PRISTINA, March 11 (Xinhua) -- NATO-led peacekeeping forces (KFOR) started a military exercise in a Serb-dominated area of northern Kosovo on Tuesday.
KFOR peacekeepers were engaged in the two-day exercise at the Gazivoda Lake vicinity, close to Zubin Potok, said Etienne du Fayet, a KFOR spokesperson, adding that the international military forces were exercising the deployment of personnel and equipment to tense 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. KFOR military personnel and equipment is heavily based in northern Kosovo after the unilateral declaration of independence on Feb. 17. Only two days later, angry Serbs set fire to 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 a safe environment for all Kosovo citizens. KFOR has no plans for additional troops in the area, except normal rotation, said de Marnhac.
Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuqi said Tuesday Kosovo needs a unique decision-making center regarding its 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 Kosovo's northern borders.
Kuqi said that the Pristina government still does not have a final position if UNMIK may protect Kosovo borders.
The border's 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 an Albanian-dominated area. Two more signs were unveiled by Kosovar authorities on Tuesday.
In some northern parts of Kosovo, local Serbs strongly oppose any sign of Kosovar statehood. They consider it illegal and false.
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/12/content_7768188.htm
KFOR peacekeepers were engaged in the two-day exercise at the Gazivoda Lake vicinity, close to Zubin Potok, said Etienne du Fayet, a KFOR spokesperson, adding that the international military forces were exercising the deployment of personnel and equipment to tense 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. KFOR military personnel and equipment is heavily based in northern Kosovo after the unilateral declaration of independence on Feb. 17. Only two days later, angry Serbs set fire to 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 a safe environment for all Kosovo citizens. KFOR has no plans for additional troops in the area, except normal rotation, said de Marnhac.
Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister Hajredin Kuqi said Tuesday Kosovo needs a unique decision-making center regarding its 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 Kosovo's northern borders.
Kuqi said that the Pristina government still does not have a final position if UNMIK may protect Kosovo borders.
The border's 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 an Albanian-dominated area. Two more signs were unveiled by Kosovar authorities on Tuesday.
In some northern parts of Kosovo, local Serbs strongly oppose any sign of Kosovar statehood. They consider it illegal and false.
news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-03/12/content_7768188.htm