(21 Jun 1998) Eng/Serbo-Croat/Nat
Two deserters from the Yugoslav Army have claimed they were ordered to kill civilians while serving in Kosovo.
The two men, both Montenegrins, fled to the Albanian town of Bajram Curri where they are waiting to hear if they will be given political asylum.
The two men are being looked after by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (O-S-C-E) based in northern Albania, who are listening to their accounts of Serb atrocities in Kosovo.
The two men have been speaking for the first time of their experiences while serving in the Yugoslav army.
And what they've been saying appears to confirm accounts by ethnic Albanians villagers that the Serb dominated army has been committing atrocities in Kosovo.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"The officers told me that this is war and that I would have to kill civilians - if not, they said they would kill me first - as soon as they see my uniform they will kill me."
SUPER CAPTION: Fahrudin Muric, Montenegrin prisoner and defector
The two alleged deserters were from Montenegro and had been sent to Kosovo as part of Yugoslav efforts to crush the Kosovo Liberation Army.
The K-L-A has been fighting for independence for the Serbian province.
According to the deserters, their orders went far beyond simply controlling the rebels.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"When I saw what was going on I decided to desert because I didn't want to kill people on their doorsteps."
SUPER CAPTION: Fahrudin Muric, Montenegrin prisoner and defector
Thousands of ethnic Albanian Kosovans have fled across the border to Albania in recent weeks, sparking fears of a repeat of the ethnic cleansing of the Bosnian war.
If the deserters' story is true, the ethnic Albanian villagers had good reason to flee.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"We were told to catch everyone who could not defend themselves and then either kill them or take them to prison."
SUPER CAPTION: Fahrudin Avdic, Montenegrin prisoner and defector
Despite wearing the uniform of the hated Yugoslav Army, the soldiers say they were treated sympathetically once they made their break for the border.
SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"The Albanians treated us very well - They gave us food and water and beds to sleep on - They couldn't be better."
SUPER CAPTION: Fahrudin Avdic and Fahrudin Muric, Montenegrin prisoners and defectors - speaking together
Once in the northern Albanian town of Bajram Curri, they were taken to the headquarters of the O-S-C-E where representatives were eager to debrief the men on the situation across the border.
The two men have requested political asylum.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well we have been in touch with the Albanian authorities, with the police, the local police and we passed on their request for political asylum."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Foxton, O-S-C-E representative
It's unlikely they will stay in Albania.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well they will leave Bajram Curri very soon and obviously will go to Tirana and their request for political asylum will be considered but I would imagine probably to a third country."
SUPER CAPTION: Bill Foxton, O-S-C-E representative
Despite international efforts to calm the conflict, there were more reports on Sunday of heavy fighting to the south and west of Kosovo's capital Pristina.
More than 300 people have died since fighting escalated earlier this year between government forces and guerrillas who enjoy increasing support among ethnic Albanians, a 90 per cent majority in the province of 2.2 million people.
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