Former General of NATO says happy to see Kosovo Police with shares in the north

The US is planning to establish a base for special forces in Albania. What exactly is this?

Erhard Bühler: First of all, it's about training special forces. Because special forces depend on very close multinational cooperation. They need the same standards that they train, exercise and, if necessary, operate on missions.
Special forces are elite units that can be used in commando behind the enemy line, for example, for the discovery and to fight the high-value enemy targets, such as artillery and missile positions. The scope of their duties includes the rescue of hostages and evacuation of people in case of emergency and arresting war criminals and fighting terrorists.

What missions are these special forces envisioned in Albania?

I don't think the first plan is a direct operational interest. First of all, it's about training as well as the engagement of Americans in this region. Politically, militarily and strategically, it is important to tell citizens in the Balkans that you live in an important area that is of extremely high interest to America, NATO and the rest of Europe.

Why exactly was Albania chosen?

For 13 years, Albania has been a precious partner of NATO with many capacities it can bring to NATO. And there is certainly an interest in continuing the support of the Albanian armed forces and training their capabilities. Second, it is also important to help train other NATO countries in the region -- Croatia, Northern Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia. This also signals that the US is committed to peace in the Balkans.

Is this some kind of return of Americans to the Balkans, even from a military point of view? We remember that former President Trump wanted to withdraw troops from Kosovo.

They never left, but there was a discussion, as we had with the American Armed Forces in Germany, which Trump wanted to reduce. His offspring correctly corrected him. Now co-operation with NATO countries is becoming even bigger, and this seems to be the headquarters, which will be established in Albania.

The region constantly has interethnic tensions. But there have also recently been tensions in Albania, former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, who has been declared non grata people from the US, is trying to regain the party's leadership. What role do such developments play in the American decision?

Events in domestic politics and demonstrations, which may occur occasionally in any country, are not crucial to such a decision. The crucial factor is training special forces and the strong interest in giving the Western Balkans a peaceful future. Like the Kosovo KFOR troupe: It is not only in Kosovo a guarantee that this country will not remain alone, but radiate that guarantee throughout the Western Balkans.

You have been in the region several times, among other things, as KFOR Commander General. How do you assess the current situation in the Western Balkans?

In Kosovo, I see visible progress in the security sector. I'm always happy when I go to Kosovo and I see what cops can actually do. This was seen during last summer, during the police operation for law enforcement in the north. Kosovo Security Force has joined a very successful path so far. Militaryly speaking, I see fewer challenges for the future. What worries me a little bit is that nationalist rhetoric in the Western Balkans is not shrinking, but is growing.

What rhetoric do you know?

I'm referring primarily to those who threaten to use the armed forces or who want to pull the armed forces out of the Federation, as they are heard in Bosnia and Herzegovina, promoted by some politicians from Serbia. I think the parties do well to sit down and talk about how politicians here in Central Europe worked after World War II, and to underline reconciliation rather than nationalistic ideas. But the European side must do more, not just to ease the burden of Americans. Integration of Western Balkan countries into the EU should be faster. This is not an act of charity but in our actual interest. / FE

Erhard Bühler, (Birth of 1956), was up until his retirement in 2020, commander of the NATO Forces in Brunssum, Holland. In the years 2010/2011 he was commander of KFOR and mediator of the “Nottingham Hill” agreement.