"KFOR impartial, no withdrawal from Kosovo"

NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says that the troops of the western military alliance had dealt effectively with the unexpected flare-up of tensions in Kosovo. "NATO troops maintained a safe and secure environment for all the people in Kosovo. Troops acted firmly, carefully and impartially and in full accordance with their United Nations mandate," he said on Thursday in Brussels during his annual report. "KFOR impartial, no withdrawal from Kosovo" "Throughout 2011, the NATO-led force in Kosovo – KFOR – has continued to provide peace and security in Kosovo. Under the mandate provided by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, KFOR contributes towards a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and the freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo, irrespective of their ethnicity," he said. "Amid the heightened tensions and clashes in Northern Kosovo, KFOR acted carefully, firmly and impartially, with a view to guaranteeing the people of Kosovo a stable environment, freedom of movement and security," Rasmussen stated. "Meanwhile, at the political level, NATO has continued to support the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina under EU auspices, which is the only way out of the crisis. Both parties need to find a sustainable solution to a number of important issues as well as contribute to both the reconciliation and normalization process in the area," he said. "These developments have prompted NATO to adjust its planned calendar. With the Operational Reserve Force deployed in order to strengthen NATO's deterrence posture, the reduction of KFOR has been delayed with the aim to ensure the ability to maintain a safe and secure environment if tensions arise," Rasmussen said. "The alliance will assess the situation at the beginning of 2012 and decide at what stage KFOR forces can be reduced to a lower level," he said. Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Beta/AP) Tanjug

"KFOR impartial, no withdrawal from Kosovo"

"Throughout 2011, the NATO-led force in Kosovo – KFOR – has continued to provide peace and security in Kosovo. Under the mandate provided by UN Security Council Resolution 1244 of 10 June 1999, KFOR contributes towards a safe and secure environment in Kosovo and the freedom of movement for all people in Kosovo, irrespective of their ethnicity," he said.

"Amid the heightened tensions and clashes in Northern Kosovo, KFOR acted carefully, firmly and impartially, with a view to guaranteeing the people of Kosovo a stable environment, freedom of movement and security," Rasmussen stated.

"Meanwhile, at the political level, NATO has continued to support the dialogue between Belgrade and Priština under EU auspices, which is the only way out of the crisis. Both parties need to find a sustainable solution to a number of important issues as well as contribute to both the reconciliation and normalization process in the area," he said.

"These developments have prompted NATO to adjust its planned calendar. With the Operational Reserve Force deployed in order to strengthen NATO's deterrence posture, the reduction of KFOR has been delayed with the aim to ensure the ability to maintain a safe and secure environment if tensions arise," Rasmussen said.

"The alliance will assess the situation at the beginning of 2012 and decide at what stage KFOR forces can be reduced to a lower level," he said.