Croatian Defence Minister: The situation in Kosovo is not what we would like it to be, I hope there is no escalation of conflict

Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anussic ceremonially sent the 41st Croatian Armed Forces contingent (HRVCON) to KFOR's peacekeeping operation to the first Tiger Guard barracks in Zagreb, noting that previous contingents -- with a total of 1,888 soldiers -- were deemed excellent.

HRVCON KFOR's 41st Forces consist of members of the Motorized Infantry Company, Aviation Unit, Unit I The SR, Staff Unit, elements of national logistical support and intelligence and the medical team. It consists of 131 members of the Armed Forces, of which eight are women, who will replace the 40th contingent, broadcast Hina.

Anushiqi in a speech said several months ago she visited the 40th contingent in Kosovo and stressed that our army and soldiers are always in good condition and among the best. He expressed confidence that this container will do it again.

He has stressed to soldiers that they must wear the uniforms and marks of the victorious army and have said he is sure they will carry out the mission in which they will soon be assigned.

In a press proposal, he has said the situation in Kosovo and around “is not what we would like it to be” and that it is the non-ex2d satisfactory and not good”.

“If the situation were good, we would not have to send armed forces to the KFOR mission, we hope that NATO and NATO forces and KFOR will manage to stabilise the situation, so that there will be no excesses and there will be no expansion of violence”, he said.

He added there were some situations that were “border”.

All those situations are caused by the Serb side. Therefore, order and tranquillity in that area are necessary. The presence of the Croatian contingent and all those in Kosovo certainly gives us the right to think that security in Kosovo will be preserved”, Anuspic said.

Responding to a journalist's question, he said war is a difficult word because war won't happen, saying that for this they are our forces to maintain peace.

“We are an army ready for prevention, we are not preparing for any attacks and war, but for prevention, we must be strong and strong to prevent anyone who thinks he can repeat 1991, and when we speak concretely of Kosovo, I sincerely hope... even in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that there should be no escalation of the <x1-> conflict, Anusic stressed.

Operation NATO KFOR was created with UN Security Council resolution on June 10th 1999, and the main tasks of members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia are preventing the renewal of hostilities, building a security environment. To support international humanitarian efforts, to ensure the implementation of linked agreements and to support the development of the Kosovo Security Forces.

President Zoran Milanovic was due to be at the farewell ceremony for Croatian soldiers, but he cancelled his arrival an hour ago because of the unforeseen “details”, his office announced. Instead, Milanovic sent his defence adviser Ivica Olujic.