Kosovo - Reactions to troop withdrawals in Kosovo

(17 Oct 1998) T/I: 10:49:21
A convoy of Serb tanks and trucks appeared to be heading out of Kosovo just hours after NATO gave Yugoslavia a temporary reprieve from the threat of air strikes. More than a hundred military vehicles were spotted on the road from Prizren to Pristina on Friday night, apparently heading for the provincial border with Serbia. If the troop movement turns out to be a significant withdrawal, it is an important sign that Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic is complying with an agreement to pull out of Kosovo.
SHOWS:
PRISTINA, KOSOVO 17/10
VS GVs Pristina;
VS newspaper stand;
VS ethnic Albanian newspapers expressing disappointment about the deadline's extension;
Serb newspapers showing support for extension;
EXT LDK Party (ethnic Albanian) headquarters;
SOT (ENGLISH) Professor Alush A. Gashi, LDK Spokesman, Rugova's Advisor, "The population of Kosovo is very disappointed with the extension of the ultimatum because we see what Milosevic has done in Bosnia and this will give him more time to kill more people and destroy more villages.";
LDK headquarters;
SOT Gashi (ENGLISH), "We have been very clear with our requests. We have been asking for NATO ground troops to prevent genocide. This did not happen. Now they are saying they are sending unarmed ground troops - I'm afraid this is not enough.";
GV Pristina;
EXT Media Centre (Serb-run);
SOT (ENGLISH) Radovan Urosevic, Director, Pristina Media Centre (Serb-run), "We are very pleased with the extension of the ultimatum because this means it is proof that the West understands that we are trying to comply with the resolutions and the conditions set forth. And of course this is useful, it will give everyone time to prepare for the future task that is very complex and long-lasting;
VS GVs Pristina.
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