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Kosovo Update Released by the Bureau of European Affairs, Office of South Central European Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC, March 10, 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(Editor's Note: With the progressive changeover of responsibility from KDOM to OSCE/KVM, the KDOM Daily Report has been replaced by this Update, which is published as material becomes available.)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 10, 1999

The OSCE/KVM reports heavy fighting in several parts of Kosovo yesterday afternoon and today as Serb forces are apparently attacking ethnic Albanian villages. The heaviest action seems to be near Vucitrn and in the Podujevo region. The village of Ivaja south of Pristina was reportedly virtually destroyed by the Serb forces yesterday. KVM is checking out the situation there today.

Continuing skirmishes are reported also in the Kacanik region. KVM personnel were not allowed by Serb police into the area on Monday to help evacuate some 450 ethnic Albanians fleeing the trouble. IDPs from that fighting are reportedly fleeing toward Kosovska Mitrovica, and into the surrounding hills.

The KLA has warned that this new Serb offensive could jeopardize its signing of the Rambouillet peace accords. The latest statement put out by the KLA General Staff suggests also that further consultations within the Albanian organization may be necessary before a signature is possible on the accords. Formerly, the KLA had indicated that Hasim Thaqi was authorized to sign, but the Serb authorities have now issued a warrant for Thaqi's arrest. Thaqi is reportedly in Albania at present and the warrant makes his return to Kosovo problematic. All of this has led some observers to speculate on the necessity to delay the next round of peace talks scheduled to open next Monday in Paris.

Ambassador Richard Holbrooke is scheduled to meet with F.R.Y. President Milosevic at mid-day today to deliver another warning to the Serbs on compliance with their international obligations. Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch, the EU Special Negotiator on Kosovo, said yesterday he thought Milosevic was considering concessions that could lead to peace. Milosevic has reiterated, however, his rejection of NATO forces on the ground as part of any settlement. Russian Foreign Minister Ivanov is also scheduled to visit Belgrade soon.

The UNHCR now estimates there are 211,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) within Kosovo. Of these, 63,000 have fled from their homes during the latest upsurge of violence over the past 3 months. The UN agency is working with the Albanian Government to develop plans to cope with any dramatic increase in displaced Kosovars fleeing into that country. Some 10,000 Kosovar refugees have gone to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the past 15 months, according to the UNHCR report. Of these, about 8,500 are living in private accommodations, while 1,500 remain in transit shelters.

OSCE/KVM personnel are currently negotiating for the release of a VJ soldier being held by the KLA. No date has yet been agreed to for his release.

A KVM vehicle was reportedly hit by gunfire on Monday near Kruma, Albania, 5 miles from the Kosovo border. The two in the vehicle, an Albanian and a Czech, were unhurt by the four rounds fired by an unknown gunman.

[End of Document]

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