In the meeting, President Rugova and the OSCE officials discussed about the current developments in Kosova and the process of consultations of the Kosovar political organizations and the people on the interim settlement for Kosova negotiated in the Rambouillet Conference last month.

The Kosova leader described the situation as very grave and dangerous amidst continued offensive operations by the Serbian military and police in several areas in Kosova.

Rugova pressed for a stepped up pressure on Belgrade to secure that the crackdown is brought to an end and Serbian forces are withdrawn from Kosova.

PRISHTINA, March 2 (KIC) - Serbian military and police forces continued well into afternoon today (Tuesday) their attack against Kosovar Albanian villages in southeastern Kosova.

LDK sources in Hani i Elezit ('General Jankovic') spoke of an unrelenting level of Serbian gunfire, while the Albanian population of the area continued fleeing in panic. Most of them were huddled in Glloboçicë village, which is where a border crossing to Macedonia is located.

The population of Glloboçicë has tripled, sources told the KIC.

The residents of the small town of Hani i Elezit have found themselves locked up in their homes, as Serbian forces have been pounding Albanian villages and UÇK positions from that locality.

More than 300 Albanian residents of Krivenik and Rezhancë villages, municipality of Hani i Elezit, illegally crossed over to Macedonia today morning, local LDK sources said. Most of the refugees were women, children and elderly. Macedonian authorities have not yet received them, reports said.

The shelling of Kosovar Albanian villages had died down past 15:00 CET today, sources told the KIC, adding that sporadic small arms fire was still going on.

The Serbs shelled from their military positions in Frashër i Vogël and Shipol, local LDK sources said.

There was sporadic shelling from Frashër i Vogël overnight, too.

A convoy of Serbian forces left Mitrovica for Skenderaj, while Serbian civilians emerged armed and uniformed from the Serbian military barracks today, sources said.

Serbian police raids and arrests of Albanians have been reported in different parts of the town of Mitrovica today.

"Since we do not want that our Office becomes a source of frictions within the UÇK, we have decided to alter the character of the Office", a press release said, adding that it had been turned now into Adem Demaçi's Office for Analysis, Proposals and Political Advice.

Adem Demaçi reiterated his position that the Rambouillet conference will not bring freedom to the Albanian people of Kosova, nor will it "liberate Kosova from Serbian occupation".

The General Staff has designated its delegation due to visit the United States of America before mid-March: Hashim Thaçi, Jakup Krasniqi, Ramë Buja, Bashkim Jashari, Bislim Zyrapi and Ramush Hajredinaj.

The UÇK General Staff issued a statement saying it had received a "preliminary official invitation" from the State Department to visit the United States.

"This visit is proof of the acceptance of the UÇK and of the internationalization of the Kosova problem," it said.

Meanwhile, sources said a combined Serbian military and police convoy, including eight tanks and 30 lorries, as well as a number of APCs arrived early today morning near the bauxite mines at Sverkë village, municipality of Klina. They were redeployed later in the day to two locations, at Bokë near Përçevë village, just opposite Sverkë, and at Pishat e Volljakës (the Volljakë Pinewood). While on their move, Serbian forces intimidated the Sverkë residents, who live in fear of fresh Serb attacks.

Muharrem Shaban Berisha (47), resident of the village, was reported killed.

The population of Brestovc fled their homes, seeking refuge in Krushë e Madhe and other outlying villages.

The two young Albanians, residents of Rahovec ('Orahovac'), were two of the three persons kidnapped on 23 February.

They were killed with fire-arms in still unknown circumstances.