| http://www.ok.mk/news/story.asp?id=1631
HAMBURGER ABENDBLAT:US ADVISORS WERE HELPING THE ALBANIAN REBELS Among the Albanian rebels that were evacuated from Aracinovo under the protection of the US soldiers from the KFOR contingent there were 17 Americans, states the German newspaper “Hamburger Abendblat” in its article titled “US Advisors Were Helping the Albanian Rebels”. “The US peacekeepers from Kosovo had a tricky task in neighboring Macedonia. Firstly they were supposed to transfer 400 Albanian guerilla fighters together with their arms and ammunition from Aracinovo. For two weeks the NLA 113 Brigade was barricaded over there and was defending itself from fierce attacks. The second port of their task was even trickier. Among the rebels that were withdrawing there were 17 “instructors” - former US officers that provided military training for the rebels. Not only that: the Macedonian security forces claim that 70% of the equipment that the guerilla fighters took with them are of US production among which most sophisticated third generation night vision devices. “We cannot confirm that”, murmured in a monotonous voice Spokesman Lt. Col. Paul Philip. Such diplomatic statements the US journalists take as confirmation. If this is true than the possible NATO operation for disarmament would be a complete farce” - states Hamburger Abendblat. The article reads that “Brussels definitely counts on a German contingent of 600 soldiers” to be engaged in Macedonia. “However, the Federal Defense Ministry points out that until now there is no official request from NATO”. The newspaper still claims that since two weeks ago a ship is on its way towards Thessalonica bearing German combat tanks Leopard 2 and other armored combat vehicles. “According to the official version they should replace those which are currently used by the Bundeswehr in Kosovo. However, it is not clear when would these tanks return”, notes Hamburger Abendblat. source: Hamburger Abendblat: Web posted at: 6/28/2001 11:36:00 AM (GMT-8) |
