arrival of vtlm lince armoured vehicle

24 Pages·2014·3.02 MB·English

KFOR CHRONICLE
The KFOR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers June 2014
AARRRRIIVVAALL OOFF VVTTLLMM LLIINNCCEE
AARRMMOOUURREEDD VVEEHHIICCLLEE
15th ANNIVERSARY
OF NATO IN KOSOVO
www.nato.int/kfor
CONTENT
NELLI
O
M
o SI
ori
Vitt
RE:
U
T
C
PI
KFOR Summer Family Festival in CFC - children of CFC civilian staff participate in activities organised by KFOR troops.
03
COM KFOR ADDRESS
04
Kosovo Comes of Age ELECTIONS
Kosovo General Elections
08
AUSTERLITZ BRIDGE
12
Mitrovica June 18-22 HOLIDAYS
St. Vidovdan’s Day
14
ANNIVERSARY
15
15th Anniversary of NATO in KFOR
Kosovo COS KFOR Transfer of
Responsibility
16
HIGH LEVEL TALKS
18
KFOR / Serbian ROAD PROJECT
Armed Forces Football Match Novo Brdo Road Project
19
ToA CEREMONY
20
Camp Marechal de Lattre de CSMs ACTIVITIES
Tassigny in Novo Selo CSMs Framework of Activities
Camp Slim Lines
21
PROFILES
Christine Eimer
22
Andrei Cojocaru
SUDOKU
An activity for the brain
23
PICTURE OF THE MONTH
Your chance to be a part of it!
22 KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014
OPENING ADDRESS COM KFOR
KOSOVO COMES OF
AGE
Th e fi rst half of 2014 ended this JUNE with a very
high OPTEMPO month for KFOR and for Kosovo
as well. Th e month held many challenges due to
the Kosovo wide Parliamentary Election, the new
situation at the Austerlitz Bridge and the annual
Vidovdan celebration. Each of these events contained
the seeds for strife and discord and possible violence
but in each case, the few cases of possible violence
were quelled by the prepared and resolute security
was a key to allow the successful operations by the KP
elements of the Institutions in Kosovo (IiK).
and EULEX.
Kosovo has a long history of ethnic strife between
Th e Vidovdan religious celebration on 29 June was
its many peoples. Th ese long term issues culminated
the third signifi cant event of the month showing the
in the violence which necessitated the formation of
changes and advancement of SASE and FOM in Kosovo.
KFOR and NATO intercession to quell the violence.
Th e Serbian Orthodox Church’s annual celebration has
Over the last 15 years, we as KFOR, in cooperation
been marred in the past by KoA acts of isolated violence
with our international partners, have worked with
against KoS pilgrims coming to Kosovo to celebrate
the IiK in an eff ort to contribute to a Safe and Secure
the holiday. Th e KP, EULEX and KFOR again planned
environment and Freedom of Movement, allowing
actions to deal with any inter-ethnic violence. All of the
the building of a free and democratic Kosovo for the
organizations deployed in accordance with their plans.
people and to ensure that the security elements of the
Th ere were no incidents at all and all parties acted in an
IiK, namely, the Kosovo Police (KP) is capable of taking
effi cient and professional manner.
full responsibility.
Th ere will always be issues and disagreements between
Th e last year has seen multiple electoral tournament
the various factions in Kosovo as it usually can happen in
municipal elections and the nationwide parliamentary
many other parts of the world. Sometimes those issues
election on 8 JUNE. KFOR, EULEX and the KP in their
may move from peaceful disagreements or protests to
roles as 3rd, 2nd and 1st responder have prepared and
isolated violence. In the past, there was more violence
acted in each election. In every occasion, the KP has
and the KP was not yet ready to deal with incidents.
improved their planning and execution. On June 8th,
Today, we are seeing fewer incidents on the part of the
they demonstrated their ability to plan, coordinate,
peoples of Kosovo, who now understand that peaceful
train and execute a nation-wide election. Th e June
interaction is the key to advancing their agendas.
Parliamentary Election went well with no reported
Other events of note in June include the KSF road
incidents and the election was secured on the ground by
construction project in NOVO BRDO in concert with
the KP and external assistance by EULEX or KFOR was
KFOR and NLAT and the KSF construction of a bridge
not required. Th is was a great example of the capability
in the municipality of KLINA.
of the KP in keeping the election secure and was also an
To conclude, we can say that this very busy month
excellent indicator of the maturity and the will of all the
of June, 2014 has witnessed further progress both in
peoples of Kosovo, including the KoS, who came out to
the capability of the Kosovo Security Organizations
vote in large numbers.
and even more importantly, in the maturity and
Th e situation at the Austerlitz Bridge has been ongoing
democratic behavior of all the peoples of Kosovo.
since 2011 but the new co called “garden of peace”
KFOR will continue to operate in synergy “More
established on 18 June has reignited tensions in the area.
Together” with all the International and IiK actors
On 22 June, SASE in MITROVICA was challenged by
towards the consolidation of peace and security and the
KoA demonstrations against the new “barricade”. Th e
accomplishment of our mission
KP, EULEX and KFOR had proactively responded to the
I commend the tremendous work made by all the
area in order to face a planned demonstration march.
KFOR Soldiers, Staff and Commanders at various levels
Th e spontaneous demonstration initially assessed
within KFOR. You are really making the diff erence.
to be peaceful turned out to be violent due to some
Well Done & More Together!
hardline elements. Th is did not surprise the security
cordons at the bridge and the violent protestors were
MAJOR-GENERAL
met with a professional response by the KP even as the
Salvatore FARINA
crowd escalated to a low to medium level of violence.
Th e KP responded with a proportionate level of force, CCOOMM KKFFOORR
dispelling the crowd. KFOR was present at the bridge
in our role as 3rd Responder: our involvement was not
required, but our presence, aimed to discourage inter-
ethnic clashes was reassuring, dissuaded both sides and
KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014 3
ELECTIONS
KOSOVO GENERAL ELECTIONS
Kosovo held general elections for the Kosovo Assembly on Sunday, 08 June 2014. Th e prelude to
the elections was marked by political debate, election advertising and administrative preparation
by the Central Elections Commission to prepare for the many people expected to vote. Th is
peaceful prelude to the general elections indicated progress in the region and the will to conduct
the normal business of a democracy without fear of violence or discrimination.
In addition to those resident in held by some analysts to be more
Kosovo, some non-resident people KFOR planned for the elections suitable when a wider community
outside of Kosovo were eligible to to ensure a Safe and Secure and range of political interests need
vote also, subject to certain criteria. Environment for the many ethnic to be represented. Th erefore voters
Th ere were approximately 730,000 groups who wished to vote. Th is can vote in order of preferences, and
eligible voters and an additional was done in cooperation with the the lower votes become crucial as
20,000 voters who could vote Kosovo Police and EULEX, and the the rounds of counting progresses.
subject to certain conditions and voters and the citizens of Kosovo One feature of this system is that it
could enter their ballots by mail. enjoyed a peaceful day of elections encourages a range of parties and
uninterrupted by any incidents. candidates, and tends to prevent a
KFOR was present mostly in the two-party system emerging, so that
north in its role as third responder, Th ere were 798 polling centres many sides subsequently have a
supporting the Kosovo Police and in the 38 municipalities of voice in the Assembly.
EULEX as they provided a presence Kosovo which enabled maximum
of multinational troops at the polling availability to all the citizens. Kosovo Major General Farina, COM KFOR,
centres to deter any interruption to uses a representative system of noted “Th e peaceful mood in which
voting. Elsewhere, KFOR was on elections, allowing candidate to get the elections were held demonstrates,
standby to respond if required. preferential votes. Th is system is once again, the democratic maturity
4 KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014
ELECTIONS
and sense of civic duty which
animates all the people of Kosovo
and the high degree of effi ciency and
professionalism of the Kosovo Police.
Th e large participation of citizens
of diff erent ethnic groups and
minorities are a clear manifestation
of the democratic spirit which
distinguishes the citizens of this part
of the Balkans.”

COMKFOR then extended
his personal appreciation to the
President of Kosovo Madam Atifete
Jahjaga, to the Minister of Interior
Mr. Bajram Rexhepi, to the General
Director of Kosovo Police Mr.
Shpend Maxhuni and to the Kosovo
Police Regional Commander North
Nenad Djuric underlining the
determinant contribution provided
CAVE by the Kosovo Police in ensuring
DELLE a safe and secure environment to
ni
ovan all citizens who went to the polls
RE: Gi considering these elections a ‘success
TU story for Kosovo’, a milestone in the
C
PI
KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014 5
ELECTIONS
process of normalization of relations the preparation for elections security operation supporting the
between Pristina and Belgrade was also an example of the close democratic process in Kosovo. It is
and an example of democracy and cooperation between KFOR, the a sign that the voting community is
pluralism. Kosovo Police, EULEX, and the also developing, as a good turnout
OSCE, who planned and worked indicates trust and faith that a
Th e successful election day and together to provide the seamless democratic system is working and
NELLI
O
M
o SI
ori
Vitt
RE:
U
T
C
PI
6 KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014
ELECTIONS
NELLI
O
M
o SI
ori
Vitt
RE:
U
T
C
PI
can work for the people of Kosovo. of political thought. Th ese factors and social progress is possible.
Parties have identifi ed that their combined show a move towards the
supporters remain consistent and kind of democratic and inclusive Lt Cdr Hobbins
that there should not be any major society originally envisaged for OF-3 IRL N
surprises, indicating a stabilisation Kosovo, and one in which economic
AVE
C
DELLE
ni
n
ova
Gi
RE:
U
T
C
PI
KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014 7
AUSTERLITZ BRIDGE
AUSTERLITZ BRIDGE MITROVICA JUNE 18-22
Th e Ibar river fl ows though Mitrovica dividing the town into the northern and southern halves.
Th e prominent crossing point is the Austerlitz Bridge, a vehicular bridge linking the two halves
of the city. Although both Albanian and Serbian communities live on both sides of the river, the
northern municipality is more representative of Serbs, and the southern, Albanians. Th erefore,
the link between the two communities in both structure and symbol is the bridge. Th is natural
chokepoint has been barricaded since 2011, when KOS objected to Kosovo Police activity and
protested by using rubble and other materials to block the bridge. Freedom of Movement is not
aff ected as there are other routes to access either side of the city. It has remained in this condition
since then up until June 18 this year when there was brief moment of intense activity. Th ere was
hope initially that the old negativity was dispensed with, but this was short lived.
On June 18 there was an organised unusual move was welcomed by deployed a Quick Reaction Force
unannounced move involving all sides as a progressive move to monitor the situation, there was
people and excavating machinery and an indication of some change. no incident.
and trucks which removed all the Th is was not totally incorrect, as
barricades from the bridge. Th is change did come. Although KFOR
8 KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014
AUSTERLITZ BRIDGE
AVE (2)
C
DELLE
ni
n
ova
Gi
RE:
U
T
C
PI
Late that day, trucks and earth again blocked. be arranged/removed only aft er
moving machinery arrived with soil, Th e new type of obstacle became a political agreement.
greenery, heavy concrete plant pots, source of tension as both community A protest was organised by
and garden furniture and people and political leaders called for the Albanian community and
proceeded to block the bridge with its removal. KFOR was in situ as advertised to take place at 1500 hrs
these materials. Th e materials were always monitoring all activity, with on 22 June, calling for the removal
landscaped and arranged to resemble the understanding that this was to of any barricade from the bridge.
a park although the bridge was once remain a political symbol that would KFOR augmented its presence
KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014 9
AUSTERLITZ BRIDGE
at the bridge as third responder called for people to exercise their KFOR posture as third responder to
to assist the Kosovo Police and freedom to protest in a peaceful and back up Kosovo Police and EULEX
EULEX (fi rst and second responders controlled manner and the majority worked well to reassure all present
respectively) for crowd control and of the people who turned up did. and to dissuade further escalation.
to deal with any threats to a Safe and However, there was unfortunately KFOR did intervene and was
Secure Environment or Freedom some violent elements in the crowd successful in preventing the cordon
of Movement. Th e aim of KFORs who used aggression and attempted being breached which stopped any
robust deployment on the bridge to breach the Kosovo Police cordon. interethnic violence. Th e violent
was to avoid interethnic clashes. Missiles and petrol bombs were protestors then damaged some
KFOR and political leaders used against the police and the robust vehicles but they were dispersed by
10 KFOR CHRONICLE 06/2014