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 15, 1998

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

December 15, 1998

Further to the reported serious border incident of December 14, the OSCE reports that 31 Albanians were killed and nine captured by F.R.Y. border guards in the area west of Prizren.

Kosovo was generally stable but tense today in the aftermath of yesterday's killing of six Serbian youths in a Pec cafe. The police and military presence appears to KDOM to be increasing on roads and in the cities. Police, however, deny there has been an increase in numbers. KDOM has also noted a pattern of combined police/VJ checkpoints. The deputy police commander of Kosovo expressed his frustration with the international community's "support of terrorism." KDOM has perceived vague hints from both police and KLA sources that "something may happen around Christmas."

The December 14 cafe incident took place when two masked men, reportedly wearing black uniforms with KLA markings, entered an Albanian-owned cafe and opened fire with automatic weapons on the approximately 20 occupants. Four youths died immediately and two others died later in the hospital. Three were injured. All the dead and injured were reportedly Serbs. The situation in Pec remains tense and uncertain today with schools and many businesses closed. KDOM and OSCE/KVM have increased patrols in Pec in reaction to the situation.

KDOM encountered some hostility from Serbian school students north of Pec. As their vehicle passed, students threw stones and made obscene gestures at the team. KDOM also observed civilians firing weapons into the air as they passed by a housing area; several of the civilians ran after the KDOM vehicle throwing firecrackers and stones.

KDOM met with the police chief of Podujevo to follow up on the protest meeting held there yesterday. The chief reported that the Serb and Montenegrin population of the area (about 1,500 total) drafted a resolution accusing the OSCE -- and more particularly U.S. KDOM -- with "assisting the KLA."

A villager in Pljancor (west of Decani) called KDOM to report police shooting into the village. KDOM visited the school master in the village who reported seeing a F.R.Y. army unit traveling south last night and that shots were fired from the convoy at the village school and church. KDOM observed small arms damage to both buildings. The school official said a similar incident happened on December 12 and that he may be forced to close or relocate the school. KDOM will raise this case with the police.

KLA leaders told KDOM that police are responsible for heightened tensions in Gornje Nerodimlje where they have engaged in "provocative behavior." The KLA said they would do their part to lessen tensions and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Villagers in Drenoc (west of Klina) told KDOM that the Serb population of the village has turned away and threatened ethnic Albanian villagers trying to return to their damaged homes. In the nearby village of Radullac electricity to the 60 Albanian homes was cut off for non-payment of some bills, while power still goes to the 2 Serb houses. KDOM will raise the issues with the local authorities.

Today KDOM staged 25 missions with 32 vehicles and 138 people.

[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.