KFOR Commander Major General Lorenzo D’Addario in an interview to Jedinstvo weekly said nothing indicates that the incidents could happen in Kosovo, adding KFOR is fully committed to implementing its mandate in line with UN SC Resolution 1244.
General D’Addario noted the only concern is caused by rhetoric used by all sides, since it creates an environment in which one isolated incident may escalate. He also appealed to everybody, including the media, to take care that their statements do not cause far-reaching consequences.
General D’Addario also said KFOR continuously maintains good relations with the institutions in Kosovo, and with the Serbian Army, in order to prevent any unexpected events that might be detrimental to the both, Kosovo and Serbia.
He underlined KFOR was always impartial in carrying out its mission to protect all Kosovo citizens, regardless of their ethnic and religious background as well as place or residence. He added KFOR is ready to ensure security wherever and whenever needed.
Compared to June 1999 and March 2004 when pogroms against Serbs in Kosovo occurred in the presence of the international military and civilian missions, as well as many medieval Serbian Orthodox Church monasteries and churches were burned down or destroyed, General D’Addario said that many things have changed since 2004, the general situation has improved and for the time being there is neither reason nor an indicator that something similar to the events of March 2004 could happen again.
He clarified “small confusion” related to the security forces that might go to the north of Kosovo without approval of the mayors there, noting that KFOR respects all existing agreements, adding there are Kosovo police and Kosovo Security Forces.
The main role of the Kosovo police is to guarantee implementation of the law and they may do so in the entire territory of Kosovo, without seeking permission. Kosovo police also has some special units such as Special Operation Unit or Special Intervention Unit and as such they can carry out their mandate to implement the law across Kosovo without the need to seek approval for that.
On the other side, Kosovo Security Forces, in line with earlier agreement, must get permission of the KFOR Commander before any deployment to the north of Kosovo, General D’Addario said.
It did not happen so far that Kosovo Security Forces were sent to the north and we expect the institutions in Kosovo to continue to respect this agreement, he said.
KFOR Commander also emphasized there is no room for fear, since KFOR can guarantee what is called “a scenario without surprises.”
At the end we must ensure that people are able to improve their lives and we are doing our part, in order to ensure that the future can be even better, General D’Addario concluded.
