RUSSIA: KOSOVO CRISIS: AID CONVOY LEAVES FOR THE BALKANS

(7 Apr 1999) Russian/Nat

Eighty lorries laden with 900 tonnes of humanitarian aid has set off for the Balkans from a base outside Moscow.

The aid - a million dollars' worth of food, medicine and blankets - will travel overland through Belarus and Ukraine, Romania and Hungary before reaching Yugoslavia around April 11th.

Russia's opposition to NATO strikes against Serbia is fierce, with the foreign minister blaming NATO for the refugee crisis.

But officials in charge of the convoy stress that the aid is for all refugees - Serb or ethnic Albanian.

As the aid was ready to leave for the Balkans, Russian President Boris Yeltsin was renewing appeals to Western leaders to halt airstrikes and resume talks on ending the Kosovo crisis.

Russian officials have criticized NATO's rejection of the Yugoslav cease-fire, but say that Belgrade's action increased chances of a political settlement.

Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Moscow was stepping up its efforts to find a peaceful solution.

Meanwhile, aid is on its way to the region.

Russia is sending 900 tonnes of food, medicine and blankets.

SOUNDBITE (Russian)
"This aid has nothing to do with internal or external politics. People are suffering. I think this shipment is as much about moral support as material aid."
SUPER CAPTION: Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Emergency Situation

After a blessing by a Russian Orthodox priest, the convoy left Noginsk, outside the capital Moscow.

The vehicles will travel overland through Belarus, Ukraine, Romania and Hungary before reaching Yugoslavia around April 11th.

Russian authorities say the aid will help all refugees, not just the Serbs.

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