STRONG BATTLES CONTINUE IN KOSOVO

( Editorial: --> 1959 ) PRISTINA, Aug 5 (Hina) - Conflicts between Serbian forces and members of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVK) continued on Wednesday in villages in the Reka e Keqe area near Djakovica, not far from the Albanian border, the Kosovo Information Centre (KIC) in Pristina reported. The Kosovo Democratic Alliance in Djakovica reported that Serbian forces had completely demolished seven Albanian villages. OVK forces have allegedly taken new positions and are continuing to fight back. Strong battles are fought in several villages in Decani Municipality. It is estimated seven Albanians, including five civilians, were killed in two-day fights on the border with Albania and east of Decani. The KIC also reported about the continuation of violent battles around Likoca and Rezale, villages which Serbian forces were shelling with rockets. Serbian forces also shelled Marina, Rakinica and other villages in Srbica Municipality. Yesterday evening they shelled three parts of Srbica. Hundreds of Albanians fled towards Mitrovica and Vucitrn after a three-day Serbian offensive. There are almost 30,000 refugees in Mitrovica alone, and some 25,000 in Vucitrn. According to Albanian sources, OVK forces retreated from Acarev, one of the main Albanian headquarters which had prevented the invasion of Serbian forces from Klina towards the centre of the Drenica area. Several thousand Albanians from this area have taken refuge in a valley where the Pristina-Pec railroad passes. (hina) ha 051938 MET aug 98