(29 Jul 1998) Albanian/Serbo-Croat

A town that was once packed with Albanian refugees, but captured by Serbian troops on Tuesday, is now a ghost town.

Smouldering and battered, the municipality of Malisevo was open to journalists on Wednesday who got a tour of the Serbs' prize.

Meanwhile, many of the residents have fled - with stores and homes deserted.

Most of what remains of Malisevo on Wednesday is an empty shell.

This former guerrilla enclave in the central west was a strategic win for the Serbian military.

Earlier on Tuesday ethnics Albanians - seeking independence for Kosovo - abandoned Malisevo in their tens of thousands.

Many were refugees who fled when the Serbian force swept in and set about shelling and burning houses.

Now the smoking remains of Malisevo are being protected by Serbian troops who claim that during their assault there was minimal damage done to the town.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"In some places there was fighting but as you can see there is minimal damage to the town. When people saw us coming they fled."
SUPER CAPTION: Serbian police commander

Kosovo Albanians said they feared there would be a massacre of civilians.

In recent weeks the town had been filled with traders selling basic local produce and cigarettes, and KLA (Albanian independence) fighters in camouflage uniforms - sometimes directing a motley traffic of cars, tractors and horse-drawn carts.

Now the only sign of life was Yugoslav soldiers and Serbian police patrolling the streets and the town's perimetre.

SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
"I was arrested by the Serb military after my family fled to the woods but I've been treated well by the Serb military."
SUPER CAPTION: Albanian man

International aid agencies say 200-thousand people have been displaced in Malisevo and have insufficient food, hygiene and medicine.

As tanks are transported in and around Malisevo, near Pristina there were reports that Serbian Armoured Personnel Carriers were spotted on board a train travelling towards Kosovo's interior.

Ethnic Albanians say all-out warfare and atrocities are going on daily while the world does nothing.

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