PRISTINA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- NATO-led peacekeeping
forces (KFOR) started Tuesday a military exercise in Serb-dominated area of
northern Kosovo.
KFOR peacekeepers were engaged in the two-day
exercise at the Gazivoda Lake vicinity, close to Zubin Potok, said Etienne du
Fayet, KFOR spokesperson, adding that the international military forces were
exercising the deployment of personal and equipment intense areas.
"It also permits the KFOR troops to be able to react
swiftly all over Kosovo if the situation needs it," said du Fayet.
Other military armored vehicles and helicopters will
join the exercise from central Kosovo.
The area of the exercise is calm, said military
authorities, but it remains tense. Heavily KFOR military personnel and equipment
is based in northern Kosovo after the unilateral declaration of independence on
Feb. 17. Only two days later, angry Serbs set on fire two crossing points
between Kosovo and Serbia. One of them is in the area of Tuesday's military
exercise.
KFOR commander Xavier de Marnhac said earlier that
peacekeeping forces are acting in conformity with UN Security Council Resolution
1244, securing safe environment for all Kosovo citizens. KFOR has no plans for
additional troops in area, except normal rotation, said de Marnhac.
Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuqi said
Tuesday Kosovo needs a unique decision-making center regarding the border
protection.
"We asked from our international partners to have an
international security center, to extend its authority in all Kosovo territory,"
said Kuqi.
Foreign Ministers of some EU members proposed Monday
in Brussels that UNMIK authority may secure northern Kosovo borders.
Kuqi said that Pristina government still does not
have a final position if UNMIK may protect Kosovo borders.
Borders protection in the north remains a serious
challenge for Kosovo. Last Saturday, almost three weeks after the declaration of
independence, Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci was able to unveil the first
border sign with "Welcome to Republic of Kosovo" inscription in
Albanian-dominated area. Two more signs were unveiled by Kosovo authorities on
Tuesday.
In northern parts, local Serbs strongly oppose any
sign of Kosovo statehood. They consider it illegal and false.
The members of China's fifth batch of peacekeeping police have a group photo taken before leaving for Kosovo in Beijing, March 11, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>
BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- China's fifth batch of peacekeeping police set off for Kosovo from Beijing Capital International Airport on Tuesday afternoon.
The 18-member police contingent, who will replace the
fourth batch who returned to China in late January, will carry out criminal
investigation and traffic policing and protect witnesses and VIPs, according to
the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). "
UNITED NATIONS, March 11
(Xinhua) -- Serbia renewed on Tuesday its appeal for the halt of recognition of
Kosovo's independence.
Briefing 15 members of the UN Security Council, Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic said that Belgrade "will never recognize the attempt by the authorities in Pristina to unilaterally secede from Serbia."
