KFOR “isn’t Priština’s transportation company”

KFOR is not an agency for transportation of Pristina police officers, KFOR Commander Erhard Drews has said. He told Frankfurt-based Serbian language daily Vesti that he was not satisfied with the freedom of movement which had been provided to the international forces. KFOR “isn’t Pristina’s transportation company” “Promises given by responsible persons in northern Kosovo about full freedom of movement for KFOR are a good first step,” the German general pointed out. He said, however, that he was not satisfied because the international community needed full freedom of movement, which was guaranteed by UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Drews stressed that aside from the fact that EULEX was not allowed to move freely, KFOR troops also did not have full freedom of movement as long as there were barricades in Kosovska Mitrovica and on roads across the north. The KFOR commander denied that KFOR had ever transported Kosovo customs officers. “EULEX did that and we were in charge of security. KFOR is not an agency for transportation of Pristina police officers and it cannot be involved in the customs processes and building of crossings. We only assist in the part regarding security, that’s our mandate,” he explained. When asked what it was like to head KFOR which was supposed to be status neutral even though its troops came from countries that had recognized Kosovo’s independence, Drews said that it was not easy to be in charge of this unique situation. “But I have to fulfill the mission and that’s free and safe movement and some actions are necessary in order to do that. I don’t like to do that and luckily out tactic moves did not cause more serious injuries both to KFOR soldiers and the citizens, and I hope it will remain so,” he noted. The KFOR commander refused to comment on the events that took place at the Jarinje checkpoint on September 27 but stressed that there were various accusations, rumors and allegations. “I don’t want to comment on it but I do want to say that I am sure that my soldiers behaved highly professionally at the crossings, which is also an assessment of the Serbian Army and the Serbian government, which was stated by the defense minister,” he said. Commenting on his cooperation with the Belgrade authorities, Drews said that he had no contact with the Serbian government because that was a political level. “I have a good, professional relationship full of trust with the Serbian armed forces in accordance with the military-technical agreement and I am very grateful for that,” the KFOR commander explained. Drews called on the citizens to be patient and reasonable and to strive toward a peaceful solution to the conflict, adding that he wished that all Kosovo citizens trusted KFOR and were certain that “we can prevent any violence”.

KFOR “isn’t Priština’s transportation company”

“Promises given by responsible persons in northern Kosovo about full freedom of movement for KFOR are a good first step,” the German general pointed out.

He said, however, that he was not satisfied because the international community needed full freedom of movement, which was guaranteed by UN Security Council Resolution 1244. Drews stressed that aside from the fact that EULEX was not allowed to move freely, KFOR troops also did not have full freedom of movement as long as there were barricades in Kosovska Mitrovica and on roads across the north.

The KFOR commander denied that KFOR had ever transported Kosovo customs officers.

“EULEX did that and we were in charge of security. KFOR is not an agency for transportation of Priština police officers and it cannot be involved in the customs processes and building of crossings. We only assist in the part regarding security, that’s our mandate,” he explained.

When asked what it was like to head KFOR which was supposed to be status neutral even though its troops came from countries that had recognized Kosovo’s independence, Drews said that it was not easy to be in charge of this unique situation.

“But I have to fulfill the mission and that’s free and safe movement and some actions are necessary in order to do that. I don’t like to do that and luckily out tactic moves did not cause more serious injuries both to KFOR soldiers and the citizens, and I hope it will remain so,” he noted.

The KFOR commander refused to comment on the events that took place at the Jarinje checkpoint on September 27 but stressed that there were various accusations, rumors and allegations.

“I don’t want to comment on it but I do want to say that I am sure that my soldiers behaved highly professionally at the crossings, which is also an assessment of the Serbian Army and the Serbian government, which was stated by the defense minister,” he said.

Commenting on his cooperation with the Belgrade authorities, Drews said that he had no contact with the Serbian government because that was a political level.

“I have a good, professional relationship full of trust with the Serbian armed forces in accordance with the military-technical agreement and I am very grateful for that,” the KFOR commander explained.

Drews called on the citizens to be patient and reasonable and to strive toward a peaceful solution to the conflict, adding that he wished that all Kosovo citizens trusted KFOR and were certain that “we can prevent any violence”.