http://www.kforonline.com/news/updates/nu_23oct00.htm

KFOR Press Update
Pristina, 23 October 2000
by Major Steven R. Shappell, KFOR Spokesman

Update on French Soldier

French authorities have concluded their investigation into the death of one of
their
soldiers in Mitrovice / Mitrovica Thursday night. The investigation, conducted
by
the French Gendarmerie, has ruled the soldier's death a suicide. The soldier,
Geoffroy Simonnet, was 23 years old, and had arrived in Kosovo in September.
KFOR extends its deepest sympathies to Geoffroy Simonnet's family and friends.

Incidents During the Past 24 Hours

Multinational Brigade North

Planned Search Operation
In a continuation of yesterday's planned search operation, KFOR Multinational
Brigade North troops conducted additional weapons searches in the Brigade area
of operations. Near the village of Okovic, the soldiers found 100 rounds of
small
arms ammunition, four grenades, a Mauser rifle and an anti-tank rocket launcher.
In a house north of the village of Kopiliq i Eperm / Gornji Obilic, the
searchers
found a booby-trapped grenade. KFOR Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts were
called to the scene of the grenade, and after careful examination, safely
removed
the grenade from the house.

The planned search operation, known as Operation Fox, demonstrated the
interoperability of KFOR French and Russian soldiers and the ability of
Multinational Brigade North to quickly and efficiently responds to any incidents
within its area of operations.

Unexploded Ordnance Turned-In
Last night, a Kosovar Albanian brought an unexploded ordnance device to the
KFOR Multinational Brigade North compound in Baje / Banja. KFOR soldiers took
the device, and safely stored it. The device was then turned over to KFOR
Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts for destruction.

Multinational Brigade Centre

Nothing significant to report.

Multinational Brigade West

Car and Houses Searched; Weapons Found
Early yesterday morning, a KFOR Task Force Sauro patrol stopped and searched
a Red BMW near the village of Miroc. One of the three occupants of the vehicle
fled the scene as the soldiers approached. Inside the vehicle, the soldiers
discovered one round of small arms ammunition. As a result of the car search,
soldiers from Task Force Sauro searched two houses. In the first house, located
in
Stellc i Eperm / Gornji Streoc, no weapons were found. In the second house,
located in Kodrali / Kodralija, the soldiers found and confiscated an AK-47
assault
rifle and 66 rounds of ammunition. UNMIK Police arrested two men in connection
with the search of the second house.

Handgrenade Found
Yesterday morning, an UNMIK Police patrol requested assistance from KFOR
Task Force Falco in dealing with a handgrenade found near the Hotel Jakov in
Gjakove / Djakovica. KFOR Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts responded to
the scene of the grenade discovery. After careful examination, the Explosive
Ordnance Disposal team safely removed the grenade.

Multinational Brigade South

Houses Searched; Weapons Found
Early yesterday morning KFOR Task Force Prizren, German Military Police and
UNMIK Police jointly conducted a house search operation in Prizren. Illegal
items
were found in three houses. Among the items found during the search were one
tear-gas grenade, 800 grams of dynamite, 406 rounds of ammunition, and two
AK-47 ammunition magazines. UNMIK Police arrested two Kosovar Albanian men
in connection with the house search operation.

Car Searched; Weapon, Ammunition Found
Early yesterday afternoon, KFOR Task Force Prizren troops stopped and
searched a car at a checkpoint in Prizren. During the search, the soldiers
discovered a revolver and five rounds of ammunition. German Military Police
confiscated the weapon and ammunition, and detained the Kosovar Albanian driver
of the car.

House Burns
Last night, KFOR Multinational Brigade South firefighting troops assisted local
firefighters in extinguishing a blaze in Prizren. The fire had threatened to
engulf
adjoining houses. There were no reports of injuries in connection with the
blaze.
According to initial reports, a candle started the fire.

Multinational Brigade East

Nothing significant to report.

Media Opportunity

KFOR Multinational Slingload Exercise

KFOR US and Russian elements will conduct a joint slingload operation Tuesday
at Camp Monteith. A U.S. Army Chinook helicopter will be rigged to carry
tactical
vehicles, and will then conduct a tactical air insertion mission.

Media wishing to attend the training should report to Camp Monteith Gate 1 no
later than 4:00 p.m. Tuesday. Special concerns should be addressed to SSG
McGuire at the KFOR Press Information Center no later that 4:00 p.m. Monday.
KFOR press passes are required for both events. An Albanian interpreter will be
available.