NATO: Kosovo security forces to be formed by end of 2009
The first phase of the formation of the Kosovo security forces should be over by the end of 2009, NATO spokesman James Appathuray said in Brussels.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, June 26, 2008
These forces will not have a military character and will have 2,500 members and 800 reserves.
It will take several years after the completion of the first phase before the forces become fully operational.
The main tasks of the Kosovo security forces, which according to NATO will be lightly armed, are crisis response, bomb removal and civilian protection.
Serbia and Russia are firmly opposed to the creation of the Kosovo security forces which they see as a nucleus of a future "Kosovo army" and an implementation of the Ahtisaari plan which is contrary to the UN resolution 1244.
