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KDOM Update Released by the Bureau of European Affairs, Office of South Central European Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, February 17, 1999

(Editor's Note: With the progressive changeover of responsibility from KDOM to OSCE/KVM, the KDOM Daily Report has been replaced by this Update, which is published as material becomes available.)

Compiled by EUR/SCE (202-647-5624) from daily reports of the U.S. element
of the Kosovo Diplomatic Observers Mission and other sources

February 17, 1999

Kosovo remained generally quiet yesterday as the bitter cold weather continues. In Luzane, along the Pristina-Podujevo highway, however, there was some exchange of small-arms fire between Serb police and KLA personnel. Also, in Gornja Lapastica, Serbian forces fired mortars on KLA positions. The Stimlje, Glogovac, and Kijevo areas of southern Drenica remain very tense with heavy concentrations of VJ and police.

KDOM patrols yesterday in the Pec, Djakovica, Prizren, Orahovac and Malisevo areas noted a return toward normal in those areas with increasing signs of life in most villages. Today KVM patrols are focusing on the Malisevo and Prizren-Djakovica areas between Kijevo and Kosovo Polje.

Deep concern continues over the fate of the two Serbian railroad policemen (Officers Markovic and Djuricic) kidnaped on February 9 in Vucitrn. Over the past several days, both KDOM and the KVM have undertaken intensive investigations of the disappearances but have turned up no new leads. There have been no claims of responsibility for the abductions and no ransom or prisoner-exchange demands.

The KLA general staff insist they are not holding the two men. They told KDOM again yesterday that their organization, as a policy, does not take hostages. They further suggest that either the Albanian mafia or Serbian paramilitary units are responsible for the kidnappings. The general staff has directed its commanders to search for the men and has promised KDOM full cooperation in whatever they discover.

Serbian police commander Lukic told KDOM yesterday that he is sure the men were taken by the KLA and are being held in Likovac (Dernica). He has given KDOM until February 19 to effect release of the men. After that date, he says, the police will "go into Likovac and get them -- dead or alive." Residents of the hometown of the two men, Kosovo Polje, also threaten to take unilateral action (possibly the taking of ethnic Albanian hostages) if the two policemen are not recovered soon. KDOM and KVM continue their intensive search today.

A senior KLA official yesterday expressed to KDOM the KLA's eagerness for the Rambouillet talks to produce a political agreement. He said KLA would welcome NATO troops in Kosovo, and added that the KLA would hope the Serbs living in Kosovo stay after a settlement. Rebuilding Kosovo, he said, would be easier with Serbs in place and with their full rights as citizens protected.

Serb police checkpoints near Orahovac established after the mass killing at Rogovo are still operating at night. Checkpoints in Drenica remain in place, but KDOM patrols note no expansion of their activities. Villagers still complain of checkpoints in the west hindering freedom of movement in the area.

Life in villages of western Kosovo is again returning to normal, according to KDOM patrols yesterday. Repairs are underway on infrastructure elements throughout the area, with much remaining to be done once spring arrives.

[End of Document]

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