KOSOVO ALBANIAN LEADER COMMENTS ON SITUATION IN KOSOVO

( Editorial: --> 0862 ) PRISTINA, May 1 (Hina) - President of the Democratic Union of Kosovo Ibrahim Rugova on Friday hailed the conclusions of the Contact Group to impose new sanctions on Belgrade. Rugova added, however, that the Kosovo Albanians had expected more - strict penalties. The proposed sanctions would still influence the defusing of tensions in Kosovo and the beginning of an unconditional dialogue between Albanians and Serbs, with the mediation of a third party. Rugova described the situation in Kosovo as very difficult, especially in the areas of Decani and Djakovica, where several Albanians had been killed not far from the Yugoslav-Albanian border during the past few days. Violence is spreading to other places in Kosovo. Rugova warned that this was a part of Belgrade's scenario to ethnically cleanse Kosovo. He called on Albanians to resist manipulations and misinformation which are a part of a special war, aimed against Albanians. Rugova reiterated the wishes of Kosovo Albanians for a peaceful solution to the Kosovo problem, and stressed that an independent Kosovo and the introduction of an international civilian protectorate in this Yugoslav province were the best solutions which would facilitate the defusing of tensions and a permanent stability of the region. (hina) lm 011253 MET may 98