ICRC URGENTLY REQUESTS ACCESS TO DECANI AREA

( Editorial: --> 8814 ) GENEVA, June 4 (Hina) - Deeply disturbed by reports of escalating violence in the Decani area, the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC) has asked the Serbian authorities for immediate and unimpeded access in order to carry out humanitarian work there, the ICRC said in a statement released on Thursday in Geneva. Since the crisis erupted in March, the organisation's delegates have been performing protection and relief work throughout Kosovo. However, over the past two weeks they have been prevented from entering the Decani area despite a number of previous assurances from the highest authorities in Belgrade that the ICRC would be able to work unhindered in Kosovo, the statement said. According to information gathered by delegates in northern Albania from the newly arrived refugees there, thousands of civilians are fleeing their homes in Decani. The sudden worsening of the situation makes it absolutely imperative for the ICRC to reach the area without delay, the statement said. A team of delegates travelled yesterday to Bajram Curri, in northern Albania, where they will stay for some time to gather information from refugees there about the situation in Kosovo. Representatives of the Albanian Red Cross, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are working with ICRC delegates to respond to the refugees immediate needs in terms of food, medicine and other supplies, the statement concluded. (hina)as gdr 041231 MET jun 98