Kastrati: Without KFOR Hard to Control Kosovo North

Kastrati said the government must immediately start co-operation with international representatives in order to establish a clear strategy for extension and establishment of the order and law in the north.

The main partners for the Government of Kosovo, according to Kastrati, are American representatives and peacekeeping mission NATO in Kosovo, KFOR.

“should sit down and study this situation with KFOR because the only institution that can keep the situation stable in that part is KFOR”, Kastrati said.

On 29 May, Serbs are rallying around municipal buildings in Zvecan, Leposaviq and Zubin Potok, to oppose the new Albanian mayors, and to call for the north withdrawal of Kosovo Special Police Units.

On Monday, KFOR indicated that it has increased presence in these three municipalities, where tensions have increased since May 26th.

As far as the addition of KFOR's presence in these municipalities in Serb-run northern Kosovo, Kastrati said this mission is in favour of the Kosovo Police.

“KFOR does not say it openly, but it is in support of the Kosovo Police to maintain order and calm, so that that part does not be blocked again, no barricades are established and the worst does not happen, because there are armed Serbs, we all know”, he said.

Kastrati said the situation needs suspension, since, according to him, Serbia's goal is to destabilise that part.

Serbia is willing to split Kosovo's north. This is his goal. So its goal is not to allow Kosovo institutions in that part to function. This is known”, Kastrati said.

Commenting on Kosovo Police's actions to assist in the introduction of new mayors' municipal facilities on May 26th, Lieutenant General Kastrati said police have been professionally active and that they have implemented the duties provided by the government.

He said that “police have been cold, patient” and that despite the stoning attacks, it has not acted violent, but added that “until it will endure all the behavior of some Serbian criminals”, it is a big question.

On May 26th, five policemen were injured during clashes with Serb protesters who threw stones in their direction. Police fought shock-bambas and tear gas.

The new Albanian mayors were elected on April 23rd in the election process, which was boycotted by the Serb List.

The former leaders of four municipalities in the north -- inhabited by Serb majority -- were from the Serb List. But, they surrendered in November last year, as a sign of dissatisfaction with a Kosovo Government decision to reregister cars on Kosovo's RKS license plates.

The April 23rd elections were boycotted by the Serbian List and by the majority Serb population in the north, which now fails to accept the results, respectively. / REL