Kosovo to house about 2,000 Afghans

In an interview for Radio Free Europe, Svechla said of Afghans coming, Kosovo institutions are regularly co-ordinating with American allies in Afghanistan, NATO and Kosovo.

Svechla also said that the attitude of people coming from Afghanistan will not be long, and as he put it, Kosovo can offer them temporary protection in length of one year.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Svechla, a number of citizens from Afghanistan are expected to come to Kosovo. Do you know how many people will be accommodated in Kosovo?

Jedal Svechla: We're talking to our partners to see the needs of Afghans for shelter and then to calculate both potential or Kosovo state opportunities To shelter them.

The number we're talking about, and we're always talking about temporary housing, is about 2,000. What is Kosovo's capacity to accept refugees?

Radio Free Europe: Do you know when approximately they will come to Kosovo?

Jedal Svechla: It's a matter of organizing all this process of evacuation of Afghan citizens from Kabul Airport to the third and then to us in the Republic of Kosovo. It's a organizational issue, it's an enormous logistics activity of the American Army, but all other NATO allies, and that's why we don't have an hour, day, exact date.

We're available, we're in constant contact, both with officials here and with U.S. State officials in America and at the scene, but with other associates of other countries.

Radio Free EuropeMinister Svechla, where the arrivals will be located. It has been said that the Students Centre will not settle. Where then?

Jedal Svechla: There are several locations that are under scrutiny. For one reason or another, we are making the necessary assessments together with our partners and at the first moment when it will be decided, the public will be announced.

Radio Free Europe: Do you know for what period of time they will stay in Kosovo?

Jedal Svechla: We're told this process won't last long. However, according to the law, Temporary Protection We can offer up to a year.

Radio Free Europe: The ones who will come, will they come along with their families?

Jedal Svechla: We're talking about everybody as a number. All those who, according to the assessment of our allies, are jointly endangered exhibits their families will find refuge in Kosovo as well as in many states around the globe.

Radio Free Europe: Would those who come to Kosovo undergo any verification process?

Jedal Svechla: Of course they will be subject to the verification process. There are several degrees of verification that they will pass, both by our associates, our allies, even by the state of Kosovo. Absolutely, Kosovo will also make a verification.