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KFOR Press Update: Mitrovica 24 Feb 2000

by Lt.-Cdr. Philip Anido, KFOR Spokesperson
Pristina, 24 February 2000
Mitrovica Update

The search for weapons continued yesterday in Mitrovica. KFOR French and US Infantry and other specialized units including Military Police and Gendarmerie searched together in an area just north of the eastern Bridge.

Multinational Brigade North reports that a number of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition were found and confiscated. Six AK-47 rifles, five other high-powered rifles, five hand grenades, 49 magazines loaded with 30 rounds each, and two magnum pistols were confiscated.

One Serb man was arrested over night in connection with weapons violations and is now in UNMIK police custody.

The latest KFOR total figures are as follows:

Of those arrested during the operation because of weapons violations, three remain in UNMIK police custody:

One Albanian and two Serbs.

Weapon confiscations:

AK-47 rifles: 6
Other rifles: 28
Heavy machine gun: 1
Loaded Magazines (30 rounds each): 67
Pistols: 4
Rocket propelled grenades: 1
Plastic explosives: 8 blocks
Hand grenades: 9

KFOR Italian Railway Company Installs New Switch

Yesterday, military engineers from the KFOR Italian Railway Company and civilian workers installed a new switch on the main north-south rail line. The project was a joint KFOR-UNMIK venture.

Events and incidents in Kosovo during the last 24 hours:

Searches and Weapons Confiscations

Early yesterday morning, a KFOR patrol in MNB South confiscated two hand grenades and some rifle ammunition. Four men were detained.

Yesterday morning in Prizren (MNB South), KFOR Military Police and UNMIK police searched a local bar and confiscated an AK-47, three filled magazines, a carbine rifle and a pistol. Two men were arrested for questioning.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

Visit of the German Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Herr Joschka Fischer and Minister of Interior Herr Otto Schily on Friday, 25 February 2000.

Bundesminister Joschka Fischer and Bundesminister Otto Schily will visit Pristina, Kosovo on Friday, 25 February. They will meet with UNMIK and local political leaders. Following the meetings, the Minister will hold a press conference to which all media are cordially invited. Timings and location are as follows: KFOR Press & Information Centre- Friday, 25 February 2000, 4:15 p.m.