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.