KOSOVO: ETNIC ALBANIANS REFUSE TO END RUSSIAN BLOCKADE

(25 Aug 1999) Russian/Eng/German/Nat

Leaders of the ethnic Albanians who are blocking Russian peacekeepers from entering their town in southern Kosovo have again refused to end their blockade.

But talks ended on Wednesday with a promise to ask their followers if they are willing to back down.

Albanian villagers in the souther town of Orahovac fear that Russian peacekeepers, seen as traditional allies of the Serbs, won't protect them.

But NATO negotiators insist the Russian troops are there to keep the peace on both sides of the Serb and Albanian divide.

There is little sign that local Albanians are prepared to give up the standoff - now in its third day - despite the fierce heat and strong international pressure.

These ethnic Albanians have been blocking the roads with trucks, tractors, cars and buses since Monday, when Russian troops tried to enter Orahovac to take over from Dutch troops who have finished their tour.

The Albanians accuse Russian mercenaries of fighting alongside Serbs during the 18-month crackdown that ended in June with NATO's arrival in the Yugoslav province.

It's an allegation that Russia's General Vadim Andrenev appeared to confirm on Wednesday, but he insisted any Russian fighters were "bandits" and not part of the group there now.

Since the standoff began, the local commander for the Kosovo Liberation Army has been in talks with the local Serb leader and officials from the German, Russian and Dutch contingents in Kosovo.

He has agreed to ask his followers if they are willing to back down and admit Russian peacekeepers.

SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
"The generals wanted to make us accept a compromise but we are not in the market to trade. We don't have any mandate from the people to do that."
SUPER CAPTION: Kosovo Liberation Army commander Ismet Tara

Kosovo's dwindling Serb population trusts Russians - fellow Slavs - more than NATO to protect them from ethnic Albanians seeking revenge.

But the lead Russian negotiator insists his troops will be fair and impartial in keeping the peace.

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"This is just a normal negotiation process. There will be a result." (Off camera reporter asks: When?) "Time will tell. We have to be patient and get a peaceful result."
SUPER CAPTION: General Vadim Andrenev

The German general overseeing the process said there was some reason for optimism, though he admitted the talks were proceeding slowly.

SOUNDBITE: (German)
"There was little progress today but nevertheless there was some progress. There is reason to be optimistic. We'll meet both delegations again tomorrow and in the meantime there are different proposals to work with, but we are hoping to get both the Albanians and the Serbs together at the table tomorrow."
SUPER CAPTION: General Wolfgang Sauer

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We have been talking to both parties again. There is a little bit of progress. It is still very difficult and this is not something we can do in one or two hours. This is going to take time and everyone realises that. But I must say I am a little optimistic that we will get somewhere."
SUPER CAPTION: Dutch General Van Loon

Orahovac is in the German sector of Kosovo.

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