Terraces and businesses along the pedestrian zone in northern part of Mitrovica were decorated with Serbian flags on Thursday evening, reports Belgrade based news agency Tanjug. This morning Tanjug correspondent from Mitrovica reports on KFOR vehicles deployment on the Ibar bridge.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic says, in Trstenik after opening the factory, he hopes that the international community understands that Serbia is in a difficult situation on the occasion of the announced formation of the Kosovo Army, adding it is the duty of the authorities (of Serbia) to protect "their face and national pride" without entering into conflicts, reports the regional broadcaster N1.
KFOR spokesman Vicenzo Grasso confirmed the "movement of KFOR troops today and earlier days" in Kosovo and stressed that it was about "normal exercises," reported regional broadcaster N1.
KFOR is conducting regular training activities to keep ready to be rapidly deployed across Kosovo in accordance with UNSCR 1244, said KFOR and added that convoys moved yesterday towards Prizren and today towards North of Kosovo.
KFOR Spokesperson Vincenzo Grasso said delivery of 24 armored vehicles “Humvee” for the needs of Kosovo Security Forces “does not represent a threat” adding there are no indicators that any military action could occur in the territory of Kosovo.
RTK2 published the news two days ago, saying that highly mobile and multipurpose armored military vehicles arrived from USA in Kosovo.
Grasso said the armored vehicles are intended to transport personnel and claims “there are no reasons for fear and concern.”
Radio television od Serbia (RTS) reports that more than 45 KFOR vehicles entered the north of Kosovo, just before 10 am today.
According to the information from the field, RTS reports that along with the combat vehicles, members of KFOR also carry equipment for blocking and making barriers, such as construction machines, excavators, reels of wire.
KFOR Commander Major General Lorenzo D’Addario said KFOR would continue fulfilling its mandate and creating a safe and secure environment, Tanjug news agency reports.
“We are not alone, we work together with the UN Mission, European Union, OSCE and many others. Institutions in Kosovo, and surrounding countries should ensure progress and stability. We are united, committed and focused on creating conditions and progress in the future,” General D’Addario noted.
Serbian media last night quoted the statement of the Government of Serbia on the CEFTA meeting held in Pristina last night. The statement reads:
President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg agreed in today's telephone conversation that the preservation of peace and stability is of the utmost interest to Serbia and the entire region, says the Serbian Presidency, reports Radio Television of Serbia (RTS).
Reacting on Pristina’s announcements to form Kosovo army, Russian Foreign Ministry said it is “violation of UN SC Resolution 1244 and destabilizing, provocative act,” Tanjug news agency reports.
“Pristina announced plans to adopt decision on December 14, on establishing Kosovo armed forces,” Russian Ministry said, and warned “that such an act would be direct and clear violation of UN SC Resolution 1244, which is the only international legal document in relation to the Kosovo issue resolution.”
A ship with a container full of the latest weaponry for the needs of (a future) Kosovo army is on its way across the Atlantic to the port of Durres in Albania. Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti writes this on Wednesday.
According to the newspaper, the dangerous cargo will be from there taken to Kosovo Security Forces bases. The daily further cites the data received by the Serbian security services, to report that "this conspirative arrangement is part of Pristina's scenario to take control of the northern (Serb) part of the province."