New German, Austrian troops to be deployed to Kosovo

KFOR Commander General Erhard Drews says German and Austrian soldiers, who are to be deployed to Kosovo, will be responsible for a large part of the north.

Izvor: Tanjug

Monday, 27.08.2012.

10:32

Default images

BERLIN KFOR Commander General Erhard Drews says German and Austrian soldiers, who are to be deployed to Kosovo, will be responsible for a large part of the north. He stressed that around 95 percent of Serbs in the north were not interested in an open conflict. New German, Austrian troops to be deployed to Kosovo "They are responsible for a large part of the north, maintaining security, stability and freedom of movement," Drews told German radio Deutsche Welle explaining the upcoming mission of sending 550 German and 150 Austrian soldiers from the Operational Reserve Force (ORF) to Kosovo, in order to replace the Italian battalion in late September. When it comes to conflicts at administrative crossings, Drews said this was not just about politics. "It is about illegal trafficking of all kinds," he said, including "weapons, drugs, and human trafficking. When these illegal businessmen get scared - when their business model is in danger - they don't shy away even from deadly force," said Drews, who, according to announcements from Brussels, should be replaced by German General Volker Halbauer on September 7. In June 2011, two German soldiers were shot as KFOR troops dismantled a Serbian roadblock. Drews qualified this as an isolated case and said that 95 percent of the Serb population in northern Kosovo were not interested in an open conflict. “The region nevertheless remains unstable as the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo is at a standstill,” he added. "As long as there is no solution there and as long as there are no military security forces, conflict will always recur on the local level," Drews concluded. (Beta, file) Tanjug

New German, Austrian troops to be deployed to Kosovo

"They are responsible for a large part of the north, maintaining security, stability and freedom of movement," Drews told German radio Deutsche Welle explaining the upcoming mission of sending 550 German and 150 Austrian soldiers from the Operational Reserve Force (ORF) to Kosovo, in order to replace the Italian battalion in late September.

When it comes to conflicts at administrative crossings, Drews said this was not just about politics.

"It is about illegal trafficking of all kinds," he said, including "weapons, drugs, and human trafficking. When these illegal businessmen get scared - when their business model is in danger - they don't shy away even from deadly force," said Drews, who, according to announcements from Brussels, should be replaced by German General Volker Halbauer on September 7.

In June 2011, two German soldiers were shot as KFOR troops dismantled a Serbian roadblock. Drews qualified this as an isolated case and said that 95 percent of the Serb population in northern Kosovo were not interested in an open conflict.

“The region nevertheless remains unstable as the conflict between Serbia and Kosovo is at a standstill,” he added.

"As long as there is no solution there and as long as there are no military security forces, conflict will always recur on the local level," Drews concluded.

Komentari 30

Pogledaj komentare

30 Komentari

Možda vas zanima

Podeli: