Kosovo gets its own army

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Ten years after the Declaration of independence of Kosovo has taken the first steps to the creation of a private army. However, the Parliament’s decision is a controversial one – not only from the point of view of Serbia.

The Parliament in Kosovo has voted with a large majority (101 out of 120 members) for three laws, the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into a regular army; so far, the KSF are provided only for use in case of a disaster. The ten members of the Serb minority in Kosovo, but had to leave before the vote to Protest the debate. The Serbian deputies, as well as the government in Serbia to consider the establishment of a Kosovo army is unacceptable. The Serbian defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin spoke in Belgrade of a “scandal” and a “threat” for Serbia, for the Serbs and for the peace in the Region.

Rejection and euphoria

So far, Kosovo has no army of its own, but only the Kosovo Security Force. This security force currently has 2000 members – 200 of which are from the minorities in Kosovo, and is only equipped with light weapons. For the founding of a new army was originally intended to be an amendment to the Constitution submitted for approval of at least two-thirds of the members from the minorities is necessary. The Serbian deputies, however, have made clear that they would vote against the establishment of a Kosovo army.

From this situation, the Kosovo-government a way out and a transformation of the KSF into a regular army, proposed, to prevent a Blockade in the Parliament. All the Albanian parties in government and the Opposition have agreed to the three proposed laws – for the establishment of a Ministry of defence, for the Transformation of the KSF into a regular army, and for a mandate for this army, as well as several members of other minorities in Kosovo.

So far, especially in the case of a disaster: A member of the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF)

Unlike in Belgrade, and the Serbs in Kosovo, this decision of the Parliament has caused a huge euphoria among Kosovo Albanians. President Hashim Thaçi, President of the Parliament, Kadri Veseli and Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj refer to it as the big step towards the completion of the Kosovo state and as a guarantee for the safety and security of the youngest state in Europe.

President of the Parliament, Veseli said in an exclusive Interview with Deutsche Welle that also Kosovo Serbs and members of other minorities form part of the new army. After a Meeting with his counterpart Wolfgang Schaeuble in Berlin, he said, that there is among the Western partners for the establishment of the Kosovo army approval. “We are an independent and sovereign country. Our army, we establish, in cooperation with the NATO, the Bundeswehr and the American, English, French, and Italian army”. Also Premier Haradinaj stressed that the government in Kosovo in respect of the new army, “a regular and continuous communications with NATO, the USA, Germany and the UK”.

United States to vote Amendment

Until two weeks ago, NATO had called representatives for a constitutional amendment establishing the army. After the last visit Thaçis and Haradinajs in the United States and a Meeting with U.S. Secretary of defense James Mattis, both said that they would have to get the approval of the American government. This has changed the tone in the NATO headquarters in Brussels. “The Kosovo authorities decide about Changes in the mandate and structures of the KSF. The NATO supports the current mandate of the KSF; the NATO Council will later review the extent of the NATO engagement in Kosovo,” said a representative of the Alliance compared to the DW.

4000 in use: KFOR-soldiers in Kosovo

Since the end of the war in Kosovo in 1999 the NATO-led KFOR Mission is for the security in Kosovo and are responsible. In the beginning there was in Kosovo more than 50,000 KFOR soldiers. Currently, the Mission includes a little more than 4000 soldiers. Including German forces, although the Bundeswehr has to leave at the beginning of October more than 19 years in length used by the base in the town of Prizren, in the South of the country. The balance sheet of the previous German participation in the KFOR Mission in Kosovo: a total of just under 130,000 in use, 27 dead soldiers and a cost of approximately 3.5 billion euros.

The Kosovo on the 17. February 2008 declared independence from Serbia. More than 115 States have recognized the independence in the meantime. Serbia considers Kosovo as its province.