Rebels' tank surprise for NATO

Ethnic Albanian rebels show off a captured APC

By CNN's Walter Rodgers

Ethnic Albanian rebels in Macedonia have been showing CNN Senior International Correspondent Walter Rodgers some of their weapons -- including some heavy armour captured from the Macedonian army.

SIPKOVICA, Macedonia (CNN) --The ethnic Albanian guerrillas have some surprises for NATO and the Macedonian government when they start turning in their weapons.

Like a T-54 tank captured from the Macedonian army during the fighting for Radusa.

The guerrillas proudly gave CNN an exclusive glimpse of their Soviet-era prize. And the rebels have more ... at least two armoured personnel carriers (APCs) they took from the Macedonian army.

MORE STORIES How arms will be 'harvested'   Q&A: What the deal means for Macedonia   Time.com: Macedonia peace plan will test rebels' intentions     EXTRA INFORMATION Macedonia: Hurdles to peace     RESOURCES Message Board: The Balkans: Macedonia     AUDIO CNN's Walter Rodgers: Rebels say they will comply with the agreement 6.74 MB / 145 sec WAV sound    QUICKVOTE What role should NATO troops play in Macedonia? They should engage in the fighting on the government side They should merely collect weapons from ethnic Albanian rebels They should not be there at all View Results

One of them is bullet scarred with a shattered windscreen and two flat tyres. But the Natiional Liberation Army (known locally as UCK) guerrillas are pleased as punch to show it off.

But the guerrillas have announced that they will turn in their weapons to NATO... on a phased basis as long as Macedonia approves constitutional reforms giving minority Albanians here equal rights.

The guerrillas' reclusive political leader Ali Ahmeti made his debut before the Western media on Sunday to declare that the war was over.

Wanted by the Macedonians for alleged war crimes, he portrayed himself as a man of peace who wants reconciliation with Macedonia.

The guerrilla leader also tried to put aside NATO fears, saying: "The UCK National Liberation Army guarantees the security of NATO troops," adding "there will be no problems on our side."

There are more than a few flaws in the NATO weapons' collection plan. And Western military analysts acknowledge some extraordinary blindspots in their intelligence.

Alliance troops plan to collect between 2,300 and 3,000 guns from the guerrillas including some 120mm mortars. But they have also acknowledged Macedonian estimates of the guerrillas having 6,000 guns may also be correct.

In mountain villages, the guns fell silent and the cease-fire appears to be taking hold as these children cheered UCK, the guerrilla army, whom they see as their heroes.

But elsewhere in villages like Radusa there was evidence the ethnic Albanians paid a frightful price, with many of the residents became refugees.

If the cease-fire holds NATO may yet collect the Macedonian tank ... but with modifications.

Before relinquishing it, the guerrillas say they going to paint it red with UCK insignia all over it.