“Legitimacy of civil defense cannot be denied”

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA Civil defense is a peacekeeping organization whose work and duties are defined by the Geneva Convention, Kosovska Mitrovica Mayor Krstimir Pantic says. He added that “no one, KFOR included, has the right or can deny its legitimacy and legal status”. “Legitimacy of civil defense cannot be denied” “The functioning of the civil defence is possible even in occupied territories, and the occupation forces have to ensure undisturbed work of members of this organization so that it could offer timely support and help to local citizens,” Pantic, who is also commander of the Emergency Situation Headquarters, said. “The 2001 Covic-Haekkerup agreement also envisages possible formation and functioning of the civil defense,” he noted on Friday evening on the occasion of the statement by KFOR Commander Folker Halbauer that KFOR would react decisively if members of the civil defense became a threat to the freedom of movement and peaceful and safe surroundings. He said that the civil defense members would never be a threat to anyone except when the local population, their property and personal security were jeopardized. “In such a case, civil defense members have the right, in line with the Geneva Convention, to offer help to citizens regardless of their nationality or religious affiliation, and to protect their lives and property,” Pantic explained. He said that in such a case he expected and looked forward to cooperation with the international security forces since they had a common goal - creation of peaceful and safe surrounding for all citizens in Kosovo. Pantic expressed regret that KFOR had not been successful in this task so far, adding that the civil defense members would be pleased to help the international forces so that the ethnic cleansing of Serbs and other non-Albanians would never happen again. Noting that according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 only the international security forces had the right to carry weapons, he expressed expectation that the KFOR commander would urgently disband and disarm the members of the so-called Kosovo security forces who, as he put it, were an open threat to peace and security. “The civil defense is expected to soon stage another demonstration exercise, showing the abilities, skills, and firm intention of the members of this organization to serve the citizens and protect them,” Pantic added. “I expect that the KFOR commander, after over six months since he assumed the office, will visit local self-governments in the north of the province and attended the exercise of the civil protection so that he could personally see that they are no thereat to anyone,” the statement said. Moreover, Pantic underlined that the KFOR commander was expected and urged to strictly respect UN Resolution 1244 and stop making threats as they only contribute to further diminishing of the KFOR credibility and could lead to complete cessation of cooperation with the local population. Krstimir Pantic (Beta, file) Tanjug

“Legitimacy of civil defense cannot be denied”

“The functioning of the civil defence is possible even in occupied territories, and the occupation forces have to ensure undisturbed work of members of this organization so that it could offer timely support and help to local citizens,” Pantić, who is also commander of the Emergency Situation Headquarters, said.

“The 2001 Čović-Haekkerup agreement also envisages possible formation and functioning of the civil defense,” he noted on Friday evening on the occasion of the statement by KFOR Commander Folker Halbauer that KFOR would react decisively if members of the civil defense became a threat to the freedom of movement and peaceful and safe surroundings.

He said that the civil defense members would never be a threat to anyone except when the local population, their property and personal security were jeopardized.

“In such a case, civil defense members have the right, in line with the Geneva Convention, to offer help to citizens regardless of their nationality or religious affiliation, and to protect their lives and property,” Pantić explained.

He said that in such a case he expected and looked forward to cooperation with the international security forces since they had a common goal - creation of peaceful and safe surrounding for all citizens in Kosovo.

Pantić expressed regret that KFOR had not been successful in this task so far, adding that the civil defense members would be pleased to help the international forces so that the ethnic cleansing of Serbs and other non-Albanians would never happen again.

Noting that according to UN Security Council Resolution 1244 only the international security forces had the right to carry weapons, he expressed expectation that the KFOR commander would urgently disband and disarm the members of the so-called Kosovo security forces who, as he put it, were an open threat to peace and security.

“The civil defense is expected to soon stage another demonstration exercise, showing the abilities, skills, and firm intention of the members of this organization to serve the citizens and protect them,” Pantić added.

“I expect that the KFOR commander, after over six months since he assumed the office, will visit local self-governments in the north of the province and attended the exercise of the civil protection so that he could personally see that they are no thereat to anyone,” the statement said.

Moreover, Pantić underlined that the KFOR commander was expected and urged to strictly respect UN Resolution 1244 and stop making threats as they only contribute to further diminishing of the KFOR credibility and could lead to complete cessation of cooperation with the local population.