DATE=8/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=YUGOSLAVIA / SPIES (L-O)
NUMBER=2-265107
BYLINE=STEFAN BOS
DATELINE=BUDAPEST
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Yugoslav army has detained four foreigners
- said to be two Britons and two Canadians - on
suspicion of spying and preparing terrorist attacks.
Stefan Bos reports from Budapest that the news comes
just days after Belgrade said it had arrested four
Dutch citizens who allegedly wanted to kidnap and
possibly kill President Slobodan Milosevic.
TEXT: Yugoslav officials say the four foreigners were
arrested Tuesday on the border between Montenegro and
Kosovo province. They were detained after Yugoslav
soldiers allegedly discovered weapons with the four,
who reportedly said they were tourists.
Local media reported that the four were taken to a
military barracks in Montenegro, where tens-of-
thousands of Yugoslav soldiers are stationed. The
foreigners are under investigation for what Yugoslav
officials described as - a hostile act of spying.
Belgrade says the four may have links with the NATO-
lead peacekeepers known as K-FOR.
The arrests follow allegations by the Belgrade
Government that several NATO countries have hired
mercenaries to crack down on war-crimes suspects in
Yugoslavia. To make their case, Yugoslav authorities
released a videotape of four Dutchmen who were
allegedly arrested on similar charges in July.
On the tape, one of the Dutchmen says that his group
wanted to kidnap and possibly cut off the head of
Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. They allegedly
were promised a five-million dollar reward by the
United States.
Dutch diplomats do not rule out that the men were
forced to make the confession. The Dutch officials
say they have not been allowed to see their citizens.
Wednesday, Yugoslavia's Charges D'Affairs in The
Hague, Vladimir Novakovic, promised the Dutch
government access to their nationals, although he did
not mention a place and date.
Dutch Embassy spokesman, Paul van Oostveen, says it is
important to be able to talk with the men.
/// ACT OOSTVEEN ///
To find out why and what happened. And when we
know about that we can see what next steps will
be taken. Formally, we have not been informed
about the arrests of these four Dutch people.
/// END ACT ///
Meanwhile, Western diplomats say French nationals have
also been held on terrorist charges without trial
since last year. There are fears among Western
officials that the citizens of these countries may
face a military trial behind closed doors, and
possible life imprisonment if convicted.
Western diplomats say the government of President
Milosevic may use the prisoners as propaganda tools,
prior to next months Parliamentary and Presidential
elections. Opposition parties suggest President
Milosevic wants to stay in power, in part to avoid
prosecution by a U-N court for alleged war crimes.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE/RAE
03-Aug-2000 09:50 AM EDT (03-Aug-2000 1350 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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