NATO’s top commander visits Kosovo
Visiting Kosovo on 3 August, NATO’s top operational commander, General James L. Jones, said that the NATO-led KFOR will continue to provide a safe and secure environment, so that the political process can move forward.
SHAPE HEADQUARTERS (Mons, Belgium) – NATO’s senior military commander, U.S. Marine Corps General James L. Jones, Commander Allied Command Operations, met with civic leaders in Kosovo today to exchange views and to discuss the relationship between NATO’s Kosovo Forces (KFOR) and the local population.
He met with Mr. Velimir Bojovic, Mayor of Leposavic, Mr. Slaviš a Ristić , Mayor of Zubin Potok and Mr. Dragisa Milosevic, Mayor of Zvecan.
“We had a very useful meeting. Political leaders have a vital role in leading Kosovo to a prosperous future by maintaining a balanced and statesmanlike approach,” said Gen. Jones. “Our goals in Kosovo are to maintain a safe and secure environment and to foster understanding and tolerance in a multi-ethnic society.”
The international community has pledged its support to this effort by providing forces from 35 nations to participate in the KFOR mission. KFOR was recently reorganized using a task force concept.
The commander of the northern task force, French Army Brig. Gen. Jean Jacques Bart briefed Gen. Jones on the success of the new task force structure that allows for greater flexibility and efficiency of its command and control.
“I’m confident that this new structure is working well and that KFOR will continue to provide the safe and secure environment that the citizens of Kosovo need and want so that the political processes can move forward,” Jones said.
Gen. Jones also met with UNMIK’s (UN Mission in Kosovo) Regional Administrator for Mitrovica, Mr. Gerrard Gallucci.
Upon his departure, Gen. Jones congratulated Italian Army Lt. Gen. Giuseppe Valotto, Commander of KFOR on the success of his mission that began on Sept. 1, 2005 and will terminate on Sept. 1, 2006.