Transition to KSF, members of minority communities are recruited

At a time when the Kosovo Security Force (FSK) has abandoned most Serbian hosts, the N.S. From Gracanica, the Serb-populated municipality, decided to apply at one of the open competitions in this institution.

N.S. is a member of the KSF for a year now. In a conversation for Radio Free Europe (REL), he admits he has decided to apply for his unemployment, but also because he has always wanted to become a soldier.

He claims his experience is positive, while considering that the KSF has fulfilled its expectations.

“There are many trainings, physical and psychic preparation”, the N.S. says.

Serbia warns 10 years in prison for Serb KSF members

For years, official Belgrade requires Kosovo Serbs not to join the KSF, while warning that the possible participation of Serbs in this force will be considered “illegal activity”.

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vuciq has sometimes called on Kosovo Serbs not to become members of the Kosovo Security Force. In 2019, after a meeting with Kosovo Serb political representatives, he ordered that “a should think about why and for what purpose the Kosovo Army has formed”.

That's all we need, too, is the Serbian-Serbian conflict”, Vuciq world had said.

A year earlier, in 2018, Marko Djurovic, director of the Kosovo office, in Serbia's Government, had declared that “membership in illegal military formations is illegal and sanctioned by up to 10 years in prison”.

Meanwhile, one of the pressures that took place in 2018 against Serbs who were part of the KSF was when in Zubin Potok, in northern Kosovo, the plaques where they were openly threatened were, while the signatories of the plaque were so called, “North Narrmat”. Among other things, it was written in these tracts: “We will break the bones”.

However, N.S. He claims that so far, he has not faced negative reactions because of his decision to become part of the KSF, while inviting others to do the same.

He also warns that he will present any possible pressure to competent organs because he considers there are services which “respond in case of possible pressure”. N.S. Serbian KSF member says if you see yourself as the next “Kosovo”.

Pressure From Belgrade to Remove Serbs From KSF

The KSF numbers approximately 2,500 regular members and 800 reserve. Ten percent of the total is reserved for minorities. Meanwhile, that force numbers 45 Serb members, while 140 have abandoned it KSF.

Sadika Kofrc, deputy defence minister in the Government of Kosovo, in charge of the minority issue, claims Serb members have decided to abandon the KSF precisely because of pressure from the Government of Serbia.

We have written statements listing the reasons why they have left the KSF. They have voluntarily abandoned the Army of the Republic of Kosovo, due to pressure from Serbian institutions, at border crossings. It's about people living in the majority Serbian environments, and there's pressure there, unfortunately, it's very large”, Kfrc told the REL. READ THIS: Transition to KSF, members of minority communities are recruited

According to the deputy defence minister, this minister provides protection for members coming from the Serb community, but it warns that Kosovo cannot do much when these members cross the border with Serbia.

“We can ensure that in the territory of the Republic of Kosovo they will not submit to pressures, but the problem lies with the other side”, the Sadika Kafc orders.

She underlines that not only Serbs are victims of pressures, since, according to Kovic, even Bosnian KSF members face the same problems when they cross the border with Serbia.

On August 22nd, the competition for the admission of 400 new KSF recruits has expired, though due to the coronary pandemic, it is permitted to submit documentation even after that date. Of this number, 40 countries are reserved for minority members. By August 21st, 50 of them have reported the competition.

US Ambassador to Pristina Philip Costnett on 20 August welcomed commitments to encourage representation of minority communities in the Kosovo Security Force.

The experience of America and other countries is that society is more powerful, while belief among communities can increase, when uniformed services reflect the population they serve and protect”, has written Kosnett on his Twitter porphilia.

The Kosovo Security Force was established in 2009, confirming former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari's plan, which brought Kosovo independence.

Before these forces, the Kosovo Protection Corps, formed in 1999, has existed shortly after the war and after the disarmament of the Kosovo Liberation Army. These troops were formed in agreement with NATO and have served as the emergency security force.

The responsibilities of the Kosovo Security Force have to do with preserving integrity and territorial sovereignty, protecting the citizens, property and interests of Kosovo. These forces were formed under NATO supervision, but the mission and capacities have not complied with the ambitions of Kosovo institutions to form the Army.