Republic Status for Kosova

 

ILLYRIA
Saturday, May 23, 1992

U.S. LAWMAKERS BACK ELECTIONS NEWYORK

Unless Serbian government forces are in a flinty ofpress releases, floor statemenb and formal correspondence,stopped, aggression against the peo-be allowed to proceed and that the member of the United States Congress have made clew their support forpie of Kosova could make what has of the Albanian people be real-elections in Kosova and theirdismay aicontinued Serbian aggression.happenS in Croatia and Bosnia lookiwd. Here is what they have saidlike a Sunday school picnic. The Albanians of Kosova have long Senator Bob Doleliamentary elections that will occur in Enough is enough. S. 2743 ~the bill been suppressed by Serbian authon-Republican Leader, KansasKosova on Sunday. J am hopeful that :sanctioning Serbia, see related story and the time has come for their the elections proceed on a free and 2/, deserves to be enacted and ndependence. The following are excerpts from aopen basis, and in an atmosphere thatsignS. It is a good first step. The Yesterday, my sanctions against statement Senator Dole made on theallows every citizen of Kosova whoForeign Relations Committee, andSerbia were finally passed by the Senate floor on Thursday, May21.wishes to vote to do so. The peopleespecially the European AffairsSenate. In doing so we said to the I received an urgent letter todayof Kosova, who have suffered underSubcommittee should hold hearingsButcher of the Balkans, Milosevic. from Bujar Bukoshi, the head of theSerbian Government repression sinceto find additional policy options.we have had enough and we will no government in exile of Kosova.1989, deserve the opportunity toThe State Department should consultlonger allow you to kill and maim He wrote to inform me about thechoose their leaders through theclosely with us to strengthen effec-thousands of innocent people all in elections that will take place indemocratic ocess.the actions against the Serbian gov-the name of Serbian nationalist Kosova this weekend, elections I am please that a number of delega-ernment.expansionism. which the hardline Serbiantions from Europe and the United But what America and the civilized I will closely be watching these Government in Belgrade has vowedStates are in Kosova to observe theworld need more than anything elseelections to see that the will of the to prevent,election process. The presence ofare mechanisms to deal with whatAlbanian people are fulfilled and that Prime Minister Bukoshi conveyedthese groups, including a delegationmight be called the ?new world dis-the Serbian communists in Belgrade to me his deep concern for the safetyof U.S. Congressional staff members,order,? as aggressive — ofter.do not attempt to do to Kosova what of the Albanians who participate inshould send a strong signal to theCommunist forces try to suppressthey have already done to the states these elections. He warns that thereSerbian Government that the interna-freedom and self-determination byof the former Yugoslavia. could be a massacre in Kosova thistional community supports the demo-cruel force. I am not suggesting that weekend.cratic activity underway in Kosova,the U.S. send in the Marines. Other Senator Joseph Lieberman I don?t think that the Primeand will react negatively to anyeffective actions can be taken. Connecticut Democrat Minister?s concerns are farfetched,attempt to obstruct the democratic indeed the shocking brutality of theprocess. Senator Albert Gore, Jr.Senator Lieberman Friday expressed Belgrade war machine in Bosnia- Tennessee Democratstrong support for moving forward Hercegovina makes violence against Senator Larry Presslerwith the upcoming elections in the Kosova Albanians a very real South Dakota Republican a letter sent to Secretary James A.Kosova this Sunday. Liebennan said possibility.Baker, III on Friday, Senator Gore?the United States supports the right Nevertheless, the people of KosovaIn a statement made in support of acommunicated:of the people of Kosova to determine are committed to the democratic pro-bill imposing sanctions against As you know, this Sunday theretheir future through peaceful multi-cess. They are determined to pursueSerbia, Senator Larry Pressler criti-will be an effort by the ethnicparty elections. The people of democracy even under the threat ofcized U.S. action for being ?tooAlbanian citizens of Kosova to voteKosova have demonstrated that they brutal force. They have not beenslow.? Excerpts from his statementfor representatives who would trulywant to deal with their political future intimidated by the Serbianfollow:reflect their aspirations — a movein a peaceful manner.? Government; they have not been It is time for U.S. diplomats to stopwhich is certain to be resisted by ?Serbian authorities should allow weakened by the strain of martialequivocating and use every diplomat-Serbian authorities, who are intent onthese elections to go forward. If they law. The Albanians are going for-ic tool we have to stop Serbia?s wan-completing the absorption of Kosovado not, President Milosevic?s reputa-ward with these elections regardlesston aggression. Serbia crushed,notwithstanding the fact that this cantion will suffer even more condemna-of the consequences.Croatia and paid absolutely no price1only proceed at the cost of continuedlion,? he said. I will be watching this weekend?sfor its aggression. The Serbian armypolitical suppression and, I fear, Lieberman also criticized the recent events in Kosova very closely, as willand guerrilla units are in the processbloodshed,harassment of Dr. Ibrahim Rugova, many of my colleagues. Theof destroying Bosnia, yet only the. I urge you to communicate topresident of the Democratic League Milosevic regime must know that itsmildest sanctions have been imposed.President Milosevic a strong mes-of Kosova. every move will be noted by the Kosova is occupied by Serbiansage of American concern that Senate and by the American people.Communist troops and is ripe forSerbian use of violent methods to Congressman William S. picking if the Serbian army continuesinterfere with the Albanian?s effort Broomfield Senator Clalborne Pellits aggression in Bosnia and movesto express their political will may Ranking Republican, House Chairman, Senate Foreignsouth.lead to the eruption of yet another Foreign Affairs Committee, Relations Committee I understand the legal issuescivil war for which Serbia will stand Michigan Rhode Island Democratinvolved in protection Kosova againstaccountable. It is also a matter of Serbian incursion and aggression. Iconcern that a resort to violence byBroomfield said in a press release Senator Claiborne Pelt said in aappreciate that diplomats rarely useSerbian authorities will put at riskFriday: press release Friday, May 22:direct, blunt terms. But let me bethe safety of various international I am delighted to hear that the eth-I welcome the presidential and par- very straightforward. Mr President, observers, including a group from nic Albanians of Kosova have made the United States who have travelled the brave decision to hold elections. to Kosova to gather information and This is a manifestation of their corn-to bear witness to the upcoming mitment to democracy, liberty and events,self-determination. I personally urge Serbian officials Senator Alfonse D?Amatoto take a hands off policy towards New York Republicanthese elections and to avoid con-frontations of any type. Senator D?Amato said in a statementI wish the people of Kosova good

Friday: luck in their efforts.

I am concerned that these elections Congressman Bill ZelilT We need to emphasize to theCongressman Eliot L. Engel Serbian authorities that we willNew York Democrat New Hampshire Republicanoppose and fight their efforts to sup-Zeliff who recently went on an fact- press the Albanian people, to denyEngel said in a press release Friday: or restrict the Albanians in the exer-finding mission to Kosova and cisc of their democratic rights, and The Serbian dictator, Siobédan Albania, made the following statementto continue their damnable policy of Milosevic, continues to expand his on the House floor Thursday. The Republic of Kosova, part of thebrutally denying the human rights ofreign of terror, as witness by the former Yugoslavia, has announcedthe Albanian people.destruction this week in Bosnia and that it will hold elections this Sunday, i fully support the Albanians Peace-Hercegovina. The situation in May 24, 1992. During these electionsful attempts to strive towards inde-icosova is another powder keg just they will be choosing 130 members ofpendence and I sincerely hope thatwaiting to explode. Only a concerted parliament and other constitutionalthe United States might lead the wayeffort by the world community to officers.in supporting our cherished princi-support the Kosovar people can pre-The Republic of Kosova is made uppIes of freedom, democracy, andvent the next Serbian massacre. of 96% Albanians, 2% Serbs and 2%selF-determination: In that regard, it Any person who respects human other ethnic groups, As we all know,is time for us to stand up for theserights -and democracy would be the Serbian Government has placedAmerican standards and use stiff eco-appalled at the abuses taking place in the Albanians under martial law andnomic sanctions to force theKosova. it is the obligation of peace- are committing tremendous humanConimunist dictatorship of Serbia toloving people everywhere to sit up rights violations daily.stop the bloodshed,and take notice before a bad situation The Serbian Government has vowedturns even worse. If Milosevic to not let this election take place Congressmen Stephen Solarzknows that the eyes of the world are because it has been called by ?a and Tom Lantoswatching, it could prevent a disrup-nonexistent government, which is inlion of the elections in Kosova. exile and illegal.?, Dr. Rugova,Congressional Democrats Solarz President of the Coordinating Councilft New York and Tom Lantos fromCongressman Engel also wrote letters of Political Parties of Kosova hasCalifornia sent a letter to Presidentto United Nations Secretary General urged the European Parliament toGeorge Bush on Friday. Their letterlioutros Boutros-Ghali and European send representatives to monitor thissaid: -Parliament President Egon Klepsch election. They may comply but only In view of Serbian aggression againstthat stressed the importance of the if their personal safety can be J3osnia-llercegovina and widespreadpresence of international observers in assured. and systematic violations of humanKosova during the election. A mem-World attention must bc focused rights in Kosova, there is every reasonber of Eliot Engel?s personal staff is on the Republic of Kosova. This to fear that Serbia will take violentamong those travelling to Kosova as attention is crucial to dissuade the actions against those who attempt toobservers for elections on Sunday. Serbian Government from using the conduct and participate in elections. excuse of this election to bring vio- Moreover, our fear in this respect is Congresswoman lence to Kosova. heightened by reports that Serbian Susan Molinarl officials have already condemned theNew York Republican Congressman Dick Swettplan to hold elections and have mdi-New HampshIre DemocratcatS that they would take necessary Molinari slated on she House floor measures to prevent elections from Thunday: Congressman Swett said in a stale-taking place.On July 5th of last year I expressed ?men: made on the House floor For these reasons, we respectfully Thursday:request that you strongly and publiclymy deep concern that the violence in This Sunday, May 24, 1992, marksurge Serbian authorities not to employSlovenia and Croatia could potential-an important milestone event for theviolence in Kosova, and to respect thely spread throughout the former ethnic Albanians of the Republic ofrights of free expression and associa-Yugoslavia and that a strong Kosova. This election is unfortu-tion. We also urge that you immedi-response on the part of the United nately being opposed, hampered,ately request a United NationsStates would ultimately be necessary. restricted, and harassed by Serbian Today, I rise to re-emphasize this government authorities and by SerbsSecurity Council meeting to considerpoint and to mention the very real living in Kosova.what steps should be taken to avertpossibility that the Serbian controlled The two million Albanians inacts of Serbian violence in Kosova onnational military may -deploy its Kosova deserve independence. InMay 24. We would hope that the out-forces south towards its next target of numbers, there is a population income of such a meeting would be anKosova. Kosova as large as the population ofexpression by the Security Council On Sunday, May 24th, Kosova will Slovenia — whose independence thethat such violence against Kosova willhold their elections to select a new United States, the Europeannot be tolerated.parliament and a new president, Community, and the rest of the We realize that it will not be easy todespite Serbia?s warnings that such world has recognized.obtain a consensus on this issue, butan election would be forbidden. I welcome the elections. The corn-we believe it important that our gov-Over 90% of Kosova?s population mitment of the Albanians of Kosovaernment at least make the effort inconsists of ethnic Albanians, yet the to democracy and democratic proce-view of the humanitarian issuesSerbian minority continues to repress dures is evident by their holdinginvolved. And it seems clear to usall political freedoms. elections in these extremely difficultthat multilateral action will not come and dangerous conditions.about unless die U.S. takes the lead.