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KDOM Daily Report Released by the Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs, Office of South Central European Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, October 2, 1998

Compiled by EUR/SCE (202-647-4850) from daily reports
of the U.S. element of the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission

October 2, 1998

KDOM teams visited virtually all major areas of Kosovo today, focusing particularly on sites of recent clashes and potential flash-points. The teams saw no signs of significant new Serbian aggressive activity, but found considerable evidence of a return to barracks by both army and police forces. They also noted a generally more relaxed posture being taken by police in the countryside.

While there are still thousands of IDPs to be found camped in the hills, KDOM observed significant numbers returning home, especially between Djakovica and Pec in the south-central area and around Suva Reka in the south.

Spot checks showed a return to garrisons by many formerly deployed army units in Pristina, Urosevac, Pec, Prizren, and Djakovica. However, KDOM sighted elements of mechanized and artillery units maintaining their positions in the Dulje and Podujevo areas. In Rudnik, KDOM saw some 200 police as well as Special Forces elements. Teams heard small arms and machinegun fire around Novo Poljance, southeast of Drenica.

While KDOM freedom of movement was generally good today, they did face armed Serbian civilian hostility in Recane, southeast of Prizren. A group of 25-40 men stopped the KDOM team's vehicle and questioned the personnel aggressively. The team vehicle eventually was able to get away from the group, members of which drew weapons chased them. No shots were heard by the departing team.

In Golubovac, KDOM personnel visited the survivor of the alleged September 26 massacre of 13 local men. The survivor was receiving medical care from relief group physicians but he and others are concerned for his security pending his ability to talk about what happened. KDOM has appealed to local authorities to provide assurances the survivor will be safe and accessible to legal experts investigating the reported incident.

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