Future of large U.S. base in Kosovo unclear

A spokesperson for the NATO-led KFOR force in Kosovo said he had no information to confirm that U.S. base Bondsteel would be closed. Hans Dieter Wichter told reporters in Pristina on Thursday that the shutting down of the base "was not currently the topic of conversations". Future of large U.S. base in Kosovo unclear The spokesperson added that the military installation would "remain where it is with Americans and soldiers from other contingent who are currently there, so it will be at KFOR's disposal in the future as well". This reaction came after last week's interview given by Christopher Dell, who serves as the U.S. ambassador in Pristina, and who said the base - located near the town of Urosevac and set up after the war in the province in 1999 - was "a financial millstone", adding that "as part of the shift in strategic emphasis, U.S. military assets stationed in the region will be drawn down". In an interview for Balkan Insight, Dell said it was a “myth” that Bondsteel was developed to project American power in the region. "It is a huge liability, a very expensive property, and we have no desire to maintain it any longer than is absolutely necessary for the support of our presence here," the U.S. official was quoted as saying, and adding, "We can even talk about continuing the U.S. role here without Camp Bondsteel." There has been no confirmation of such plans, however, from other officials. Meanwhile, both Serbian and ethnic Albania officials have reacted to the interview. Agim Ceku, who has been named minister of the Kosovo Security Forces, told KiM Radio that the embassy in Pristina had no concrete plans to shut down the base, adding that "one day surely all bases would close in Kosovo, but there are no conditions for that to happen now". He said the Kosovo Security Forces has not reached the operative level necessary to take over tasks, and that there were many challenges that could not be solved without KFOR, mentioning the "situation" in the Serb-dominated north and "unclear border with Serbia". Meanwhile, Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanovic said that while he was not against the closing of the American base and reduction of KFOR troop numbers, the security situation in Kosovo did not allow for that to happen. "I think that this part of Serbia needs to be demilitarized, because we do not need more weapons, more bases, more soldiers. We must move in the direction of solving problems peacefully, and we are in favor of all international forces leaving here," said the minister. However, Bogdanovic noted that there were no conditions for this to happen yet, since the problems between Serbs and ethnic Albanians remain unsolved, while all citizens still do not enjoy a safe environment in Kosovo, "and for that reason, KFOR's presence is needed". (Wikimedia)

Future of large U.S. base in Kosovo unclear

The spokesperson added that the military installation would "remain where it is with Americans and soldiers from other contingent who are currently there, so it will be at KFOR's disposal in the future as well".

This reaction came after last week's interview given by Christopher Dell, who serves as the U.S. ambassador in Priština, and who said the base - located near the town of Uroševac and set up after the war in the province in 1999 - was "a financial millstone", adding that "as part of the shift in strategic emphasis, U.S. military assets stationed in the region will be drawn down".

In an interview for Balkan Insight, Dell said it was a “myth” that Bondsteel was developed to project American power in the region.

"It is a huge liability, a very expensive property, and we have no desire to maintain it any longer than is absolutely necessary for the support of our presence here," the U.S. official was quoted as saying, and adding, "We can even talk about continuing the U.S. role here without Camp Bondsteel."

There has been no confirmation of such plans, however, from other officials.

Meanwhile, both Serbian and ethnic Albania officials have reacted to the interview. Agim Ceku, who has been named minister of the Kosovo Security Forces, told KiM Radio that the embassy in Priština had no concrete plans to shut down the base, adding that "one day surely all bases would close in Kosovo, but there are no conditions for that to happen now".

He said the Kosovo Security Forces has not reached the operative level necessary to take over tasks, and that there were many challenges that could not be solved without KFOR, mentioning the "situation" in the Serb-dominated north and "unclear border with Serbia".

Meanwhile, Minister for Kosovo and Metohija Goran Bogdanović said that while he was not against the closing of the American base and reduction of KFOR troop numbers, the security situation in Kosovo did not allow for that to happen.

"I think that this part of Serbia needs to be demilitarized, because we do not need more weapons, more bases, more soldiers. We must move in the direction of solving problems peacefully, and we are in favor of all international forces leaving here," said the minister.

However, Bogdanović noted that there were no conditions for this to happen yet, since the problems between Serbs and ethnic Albanians remain unsolved, while all citizens still do not enjoy a safe environment in Kosovo, "and for that reason, KFOR's presence is needed".