Hailed as the biggest camp built by the U.S. military since the
Vietnam War, the base is spread over 700 acres of land and
surrounded by 5.5 miles of barbed wire.
The site was simply a bunch of fields near the town of Urosevac,
southeastern Kosovo, a few months ago. U.S. Army engineers
and civilian workers laboring round the clock quickly turned
it
into a base for 5,000 soldiers.
Having made huts for the troops their first priority, the engineers
are now working on a headquarters building to replace the
current tented complex. The camp's comprehensive hospital
should also move out of tents early next year.
Military officers say the United States is investing $300
million to build the camp, named after a U.S. Army staff sergeant,
James Bondsteel, cited for heroism in Vietnam, and a smaller
one
about 30 km away in the city of Gnjilane.
The camp includes a PX store, which stocks everything from
Doritos corn chips to ``Hard Rock Cafe, Kosovo'' baseball caps,
and even has its own Burger King van.
Reporters were unable to visit the camp in the days leading up
to
Clinton's visit because of the massive security preparations.
Specialist John Farrell, a member of the camp press office, told
Reuters by telephone the President was assured of a warm
welcome despite the cold, wind and rain of a Balkan winter.
``Right now, it's pretty darn muddy around here,'' added Farrell,
referring to conditions on the base's dirt roads.
Workers were still putting the finishing touches to a new dining
facility the day before the president's arrival. The Thanksgiving
meal, two days before the traditional American holiday, would
be
the first in the new building, he said.