KOSOVO: SERB TROOPS BEGIN WITHDRAWING

Serbo-Croat/Nat

The first Yugoslav army convoys were beginning their withdrawal from the war-torn province on Thursday, as part of a peace deal signed by Serb and Western generals to end the Balkans conflict.

Meanwhile international peacekeepers have been given the green light to enter Kosovo on Friday.

The announcement was made by Vladimir Lazarevic, Commander of the Pristina Division of the Yugoslav army.

About 150 trucks, other army vehicles and cars carrying soldiers crossed the northern border of Kosovo province at Merdare.

The convoy included some armoured vehicles and mobile anti-aircraft weapons.

Some of those in the convoy smiled and flashed the three-fingered Serb sign denoting unity.

As the withdrawal got underway, Vladimir Lazarevic, Commander of the Pristina Division of the Yugoslav army, said they were proud to have done their duty.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"After 80 days of aggression against Yugoslavia, we appreciate that there's peace ahead of us. The Yugoslav army, especially Pristina's 3rd army brigade, carried out a constitutional mission - defending the country and protecting it's sovereignty. Military headquarters has decided that there will now be a withdrawal from Kosovo and Metohija. In the next 11 days, the whole brigade has to be relocated to the new zone, on the border between Kosovo and Metohija."
SUPER CAPTION: Major General Vladimir Lazarevic, Commander Pristina Army District

He added that there was no sense of humiliation among his forces.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"I would say the soldiers don't feel defeated. They feel as if they have accomplished their mission. We expect international forces to fulfill their responsibility now and defend the Serb people in this sacred land."
SUPER CAPTION: Major General Vladimir Lazarevic, Commander Pristina Army District

NATO jets flew overhead, apparently monitoring the pullout.

The independent Beta news agency, reporting from the scene, said that about 20 carloads of civilians joined the convoy, their vehicles packed with luggage.

They were apparently fearful of their future in the ethnic Albanian-majority province without army and police protection.
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