Text: Third Weapons Amnesty Program for Kosovo in Sept. (Unauthorized arms can be surrendered without fear of prosecution) (400) The international security force in Kosovo (KFOR) and the United Nations will hold another province-wide weapons amnesty program during the month of September, according to a KFOR press release. KFOR says it has already destroyed more than 18,500 weapons in two previous amnesty programs and estimates that from 330,000-460,000 small arms remain. UN official Jean-Christian Cady said the danger of having illegal weapons in homes creates a potential "for converting ordinary domestic or neighborhood disputes into tragic scenes of violence and death," and he urged those possessing illegal weapons to "take this opportunity to surrender them." Following is the KFOR release: (begin text) NATO Inside KFOR 22-Aug-2003 www.nato.int/kfor/inside/2003/ik_030822a.htm WEAPONS AMNESTY KFOR and UNDP, on effort to create a safe and secure environment in Kosovo, are holding a Kosovo-wide weapons amnesty program during the month of September. The DSRSG for Police and Justice Jean-Christian Cady, said in a UNMIK [United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo] press release, "This weapons amnesty program is part of our continuing effort to remove large quantities of unauthorized weapons from Kosovo." The program, beginning Sept. 1 and running through Sept. 30, will give Kosovars the chance to turn in weapons without the fear of prosecution. During the amnesty period anyone in Kosovo who has weapons without valid authorization may surrender the weapons to law enforcement authorities. People that are found in possession of illegal weapons after the amnesty deadline will face prosecution and heavy fines. There will be at least one weapons collection point in each of the five regions of Kosovo. "The danger of having illegal weapons in homes is the potential for converting ordinary domestic or neighborhood disputes into tragic scenes of violence and death. People who have illegal weapons should take this opportunity to surrender them," Mr. Cady said. On August 12, 2003, KFOR destroyed more than 550 confiscated weapons at the Metal Holding factory at Janjevo. This is the third weapons amnesty program for Kosovo. KFOR has destroyed more than 18,500 weapons to date. UNDP estimates that there is between 330,000 and 460,000 small arms in Kosovo. The program is another step forward for ensuring a safe and secure environment in Kosovo. (end text) (Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)