Conflicts possible in Kosovo, KFOR commander says

PRISTINA KFOR Commander Volker Halbauer says that the security situation in Kosovo has improved significantly but that there is still a “great potential for conflicts”. He expressed concern over incidents in which Serb cemeteries had been damaged. Conflicts possible in Kosovo, KFOR commander says “Those events worry me because they show that there is still a great potential for conflicts in Kosovo and they represent a security threat,” Halbauer stressed. “Therefore, I call on everybody, especially those who have political responsibility, to show necessary caution in statements and actions so they do not violate the positive development made in the last several months,” he underscored. When asked if Kosovo could get is own military, he said that according to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 Kosovo could not have its army. When asked about “lawlessness in northern Kosovo”, Halbauer said that it was always risky when different groups in a region had different interests. “I believe that the majority of the population there is interested in living in safe environment that will bring economic progress. Of course there are elements and organizations that want the situation to change. Organized crime is of course active. I believe that these elements, if it were in their interest, would not hesitate to take further measures that could threaten KFOR’s security as well,” the KFOR commander noted. He did not want to say if northern Kosovo could be integrated into Pristina institutions in the foreseeable future. (Beta, file) Tanjug

Conflicts possible in Kosovo, KFOR commander says

“Those events worry me because they show that there is still a great potential for conflicts in Kosovo and they represent a security threat,” Halbauer stressed.

“Therefore, I call on everybody, especially those who have political responsibility, to show necessary caution in statements and actions so they do not violate the positive development made in the last several months,” he underscored.

When asked if Kosovo could get is own military, he said that according to the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 Kosovo could not have its army.

When asked about “lawlessness in northern Kosovo”, Halbauer said that it was always risky when different groups in a region had different interests.

“I believe that the majority of the population there is interested in living in safe environment that will bring economic progress. Of course there are elements and organizations that want the situation to change. Organized crime is of course active. I believe that these elements, if it were in their interest, would not hesitate to take further measures that could threaten KFOR’s security as well,” the KFOR commander noted.

He did not want to say if northern Kosovo could be integrated into Priština institutions in the foreseeable future.