(5 May 1999) Eng/Albanian/Nat

Aid officials are calling for the refugee camps around the northern Albanian town of Kukes to be closed - amid fears that they may be shelled by Serb artillery.

The camps were originally intended as transfer stations through which the flood of Albanian refugees would be processed.

But many have become semi-permanent residents in a region where the military tension is rising every day.

The Albanian/Kosovo border has seen repeated cross-border shelling in recent days - raising fears that shells could land amid the tents of those who have already fled one phase of fighting.

Overcrowding has become acute in many of the camps - but refugees are reluctant to travel even further from Kosovo itself.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"When people come here with the idea that they are going to be home soon - it would be in anybody's mind it you are pushed out of your home. But as time passes by when you're living in a camp its obviously very difficult so in time it will help us to make them realise that they have to move."
SUPER CAPTION: Janne Gustafsson, Medicine Sans Frontieres

But many remain to be convinced.

SOUNDBITE: (Albanian)
"I had no intention of leaving here because I intend to return to my home soon."
SUPER CAPTION: Adriana Pulokj, Kosovar refugee

But local officials and aid workers say the threat of a catastrophe is real and growing.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Unfortunately we are too close to the border. We don't know what the other side are going to do. We are within artillery range and its our duty to ensure that the people we have taken into our care are safely accommodated elsewhere."
SUPER CAPTION: Drew Gilmour, Administrator Italian camp Number 2

The local water supply is also under increasing strain.

The population of Kukes was less than 30,000 before the refugee crisis began in late March.

Now officials estimate more than 100,000 refugees are living in local housing, in fields and other open areas, or in the camps.

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