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.

Kosovo Update Released by the Bureau of European Affairs, Office of South Central European Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, March 1, 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(Editor's Note: With the progressive changeover of responsibility from KDOM to OSCE/KVM, the KDOM Daily Report has been replaced by this Update, which is published as material becomes available.)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

March 1, 1999

Over the weekend, one Serbian policeman was killed and four were injured as Serb and KLA forces clashed in southern Kosovo on the first anniversary of the beginning of the province's violence.

According to humanitarian observers, a large group (estimates range from several hundred to some 3,000) ethnic Albanian Kosovars have flocked to the Macedonian border over the weekend attempting to flee the latest violence in the far south of Kosovo. Those with passports and proper papers are apparently being permitted to pass into Macedonia. Most of those trying to flee, however, are being prevented by Serbian authorities from leaving Kosovo. There are continuing signs that the VJ and police reinforcements in Kosovo are poised for a major offensive against ethnic Albanians, both KLA and civilians. The violence reported over the past few days in the Bukos and Pustenik areas may foretell a larger F.R.Y. offensive.

According to OSCE/KVM, Orahovac remains tense today as the Serb threat to begin shelling the town nears. There are also unconfirmed reports that one of the kidnap victims in Orahovac has been killed and one injured. Both may be turned over to KVM later today. The tensions in that area were exacerbated by the discovery of the bodies of two Albanians in Tupec.

According to one NGO, during the first 3 weeks of February 1999, alone there were more than 40 murders in Kosovo. The victims were both ethnic Albanians and Serbs. It is becoming clear that Serbian residents of the province are increasingly in jeopardy as the violence continues. Sporadic rifle and mortar fire are reported in the Mitrovica region today. Police and the KLA also reportedly clashed for several hours in the village of Gajre and near Denerar Jankovic, just north of the Macedonia border. The body of another male Albanian was found in Djakovica earlier today.

OSCE/KVM personnel were assaulted yesterday afternoon in Prizren where they were set upon by Serbian adults and children who took their radios. There were no serious injuries reported and the radios were returned a short time after the incident.

The final report by the Finnish forensic team on the autopsies of those killed in the Racak massacre is due to be completed this week. It has not yet been announced when the report will be made public.

[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.