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Persecution of Kosovo Christians Said to Reveal Larger Threat
CNS News ^ | August 15, 2005 | Sherrie Gossett

Posted on 08/15/2005 9:41:37 AM PDT by Alex Marko

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To: Alex Marko
The KLA killed and burned down the houses of most Albanian catholics in Kosovo.

A lie. Plain and simple.

Tell me why, Alex. Have you failed, like so many of our other Balkan posters, to grasp the fact the lying is counterproductive?

21 posted on 08/15/2005 11:11:40 AM PDT by Hoplite
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To: Hoplite

lol a lie? you are the one that believes the State Depts cover up of Bosnia and Kosovo hoping that Kosovo wont become like Bosnia did. I can shoot off 10 islamic jihadists names that are connected in Kosovo. You still wont comment on the ANA's actions in Kondovo or southern serbia to this day. Hey, by the way...how is Florian Krasniqi doing? Ah, i love it when military boys got to a country and think they know the locals state of mind and affairs. You are an outsider and will always be an outsider. Dont think just cause you served there for a short time that you are a certified expert. I ASSURE you that the KLA/ANA will cause problems once again in the region that the State Dept. of the Clinton Admin. ASSURED the american people would not happen.


22 posted on 08/15/2005 11:20:48 AM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Hoplite

Do you even realize that 1000 wahabbi educated albanians just came from Saudi Arabia to kosovo? Do you even realize that Saudi wahabbists are building new Mosques there? Thanks buddy. Way to go.


23 posted on 08/15/2005 11:26:18 AM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Alex Marko; Hoplite; FormerLib; ma bell
" Dont think just cause you served there for a short time that you are a certified expert."

You mean they have a Popeye's Chicken in Kosovo? Amazing!

24 posted on 08/15/2005 11:40:40 AM PDT by montyspython (Love that chicken from Popeye's)
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To: Ashamed Canadian
" I spoke politics with my brother in law the other day and he insists that Islam is the 'most forgiving' religion of them all. Where on earth do these lefties get this crap from? " ................................ Out of the clear "blue" sky that's where. Pick a cloud, any cloud. Where everything is pie in the sky.
25 posted on 08/15/2005 11:44:53 AM PDT by SunnySide (Ephes2:8 ByGraceYou'veBeenSavedThruFaithAGiftOfGodSoNoOneCanBoast)
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To: Alex Marko
lol a lie?

Yes, Alex, a lie.

With that being the case, what's my incentive for bothering with anything else you have to say?

26 posted on 08/15/2005 11:49:09 AM PDT by Hoplite
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To: Hoplite

Alright, because the KLA didnt even TOUCH fellow albanian christians in Kosova? Is that what you are saying? You need to get your head out of your ass and realize that there will be more problems there.


27 posted on 08/15/2005 11:54:30 AM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Alex Marko

He's never even been to the Balkans. You give him way too much credit.


28 posted on 08/15/2005 11:56:55 AM PDT by getoffmylawn (Chicago White Sox Baseball: Under the Radar [holy crap... my team is good])
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To: Alex Marko
Try it again.

Except this time, try to make sense.

29 posted on 08/15/2005 11:58:55 AM PDT by Hoplite
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To: getoffmylawn

In response to your tagline, just wait until the playoffs, get your choke chain ready...


30 posted on 08/15/2005 12:04:18 PM PDT by montyspython (Love that chicken from Popeye's)
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To: Hoplite

let me speak slowly for you.... ARE YOU SAYING THE KLA DID NOT TOUCH CHRISTIAN ALBANIANS DURING THAT CONFLICT ?


31 posted on 08/15/2005 12:12:17 PM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Alex Marko
the destruction of 150 churches and the simultaneous construction of 200 mosques

Clinton/NATO legacy bump

32 posted on 08/15/2005 12:20:35 PM PDT by A. Pole (" There is no other god but Free Market, and Adam Smith is his prophet ! ")
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To: Hoplite

Why is your beloved Ramush Haradinaj in court fighting rape, murder, and other charges? Do you even realize how much of a THUG he is?


33 posted on 08/15/2005 12:39:14 PM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Hoplite

the destruction of 150 churches and the simultaneous construction of 200 mosques

bump


34 posted on 08/15/2005 12:45:33 PM PDT by Shazolene
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To: Alex Marko
No, I'm not, and unless you're willing to show that religious identity motivated KLA crime against their fellow K-Albanians, rather than more secular aims, you're just talking more smack, aren't you?

And when I say "show", I mean provide some factual content, which in your case means citing someone else on the subject.

35 posted on 08/15/2005 1:01:58 PM PDT by Hoplite
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To: Hoplite

I have never stated that the KLA was motivated religiously. But you fail to realize that the KLA were always suspect of christian albanians. You still do not understand that Albanians from Albania and Montenegro DO NOT LIKE Kosovar albanians. Its only your warped image of the region that envisions a unified group.


36 posted on 08/15/2005 1:11:39 PM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Hoplite

Factual Content: ICTY indictment of Daut Haradinaj, Ramush Haradinaj and their cohorts.

They are charged with killing and raping serbs AND albanians alike.


37 posted on 08/15/2005 1:13:09 PM PDT by Alex Marko
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To: Hoplite

INDICTMENT AGAINST RAMUSH HARADINAJ, IDRIZ BALAJ AND LAHI BRAHIMAJ RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC

Today, 10 March 2005, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia released the detailed charges against Ramush Haradinaj, Idriz Balaj and Lahi Brahimaj. The indictment was confirmed on 4 March 2005, by Judge Bonomy.

THE ACCUSED

Ramush Haradinaj, also known as "Smajl" was born on 3 July 1968 in Glodjane/Gllogjan in the municipality of Decani/Deçan in Kosovo. At all times relevant to the indictment, he was a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and had overall command of the KLA forces in one of the KLA operational zones, called Dukagjin. He was one of the most senior KLA leaders in Kosovo. This operational zone encompassed the municipalities of Pec/Pejë, Decani/Deçan, Djakovica/Gjakovë, and part of the municipalities of Istok/Istog and Kline/Klinë.

Idriz Balaj, also known "Toger/Togeri" or "Lieutenant" was born on 23 August 1971 in Iglarevo/Gllarevë in the municipality of Kline/Klinë in Kosovo. At all times relevant to the indictment, he was a member of the KLA and acted as the commander of the special unit known as the "Black Eagles". He was subordinate to Ramush Haradinaj, reported directly to him, and worked closely with him.

Lahi Brahimaj, also known as "Maxhup" or "Gipsy" was born on 26 January 1970 in Jablanica/Jabllanicë in the municipality of Djakovica/Gjakovë in Kosovo. He is a close relative of Ramush Haradinaj. At all times relevant to the indictment, he was a member of the KLA and acted as the Deputy Commander of the Dukagjin Operative Staff or as the Dukagjin zone contact person to the KLA General Staff. Stationed in Jablanica/Jabllanicë, he was subordinate to Ramush Haradinaj, reported directly to him, and worked closely with him.

According to the indictment, Ramush Haradinaj, Idriz Balaj and Lahi Brahimaj are individually criminally responsible for planning, instigating, ordering, committing, or otherwise aiding and abetting the commission of the alleged crimes. "Committing" does not mean that the three accused necessarily each physically committed all of the crimes charged. "Committing" in this indictment includes the participation of each of the accused in a joint criminal enterprise.

JOINT CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE

The indictment alleges that the joint criminal enterprise of which the accused were members came into existence on or before April 1998 and that it's purpose was the consolidation of total control of the KLA over the KLA operational zone of Dukagjin by attacking and persecuting certain sections of the civilian population there, namely the unlawful removal of Serb civilians from that area, and the forcible, violent suppression of any real or perceived form of collaboration with the Serbs by Albanian or Roma civilians there. The criminal purpose included the intimidation, abduction, imprisonment, beating, torture and murder of targeted civilians.

THE CHARGES

Ramush Haradinaj is charged with:

* 17 counts of crimes against humanity - Article 5 of the Tribunal’s Statute: persecution (harassment, inhumane acts, destruction of property, unlawful detention, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, murder, rape); inhumane acts; deportation and other inhumane acts; imprisonment and other inhumane acts; murders and other inhumane acts; rape and other inhumane acts, and
* 20 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war – Article 3 of the Tribunal’s Statute: cruel treatment; murders; rape.

Idriz Balaj and Lahi Brahimaj are charged with:

* 16 counts of crimes against humanity - Article 5 of the Tribunal’s Statute: persecution (harassment, inhumane acts, unlawful detention, deportation or forcible transfer of civilians, murder, rape); deportation and other inhumane acts; imprisonment and other inhumane acts; murders and other inhumane acts; rape and other inhumane acts, and
* 19 counts of violations of the laws or customs of war - Article 3 of the Tribunal’s Statute: cruel treatment, murders, rape.

All crimes alleged in the indictment occurred between 1 March 1998 and 30 September 1998 in the territory of Kosovo in the former Yugoslavia and were directed against the Serb civilian population and those members of the Albanian and Roma/Egyptian civilian population in Decani/Deçan, Pec/Pejë, Djakovica/Gjakovë, Istok/Istog and Kline/Klinë municipalities perceived to be collaborators or not supporting the KLA.

FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS

The indictment alleges that after 24 March 1998, KLA forces under the command and control of Ramush Haradinaj mounted a systematic campaign to seize control of the area between villages of Glodjane/Gllogjan and Decani/Deçan and particularly the villages of Dubrava/Dubravë, Rznic/Irzniq, Ratis/Ratishe and Dasinovac/Dashinoc in order to drive ethnic Serbs out of the villages where they were living and that they also continued to launch attacks against the camp of refugees of Babaloc/Baballoq near Decani/Deçan (this camp had been the target of similar KLA attacks since 1997).

The indictment states that the KLA forces under the command and control of Ramush Haradinaj, including the "Black Eagles" under the direct command of Idriz Balaj harassed, beat or otherwise drove Serbian civilian and Roma/Egyptian civilians out of these villages, and killed those civilians that remained behind or had refused to abandon their homes and that they continued to mount similar attacks against the Serb and Roma/Egyptian civilians, as well as Albanian civilians perceived as collaborators. The indictment further states that many abductions by KLA forces took place in the Dukagjin zone and that tens of civilians went missing. The indictment also alleges that the KLA forces acting under the command and control of Ramush Haradinaj had full control of the operational zone and did not tolerate the presence of any other Albanian factions fighting against the Serbs, such as the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kosovo ("FARK").

The indictment alleges that in the second half of May 1998, a make-shift detention centre was established at the KLA headquarters in Jablanica/Jabllanicë and that between then and August 1998, at least 16 non-combatants were detained, beaten and tortured there. One is known to have died while the others are still missing.

The indictment also states that during the end of August and the beginning of September 1998, Serb forces temporarily retook the area surrounding Glodjane/Gllogjan and that a Serbian forensic crime scene team conducted an investigation in the vicinity of the canal leading to Lake Radonjic/Radoniq, the Ekonomija Farm in Rznic/Irzniq and the road leading to Dasinovac/Dashinovc. They identified at least 39 bodies and partial remains. Several of these remains have been identified as those of Serb, Roma and Albanian civilians who disappeared between April and early September 1998 in the Dukagjin area.

The indictment alleges that, as commander of the Dukagjin Operational Zone, Ramush Haradinaj ensured that the KLA forces under his control operated in a structured and disciplined manner, provided overall control of planning and organisation of operations, and established a system whereby individuals were targeted for abduction, mistreatment and murder, and whereby a systematic attack on vulnerable sections of the civilian population was carried out; that by excluding all rival KLA forces, Haradinaj secured power for his own troops within his zone, and by attacking Serb forces in rural areas gave his own troops freedom to dominate and persecute vulnerable sections of the civilian population; that he used his own house as a centre of operations, and used his other Haradinaj family member resources and the support of his family members to further the consolidation of this power and his persecution of civilians. The indictment alleges that Haradinaj appointed and maintained his co-accused in positions of responsibility and condoned and encouraged their criminal conduct in such positions. It further states that on some occasions, Haradinaj personally ordered, controlled and participated in beatings of persons detained by his forces and taking no active part in hostilities, and on other occasions by his presence and tacit or overt approval of such criminal conduct he, in his position as Commander, encouraged and instigated criminality by members of his own forces. The indictment also alleges that Haradinaj controlled the continued detention or release or medical treatment of persons held by the KLA in his operational zone, that he participated in the abduction of persons who were later found murdered and that on at least one occasion, he gave his tacit approval as Commander for detained persons to be executed.

The indictment alleges that as Commander of the "Black Eagles" Special Unit, Idriz Balaj worked closely with Ramush Haradinaj and provided direct operational support for his activities, that he personally, and using soldiers under his command, repeatedly abducted, beat, mutilated, tortured and murdered civilians and detained persons taking no active part in hostilities, that he raped a Roma/Egyptian woman, that he personally visited the Jablanica/Jabllanicë detention centre, mutilated and tortured a prisoner there and, by his presence as a KLA commander, provided his tacit or overt approval for persecution and criminal conduct by other KLA soldiers there and knew that the facility was operating in a persecutory and criminal fashion. The indictment also states that Balaj attempted to prevent enquiry into and to conceal the abduction and murder of civilians and the disposal of their bodies at Radonjic/Radoniq Lake.

The indictment also alleges that as Deputy Commander of the Dukagjin Operative Staff and the responsible local KLA commander, Lahi Brahimaj ran the KLA detention facility at Jablanica/Jabllanicë, ordered, supervised and participated in the beating and torture and murder of persons who were detained there and that he personally abducted one civilian and took him to the Jablanica/Jabllanicë detention facility where he was repeatedly beaten, and personally took him from the detention facility to a potential place of execution.


38 posted on 08/15/2005 1:14:35 PM PDT by Alex Marko
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later read/pingout...?


39 posted on 08/15/2005 1:15:13 PM PDT by little jeremiah (A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, are incompatible with freedom. P. Henry)
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To: montyspython

Dear Mr. Bartman,

I'll worry about the playoffs and you worry about the Reds catching your "team" :-D

[/thread hijack]


40 posted on 08/15/2005 1:23:34 PM PDT by getoffmylawn (Chicago White Sox Baseball: Under the Radar [holy crap... my team is good])
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