KFOR News Update
Pristina, 29 November 2000
by Flight Lieutenant Mark A Whitty, KFOR Spokesman

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMKFOR Statement on Flag Day

This morning, KFOR Commander Lt. Gen. Carlo Cabigiosu made the following
statement on the Flag Day Celebrations:

"I am pleased to say that the Flag Days passed without any major
incidents. The people of Kosovo have demonstrated that they can
celebrate peacefully. Following last month's highly successful municipal
elections, yesterday's peaceful celebrations have once again
demonstrated to the International Community that Kosovo continues to
make progress towards achieving stability. On this occasion I reiterate
the need for the people of Kosovo to cooperate with UNMIK Police in
identifying those criminals who attempt to disrupt the process of
normalization that is currently taking place in Kosovo."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Incidents During the Past 24 Hours

Multinational Brigade North

Car Accident

Yesterday evening near Vushtrri / Vucitrn, a KFOR French vehicle was
involved in a single car accident. There are no reports of injuries in
connection with the accident. The accident is under investigation.

Multinational Brigade Centre

Unexploded Ordnance Found

Yesterday morning, UNMIK Police reported Multinational Brigade Centre
that a handgrenade had had been found near the village of Abri e Eperme
/ Gornje Brine. KFOR Explosive Ordnance Disposal experts were sent to
the location and destroyed the handgrenade at the site of the find.

Multinational Brigade West

Explosions Heard; Rocket Launcher Found

Early yesterday morning, KFOR Task Force Falcon reported that two large
explosions had been heard and seen in Gjakova / Dakovica. In response to
these explosions, KFOR Task Force Falcon Explosive Ordnance Disposal
experts conducted a search of the area. During the search the soldiers
found remnants of M80 rocket launcher, which had been fired at a Gas
Service Station, which was destroyed. UNMIK police is investigating.

Car Searched; Weapon Found

Yesterday afternoon, a KFOR Task Force Pegasus patrol stopped and
searched an Opel Omega at a checkpoint in Peterc I Ulet / Donji Peterc.
During the search of the vehicle, the soldiers found seven shotguns and
147 12mm shotgun cartridges. The illegal items were confiscated and the
driver of the vehicle handed over to UNMIK Police.

Multinational Brigade South

Nothing Significant to Report

Multinational Brigade East

Car Searched; Weapons Found

Yesterday evening, a KFOR U.S. Task Force 1-36 patrol reported that it
had detained two possible UCPMB members at a vehicle checkpoint near the
village Rekali /Rekalije. During a search of their vehicle, the soldiers
found and confiscated two UCPMB uniforms, one handgrenade, one 7.62
ammunition magazine and 30 rounds of ammunition.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Media Opportunity

Press Conference

Tomorrow, Thursday 30 Nov 2000, Lord Robertson NATO Secretary General
and General Ralston, Supreme Allied Commander Europe will visit
Prishtina / Pristina. A press conference will be held in the UNMIK
building between 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m.

MNB South: Transfer of Authority

On Thursday, December 7th 2000, at 10:00 hrs, the Commander KFOR,
Lieutenant General Carlo Cabigiosu, and the Deputy Commander, German
Army Forces Command, Major General Dieter Henninger, will pass the
command of Multinational Brigade South from Brigadier General Fritz von
Korff to Brigadier General Wolf-Dieter Langheld. The change of command
will take place in the presence of guests at Camp Progres in PRIZREN.
Press representatives are cordially invited to attend this event." There
will be a helicopter shuttle to Prizren. Journalists are invited to sign
up for the helicopter shuttle on a list posted on the information board
(next to the Media Ops office) beginning Thursday, 30th November until
Tuesday, 5th December. For questions contact: Lt Martin Valkysers, GE
LNO MNB (S).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Media Advisory

Injured Child healed by KFOR, US Military Doctors, returns home
A K-Albanian child whose life was saved by doctors in Multi-National
Brigade East and further treated in Germany, will return home this week.
One of the doctors who saved his life and Task Force MedFalcon will hold
a welcome back party for Ginnis Shkodra Thursday, and the media are
invited to attend.

The four-year-old was seriously injured in June when he was crushed by a
concrete pipe during his father's reconstruction of their home. His
pancreas, liver and stomach were crushed. Shkodra was rushed to Camp
Bondsteel, where he underwent numerous surgeries. A severe skin
infection set in, and the child lost a large portion of the skin of his
torso and had to be wrapped in plastic to keep his internal organs in
place. The doctor who cared for him in the Intensive Care Unit at
MedFalcon, realizing that the sophisticated care required to save the
boy was not available in Kosovo, engineered a transfer to a German
medical facility, where the boy has been since removal in June. Five
months later, a normal, healthy boy will return, and Task Force Med
Falcon will welcome him home. The doctor, Maj. David Vetter, is
providentially back in Kosovo on a voluntary short tour with MedFalcon.

Media wishing to attend the party should report to Camp Bondsteel Gate 1
at 11:00 a.m. Thursday. KFOR press passes are required. An Albanian
interpreter will be available. Questions may be directed to the Task
Force Falcon Public Affairs Office or to SSG McGuire at the KFOR Press
Information Center.