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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 8, 1998

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

October 8, 1998

The Serbian stand-down of military forces continued today with no major new action reported anywhere in Kosovo. There were, however, some skirmishes between KLA and Serb forces near Malisevo. KDOM noted no change in Serbian Army and Special Forces deployment. Serbian police presence remains high, especially along major roads and highways. KDOM did note a more relaxed posture at police checkpoints today, with inspections being conducted only on truck cargoes.

KDOM visited the Glogovac factory complex where hundreds of ethnic Albanians allegedly had been held and tortured. KDOM personnel were given free access to the premises and found no evidence that the area had been used as a prison.

KDOM has been busy this week trying to stem the spread of provocative rumors. Three times during the week KDOM investigations have debunked reports of Serbian attacks carried by the LDK Information Bulletin.

KDOM teams confirmed some exchanges of fire between Serbian police and UCK near Dragobilje area. Neither side reported casualties. The UCK has a strong presence in the area and these incidents have been taking place almost daily since Oct. 2. Residents of the Kisna Reka, Golubovac, and Cerovic regions told KDOM of hearing "heavy and small arms fire" over the past two days.

The exodus of humanitarian assistance organizations, both IOs and NGOs, continued today. The World Food Program and UNHCR made a delivery to an estimated 62,000 IDPs today, its final delivery of the week. A Mother Teresa Society official told KDOM that their Golubovac distribution center, on which some 5,000 IDPs are dependent, was empty and was most recently resupplied two weeks ago.

Most humanitarian assistance personnel will be out of Kosovo by the weekend. Many of the aid workers have told KDOM they are upset about having to leave when the need is so great. They say they will take their lead on returning by whatever UNHCR does.

[End of Document]

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