YUGOSLAVIA: KOSOVO: DRENICA: KLA RETURN HOME

(16 Jun 1999) Albanian/Nat

There were emotional scenes on Tuesday when hundreds of KLA fighters streamed out of the mountains of central Kosovo to return to their homes in the Drenica region west of Pristina.

Armed KLA members emerged from the woods and headed for home.

They're heading home.

Heavily armed, and determined, KLA fighters are making the trek through heavy woodland towards the village of Dubovc.

The Serbs still control the areas to the north and west.

Most homes have been destroyed, along with many lives.

This young fighter said his foot was blown off when he stepped on a land mine.

He blamed retreating Serbs for leaving the mines under leaves in the forest.

SOUNDBITE (Albanian)
"After the Serbs left, they laid a lot of mines under the leaves with wires, so I tripped on a wire and I lost my leg."
SUPER CAPTION: KLA fighter

The KLA's first step has been to erect makeshift shelters.

Food will have to be prepared outdoors for now.

SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
"I haven't seen my family since the war started. I don't know where they are. But returning home now I hope to find them. We have a small group of six KLA returning to their destroyed homes.
SUPER CAPTION: KLA Fighter

Drenica is where the first battles erupted between Serbs and ethnic Albanians one and a half years ago.

Throughout the conflict, the fighting here has always been intense.

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