedom, speech and life, the chairman of the anti-election committee for Kosovo Ranko Djinovic assessed. He told a press conference in Belgrade that Serbs were in favour of participation in the political life of the province, but that before that, the international community must launch the issue of responsibility of Kosovo Albanian political leaders and of those who committed crimes in the province.

Covic: Clear message by Kosovo Serbs (RTS/FoNet)
The Head of the CCK Nebojsa Covic has told FoNet that Kosovo Serbs did not boycott the elections but sent a clear message both to Belgrade and the international community. “Serbs have conveyed to all politicians and parties that they seek unity of the state leadership. They didn’t boycott the elections because the government called them to do so, but they openly, from the soul, said that they couldn’t live like this anymore. That is why I think there is no place for “accusing” the government and its institutions,” said Covic.

DSS expects Serbs will take part in negotiations on Kosovo’s status (RTS)
DSS expects that Kosovo Serbs will take part in the negotiations on the status of the southern province on an equal basis, regardless of the fact that they had boycotted the elections, DSS spokesperson Andreja Mladenovic stated. “It is known who are the legitimate Kosovo Serb representatives, those who stayed there and don’t have to be “confirmed” at the elections,” said Mladenovic. He assessed that the deputies from the Serb list didn’t have legitimacy to represent the Serb people as only 970 Serbs and other non-Albanians took part in the Saturday elections, which shows that there is no way the province is multi-ethnic, insisted on by the international community.

Labus: Low turnout of Serbs is defeat of all political forces in Kosovo (RTS)
Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and G17 Plus leader Miroljub Labus has assessed that the elections in Kosovo have demonstrated that a small number of Serb citizens is ready to take part in the PISG. The outcome of the elections shows that it is impossible to create a stable and developed multi-ethnic society overnight and without previous safety and political preconditions. “Now is the time for official Serbia to make effort and contribute, as in March 2004, for a resolution of the crisis in Kosovo,” said Labus. The Serbian Government is the one that must commence negotiations on the province’s final status. “All parliamentary parties and Kosovo Serb representatives should take part in this complex process,” stated Labus.