KOSOVO: ETHNIC ALBANIANS STAGE PROTEST

(14 Jan 2000) English/Nat

Hundreds of ethnic Albanians took to the streets of Pristina on Friday to protest Russia's continued military assault on the breakaway republic of Chechnya.

The demonstrators voiced their solidarity with their Muslim brothers, many of whom have died during Russia's bombardments of the Chechen capital of Grozny.

The people of Kosovo know oppression.

N-A-T-O officials say thousands were killed last year alone as the army of Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic orchestrated the killing of ethnic Alabanians.

On that occasion, the international community rushed to Kosovo's aid - which has many students at Friday's protest asking why similar assistance has not been offered to the people of Chechnya.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I think it's disgraceful what the international community is doing because of the case of Kosovo. They reacted so rapidly in Kosovo and decisively and I think they should do the same in Chechnya because there are so many civilians suffering there."
SUPER CAPTION: Nebi Qena, Albanian student

As hundreds of protesters marched through Pristina, Russia has announced its stranglehold on Grozny is nearly complete.

Russian military sources say Russian planes and helicopter gunships have flown more than 130 combat missions during a 24 hour period on Thursday and Friday.

They've been targetting the capital and suspected rebel positions in southern villages in Chechnya.

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