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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, November 5, 1998

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

November 5, 1998

Although there continue to be incidents of apparent sporadic violations, the cease-fire in general is holding. Heightened tensions between police and KLA are most evident in the Suva Reka, Stimlje, and Vucitrn areas, as well as in the Malisevo/Komorane region. KLA presence is increasing in several areas and they appear to be responsible for some of the reported violations.

The Serbian police claimed to have been attacked twice today by the KLA. A senior KLA official told KDOM, however, that "armed Albanian civilians," rather than his forces, are responsible for the incidents.

A vehicle operated by OSCE (and clearly marked) was fired on from the tree line as it drove closely behind a FRY military convoy between Suva Reka and Stimlje. KDOM, accompanied by Belgrade Chief of Mission Dick Miles, was denied access to roads in the Podujevo area today. The KLA personnel who stoped the vehicle demanded (again) a letter from Adem Demaci. KDOM will once again remonstrate with Demaci about this denial.

One of the three miners shot on November 3 near Grabovac has been transferred to Belgrade due to the gravity of his condition. Serbian police are now providing security at the mine.

On November 4, Belgrade Chief of Mission Dick Miles and Canadian Ambassador Gerard toured the Drenica area with KDOM. They saw a convoy of five armored police vehicles on secondary roads northeast of Lausa. They also noted the presence of a special police convoy south of Malisevo. They asked for an explanation of the latter activity from Kosovo Prime Minister Andjelkovic and Police Commander Lukic. Lukic proposed that he and KDOM jointly investigate the situation. Early today, KDOM checked the place where the special police had been seen and it was empty. KLA personnel in the area told KDOM that the police had withdrawn from the position early today.

At a VJ position on the Suva Reka road, a VJ officer told KDOM that his men regularly deny passage to local villagers for "security reasons." KDOM confirmed VJ activity in the area of Zur where troops were seen hiding in the bushes along a road.

KLA troops in Operusa told KDOM they engaged police in a fire fight today. They said the police provoked the fight by firing on them. Police reports blame the KLA for starting the fight.

A KDOM observer was unpleasantly surprised when the rifle of a KLA soldier discharged while the two were shaking hands. The observer suffered no permanent damage.

Total personnel today: 177 Americans, 122 local-hires.

[End of Document]

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