First KFOR Commander, Michael Jackson: We Did Not Want to Start World War III in Kosovo

So begins the BBC in Serbian with this general, who will be remembered in the history of Europe's newest state, Kosovo, broadcasts Koha.net.

His signature was in the Kumanovo Agreement, with which 78 days later ended the bombing of the Federation Republic of Yugoslavia ( RFJ, while Jackson also noted the beginning of the KFOR mission operation in Kosovo, which he would lead in the quality of the first commander.

Eleven years later, the question of whether he was aware of the historical significance of that moment became clear, smiles, and says he believes he has been quite conscious.

I was happy and relieved since the deal had been reached, the war did not continue at”, Jackson said in conversation with the BBC.

From Coffee to Tent

Political principles, under which the Yugoslav Army (UJ) and Serbia's MPB forces would withdraw from Kosovo, while NATO forces would enter that territory, should be transformed into practice.

This was the duty on one side of NATO General Michael Jackson, while on the other side of the RFJ delegation, consisting of General Obrad Stevanovic, UJ General Svetozar Marjanoviq, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

First day negotiations were held at the “cafe Europe” on Macedonia's Blace site, immediately across the border with Yugoslavia (as was then considered our fulfillment).

This was a coincidence, there was no symbolic connection with the name”, explains General Jackson and adds that the talks were quickly transferred to the French Army base of Kumanovo, since for the Serbian delegation there was insufficient security to come to “Europe”.

The most important components: The break-up of hostility between NATO forces and UJ forces and Serbian police, the withdrawal of the UJ and Serbia police from Kosovo territory in the period of 11 days, the deployment of security zone from the border (in the Serbian language text called our administrative explanation) with Kosovo, the obligation of KFOR forces to disarm U. CKN (full text of the genetics agreement on the NATO site).

The negotiations remind him of the difficult length, detailed harmonisation with the Yugoslav side, the BBC emphasises, broadcasts Koha.net.

I remember that occasionally they were forced to go to Serbian territory to carry out telephone contact with Belgrade”, Jackson says.

The British general says there was no review of political positions during the negotiations, but talked only about the practical implementation of points for which the agreement had been reached.

Serbia was concerned about the timing of the security vacuum when army and police forces were withdrawn and wanted NATO's entry into Kosovo to happen as soon as possible”, Jackson recalls.

I didn't want to start the Third World War”

After the signing of the Agreement, he had expected more sleep and the realisation of the pre-arranged NATO forces' entry into Kosovo.

They woke him from sleep with information that Russian forces, until then part of SFOR forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina, had overheard the signs and the first were introduced to Pristina Airport.

“We had expected the Russian force contingent to join us, as in Bosnia.

I had supported this too, primarily because of the cultural and religious ties of the people and the Russian and Serbian churches.

But the way and the time when this happened was not part of the” plan, Jackson describes the situation that had shocked everyone at NATO headquarters as well as Brussels.

American General Wesley Clark, commander of the Alliance's European forces, had ordered the Russian troops to stop, to leave the airport and block the supply.

I told him this was not part of our mandate taken by the United Nations, while things could take sides from evil, unplanned, not intentional, but happening. The possibility of direct conflict was to be avoided”.

In his autobiography, Jackson points out that Charles had warned that he did not want to cause the Third World War, while today he says he was sincerely concerned.

Jackson's forces got the first in combat-torn territory.

We were aware that the war between Yugoslavia's Army and the Kosovo Liberation Army ( U n The CK had been very brutal as opposed to NATO bombings on military positions, though the results were not as some people thought there were”.

Nor were the duties that were displayed, despite the impressions that reigned.

Kosovo's “problem, as the majority saw in the West, was the Serbian depression over Kosovo Albanians.

Unfortunately, it was tragic that after the withdrawal of Serbian forces, we had the opposite situation -- some Kosovo Albanians -- had remembered that it was the opportunity to use their majority position to carry out pressure on the Serb minority.

We had a problem with what to do with the KLA, how to apply disarmament and demilitarisation”.

After the bombing ended, KFOR forces were telling the only power in Kosovo, since with Yugoslavia's security forces leaving many refugees.

What surprised us was that Serbia had ruled Kosovo almost as a colony of all state bodies were made up entirely of Serbs.

In addition to the police army, civil power, hospitals, schools and universities, the electromagnetic system -- all controlled by Serbs.

Then many of these people left, although by agreement this was not required, the withdrawal was only about security forces”, Jackson describes and adds that his forces had to deal with administration until the civil system was established, broadcast Koha.net.

“

From the nineteen-year-old period, Jackson considers KFOR doing all it had to do, while in insistence on whether there was anything you should have done more, he answered with questions.

Is it true I slept from five hours a night, which I probably shouldn't have?

But you can't always sleep.

Jackson is convinced that his forces have successfully carried out the mission in one he describes extremely grave.

“We have helped people in an impossible situation, and here I count Serbia 50 Serbia had entered an impossible situation under Milosevic.

KFOR has helped not only Kosovo but also the best future of the Balkans”.

Asked if you consider having friends even among Kosovo Serbs, Jackson answers: “I would like to have”.

I especially remember a Serbian Orthodox Church clergyman who has become one of the representatives of the Kosovo Serbs.

He has often invited me to lunch at the monastery, often letting me know where I am wrong”, Jackson describes meetings with Kosovo Serbs.

“Balkani got me under the skin”

Jackson is 74 years old today and lives in Great Britain.

It describes itself as “halvesist”, militarily, it is no longer active, but it holds different speeches, workers, motivating speeches and advises different clients.

“Display of darkness”

General Jackson got the nickname in the British Army “Dark Prince” (Prince of Darkness). “I can't tell you what's behind this nickname, I haven't invented it”, the smiling answers.

1995 ' 1996 was the commander of UN forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A month before the start of the war in Iraq took over the position of Britain's Army chief.

I was retired for 45 years.

His son Mark has served in the British Army in Kosovo until his son was in charge of KFOR.

In the Balkans it has often returned, though it says it does not follow the situation in detail.

And since you know I've been in Bosnia since 1995, you realize that the Balkans have been put under my skin”.

In the example of Mostar, where he is on the board of directors of an international school, says that physical reconstruction has also taken place and great progress is seen.

I'm interested in knowing to what extent this physical reconstruction is followed by philosophical, political and religious renewal, which is why I'm less convinced of”.

Jackson understands why NATO in Serbia continues to be unpopular, acknowledges that military intervention in 1999 continues to have traces.

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But this is a matter of Serbian power, and for citizens of Serbia”, the British general, who served in the Royal Army 45 years, concludes.