KOSOVO: ALBANIAN WOMEN PROTESTERS TURNED BACK BY SERBIAN POLICE

Описание: (16 Mar 1998) Albanian/Nat

Thousands of Albanian women protesters were turned back by Serbian police when they tried to march from Pristina, the capital of the Kosovo region of Serbia, to Drenica.

In the past weeks in Drenica, violent sweeps by Serb authorities have left more than 80 people dead and raised fears of a new war in the Balkans.

The marchers said they were trying to take bread to the women of Drenicia whose families have nothing to eat.

Holding aloft long, white loaves of bread thousands of Albanian women set off from Pristina, the capital of the Serbian Kosovo province on Monday.

Their destination was the tense region of Drenica.

By taking part in the march the women risked confrontation with Serb police.

The two thousand protesters, ranging from teenagers to the elderly took part in the march to deliver bread to families who have nothing to eat.

Men lined the streets, cheering and clapping, as it set off.

Carrying signs that read "Stop Genocide" and "We are a nation in danger" the women stretched over a kilometre (nearly a mile) as they left the capital.

They say Serb authorities won't let bread or other essential supplies pass into the Drenica region.

The confrontation that most were expecting occurred not long after the marchers had begun walking.

They were stopped by a human barricade of Serb police and were unable to walk further.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Please open the door because children and women in Drenica needs food, needs medical assistance needs everything. So please open the door for the children and women."
SUPER CAPTION: Vox pop, female marcher

The police warned the women they had 15 minutes to return to their original start point as they feared for their personal safety if they let them through.

In the past weeks in Drenica violent sweeps by Serb police have left more than 80 people dead and raised fears of a new war in the Balkans.

On late Monday, a high-ranking, Serbian delegation, which came from Belgrade twice last week in a vain attempt to meet with the Albanians, is expected in Pristina again.

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