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Testimonials 2001

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Par Pande Petrovski · Partie 29 sur 30 · Environ 7 minutes

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GS KFOR March 29, 01 Morning Report

1. Most important event: It was reported that the FYROM Army has started its offensive against the terrorist groups in the areas Gratsani and Malina Maala, during which they used artillery and grenades.

2. Tetovo: The situation north and west of Tetovo is unclear, but refugees in huge numbers are moving across the border. Many are prevented by KFOR. Some of those people are detained and their military equipment and ammunition is being seized.

Minor combat actions have been reported mainly in areas around Seltse, Germo and Vesala. Artillery fire was heard in the direction of Germo (from Tetovo).

3. Presevska Dolina / GSZ. In GSZ (Ground Security-zone) the struggle between UCPMB and MUP in Tserevaika Region (EM 4686), northwest of Presevo, is continuing. One member of the MUP police force was heavily wounded. The Serbian forces were allowed access to a helicopter for medical evacuation.

Yesterday afternoon, MNB (East) detained eight ethnic Albanians near Zaskosnik (EM 491 940). All parties were confirmed to be UCPMB members, but had left the organization claiming that they were too young and found it very dangerous. Comment: These people probably belonged to the “Maxhere” faction of UCPMB which operates in the Presevo area (ZOP). As a result of the situation in ZOP, it is possible that these ethnic Albanians are defectors because of the long struggles in this area and the fact that the Serbians are about to penetrate Sector B.

KFOR activities in support of FYROM:

Last evening MNB (East) reported hearing explosions near Derven (EM 208 610). The unit that heard the explosions identified them as

mortar fire. A short time later MNB (E) observed four people near Gratsani (EM 214 610). These people wore black uniforms and arms but they could not be captured.

At 23:50 hours, the same unit reported seeing a group of 50 to 60 armed men moving near the border (on the FYROM side) in the region GR EM 2259. The movement of these people was observed as MNB (East) forces prepared to intervene in case they tried to cross the border. The group went out of sight after midnight; MNB (E) was intending to send air monitoring in order to follow their movement.

4. Intelligence: GS KFOR later reported that all the residents of the village Słuptsane (EM 51 69) have been evacuated. The total number of people is 500 and they all are of ethnic Albanian origin. The reason for leaving is unknown. The direction they are going is unknown.

GENERAL ASSESMENT

We were informed that Tetovo was peaceful and that there was no significant fighting in the hills north of the city. In the border region a total of 79 individuals were encountered by MNB (j), a large number of whom tossed their arms in front of KFOR soldiers. A determined amount of arms and other military equipment was taken. It is understandable that 44 individuals were taken to prison at the MNB (j) prison in Prizren for further questioning. Other than that, nearly 600 refugees left for Kosovo. And it looks like a lot more are attempting to get to Kosovo. MNB (j) sent 2 additional units to that region. UNHCR estimated that 7,600 refugees have crossed into Kosovo since February 16, of which 3,700 crossed in the last 3 days.

With the view that violence in FYROM seems to be subsiding, attention now is being focused towards the movement of refugees and former armed Albanian extremists who are returning over the border.

INTELLEGENCE INFORMATION

(N / K S) (ORKFOR) around 150 supporters of the armed Albanian extremists in FYROM, from Tetovo Region, were attempting to flee over the border to Kosovo in the course of the early morning hours. By afternoon KFOR units collected 78 of them. With their escape to Kosovo they will undoubtedly attempt to identify themselves as refugees who are fleeing the shooting. But it cannot be precluded that the anger and frustration of these individuals will not be turned towards KFOR.

OPERATIVE SITUATION

1. The action of encircling and searching Krivenik in close proximity to FYROM’s border. On the 27th at 06:10 hours, Polukrbat conducted an encirclement and search of a questionable house in Krivenik (EM 227 624). The night before 20 individuals had entered the house carrying boxes and suitcases into the house. When they searched the house they found an AKM 7,62mm rifle with 27 boxes of ammunition, an M-57 7,62mm pistol with 6 cases of ammunition and l bullet-proof vest. The boxes that were observed the night before were filled with food; the house was a grocery store.

2. On the 27th at 1325 hours HRS 4-27 I 13 TG informed that 7 Albanian people came over control point 75 (EN 550 050) on the road to Vitina. They left Skopje to escape the violence in Macedonia and to visit their aunt. They were a father, a mother, four children and one friend of the family. The father was to leave the family and return back to Skopje and go to work.

The above was a report filed by the South Brigade of the KFOR composition responsible for providing border security between the Republic of Macedonia and Kosovo.

Dear Mr. Peter Faith

It is an honour to inform you of the following:

We are prepared to end the crisis which undermines the peaceful democratic development of the Republic of Macedonia and which

poses a direct threat to the stability of this region. Believing that an unconditional ceasefire, for which the conditions are confirmed below, is a concrete step towards a broader objective to solving the crisis.

NATO’s intention to assist in disarming and disbanding the armed “ethnic Albanian groups” is welcome. The presence of the NATO mission for this purpose is welcome. Welcomed also are the preconditions for NATO’s deployment, and for providing assistance in the process of disarmament in particular:

- That a general, unconditional and permanent ceasefire must be achieved, and

- That sufficient progress in dialogue between the various political parties must be achieved, as defined by NATO and by the EU.

Reaffirming its commitment to implement the plan for building confidence measures without delay, regarding which the Government of the Republic of Macedonia has decided the following:

1. Unconditional respect and adherence to the ceasefire; refrain from all military actions; refrain from use of force and illegal actions against the ethnic Albanian armed groups;

2. Recognize and adhere to the extended Geneva Conventions Protocol (Protocol II) of August 12, 1949, regarding the protection of victims of international conflict;

3. The ceasefire applies to all ARM security forces. The Government of the Republic of Macedonia will ensure that the provisions of this document also apply to all irregular forces and armed civilian groups;

4. The definition “armed forces” includes groups and individuals from all sides who accept the authority and command of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia, including regular forces, police forces, border police, army and police reserves, military police, intelligence services, Ministry of Interior local police and

special anti-terrorism and police forces which maintain public order and peace;

5. Securing international observers;

6. Provisions of the ceasefire will go into effect starting on July 6, 2001 at 00:01 hours.