The Macedonian government had repeatedly said it did not want any new camps built. However, given the overwhelming demand, construction of new camps, as well as the enlargement of existing camps, have been announced. But on the day when 600 were scheduled to be transferred, only 150 indicated they were willing to go. Meanwhile, the plan to airlift refugees out to other countries continues, although not at the pace originally planned. On most days, fewer than 1,000 people are flown out of Macedonia, about half the number initially envisioned.
Refugees continues to arrive in sporadic fashion.
Another 70,000 are believed to be close to the border. But of late, only about a dozen refugees are entering the country each day at the main Blace crossing. Local analysts suspect that the sharp decline may be the result of an agreement between Macedonian and Serbian police to close the border and force refugees back into Kosovo. As proof, they point to a recent letter from Macedonian President Kiro Gligorov to Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic. All Rights Reserved.