(12 Oct 1998) Eng/Serbo-Croat/Nat

Britain has shut its Belgrade Embassy down and more staff have left the U-S Embassy in the Yugoslav capital as Nato moves towards authorising air strikes.

A convoy of some 15 to 20 cars left the American residency premises in downtown Belgrade, heading towards Hungarian border.

The Embassy will remain open, but all consular operations except services to American citizens have been suspended.

Over the past ten days the American Embassy in Belgrade has issued several warnings to its nationals.

The U-S Department of State urged all Americans to heed the warning and to leave the country.

The U-S Embassy in Belgrade issued a press release saying, “While the government of Serbia-Montenegro has given assurances no retaliatory actions would be taken against U-S citizens, given recent history in the region, the possibility exists for spontaneous reactions against U-S citizens.”

As the British Embassy in Belgrade closed, British Ambassador Brian Donnelly said that he was staying behind.

Donnelly is getting updated on the talks process by U-S envoy Richard Holbrooke so that he can keep London informed.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
Well what you’re seeing is that we’re closing the embassy, all the staff except myself are now leaving. I’m staying behind to keep in touch with Ambassador Holbrooke as the talks continue with President Milosevic so that I can keep Secretary of State Robin Cook informed of how the negotiations are proceeding.
Q: Is this intended to send any signal?
No this is out of concern for our staff, that is the sole motivation. We’re still thinking positively, but we have to plan prudently against all eventualities and this seemed the sensible thing to do in the circumstances.
SUPER CAPTION: Brian Donnelly, British Ambassador

As the diplomats depart, Serbia bracing itself for Nato air strikes which could be just hours away.

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