Regular Kosovo commentator of the Belgrade weekly "Vreme," Dejan Anastasijevic gives an overview of the current situation in the province in the June 20, 1998 issue of this magazine.

Inside Kosovo the situation is much more dramatic, and this due to two reasons: first are more intensive combat activities between OVK and Serbian security forces in the vicinity of Orahovac and Suva Reka, north of Prizren; second is a great influx of exiled people from the vicinity of DEcani and Pec into other parts of Kosovo, mostly to Djakovica and Drenica. Although the Serbian authorities are attempting to lessen the importance of this problem, these people are in a particularly tough situation, since the inflow of supplies in some regions has been complicated for months now, while the peasants are afraid to go into the fields.

Both of these occurrences - intensified fighting and a beginning of a humanitarian catastrophe - are a direct consequence of the cleansing operation of the communication line Djakovica - Decani - Pec at the end of May and beginning of June. OVK followed the spill of the population - some went to Albania to pick up arms, some towards Orahovac, Malisevo and further North, to Drenica. Their strengthened concentration in those regions represents a great problem for the Serbian army and police. There is further fear that the combat activities could spread to Southeast, along the road Djakovica-Prizren-Stimlje.

After the cleansing operation of DEcani and its surroundings, Serbian police boasted that it struck a serious blow to OVK, but, but by all signs, it seems that this organization has strengthened further, due to the inflow of new recruits from the ranks of refugees. The branches of more important political parties of Kosovo Albanians in cities outside Pristina have joined with local OVK structures, and practically do not recognize anymore their head offices in Pristina, but only the commanders on the ground.

The person who lost most credibility is Ibrahim Rugova, who only recently returned from a visit to the USA and Western Europe. Rugova was damaged not only that he was not there when his compatriots were being expelled from their homes or killed, but also some statements he has made abroad. What is particularly worrisome is the fact that OVK is adding the word "beshkimi" (unification) to "clirimin" (liberation).


Source: Belgrade weekly "Vreme," June 20, 1998