REPRESSION AND VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO AND KOSOVO: THE HUMANITARIAN PERSPECTIVE TWO HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE ONE HUNDRED FIFTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION MARCH 18, 1998 AND JUNE 25, 1998 Printed for the use of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe [CSCE 105-2-1 AND 106-2-2] Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.csce.gov REPRESSION AND VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 1998 COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE WASHINGTON, DC. The Commission met, in Room 430, the Dirksen Senate Office Build- ing, Washington, DC., at 10:08 a.m., Hon. Alfonse D'Amato, Chair- man, presiding. Commissioners present: Hon. Christopher H. Smith; Hon. Benjamin Cardin; and Hon. Steny H. Hoyer. OPENING STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN ALPHONSE D'AMATO Chairman D'Amato. Today's hearing of the Commission on Secu- rity and Cooperation in Europe is called to examine the current, criti- cal situation in Kosovo. In recent days, continuing Serbian repres- sion of the Kosovar Albanian Majority Population has triggered an escalating spiral of violence that demands U.S. leadership now to stop another outbreak of ethnic cleansing and to achieve a peaceful reso- lution to the crisis. This is one of the times when all people of conscience must speak out, and we must take action to stop the slaughter of innocent men, women, and children. Our distinguished panel of witnesses includes Mr. Isa Zymberi, who is the Director of the London Office of the Kosovo Information Cen- ter. Mr. Zymberi is a principal international spokesman for the lead- ership of the non-recognized Republic of Kosovo. We also have with us Mr. Fred Abrahams, and he will be here, of Humans Rights Watch Helsinki, who is a leading expert on human rights violations in Ko- sovo. Joining him at the witness table are Doctor Janusz Bugajski, the Director of East European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and a leading expert on Balkan affairs, and Ms. Nancy Lindborg, who is the Director of the Washington Office of Mercy Corps International, a leading provider of humanitarian assis- tance. Finally, we have the Serbian Orthodox Bishop in Kosovo, His Grace Artemije. In addition, Senator Bob Dole, who has been a great friend and support of this Commission and its work wanted to be here today to testify. But unfortunately, his schedule wouldn't permit it. Instead, he has asked that a written statement be included in the hearing record, and I'm going to ask that his statement be included as if read in its entirety. I am pleased to ask, also, that the statement of Joe DioGuardi, former congressman and president of the Albanian American Civic League, be included in the record. 2 Let me outline, if I might, two steps for peaceful solution: U.S. lead- ership should make President Milosevic believe that the world will not stand by while the kind of operation that we have seen take place, the genocide, the ethnic cleansing, continues. It is imperative that the U.S. leadership be very strong on this point. Talks between Milosevic and the Kosovo Albanian leadership, with- out preconditions. Any settlement reached must be respected and protect the human rights of all persons residing in Kosovo. More than 70 Kosovar Albanians were killed by the Serbian police and paramilitary forces. The dead included elderly women and chil- dren. The body of Adem Jashari, the alleged Kosovar Liberation Army leader who was the target of Serbian assault, looked like he was killed with a knife. Serbian police and paramilitary units still occupy the center of Kosovo. There is no sign that these horrible violations of human rights have actually ended. The United States and this Commission have key roles to play in the effort to restore peace to Kosovo. Clearly, the situation is not now stable and after these Serbian assaults, a return to the situation as it was before is not possible. The U.S. must press the Contact Group, which will meet here in Washington on March 25, to agree on a joint, strong stand against Serbian ethnic cleansing. Anything less won't deter Milosevic. Here today, we will listen to our witnesses tell us what's going on in Kosovo. Mr. Zymberi will tell us what it feels to Kosovar Albanians to live under Serbian rule. Mr. Abrahams, who has just joined us, will tell us about the human rights violations. Ms. Lindborg will tell us about the problem of getting humanitarian assistance to the people of Kosovo. Doctor Bugajski will advise us about the prospects for achieving a peaceful resolution to the problem. The Bishop will pro- vide a Serbian perspective on the situation. At this point, I turn to my distinguished colleague and the Co-Chair- man of the Commission, Congressman Chris Smith from New Jersey. Congressman Smith. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH Mr. Smith. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I want to com- mend you and thank you for calling this very timely hearing on the ongoing problems in Kosovo. In recent weeks, Kosovo has increasingly been in the media given the Serbian action against several villages and the death of as many as 80 men, women, and children. The bloody violence is very disturb- ing and there is legitimate concern that full-scale fighting could spill into neighboring countries which could lead to a potentially danger- ous confrontation in Europe. Kosovo is not new for the Helsinki Commission. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the treatment of the people of Kosovo was among the leading human rights violations in the former Yugoslavia docu- mented by the Commission. With hearings and congressional and staff delegations to Kosovo, the Commission has continually pressed for action to address the problems there. Amid the conflict in Bosnia and in this post-Dayton era, the Helsinki Commission has kept a trained 3 eye on the ongoing repression in Kosovo. Absent more meaningful efforts by Belgrade to respect human rights, we should not be sur- prised by this latest confrontation. Mr. Chairman, it's a sad reality that Milosevic has been in power for a decade, relying primarily on extreme nationalism, conflict, and the heavy hand of the police to perpetuate his rule. We saw in late 1996 and early 1997 that even Serbs, whom Milosevic claimed to de- fend, are denied their rights and freedoms when they oppose the gov- ernment. There are ethnic tensions in the Balkans, and no one mere group can claim total innocence in the troubles which emerged there. But, there is no doubt that there would be more prosperity and cer- tainly more freedom in the Balkans, for everybody, if it were not for his policies and the power hungry minions that surround him. I look forward to our hearing today. I would note, Mr. Chairman, that yesterday the House of Representatives went on record in con- demning the violence in Kosovo. It included a call for a return of the Helsinki Group. We're hoping or envisioning at least 100 people that would make up such a group with a person of prominence to lead it. As we all know, a couple of years ago, Milosevic sent that OSCE group packing. It's time they got back in there and at least acted as eyes and ears, and hopefully would have some chilling effect on the abuses that are taking place here. So, hopefully, this hearing, too, will serve in the cause of highlight- ing the abuses and finding some solutions to the problems there. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman D'Amato. Thank you, Congressman. Congressman Hoyer. OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. STENY H. HOYER Mr. Hoyer. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank you for holding this hearing. It is a very timely hearing and a critical one. Despite the complexities of the Balkans which are frequently used as excuses for violence and aggression, for me the situation can be viewed simply in the context of Helsinki principles. Regardless of the wrongs of history, real or perceived, and regardless of whether one can make a case for Kosovo's independence or its current attachment to Serbia, change must be sought through peaceful means. Human rights must be respected. Human rights and fundamental freedoms, as stated in the Helsinki Final Act, are fundamental and derived from the inherent dignity of the human person. Respect for human rights cannot be, and must not be, conditioned nor can violations of human rights be considered the internal affairs of the state in question. This is why I and many others have spoken out strongly on Kosovo, as I did on Bosnia and many other issues as a member of this Com- mission. Personally, I feel Serbs have some legitimate concerns regarding Kosovo. Propaganda has, in my opinion, greatly exaggerated their feelings, however. Their feelings, nonetheless, are real. Moreover, I have never been an advocate of the unilateral changing of borders. However, the Kosovar Albanians do have, and must have, the right 4 to express their views and to make their case. There is neither the freedom nor the democratic structure in Serbia which currently al- lows them to do so. In fact, the opposite is true. Certainly the unilateral removal of Kosovo's autonomy by Milosevic in 1989 was not legitimate or democratic. While there may be a Ko- sovo Liberation Army which has engaged in violence itself, in acts of terrorism, indeed, which I and others have condemned, and the ap- prehension of terrorists is certainly a justifiable end of any state. But it does not justify the slaughter, and I use that term advisedly, the slaughter of innocent people, including women and children, and the dumping of their bodies in a mass grave which ought to chill us all in the memory of what was done in Bosnia in similar fashion.