Pristina, 14 June 2000
by Major Scott A. Slaten, KFOR Spokesman
Child Killed
Tragically, one child was killed by gunfire yesterday afternoon in MNB South, 7 kilometers outside Prizren.
It was reported that three children were playing in a field with a stolen pistol when it accidentally discharged, striking the back of one of the children. As a result of the shooting the boy was pronounced dead at the scene. This is one more example, why KFOR soldiers are dedicated to removing as many weapons as possible from Kosovo.
Starting Friday, secondary schools, followed at the end of the month by primary schools, will begin the summer holidays. Children will no longer spend their days in the classroom, but instead will be roaming about outside enjoying good weather. This factor coupled with the large number of mine fields and unexploded ordnance scattered about Kosovo can have deadly consequences.
In each Multi National Brigade area KFOR and UNMIK are continuing to educate children and parents to the dangers posed by weapons and explosives in order to prevent similar tragic accidents. Parents are encouraged to get as much information as possible on these dangerous products of war and ensure their children are trained to play safely.
Environmental Concerns
During the past year environmental and health concerns have grown because of the difficulties removing garbage from major urban areas. Higher temperatures and poor rubbish facilities contribute to the health risks that are posed against all people living in Kosovo.
In MNB West, KFOR soldiers and engineers are doing their part to improve the situation in the local community. In the city of Pec / Peja trash has continued to accumulate along the streets and in open areas. This was not caused by a lack of concern by the population but because the road leading to the local dump was not passable for military or civilian vehicles.
To improve the situation, KFOR Italian engineers and soldiers began construction on the road leading to the garbage dump at Svke on the 17th of April. The entire project lasted 27 days and was completed by the 23rd of May.
During the construction 3,700 meters of road was leveled and repaired and a lateral drainage ditch dug with a water pipe buried in cement. Over 14 heavy vehicles were used during the operation including bulldozers, lorries, and power shovels.
Now that this project is complete the road will greatly assist the community to access the dump area and improve the sanitation situation in Pec / Peja.
Incidents During the Past 24 Hours
Multinational Brigade North
Nothing Significant to Report
Multinational Brigade West
Nothing Significant to Report
Multinational Brigade Centre
Significant Weapons Finds
There were important finds in three towns in the KFOR MNB(C) area ] of
responsibility yesterday which have taken a large number of weapons and
ammunition off the street.
In Obilic/ Kobiliq, KFOR Norwegian and British troops carried out a planned search operation of the town. They found the following items: one AK 47 rifle, four AKM (which were new and in the packaging), three SKS rifles, two hunting rifles, four bayonets, one medium machine gun tripod (soviet design), 3200 rounds of various calibre, including 7.62mm short, 1000 rounds 7.62mm and several magazines for an AK-47 rifle.
As a continuation of the same operation, KFOR soldiers occupied the town of Plemetina/ Plemetine. The search yielded the following weapons: two AK 47 rifles, two pistols, one machine gun tripod, two M 48 grenades, one SKS rifles, five magazines full of 7.62mm rounds, one 64 mm Rocket launcher, one bolt action rifle and one shotgun. The operation was completed by 08:00 p.m.
The KFOR Scots Dragoon Guards searched houses in the area of Livadica / Livadice (near to Podujevo / Podujeve) yesterday afternoon. This operation was also successful and troops found: three AGS rifles, one hunting rifle, two M 40 grenades, 300 rounds of ammunition. UNMIK police made no arrests at this time but will continue to investigate.
Shots Fired at KFOR Soldiers
Shots were fired at soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment
of Fusiliers, in Pristina / Prishtina last night as they patrolled the
streets.
Three men, celebrating outside a café, were firing into the air when a KFOR patrol drove past in an armoured land rover. One of the men then aimed his pistol at the KFOR vehicle and fired two rounds at it.
The soldiers stopped the vehicle and, after another shot was fired at them, returned fire with eight aimed shots. The men then fled in the direction of the Dardanija flat. A search team, including military police, special investigation branch, weapons investigation and a search dogs were despatched to the scene to investigate the incident and find the culprits.
A gazelle helicopter also over flew the area with a search-light.
There were no casualties reported amongst either KFOR soldiers or the civilians. At 02:00 a.m., having found nothing, the search was called off and all personnel stood down. KFOR will not tolerate direct threats against its soldiers and will continue to respond forcefully to all attacks against its personnel.
Multinational Brigade South
See Lead Story
Multinational Brigade East
Medical Assistance Provided
Last night elements of the KFOR 18th Air Assault Battalion (Polish) provided
transportation for a five-year-old Kosovo Serb girl from Strpce, to the
border crossing point at Gate 5. The girl required medical assistance for
several already existing conditions.
Media Administrative Note
Change of Command Ceremony
There will be a change of command ceremony for Multi-National Brigade South, involving Brig. Gen. Roland Kather and Brig. Gen. Fritz von Korffthe, which will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, 15 June, 2000. The media is cordially invited to attend the event and to report to the Prizren field camp entrance by 9:30 a.m. For details please see the MNB South PIO.
Mine Awareness Event
Lt. Gen. Juan Ortuno and Dr. Bernard Kouchner tomorrow at 03:00 p.m. will jointly host a mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) media event scheduled for three kilometers from Pristina.
The event will last approximately an hour and a half and will demonstrate the co-operative efforts of KFOR and UNMIK to clear the mines and UXOs from Kosovo. Countermine and UXO clearance techniques will be demonstrated and an overview of the past years results discussed.
Interested media can be transported from the KFOR Press Information Center (CPIC) in a shuttle bus. Please be at the CPIC no later than 2:15 p.m.
As a note: Please do not drive your own vehicle to the media event because of lack of parking space. Please sign up at the Registration Desk for this media opportunity. If interested, contact CPT Andreas Scheel at the CPIC.