FYR of Macedonia: situation calming on Kosovo border

Briefing notes

FYR of Macedonia: situation calming on Kosovo border

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

3 July 2001

The situation has calmed along the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Kosovo, with the rate of arrivals slowing to a trickle after a record 25,000 new arrivals over a 10-day period beginning June 22.

Over the weekend, 500 people from FYROM crossed the border into Kosovo. On Monday, 56 people arrived at two border crossings. Since fighting began in February, 73,818 people from FYROM have arrived in Kosovo. Another 34,546 people have been displaced within FYROM.

Some 3,500 refugees are reported to have returned to FYROM over the weekend, mainly to the Skopje area. Renewed peace talks and reports that reservists were disarming in Skopje were prompting the returns. While these returns are regarded as a positive development, UNHCR and its partners remain extremely cautious and continue to be on alert.