Glas Javnosti, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
December 4, 2000

“Glas” reporter in Lucani near Bujanovac

Shiptars continue sniper fire

LUCANI/BUJANOVAC - There has been no open conflicts between members of the
ministry of internal affairs (MUP) of the Republic of Serbia and Shiptar
terrorists during the past few days; however, the terrorists are continuing
sporadic sniper fire, especially at night. This is the essence of the
current state of neither war nor peace in Lucani, on the front lines of the
administrative border between Serbia and Kosovo and Metohija, seven
kilometers from Bujanovac.

“The Shiptar terrorists recently succeeded in interrupting traffic on the
Lucani-Bujanovac road but we regained this road. However, they have
fortified their positions and dug in and presently their positions are in
the hills surrounding Lucani, from two hundred to eight hundred meters from
our front line,” explains a member of the MUP of the Republic of Serbia and
shows us bullet holes in his police vehicle.

“Even though the terrorists have all kinds of heavy and light weaponry
(howitzers, recoilless cannon, machine guns, snipers, automatic rifles,
etc.) at their disposal, we are prepared to respond and to regain the other
part of the village, that is, of our territory, as well but we are honoring
the cease fire agreement.”

After the so-called cease fire, many Shiptar families who fled after the
beginning of conflicts returned to Lucani.

“However, there is no guarantee that the terrorists will not attempt a fresh
attack; to them nothing is sacred even though Ramadan, the Muslim fast which
preceeds the greatest of their holidays, is under way,” says the member of
MUP.

According to reliable information available to members of MUP of Serbia,
many terrorists were recruited from Lucani, Sejice and surrounding villages
who are primarily serving as guides due to their familiarity with the
terrain.

Several kilometers from the front line in Bujanovac, Sunday also passed in
deceptive cease fire and uncertainty.

P. P.

Translated by S. Lazovic (Dec. 4, 2000)

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