KFOR commander: Withdrawal no easy decision

KFOR commander Erhard Buehler says it was not easy for him to make the decision to withdraw his units and give up on removing the roadblocks set by Serbs.

Izvor: Tanjug

Friday, 29.07.2011.

21:57

Default images

KFOR commander Erhard Buehler says it was not easy for him to make the decision to withdraw his units and give up on removing the roadblocks set by Serbs. The barricades are in the village of Rudare near the town of Zvecan in northern Kosovo. KFOR commander: Withdrawal no easy decision The decision, he said, "does not change his determination to act against extremists". Speaking for the Pristina-based RTK television later in the evening, Buehler said he was authorized to use force and that if road blocks continued, he would be "forced to use that authorization". Earlier in the evening, he said that when it comes to the return of the administrative crossings to the condition prior to the intervention of the Kosovo police units, Buehler pointed out that this was a political issue, and that he hoped a solution would be found in the nearest future. "I gave up on removing the roadblocks, because I know that there are, hidden among the citizens, members of radical and extremist groups, who are even armed. My decision is to the benefit of the Zvecan citizens. This decision was not easy for me to make, but we do not want to hurt anyone," the German general after the meeting with head of the Belgrade team for talks with Pristina Borislav Stefanovic. Buehler, who issued the statement while KFOR units were withdrawing from Rudare, pointed out that these units were carrying supplies for KFOR soldiers in Leposavic. "I have enough troops to remove the roadblocks, and I brought enough troops to do that, as I need to establish the freedom of movement. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, but KFOR needs to be able to supply its own units," said he. Buehler addded that the head of Zvecan municipality promised that parts of KFOR would be able to use the roads in the north to transport supplies. KFOR armored vehicles which arrived at around 13:40 CET gave the Serbs an ultimatum to remove the barricades by 16:00 CET, or force would be used to remove them. Erhard Buehler (Tanjug)

KFOR commander: Withdrawal no easy decision

The decision, he said, "does not change his determination to act against extremists".

Speaking for the Priština-based RTK television later in the evening, Buehler said he was authorized to use force and that if road blocks continued, he would be "forced to use that authorization".

Earlier in the evening, he said that when it comes to the return of the administrative crossings to the condition prior to the intervention of the Kosovo police units, Buehler pointed out that this was a political issue, and that he hoped a solution would be found in the nearest future.

"I gave up on removing the roadblocks, because I know that there are, hidden among the citizens, members of radical and extremist groups, who are even armed. My decision is to the benefit of the Zvečan citizens. This decision was not easy for me to make, but we do not want to hurt anyone," the German general after the meeting with head of the Belgrade team for talks with Priština Borislav Stefanović.

Buehler, who issued the statement while KFOR units were withdrawing from Rudare, pointed out that these units were carrying supplies for KFOR soldiers in Leposavić.

"I have enough troops to remove the roadblocks, and I brought enough troops to do that, as I need to establish the freedom of movement. Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, but KFOR needs to be able to supply its own units," said he.

Buehler addded that the head of Zvečan municipality promised that parts of KFOR would be able to use the roads in the north to transport supplies.

KFOR armored vehicles which arrived at around 13:40 CET gave the Serbs an ultimatum to remove the barricades by 16:00 CET, or force would be used to remove them.

Komentari 26

Pogledaj komentare

26 Komentari

Možda vas zanima

Ukrajinci saopštili: Obustavljamo 27
Svet

Ukrajinci saopštili: Obustavljamo

Ukrajinske vlasti saopštile su večeras da su obustavile svoje konzularne usluge u inostranstvu za muškarce starosti od 18 do 60 godina, pošto je ukrajinska diplomatija najavila mere za vraćanje u zemlju onih koji mogu da idu na front.

21:57

23.4.2024.

1 d

Podeli: