MACEDONIA: KOSOVO REFUGEE CRISIS LATEST (3)

(16 Apr 1999) Eng/Albanian/Nat A group of 700 ethnic Albanian refugees have spent the night in the no man's land between the Macedonia-Kosovo border at Jazince. Macedonian authorities have still not allowed the new group, including many children and sick people, to move to a camp. And the situation is getting worse - more arrivals are expected later on Friday. Thousands of ethnic Albanians have been crossing over into Macedonia and Albania. Observers believe their movements may be a final push by Yugoslav forces to rid Kosovo of its ethnic Albanian population. The International Red Cross say up to 5-thousand refugees poured across Macedonia's three border posts overnight. Aid agencies in the region admitted they were struggling to look after the refugees. SOUNDBITE: (English) "The health situation is very bad, especially for the young children and there are also many hospital patients in there. The situation in the no-man's land is horrible." SUPER CAPTION: Arben Cami, International Medical Corps Serb police and soldiers were clearly visible on the Kosovo side of the border, backing up claims they had been operating throughout the region. Seven hundred arrived at this border point at Jazince, 80 kilometres (50 miles) north west of Skopje, but were not allowed into Macedonia. Instead, they are being kept in a no man's Land. Aid workers at the scene are expecting more refugees to arrive later on Friday. SOUNDBITE: (English) "There are obviously rumours among the people who are there about their towns which have been ethnically cleansed and so we are expecting more, yes." SUPER CAPTION: Daute Sahende, International Medical Corps Refugees say Serb forces shelled and shot at some of the Kosovar Albanians as they made their way toward the borders. Shelling was heard on the Serb side of the Jacinze border overnight. 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...