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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 12, 1998

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

November 12, 1998

For the second consecutive day Kosovo remained relatively calm today with no reported incidents challenging the cease-fire. The most troubled areas of recent days--Malisevo, Podujevo, and Drenica--were quiet today. KDOM and EUCOM Brig. Gen. Thrasher met with the police commander, Gen. Lukic, to review police compliance with the October 25 agreement. KDOM is seeking a stronger police presence in Podujevo, Malisevo, and Drenica. Police are winterizing their positions along major lines of communications, as permitted under the October 25 agreement.

KDOM observed mobile checkpoints on the Obilic-Podujevo road where police were stopping cars and conducting searches. Although the commander of the post said his activities were "routine," he and his nine men packed up and left the scene after talking with KDOM. Local villagers at Krivco told KDOM they had to "bribe" local police to get building materials into the village. KDOM will raise the issue with Gen. Lukic. Residents in Vitak (six km NW of Srbica) told KDOM that police had been stealing cattle. A resident of Gornje Cupev made a similar charge against VJ personnel. KDOM cannot confirm these reports.

Serbian civilians reportedly took hostage seven Kosovar Albanians in response to the disappearance of two Serbs near Srbica. Two of the Kosovars were later released and KDOM pressed Gen. Lukic to obtain the release of the remainder. KDOM also appealed to the KLA for restraint in the matter. KLA denied responsibility for the disappearance of the two Serbian men.

KDOM saw a convoy of police vehicles moving from the Blace area today toward Stimlje. They also saw VJ forces returning to their base from the Glogovac following their engagement there on Nov. 10. Police in Glogovac now report that a force of 50-plus KLA participated in the attack on that police station. KDOM also spotted a VJ convoy of 23 vehicles, including a tank and three bus loads of troops, moving from the Prizren barracks east bound on the Blace-Stimlje road.

Ethnic Albanians in Movjane (near Suva Reka) claim fourteen of the village's men have been held by Serbian police without charges for about four months. KDOM was given the names of the alleged detainees.

Ambassador William Walker, new head of the OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission, arrived in Kosovo yesterday. He held initial sessions with KDOM chiefs and UNHCR, and met with Belgrade Chief of Mission Miles and Ambassador Chris Hill. KDOM also supported the visit of U.S. Senator Carl Levin's party to the Glogovac area.

KDOM met with railroad officials to discuss repair of the lines in Drenica. KDOM offered more intense patrols in the area.

KDOM has 179 personnel today, with an additional 18 new arrivals presently in training.

[End of Document]

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