Germans move tanks to Macedonia

A German Leopard tank enters the German KFOR base in Tetovo, Macedonia, Saturday

TETOVO, Macedonia (Reuters) -- German tanks have moved from their base in Kosovo to neighbouring Macedonia to protect a German logistics base close to the scene of fighting.

The four Leopard Two battle tanks, Germany's most potent battlefield armour, were brought in overnight on Friday to a military camp at Tetovo that the Germans share with the Macedonian army.

The show of force was intended as a deterrent, and did not signify any decision or desire by NATO forces to get involved in Macedonia's recent surge of ethnic conflict, military sources said.

Stray rounds hit the barracks on Friday as Macedonian security forces and ethnic Albanian guerrillas clashed for the third day on a hillside 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) away.

German Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping immediately ordered extra protection and warned that "we are prepared to act resolutely ... and with heavy equipment."

The garrison also received a visit from German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer on Friday after he held talks in Skopje and gave his strong public backing to the Macedonian Government.

NATO is reluctant to be drawn into the fighting in Macedonia, where it has no peacekeeping mandate.

Captain Arne Pollei of the German logistics regiment said Friday's shooting was "not an attack on us and we were not being targeted."

A soldier was slightly cut by flying glass.

Asked about reports that four more Leopards were on their way, Pollei said he was not aware of this, but could not rule it out.

A German military spokesman said late on Friday that about half the 1,200-member logistics unit was moving back to another location five-kilometres (three-miles) from Tetovo for safety.

The unit is responsible for maintaining the supply chain for the main German peacekeeping force of about 6,000 in Kosovo.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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