(23 Jun 1999) English/Nat

U-S Marines manning a checkpoint in Kosovo were shot at on Wednesday by unidentified assailants.

They returned fire, killing at least one person.

No Marines were injured in the shootout.

For the second time in 48 hours, U-S Marines manning a checkpoint in Kosovo were shot at by unidentified assailants.

The commander of U-S forces in Kosovo, Army Brig. Gen. John Craddock briefed reporters at the Pentagon on Monday in a telephone interview from his Kosovo headquarters.

There are conflicting reports about the number of people killed in Wednesday's shootout.

The Pentagon had originally said two assailants were killed, but there were later indications that only one died.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I would tell you that in the last 48 hours we have been the target of violent acts. Our soldiers were fired upon for the first time two nights ago. No one was injured. No one hurt. We captured two people who perpetrated that and they are in detention now. This afternoon an incident occurred south of the town Gnjilane where a Marine checkpoint was fired on. Two assailants were killed. The rest were barricaded in the building and the incident is ongoing."
SUPER CAPTION: Craddock

Officials say there were about a half-dozen assailants -- wearing civilian clothes and carrying A-K-47's.

It's not known whether they were Serbs or ethnic Albanians.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We understand there were two killed and five or six more holed up in the house and reinforcements were sent plus there are attack helicopters on the scene so again, this should be resolved quickly."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S Army Brigadier General John Craddock

Craddock said the confrontation began about noon EDT.

He had not yet learned whether the assailants were Serbs or ethnic Albanians.

Craddock also said he remained concerned about "rogue elements" in Kosovo, both among Serbs and the ethnic Albanians, who may refuse to accept the terms of the peace settlement in Kosovo.

But he also said he believed the U.S. peacekeeping force - eventually to total 7,000 troops - will be adequate.

So far about 4,500 American troops have arrived in Kosovo.

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