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| Switzerland. The looting of
Albania’s military depots in 1997 boosted the
availability of large supplies of weapons and other
equipment to the UCK and other groups, and the reigning
anarchy in northern Albania facilitated its ability to
move personnel and supplies freely. Sources indicate that, at the beginning of 1998, the UCK had approximately 500 active members, which then swelled into the several thousand towards the summer. Some sources estimate that the number could have reached 12-20,000 during June as the Kosovar population became more and more disillusioned with the effectiveness of their struggle for increased autonomy through non-violent methods. The American-Albanian community provides important financial and logistical backing to the UCK and its North American based organisation purchases equipment, especially army fatigues, other clothing necessities and, apparently, arms, through its contacts and then has them transported to Kosovo. Communities in Switzerland and Germany are the other two main channels of financial support and a foundation which translates as "the Motherland calls you" is utilised to raise funds. Sources allege that bank accounts in Switzerland were used to centralise donations, although there are indications that some of these were closed in August. In addition, there have been claims that the taxes imposed by the Kosovar "parallel government"16, both within Kosovo and abroad, have also been utilised latterly for UCK activities. The soldiers of the UCK wear various types of uniforms, often depending on availability. These do, however, all bear the insignia of the black double-headed eagle on a red background. Through its network of support, these forces are mostly equipped with light weaponry and some sophisticated telecommunications equipment, including satellite telephones. According to a prominent fund-raiser for the UCK in New York City, the UCK has access to a variety of different weapons, including AK 47s, M 48s, 50 mm calibre guns from Pakistan and Bulgaria, anti-aircraft and anti-tank rockets, Chinese rocket launchers, and 75mm cannons. A UCK member based in Likovac further stated that they had access to kalashnikovs, sniper rifles, and 62 and 82 mm mortars, which were brought in from northern Albania, having originated in the United States or Montenegro. Furthermore, there are a number of UCK training camps and bases in northern Albania, as well as many, of a more mobile nature, throughout Kosovo. UCK sources maintain that strict discipline is kept within the Army and that if a soldier refuses to execute an order or take part in a mission, he is jailed in camp. Furthermore, a military tribunal with an appeals chamber has been created in order to adjudicate claims of misbehaviour or any other violations of the military code. To this effect, a formal military code has reportedly been drafted. At the end of June 1998, an experienced international monitor in Kosovo observed that the UCK appeared to have created a military structure with distinct levels of command and that UCK military police controlled roads and guarded headquarters locations. This observer assessed that the UCK had achieved a significant level of control of an area west of Pristina and were utilising the local infrastructure of small roads to great effect. In his view, a greater degree of strategy and planning had gone into the taking of territory than had previously
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