STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Macedonia is stepping up its offensive against ethnic Albanian rebels, and that dims chances for building a national unity government. A key ethnic Albanian party is now demanding that military operations end before any coalition talks begin. CNN's Chris Burns reports now that the 10-day-old offensive is creating a new humanitarian crisis in the northern mountains.</s>CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's a growing humanitarian emergency: Thousands of ethnic Albanians have fled the fighting between rebels and Macedonian forces. They've become refugees in Kosovo, two years after Albanians took flight in the opposite direction during the Kosovo conflict. Relief workers are trying to keep up.</s>ALESSANDRA MORELLI, U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: Since the third of May until day, around 6,000 people have crossed into this region of Kosovo, into the Gilan area. We are prepared, and we are getting ready to continue to assist possible newcomers.</s>BURNS: As the fighting rages, relief officials say, thousands of others remain pinned down in their villages. International observers say some may be forced human shields for the ethnic Albanian rebels. Others are just too afraid to leave their basements. Macedonian forces have pounded rebel positions with tanks, mortars, and helicopter gunships. But as the government tries to avoid civilian targets, the rebels remain in place. The rebels demand they be included in political negotiations towards securing more rights for ethnic Albanians, who make up more than one-fourth of the population. The Macedonian government says it won't talk with the rebels, but it's seeking a grand coalition between parties representing both the ethnic Slav majority as well as the Albanians. One key ethnic Albanian party says it won't join without a cease-fire. Intense negotiations are under way to reach a compromise. In the meantime, the suffering grows among those caught in the middle. Chris Burns, CNN, Skopje, Macedonia.
Albanians Caught in Middle of Macedonian Offensive