KOSOVO: OSCE TO WITHDRAW ITS MONITORS UPDATE

Описание: (19 Mar 1999) English/Nat

The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (O-S-C-E) ordered on Friday the evacuation of its 1-thousand 400 unarmed observers from Kosovo.

After the Paris peace talks broke off in failure, the situation has deteriorated so far that O-S-C-E chiefs believe it is no longer safe for their observers to remain in Serbia's Kosovo province.

A day after the breakdown of the Kosovo peace talks in Paris, the O-S-C-E ordered the evacuation of its observers from the region.

Thousands of refugees have already fled the fighting in Kosovo.

And thousands of O-S-C-E cars queued for hours to cross the border towards safety in Macedonia.

Diplomats and peacekeepers have been forced to leave following the threat of NATO air strikes.

Their departure may be the start of a full-scale evacuation from Kosovo.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"These are always sad occasions. Noone evacuates their families and staff in a very happy mood because it means the crisis has worsened and the danger has increased. So I'm not a happy person today and neither are all my people who are leaving. We hope it will be possible to save the situation and to avoid the scenario that everyone is familiar might be taken. And we shall see what happens."
SUPERCAPTION: Richard Miles, American charge d'affaires

Doors have been closed at O-S-C-E headquarters in Pristina. Only a few people are allowed to enter the building.

Outside, O-S-C-E cars get ready for the final evacuation set for Saturday.

Documents are being destroyed as O-S-C-E observers receive presents from their protegees, like this picture an ethnic Albanian girl gave to the organisation's chief, William Walker.

But as O-S-C-E monitors prepare to leave Kosovo, other aid agencies such as the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) continue their work in Kosovo.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The loss of O-S-C-E, 1400 people, I think is a real tragedy because they provided a lot of security to people. They helped people to return. I'm sorry to see them go."
SUPERCAPTION: Jo Hegenauer, Head of UNHCR

In Pristina, fear is in the streets.

As diplomats and international aid workers leave the city, those who remain prepare themselves for what may be the worst to come.

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