02 April 1999

FACT SHEET: KOSOVO ATROCITIES UPDATE APRIL 1

Based on information from U.S. Government sources

The following Fact Sheet was released April 1.

The following types of war crimes or violations of international humanitarian law have been
reported in Kosovo since 31 March:

Forcible Displacement of Ethnic Albanian Civilians

As of the morning of 1 April at least 20,000 new refugees fled from Kosovo. Macedonia
will most likely receive a large flow of refugees throughout the day due to displaced
Kosovars from Pristina, probably by train. As many as 25,000 ethnic Albanians have fled
Stimlje in central Kosovo.

Looting of Homes and Businesses

Kosovar Albanian refugees continue to claim that Serb forces are looting ethnic Albanian
homes and shops throughout the province.

Widespread Burning of Homes

Serb forces reportedly have burned all houses previously rented by the OSCE in Vucitrn,
Stimlje, and Mitrovica.

Reported Detention of Ethnic Albanian Men

The vast majority of refugees crossing international borders out of Kosovo continue to
claim that Serb forces are separating military-aged men from their groups. Based on the
magnitude of the population displaced to date, the missing men number at least in the tens
of thousands and possibly in the hundreds of thousands.

Refugees continue to claim that Serb forces are using the Pristina Sports Complex as a
temporary detention center for Kosovar Albanians. In addition, ethnic Albanians are
reportedly being detained in the Pec Soccer Stadium.

Reports of Summary Executions

Refugees from Kosovo continue to claim that Serb forces are executing Kosovar
Albanian civilians throughout the province. Refugees claim that Serb snipers are setting up
positions in downtown Vucitrn.

Reported Atrocities and War Crimes by Location

The following is a partial list of the reported war crimes or violations of international humanitarian
law that have occurred in many of the larger population centers in Kosovo since 31 March or
which were only reported after 31 March.

Brestovac

According to refugee interviews, displaced persons have fled to the nearby town of
Velika Hoca. Although Brestovac, south of Orahovac, has been occupied by Serb forces
since last week, former residents have probably not crossed the border into Albania
probably because of continued fighting.

Mitrovica

Serb forces reportedly have burned all houses previously rented by the OSCE and
continue to loot Kosovar Albanian shops. In addition, security forces reportedly burned
Albanian homes around a barracks area that was targeted by NATO airstrikes.

Pec

Serb forces are reportedly using the Pec Soccer Stadium as a detention center for ethnic
Albanians.

Pristina

Belgrade television and French press reports claim that the city's Sports Complex in the
downtown area is not being used as a Kosovar Albanian detention center, but reports of
such use persist. According to refugee interviews, Serb forces have begun rounding up
200,000 Kosovar Albanians in the area and sending them to Macedonia by train. The
civilians are reportedly being processed at the Pristina Sports Complex, then marched to
the train station.

Pristina police reportedly have arrested as many as 20 former OSCE/KVM local
employees.

Prizren

Serb forces are reportedly shelling the downtown area of this southern Kosovar town.
Serb paramilitary units are operating freely throughout the town, according to refugee
accounts. Moreover, Serb authorities reportedly are having a difficult time controlling
paramilitary activities against Kosovar Albanians.

Stimlje

Serb forces reportedly have burned Kosovar Albanian homes, stores, and vehicles.
Civilians have been driven out of the city to other villages to the south. In addition, the
building of the former OSCE mission has reportedly been burned.

Suva Reka

Serb military and police forces have reportedly killed as many as 350 ethnic Albanians in
this town.

Urosevac

Serb forces reportedly stopped a train originating in Urosevac carrying ethnic Albanian
civilians seven kilometers from the Macedonian border. They ordered the civilians off the
train and told them to walk to the border.

Velika Hoca

Kosovar Albanian civilians from Brestovac and Mala Hoca have reportedly moved to this
town. Two paramilitary units, Arkan's "Tigers" and the "White Eagles," are reportedly
housed in a complex in the town and are responsible for controlling the area between
Orahovac and Suva Reka.

Vucitrn

Serb forces reportedly have burned all houses previously rented by the OSCE and
continue to loot Kosovar Albanian shops, while snipers reportedly have taken positions
downtown.


Kosovo - USIA