Explosion in Kosovo power plant leaves Obilic town in darkness
Radio Belgrade (Transcript)  - 1 May 03

ANNOUNCER: At 2245 2045 gmt last night, a powerful explosion was heard in the thermal power plant in Obilic. Our correspondent Nedeljko Zejak reports.

ZEJAK: According to initial unofficial information, the explosion occurred in one of the generators in the power distribution system, next to the Kosovo B power plant . We are expecting the first official statements since most of the households in the Obilic area were left in darkness.

This is not the first accident since the expulsion of Serbs from thermal power plants. We should recall that UNMIK UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo has invested over 30m dollars so far for the repair of machinery ruined by unprofessional handling. A few days ago, UNMIK chief Michael Steiner approved another 17m dollars euros as received for the power plants in order to stabilize the supply of power. After the accident last night, it is quite certain that this will not be enough to enable the Kosovo power plants to produce even roughly what they used to before 1999.

Radio Belgrade in Serbian 0800 gmt 1 May 03

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