Summary

TAPE_NUMBER: EF00/0327 IN_TIME: 11:06:47 // 13:25:01 LENGTH: 02:45 SOURCES: APTN RESTRICTIONS: No access Internet FEED: VARIOUS (THE ABOVE TIME-CODE IS TIME-OF-DAY) SCRIPT: Natural Sound NATO peacekeepers began creating "confidence zones" today around Kosovska Mitrovica's main bridge, a move aimed at giving both Serb and ethnic Albanian residents a chance to move freely around the divided city. Signs being posted on the southern, predominantly ethnic Albanian, side of the bridge showed a map of the zone and listed forbidden activities, including demonstrations, unauthorised parking and the use of weapons. The disputed main bridge between rival Serb and ethnic Albanian communities in Mitrovica is to be off limits to demonstrations or other gatherings as part of a NATO effort to unite this ethnically divided city. NATO peacekeepers said on Tuesday the areas on either side of the bridge are to be declared a "confidence zone" where people can move freely. There was no immediate reaction by Serbs and ethnic Albanians after peacekeepers announced the action, although it could trigger an angry response from the Serbs, who effectively monitor their side of the bridge. Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Chanliau, a spokesman with the peacekeepers, did not specify when the action will be taken or how large the zone will be. Chanliau said walkie-talkies used by Serb "bridge guards" to report on the movement of ethnic Albanians will also be banned in the zone near the main bridge. SOUNDBITE (French): "Well the 'Confidence Zone' will be established this week, but I can't give you a precise date. We should see the first effects from Wednesday. The 'Confidence Zone' is created to ease the freedom of circulation (of Mitrovica citizens) from the north to the south and from the south to the north (northern part-Serbian area, southern part -Albanian area). We thought it was necessary to conduct operations to stop people of substituting themselves to the K-FOR AND UNMIK police in its mission of control. That's what we've done a few days ago on the east bridge, which allowed people to circulate more freely. " SUPER CAPTION: Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Chanliau, K-FOR The move is one of several measures being taken in an attempt to finally unite and bring peace to Kosovo's most turbulent northern town, where Serbs and ethnic Albanians have clashed frequently, often drawing in French peacekeepers who patrol the area. Last Wednesday near another bridge in the town, NATO peacekeepers clashed with angry Serbs in a confrontation during which two Serbs lost limbs to stun grenades and four French soldiers were slightly injured. Also on Tuesday night, Albanians destroyed the railway bridge in the village of Banjska, some 12 kilometres north of Mitrovica. This is a predominately Serbian area, but Banjska bridge is near three Albanian villages. The explosion cut off railway traffic between northern Kosovo, where most of the remaining Serbs live, and Kosovo Polje, a Serb-dominated village just outside Pristina. Serbs have said they would flee the city if they do not have control of the bridges. There are some 50-thousand Albanians and 17-thousand Serbs living in the ethnically divided town some 32 kilometres (20 miles) northwest of Pristina, Kosovo's provincial capital. SHOTLIST: Mitrovica and Banjska, Kosovo - 22 March 2000 XFA South Mitrovica (Albanian area) 1. Various of K-FOR soldiers searching cars 2. Various of signs being put on fences 3. Various signs written in Albanian, Serbian, English and French 4. Close up onlooker 5. SOUNDBITE: (French) Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Chanliau, K-FOR Banjska (12 km north-west of Mitrovica - Serbian area) 6. Various K-FOR soldiers checking railway bridge destroyed overnight by Albanians 7. Wide shot bridge?