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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 12, 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(Editor's Note: With the progressive changeover of responsibility from KDOM to OSCE/KVM, the KDOM Daily Report has been replaced by this Update, which is published as material becomes available.)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 12, 1999

Although yesterday began relatively quietly, by afternoon there was heavy fighting reported in southwestern Kosovo where F.R.Y. Army and police troops fought with KLA units near Kosovska Mitrovica (south of Prizren). The fighting, which continued at least into last evening, reportedly involved VJ artillery shelling two villages. Late yesterday, there was fighting reported underway also in the Vucitrn area north of Pristina.

At latest report this morning, the KVM noted shelling underway just west of Kacanik. KVM patrols were denied access to the area for a closer look at the action. Later in the day they did note IDPs moving near Dubrava and Slatina, apparently as a result of fighting. The KVM also noted VJ tanks moving in the Vucitrn area where houses in the village of Salce were seen burning. While we have no firm casualty reports, KVM personnel are beginning to discover bodies from the heavy fighting yesterday southwest of Prizren.

Serb force levels have been augmented and remain poised throughout Kosovo for what may be a wider offensive against the ethnic Albanians.

After making little progress in discussions with F.R.Y. officials, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke left Belgrade yesterday for the U.S. Following his talks with Holbrooke, Milosevic issued a statement in which he called the Rambouillet peace plan a good basis for a political settlement in Kosovo. He said, however, that the deployment of NATO troops in Serbia (Kosovo) as a part of the implementation of such a plan remains unacceptable.

The Russian and Greek foreign ministers are scheduled to see Milosevic today in a continuation of the international community's efforts to convince Milosevic to live up to the F.R.Y.'s obligations.

As the fighting intensifies in Kosovo, Albanian Prime Minister Pandeli Majko said his country is preparing for the worst-case scenario by deploying troops along its northern border. Yesterday, Adem Demaci, the former KLA political representative, said it would be a mistake to hold further negotiations in France while fighting continues within Kosovo. He called the Rambouillet Agreement a "failed project" which would prolong Serb rule in Kosovo.

Media and other observers report that the villages of Ivaja, Gajre, Straza, Pushtnik, and Ljac are now deserted. Many of the inhabitants of the area have fled to Kotlina after spending the night in the open. Unconfirmed reports say there may be as many as 500 more IDPs still living in the open.

Approximately 80% of the homes in Ivaja are reportedly destroyed or badly damaged while other villages in the area suffered somewhat less severe damage from the Serb sweeps earlier this week. Several NGOs moved into to the village of Kacanik to which as many as 350 Ivaja residents fled (under Serb police escort) on Tuesday. Conditions at Kacanik's cultural center, where the IDPs are being housed, are described by the NGOs as severely overcrowded and "completely inadequate" for the delivery of proper assistance. Some of the crowding has since been eased by moving some IDPs to the village of Bob southwest of Kacanik. NGOs and UNHCR note that as the Serbian forces continue sweeps of the various regions, humanitarian suffering and the need for more relief supplies can only increase.

[End of Document]

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