PRISHTINA, 28 SEPTEMBER 1993

PRESIDENT RUGOVA RECEIVED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION EMBASSY IN BELGRADE

President of the Republic of Kosova Dr.Ibrahim Rugova received today in Prishtina Mr.Alexander Tolkatch, political counsellor, and Sergey Chetverikov, first secretary of the Russian Federation Embassy in Belgrade. President Rugova informed the representatives of the Russian Embassy on the current situation in Kosova, which is becoming graver and graver due to the permanent repression. The Serbian police repression has especially increased following the expulsion by the Serbian authorities of the CSCE Mission from Kosova. For this reason, Kosova needs international protection, Dr.Rugova said. Talking to the Russian officials, Dr.Rugova reiterated that at a time when former Yugoslavia was desintegrating, the people of Kosova declared itself for the independence of Kosova, whereas the best solution is an independent and neutral Kosova. The Russian officials showed interest on the current situation in Kosova, as well as on the possibilities for a peaceful solution of the Kosova question, through negotiations and

by political means.

ACCOUNTS ON ALBANIAN CHILDREN ABUSES IN KOSOVA

Over 79 Albanian children in Kosova have been subjected to diverse forms of Serbian regime repression within the first five months this year only, an account of the LDK Commission for Children's Rights, published in today's Bujku says. Out of this number (79), some 67 Albanian children underwent various forms of police repression, maltreatement, beatings, harassment and even arrests, whereas the rest have gone through other forms of harassment by Serbian civilians and paramilitary groups, says Miss Gazmore Cela, chairwoman of the LDK Commission. Between the period of time January-May this year, the Commission has collected evidence of brutal treatment of Albanian children under various pretexts. There are cases where children have been beaten in the presence of their family members because of alleged 'crimes' committed by their parents, or even they have been arrested (taken hostage) in cases when their parents were not at home after the police was wanting them. Apart from 'ordinary' police treatments, two A

lbanian children were subjected to maltreatments at Kosova-Albanian border check-point, 8 children were harassed and beaten by armed Serb civilians and paramilitary groups, 8 others were arrested as it is the case with the 15-year old Zeqir Zeqiri from Bokshiq village of Klina and Bedredin Gashi (15) from Lutogllava village of Peja who were arrested and severally beaten at Serbian police stations. Miss Cela makes mention of the case of an 11-year old girl Arijeta Maliqi from Dubrava of Suhareka. She died of an explosion of a grenade thrown at her courtyard by yet an unidentified person. The Commission also makes mention of the cases where children witnessed beatings and maltreatments of their parents in their presence. Albanian children have been beaten and maltreated at their homes, in the schoolyards, streets and other public places, says the account of the LDK Commission for Children's Rights.

SECONDARY SCHOOL DORMITORY IN PRISHTINA NOT TO HOUSE ALBANIAN STUDENTS

The Serbian authorities have recently locked up the "Miladin Popovic" secondary school dormitory in Prishtina, reports today's Bujku. The dormitory has so far housed some 300 secondary school students attending classes in schools in Prishtina. Adem Sallahu, director of this dormitory, told Bujku that the dormitory had first been taken on August 30 by Serbian authorities to serve Serb refugees but recently it was decided that Serb students only are to be housed in it. A couple of years ago, another secondary school dormitory at the center of the Kosova capital was usurped and turned into a Serbian police station.

DOZEN OF ALBANIAN ACTIVISTS DETAINED IN FERIZAJ IN TEN DAYS

Serbian police repression against Albanian political, humanitarian and human rights activists has drastically intensified in the recent days in Ferizaj, today's (Tuesday) Bujku reports. Within the last ten days only, 13 Albanian political activists have been raided on and detained. Bajrush Xhemaili, chairman of the Council for the Defense of Human Rights and Freedoms in Ferizaj and an MP to Kosova Parliament, Adem Salihaj, chairman of the LDK branch in Ferizaj and Sanie Aliu, a human rights activist from the Balaj village of Ferizaj are still being kept in Serb custodies without any reason or legal decisions.

A SERB CHARGED WITH RAPING AN ALBANIAN GIRL ARRESTED IN PEJA

As reported, on September 17 around 7.30 p.m. in the Peja town center, (then) an unidentified person beat up and raped the young Albanian girl F.K. (21) and later took her in his car to the Trebovic village, where he raped her and beat her up severally. Today's Serbian Prishtina-based daily "Jedinstvo" reports that the police has arrested a Serb Spasoje Paja Popovic (1967) from Peja who is suspected to have committed the act of rape on September 17. The Serbian police authorities had earlier reported that Mr.Popovic was in hiding.

KOSOVA INFORMATION CENTER