The State Department web site below is a permanent electronic archive of information released prior to January 20, 2001.  Please see www.state.gov for material released since President George W. Bush took office on that date.  This site is not updated so external links may no longer function.  Contact us with any questions about finding information. NOTE: External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views contained therein.

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, December 3, 1998

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

December 4, 1998

The situation throughout Kosovo is generally quiet today with no cease-fire violations reported. There was, however, a shoot-out between police and a couple who had entered a hospital in Pec. The shooting left a twenty-year old woman dead, shot when she tried to flee. Also, several people, including two Serbian policemen, were injured.

KDOM witnessed police removing personal effects from the woman's body, including identification and a medallion issued by the KLA. KDOM investigated the incident after the fact.

According to police, the incident followed the arrival at the hospital of the "suspicious looking" man and woman. When challenged, the man reportedly dropped a grenade on the floor by the police checkpoint. The grenade did not explode and the man grabbed the policeman's rifle. The woman reportedly drew a gun and fired toward the policeman. Her gun jammed and she ran out of the hospital. The police officer returned fire and was hit in the shoulder by the man firing the policeman's rifle. The woman was shot dead (not clear by whom) but the man escaped with the rifle.

KDOM accompanied routine police patrols in the Malisevo area, which once again was quiet. KDOM noted an increase in the number of uniformed and armed KLA soldiers along major routes today. Residents in Djakovica were pleased to see KDOM in the area today and asked KDOM to come as often as possible and to stay as late as possible.

KDOM noted that the VJ continue to occupy the school at Junik. One T-55 tank, two armored personnel carriers, and an ambulance remain on the school grounds. Police insisted that the school's rooms were available for villagers, but KDOM saw that access was being limited by VJ guards. KDOM will press the VJ on their occupation of this school.

The police chief at Malisevo told KDOM that an observation post near Orlate (SW of Lapusnik) came under fire for 5 minutes on Dec. 3. KDOM met with the police chief at Suva Reka after hearing from a villager that he was beaten by police. KDOM was referred to the Prizren police for info on the case. KDOM will follow up. Police also claimed five small arms attacks against police in villages in the Decane municipality on Dec. 2. No casualties were reported.

KDOM distributed insulated plastic sheeting from UNHCR to schools in the Saraluk, Bytyqi, and Dragobilje areas around Malisevo.

KDOM operated 23 patrols today with 26 vehicles and 155 personnel.

[End of Document]

Previous reports

Special Section on Kosovo Home Page
Office of the Special Representative
Bureau of European Affairs Home Page.
DOSFAN Home Page.