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Serbia: ethnic Albanians trickle back

Briefing notes

Serbia: ethnic Albanians trickle back

4 December 2000

Ethnic Albanians continue to trickle back to Serbia's Presevo valley amid decreasing tension in the area. Over the past three days, 600 people have left Kosovo for villages and towns in the area of Bujanovac and Presevo. Since November 20, nearly 5,000 people fled from southern Serbia to Kosovo amid fears of a possible Serbian military crackdown on Albanian rebels in the region. An estimated 4,300 remain in Kosovo. Returnees interviewed by UNHCR cite concern about their homes in Presevo and the generally calmer situation in the area as the reasons for going back. Restrictions of movement across the line dividing Kosovo and southern Serbia have been relaxed and there is traffic in both directions.