In an interview NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg gave to Blic daily yesterday, topics such as depleted uranium, Kosovo army, and communities’ acceptance of the army were touched upon.
Asked to comment on lawsuits by 300 Italian soldiers suing NATO because they suffered from incurable diseases after their service in Kosovo that was bombed with depleted uranium, NATO SG stated that NATO is in Kosovo to help stabilize the region and avoid violence and unrests.
KFOR forces are important as they are crucial to ensure that all ethnic groups live peacefully. I met Serbs from Kosovo who are happy that KFOR is there.
NATO SG also said he cannot speak about depleted uranium because he was not part of NATO at that time.
Asked if he is concerned with the security situation in the Western Balkans, NATO SG said that he carefully monitors the situation in the Western Balkans. We saw that violence and wars can happen very easily. That is a huge problem for people living there, as they already experienced heavy sufferings. NATO ended two wars in the Balkans and we expect Serbia to help us so it never happens again.
Regarding the issue of the establishment of Kosovo army, he said it is very important to us that such establishment happens in line with all rules and Constitution. Asked if he would oppose it, Stoltenberg stated that they are focused on consultations and close contacts with Kosovo regarding that topic.
I have expressed concern regarding the recent initiative to establish the Kosovo army without meeting necessary requirements. More precisely without acceptance of representatives of ethnic minorities from Kosovo. Establishment of the army must go through parliamentary procedures and be in line with the Constitution, NATO SG added.
