VS, KFOR chiefs: Ready to secure peace
Serbian Army (VS) CoS Lt. Gen. Zdravko Ponoš and KFOR commander Lt. Gen. Xavier Bout de Marnhac met in Niš Thursday.
Thursday, 24.01.2008.
15:36
Serbian Army (VS) CoS Lt. Gen. Zdravko Ponos and KFOR commander Lt. Gen. Xavier Bout de Marnhac met in Nis Thursday. The two generals expressed their readiness to secure peace for all residents, "on both sides of the administrative line with Kosovo." VS, KFOR chiefs: Ready to secure peace "So far, there have been no indications that require stepped up VS or KFOR engagement, and if they appear, the reaction will be resolute from both sides with the aim of securing peace and security for the people living on both sides of the administrative line and preserving their property," Ponos pointed out. Asked whether a unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo could threaten peace and security, the chief of the Serbian Army general staff said that "there are plans for different scenarios that are not linked exclusively to political decisions and their effects." "If anything happens, and if it is related to the safety of the people and property, there is readiness and capability to react in an appropriate manner, but this should not be linked to any specific date," he added. De Marnhac said that, as a soldier, he would not like to speculate about future political events, adding that KFOR trains every day, but also in order to help train other security structures such as the Kosovo Protection Corps and UNMIK police. "KFOR's task is to ensure a safe and secure environment for all citizens," De Marnhac stated, adding that the NATO-led force "cannot achieve this on its own." The French general, who assumed KFOR command last August, said the situation in Kosovo is stable, "without increased tensions and without significant interethnic conflict." Earlier, reports said reinforcements will arrive for KFOR in the coming weeks. BIRN said on its website the move comes in order to "cope with increased tension as the UN-administered entity moves towards independence." Bertrand Bonneau, KFOR’s spokesman, told a news conference Wednesday that “560 Italian peacekeepers will arrive in Kosovo at the beginning of February." NATO’s website says the Alliance “has approximately 15,000 troops deployed in Kosovo”. According to the plans, the new Italian contingent will be deployed for a month, starting on February 4. “The additional troops will be deployed in the central and northern parts of Kosovo,” Bonneau said. According to the online publication, Kosovo’s Albanian-dominated Assembly is expected to declare independence from Serbia "some time soon" after the second and decisive round of the Serbian presidential contest, due on February 3. Earlier this week, both the Kosovo Police Service and the UN Civilian Police in Kosovo announced they have prepared an action plan, called Operation Status, to ensure security once a decision on independence is taken. Meanwhile, the KFOR Commander, Xavier Bout de Marnhac, has said on a visit to the northern town of Zvecan, that “KFOR does not expect any problems in Kosovo, but will continue to ensure peace and security for all citizens.” Ponos, De Marnhac in Nis today (beta)
VS, KFOR chiefs: Ready to secure peace
"So far, there have been no indications that require stepped up VS or KFOR engagement, and if they appear, the reaction will be resolute from both sides with the aim of securing peace and security for the people living on both sides of the administrative line and preserving their property," Ponoš pointed out.Asked whether a unilateral declaration of the independence of Kosovo could threaten peace and security, the chief of the Serbian Army general staff said that "there are plans for different scenarios that are not linked exclusively to political decisions and their effects."
"If anything happens, and if it is related to the safety of the people and property, there is readiness and capability to react in an appropriate manner, but this should not be linked to any specific date," he added.
De Marnhac said that, as a soldier, he would not like to speculate about future political events, adding that KFOR trains every day, but also in order to help train other security structures such as the Kosovo Protection Corps and UNMIK police.
"KFOR's task is to ensure a safe and secure environment for all citizens," De Marnhac stated, adding that the NATO-led force "cannot achieve this on its own."
The French general, who assumed KFOR command last August, said the situation in Kosovo is stable, "without increased tensions and without significant interethnic conflict."
Earlier, reports said reinforcements will arrive for KFOR in the coming weeks.
BIRN said on its website the move comes in order to "cope with increased tension as the UN-administered entity moves towards independence."
Bertrand Bonneau, KFOR’s spokesman, told a news conference Wednesday that “560 Italian peacekeepers will arrive in Kosovo at the beginning of February."
NATO’s website says the Alliance “has approximately 15,000 troops deployed in Kosovo”.
According to the plans, the new Italian contingent will be deployed for a month, starting on February 4.
“The additional troops will be deployed in the central and northern parts of Kosovo,” Bonneau said.
According to the online publication, Kosovo’s Albanian-dominated Assembly is expected to declare independence from Serbia "some time soon" after the second and decisive round of the Serbian presidential contest, due on February 3.
Earlier this week, both the Kosovo Police Service and the UN Civilian Police in Kosovo announced they have prepared an action plan, called Operation Status, to ensure security once a decision on independence is taken.
Meanwhile, the KFOR Commander, Xavier Bout de Marnhac, has said on a visit to the northern town of Zvečan, that “KFOR does not expect any problems in Kosovo, but will continue to ensure peace and security for all citizens.”
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