USA: PENTAGON KOSOVO CRISIS PRESS BRIEFING
(26 Apr 1999) English/Nat The U-S is again beefing-up its presence in the Balkans. U-S Defence Secretary William Cohen has ordered 30 more refuelling aircraft to be sent to the region to assist in the air operations against Yugoslavia. Meanwhile the Pentagon says the visit by Red Cross officials to the three U-S soldiers being held hostage by Serb forces fell short of the Geneva Convention rules on prisoners-of-war. Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon says there is a vivid contrast between the treatment the American soldiers have received from Yugoslavia and the treatment a captured Yugoslav soldier has received from the allies. The U-S is again stepping-up its military efforts against Serb soldiers in Yugoslavia. U-S Defence Secretary William Cohen has ordered 30 more refuelling aircraft to be sent to the region to assist in air operations. However on Monday the Pentagon turned its attention to the three U-S soldiers being held hostage by Serb forces. Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon says officials from the International Red Cross have visited the men, but he says they weren't allowed to give them the attention they should have been accorded under the Geneva Convention. SOUNDBITE: (English) "This visit did not comply with the rules or conventions under international law, the Geneva Convention, in that they were not allowed to see these prisoners alone. They were escorted by representatives of the Yugoslav government, the rules say they should be allowed to meet with them alone, they were not allowed to take a doctor with them." SUPER CAPTION: Ken Bacon, Pentagon Spokesman However Ken Bacon says it's hoped the three soldiers will be visited again on Tuesday by another Red Cross contingent. SOUNDBITE: (English) "They received a promise from the Yugoslav government that they would be able to return for a longer, private visit tomorrow and we hope that's the case. These soldiers have been held, we believe, improperly, in captivity since March 31st and this is the first visit they've had from representatives of the ICRC. By contrast the Yugoslav soldier who was turned over to Allied forces by the government of Albania has had two visits by ICRC representatives since April 16th." SUPER CAPTION: Ken Bacon, Pentagon Spokesman Meanwhile Air Force Major General Charles Wald says six more Apache helicopters have just arrived in Albania. He says they're ready for action and will pose a direct threat to Serbian ground troops. But he warns the increased threat posed to the Serbs, also means an increased threat to the Apache pilots. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Any target in Kosovo that's a military target will be vulnerable from these aircraft. On the other hand its never smart to go fighting guns with guns so we're going to go after targets that would be beneficial to go after and we're going to make the best use of these Apaches and when the times right we'll report back on what they've hit. But anything in Kosovo that's of military value, or is a military target will be on their list." SUPER CAPTION: Major General Charles Wald, U-S Air Force The helicopters and supporting ground-based rocket launchers have been deployed north of Tirana, near the border of the embattled Kosovo province in Yugoslavia. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
