YUGOSLAVIA: KOSOVO: BELGRADE: SERB TROOPS AWARDED MEDALS

(17 Jun 1999) Serbo-Croat/Nat

The leaders of the Yugoslav troops who served in Kosovo have been presenting some of their men with medals, praising them as heroes of the people.

At the same time Serb political and religious leaders from the region have urged Serbs to remain in the province, despite fears they will become targets of reprisals by Kosovar Albanians.

In recent days, Serbs in Kosovo have also voiced doubts about NATO's commitment to their safety.

But allied commanders say the role of NATO troops in the province is to assure the well-being of all its inhabitants, whatever their ethnic or religious background.

SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"I congratulate you and I wish that you proudly carry the medal of peoples' hero, which will be put on your battle flag when all the members of your brigade come from Kosovo. Thank you for everything you have done for your country, our fatherland and our people."
SUPER CAPTION: General Nebojsa Pavkovic, Commander of the 3rd Army

SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"The Serb Radical Party thinks that Yugoslavia and Serbia should do everything in their power to allow the Serbian people to concentrate in the bigger cities and areas where they represent the majority so they can defend themselves more easily from attacks by Albanian terrorists and from the Americans who want to see all the Serbs leave Kosovo and Metohija".
SUPER CAPTION: Vojislav Seselj, Leader of the Serbian Radical Party

SOUNDBITE: (Serbo-Croat)
"I pray and appeal to all of you, brothers and sisters, who live and who have suffered in Kosovo and Metohija not to leave your ancient and sacred homeland. As a priest I come to Pec, my spiritual children and all good people who live here and I would like to stay for longer."
SUPER CAPTION: Patriarch Pavle, Head of Serbian Orthodox Church

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