KFOR Commander: The situation in the north remains unstable, can easily escalate

The commander of KFOR's peacekeeping forces, Major General Angelo Michele Ristuccia, said Friday that recent events in northern Kosovo show that the situation remains unstable and could easily escalate as he warned NATO troops on the ground.

He made these comments at a conference with journalists in Pristina, on the eve of the end of his mandate, during which he said the situation has become more difficult to manage because of a series of factors of intervention, and especially distrust among the parties.

All these events show that the situation remains unstable and can easily escalate. Because of recent events, KFOR's mission has increased its presence and activities in Kosovo and NATO has authorised the addition of additional forces to address the” situation, he said.

Mr. Riztuccia said investigations are under way for the events of September 24th, and KFOR has taken all necessary measures to reduce the risk. He said it's too early to know where the guns came from in Banjska.

The goal of committing the crime was certainly to create a instability and chaos”, he said.

He said that besides Great Britain, Romania will deploy additional troops to Kosovo.

“These are steps to witness and ensure KFOR's ability with forces needed to fulfil its UN mandate to preserve a safe environment and freedom of movement for people living in Kosovo”, he said.

Riztuccia said only the political solution could bring irreversible peace and stability to the area.

“This is the reason why KFOR fully supports and will continue to provide the necessary security work for the facilitated dialogue by the European Union, aimed at normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia”, he said.

He said KFOR's mandate is clear and rule of law remains exclusive right to the Kosovo police, with which the mission remains EULEX and KFOR are united.

German defence officials said on Friday that Germany would send about 150 soldiers to Kosovo in April of next year as a contribution to the KFOR mission. According to German officials, the decision does not concern current tensions in northern Kosovo, but to compensate for the withdrawal of Austrian troops.

Kosovo accuses Serbia of standing behind the September 24th attack and of trying to annex Kosovo's north, while Serbian authorities have denied accusations underlining that they have no intention to attack anyone in the region. / VOA