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Voice of America, 01-09-13

Voice of America: Selected Articles Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Voice of America <gopher://gopher.voa.gov>

SLUG: 2-280454 Red Cross / Macedonia (L only) DATE: NOTE NUMBER:

CONTENTS

  • [01] RED CROSS / MACEDONIA (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

    • [01] RED CROSS / MACEDONIA (L ONLY) BY LISA SCHLEIN (GENEVA)

    DATE=09/13/01
    TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
    NUMBER=2-280454
    CONTENT=
    VOICED AT:

    INTRO: The International Committee of the Red Cross says the situation in Macedonia has improved since NATO forces began collecting weapons from ethnic Albanian rebels. But, Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports the Red Cross says the risk of serious trouble remains.

    TEXT: NATO has completed the second phase of its operation to collect weapons surrendered by ethnic Albanian rebels in Macedonia. NATO reports it has collected at least two-thirds of the weapons sought from the rebels. While the operation so far has been a success, the chief Red Cross delegate to Macedonia, Francois Stamm, says people generally do not feel secure. He says they are waiting to see what follow-up measures the international community will take to prevent renewed fighting. Mr. Stamm says the situation in Macedonia is different -- and he says better -- than that which existed in Kosovo in 1999 and in Bosnia Herzegovina in 1995.

    /// STAMM ACT 1 ///

    /// OPT ///

    It has been, all things considered by Balkan standards, a reasonably well-behaved conflict. About 100 direct and violent deaths, we estimate, plus enemy losses for which we have no clear indication, a high number of displaced persons, yes, about 20 villages damaged to a different degree. But, /// END OPT /// All things considered it must be underlined that the worst has been clearly avoided until now. The potential for further problems, of course, remain there and there are great fears that this could happen if there is no proper follow-up on Essential Harvest.

    /// END ACT ///

    The International Committee of the Red Cross is the only international humanitarian organization that has been able to work in the Macedonian villages directly affected by fighting. Its humanitarian operation, which includes food distribution and medical care, has been a lifeline for thousands of peop1e trapped by the fighting. The agency still cares for about 60-thousand displaced people. Mr. Stamm says most of these people do not yet feel secure enough to return to their homes. He says a number of disturbing incidents have occurred over the past two weeks to increase the sense of insecurity.

    /// STAMM ACT 2 ///

    We have certain, I would say, low-level signs, but possibly disturbing signs of acts like kidnappings, like tit-for-tat kidnapping, like small bombs going off in Skopje, in certain places as if the conflict is going underground. So, I hope it remains at this low level. It looks as if NATO has managed somehow to stop the conflict from continuing on the surface, but there are indications that some things have gone underground.

    /// END ACT ///

    Mr. Stamm says the political process in Macedonia will be very rough, but so far it is moving forward. He warns of major problems if the peace process stalls. (Signed)
    NEB/LS/GE/JWH
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