A KLA proclamation on "the existence of a mass grave"

Prishtina, 30 August (ARTA) 1600CET --

"The news (which apparently was prepared very thoroughly by the Serb military and propagandistic apparatus) about a mass grave of Serb citizens in Kleçkë, is nothing but a lie which Serbs launched to distort our just struggle for liberation. The following facts could enlighten this: the number of victims was changed several times (and it varies from 8-10 to 22), the "express" conclusion that 'the skulls which were found were of Serbs', as well as the testimonies of two false witnesses who never were KLA soldiers.

On the contrary, they have been (and still are) smugglers and collaborators of the occupier. KLA has never killed any innocent Serb civilian, not to mention the killing of women and children.

The KLA, in cooperation with ICRC, released innocent civilians of Serb nationality, even though the Serb side did not do the same with Albanians.

We are strongly convinced that the skeletons exhibited in front of TV cameras are the remains of Albanian civilians who were killed before. Such conduct intents to hide crimes against unprotected Albanians (which Serb military and paramilitaries committed), as well as to accuse KLA for terrorism.

We demand from relevant international, humanitarian, diplomatic and informative mechanisms, not to believe the lies of Serb authorities that have given sufficient genocidal evidences against all non-Serb ethnic groups in ex-Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, we demand from them to stop criminal actions of that barbarian government", states a communiqué issued by the KLA General Headquarters.

The case of the civilians killed in Kleçkë must be investigated

Prishtina, 30 August (ARTA) 1945CET --

The CDHRF in Prishtina addressed a request to the International War Crimes Tribunal in rump Yugoslavia, asking for an international team of forensic experts to be formed. The Council also requests for the team to investigate the case of bones, which were found in the village of Kleçkë, in the municipality of Malishevë. It has been claimed that the bones that were found in this village belonged to Serbs that were kidnapped, executed, and then burnt by the KLA. The following is stated in the appeal:

"The Serbian Ministry of Interior (MUP), issued an official communiqué on 29 August, which was transmitted by the media. According to the communiqué, the skeletons of 22 bodies, which were found in a brick-made furnace in the village of Kleçkë, belonged to Serbs. MUP claims that the KLA first kidnapped, then executed the victims, only to burn them in the makeshift crematorium.

The CDHRF therefore requests for an international team of forensic and pathology experts to be formed, so they could investigate the case and enlighten the truth. The reason for the appeal is also the fact that this monstrous crime was related to the KLA without any investigations of competent and unbiased experts. The Council has requested for such a team to be formed earlier as well, to enlighten the truth concerning claims on mass graves in Prizren and Rahovec. The Council also requested for an international team of experts to exhume and do an autopsy on the corpses of Albanians that were killed in Prekaz, Likoshan, Qirez, and Poklek i Ri, Lybeniq, and other parts of Kosova.

Reports claiming that the KLA killed 22 Serbs and then set them on fire, were transmitted just a day after Serb policemilitary forces killed 11 members of the Asllani family from the village of Rancë (Shtime munic). These 11 Albanians were killed on a trailer, as they tried to flee their village that was attacked by Serb forces. 8 of the victims were children, ages ranging from 6 months to 13 years old, and three women. Three men were also wounded in this occasion, by a grenade, which was thrown at them in the village of Grejçec (Suharekë munic). The victims were buried in the village of Grejçec, without being subjected to an autopsy.

The possibilities of manipulating with the corpses of civilians, which are killed in mass execution, for political propaganda, is easy and simple in times of war.

There are reports that Serb forces attacked the village of Poklek i Ri (Gllogoc munic.), on 31 May. Sources claim that the police separated men from women and children, and executed them. The police carried away eight corpses and there is still no exact information as to what happened with them. Only the corpse of 17 year-old Fidaim Nazmi Berisha was left at the scene of the crime.

The CDHRF requested from the Yugoslav Public Prosecutor, the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Serbia, the Public Prosecutor in the District Court of Prishtina, the Investigating Judge in Prishtina, as well as the Ministry of Interior, to carry out investigations. It also requested that an autopsy be conducted on the corpses and that they be handed to their families and buried.

The appeal was handed to state bodies on 12 June 1998. However, nothing has been done so far. The families of the victims, have now expressed their belief that the corpses of their loved ones, were sent to the factory "Ferronikel" in Gllogoc, where they fear that the corpses were burnt in the factory's furnace.

All of this goes to prove that it is very easy to manipulate with corpses. The CDHRF requests for the case of 22 skeletons to be investigated thoroughly and that the truth be enlightened. Naturally, this can only be done by international teams of forensic experts and it is clear that it must be done as soon as possible.

If it is true that the crime has been committed, then the CDHRF condemns those that committed the crimes, no matter the nationality of the victims. The CDHRF also considers that those who committed the crimes must face trial.

The Council also condemns any form of manipulation with such cases and those that relate the crime with one side without grounded proof", says the appeal issued by the CDHRF in Prishtina, signed by the chairperson, Pajazit Nushi.

KOSOVA (humanitarian catastrophe)

Food only for children and elderly

Lipjan, 30 August (ARTA) 1930CET --

The last offensive that Serb military, police, and paramilitary forces undertook against the villages Shalë, Krojmir and its surrounding, on 25 August, caused many movements of the Albanian populations. The dislocated people, moving through the mountains and forests, are facing miscellaneous difficulties for its survival.

They also face the feeling of insecurity, fearing that the Serb forces might shell them or, even worse, sent the paramilitary infantry units, amidst thousands of dislocated people, who are staying in Gryka e Shalës (Shala Gorge). However, a humanitarian catastrophe is already preponderating, sources confirm. The shortage of bread represents the first threat for the dislocated, claim sources close to the local LDK branch in Lipjan. A member of this branch, who is experiencing these difficulties together with the dislocated people, claims that "because of the shortage, the bread is being handed only to the children and elderly".

Besides the shelled and burnt houses (which were previously looted), the harvest fields are burnt as well. An urgent problem to deal with is the cold weather, taking into account that the destruction of the villages prevents the dislocated people to return back home, this winter.

This situation reflected in Lipjan yesterday, where Emine Olluri (29), from the village of Krojmir, died giving birth to her baby, because no medical treatment was available to her.

The same sources claim that the incidence of vandal actions has increased, in this way jeopardizing the Albanian freedom of moving, especially during the course of night.