MACEDONIA: ARMED INDIVIDUALS ATTEMPT TO USURP TETOVO TOBACCO PLANT - RADIO
Macedonian Radio (Skopje) - August 21, 2003

This morning, armed individuals from Kosovo, Semsevo, Poroj and Tetovo, including commanders and members of the disbanded ONA (National Liberation Army, NLA - UCK in Albanian), were seen in the compound and the buildings of the Tetovo Tabak stock holding company in Tetovo in much larger numbers than in previous days. The armed individuals were depositing construction materials and intensifying efforts to clear the tobacco processing equipment, inventory and tools. Their aim is to illegally readapt the largest industrial capacity of this kind in Macedonia, and usurp or depreciate the buildings. (as received)

The workers of the Tetovo Tabak stock holding company are appalled by this activity and the fact that the armed individuals are denying them access to the factory grounds and threatening their lives.

Local residents have informed Tetovo SVR (Interior Ministry Sector) and all other authorities of this problem, fearing that, as was the case with the Tekje and the Republic Juvenile Correctional Facility, this industrial capacity may also remain occupied by unauthorized individuals.

Source: Macedonian Radio, Skopje, in Macedonian 0800 gmt 21 Aug 03

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