Police in Kosovo prepares action plan for possible post-status unrest
International and local police in Kosovo prepared a wide range of measures for possible scenarios which might follow the unilateral declaration of independence loosely scheduled for mid-February.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Police in Kosovo prepares action plan for possible post-status unrest
The 35-page document includes actions joint police forces might take to ensure the security, rule of law, security of United Nations personnel, freedom of movement and prevention of ethnically motivated violence. The paper, titled "The Status", has been already distributed to all UN and Kosovo police officials.
Police experts described the capital Pristina and northern hub of Kosovska Mitrovica as possible hot-spots, a number of Serbian enclaves scattered all over central part of province, as well as region close to the administrative border with Serbia.
The most possible scenario for Kosovo's future status, or "Scenario B" as described by Kosovo security experts, includes the unilateral declaration of independence and frustration among Kosovo Serbs, which could lead to their exodus from the province. The overall threat of instability in Kosovo following the unilateral declaration of independence has been described as medium to high.
During the possible outbreak of violence, the security forces will be commanded from Kosovo police headquarters in Pristina, and will coordinate actions by local and international police, peacekeepers and UNMIK, as well as humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross and UNHCR.
Kfor has already made plans for possible actions near administrative border crossings with Serbia, near towns of Leposavic and Zubin Potok in the northern, Serbian-dominated part of Kosovo.
