KFOR at same level for next 2 years

NATO troops will remain in Kosovo for the next two years in the same numbers and with the same mandate.

Izvor: Beta

Wednesday, 29.08.2007.

09:27

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NATO troops will remain in Kosovo for the next two years in the same numbers and with the same mandate. On Tuesday, outgoing KFOR commander, German Lt. Gen. Roland Kather addressed a farewell press conference in Pristina. KFOR at same level for next 2 years "We will definitely keep the same size of force, the same mandate and the same mission until the status issue is resolved. Afterwards, we will have what the Ahtisaari plan terms the transitional period of 120 days," the general said. "But I think I can say we will stay without any changes throughout 2007 and 2008." Kather rejected the possibility of violence breaking out in Kosovo, insisting that KFOR had no indicators that trouble could occur. “The people of Kosovo have understood the message that violence means stalemate, that it doesn’t lead anywhere,” he added. Kather expressed the belief that the people of Kosovo were sure the talks on the province’s status were a political process “which should and must be resolved in a political manner.” On Friday, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung will visit Kosovo to attend the formal handing over from German to French command of the approximately 16,000-strong KFOR peacekeeping contingent. Jung is also expected to meet with Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu.

KFOR at same level for next 2 years

"We will definitely keep the same size of force, the same mandate and the same mission until the status issue is resolved. Afterwards, we will have what the Ahtisaari plan terms the transitional period of 120 days," the general said.

"But I think I can say we will stay without any changes throughout 2007 and 2008."

Kather rejected the possibility of violence breaking out in Kosovo, insisting that KFOR had no indicators that trouble could occur.

“The people of Kosovo have understood the message that violence means stalemate, that it doesn’t lead anywhere,” he added.

Kather expressed the belief that the people of Kosovo were sure the talks on the province’s status were a political process “which should and must be resolved in a political manner.”

On Friday, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung will visit Kosovo to attend the formal handing over from German to French command of the approximately 16,000-strong KFOR peacekeeping contingent.

Jung is also expected to meet with Kosovo president Fatmir Sejdiu.

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