INFORMATION SERVICE OF THE DIOCESE OF RASKA AND PRIZREN KOSOVO AND METOHIJA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNMIK POLICE FINALLY ADMITS GRACANICA NUNS ARE NOT DRUG ADDICTS Latest news regarding the sensational discovery of cannabis in the garden of Gracanica Monastery Gracanica, August 8, 2002 The head of the local police station in Gracanica, Charles Weber, told local Radio KIM that the hemp discovered by police on Gracanica Monastery land on August 7 was growing wild and that this was immediately clear after speaking with Abbess Efrosinia. As far as the police are concerned the matter is closed, said Weber, adding that the hemp will be destroyed in any case. This concluded another "major campaign" on the part of international police in Gracanica which hopefully convinced the international forces that Orthodox nuns are not drug addicts and that it is possible for hemp to grow as a variety of weed. Despite the unpleasantness of the circumstances which everyone in Gracanica is seeing in a humorous light, the Diocese of Raska and Prizren expects a public apology for such behavior on the part of police officials who could have resolved the whole problem in a simple conversation on the monastery terrace with coffee and brandy. ===== ALBANIANS BEAT UP SERB MAN IN NOVO BRDO Everyday terror against remaining Serbs Gracanica, August 8, 2002 On August 7 two Albanians beat up Slavisa Djokic from the settlement of Stara Kolonija in Novo Brdo municipality. Djokic was attacked while standing near his house and talking with a Serb neighbor. The attack occurred on the first day following the withdrawal of the KFOR checkpoint from Novo Brdo. Slavisa is one of the few remaining Serbs in Stara Kolonija and lives here with his children. He is an employee of the Gnjilane Forestry Office. The motives for the attack are unknown. A report was filed with UNMIK police and KFOR and an investigation is in progress. ===== KOHA DITORE PUBLISHES STATEMENT BY FAKE B92 REPORTER Man presenting himself as a Radio B92 reporter claimed there is no discrimination in Kosovo Gracanica, August 8, 2002 On August 6, 2002 the Albanian language dailies Koha Ditore, published by well-know Pristina publicist Veton Surroi, and Epoka i Re published the statement of someone called Nenad Stojkovic who presented himself as a reporter for Radio B92 in Belgrade. In his statement, gladly published by the Albanian dailies, Stojkovic stated that he feels as at home in Kosovo as in his native Smederevo and that no one is provoking or insulting him. Stojkovic further stated that the Serb and Roma refugees from Kosovo and Metohija give an entirely different version of events in the Province than what he saw. "They think there is no life in Kosovo for anyone except the Albanians. However, I am convinced there is no discrimination here." Stojkovic adds that he was under pressure from the previous regime for speaking the truth. This statement by Mr. Stojkovic might have really served as an encouraging example and good news for all Serbs if the man had not falsely presented himself as a B92 reporter. The Information Service of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren contacted B92 and determined that there is no one named Nenad Stojkovic employed by this media corporation nor in any sort of relationship with it. Unofficially we learned that Mr. Stojkovic is likely a local journalist from Smederevo who is currently suspended from duty. Taking into account the moral character of a man who misrepresents himself and gives irresponsible statements instead of performing his job as journalist, it is hardly necessary to comment on Stojkovic's statement, which is closer to science fiction than reality. Furthermore, we learned from a third party that Koha Ditora is already preparing a retraction. ===== MAYOR OF KLINA SAYS SERB RETURNEES ARE NOT WELCOME IN HIS MUNICIPALITY Survival of Serbs in the Klina region village of Bicha uncertain Gracanica, August 8, 2002 In an article from August 8, 2002 the Albanian language daily Bota Sot published a public statement by Ramo Manaj, the mayor of Klina municipality, where he states that Serb returnees are not welcome as long as the issue of missing Albanians remains unresolved. According to Mr. Manaj, there are 135 of them missing just from this municipality. This statement is in blatant contrast with the official policy of the Kosovo Government which declared that Serb returns are welcome. As in the past in Kosovo and Metohija, there are two versions of the story: one for the international community and Western media, and another for local Serbs whose lives are made miserable in every possible way. It remains to be seen how the first 15-odd Serbs in Bicha will survive surrounded by intolerant local Albanians. The UNMIK daily police report of August 8 confirmed that on this day three masked and armed Albanians intercepted the truck of a local Albanian transporting sand and gravel to be used for the restoration of Serb houses in Bicha. The truck driver was told that he would be killed if he continued assisting Serb returnees. The search for the masked men is still ongoing. ===== Information Service of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren [EMAIL PROTECTED] Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Raska and Prizren http://www.decani.yunet.com Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
