Kosovo Kfor (BETAPHOTO/SASA DJORDJEVIC)
KFOR’s duty is to ensure peace in Kosovo and it is up to them to determine how much manpower and arms this requires, Defense Minister Milos Vucevic has said.
“We see KFOR as a factor that must safeguard and guarantee the security of all citizens in the province [of Kosovo and Metohija]. Particularly now, after Serbs have withdrawn from the provincial institutions, [it is up to KFOR] to prevent Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti from sending ethnic Albanian police officers from the south to replace the Serb police officers [who have quit]. That road would have unforeseeable repercussions,” Vucevic stated.
The minister insisted that Serbia does not want war, but that Belgrade’s staunch commitment to the dialogue with Pristina does not mean that the Serbian authorities are unprepared or undecided.
He also confirmed that the decision on whether or not to reintroduce mandatory military service in Serbia is nearing its final stage.
“I anticipate that we are approaching a final decision. The matter is first and foremost political, and must be informed by a serious expert analysis [of all relevant factors]. I have no qualms about openly admitting that, as a private citizen and father myself, I support the reintroduction of mandatory military service, but that isn’t important. The minister of defense cannot make decisions based on [his or her private opinion],” Vucevic concluded.
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