Priština,
Kosovo

15 Feb. 2007

Press point

by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
in Priština, Kosovo

Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen, good to be back in Kosovo, good to be back in Priština. 

I think my visit is timely,  not only President Ahtisaari is coming to Brussels tomorrow to brief the North Atlantic Council on his proposals and on the state-of-play; but also because I wanted to have a feel myself about the situation in Kosovo in this very important period, on this very important moment for its future. Let me give you the core of the messages I come to bring to you today.

The first part of my message is that, as you know,  the NATO Allies have supported and are supporting the proposals as they are made by President Ahtisaari.  And they hope that the process leading to implementation of those proposals will be a speedy one.  So NATO supports President Ahtisaari, first important principle.

Second important principle:  KFOR.  And you see the Commander of KFOR, General Kather next to me, and that is more than just symbolism.  KFOR is here to protect every single Kosovar citizen, majority and minority alike. The rest of this day I'll spend in Kosovo.  And I'll go and I'll try to talk to as many people as I can from all elements and from all groups in society, including a visit to a religious site.

I talked about KFOR.  My third message: KFOR will not tolerate any form of violence.  If there are people in Kosovo, wherever they come from and they think or they might think wrongly that inciting violence will be the answer, they're wrong.  And KFOR will prove them wrong.  And KFOR will do that of course in close cooperation with the KPS and with UNMIK police. And I think, unfortunately, last Saturday, we saw an example of how things should not go.  But KFOR, rest assured, KFOR will not tolerate violence. 

My next message, I just spoke to the unity team.  It is of great importance that the unity team is a unity team.  And I think that I've got the assurances from all the political leaders I spoke to a moment ago that they will write unity in capitals as I asked them to do, because I think that's of great importance.

My next message will be... and that is on the basis of the principles as they have been laid down by the so-called contact group.  The principle is the territorial integrity of Kosovo:  no partition.  And people who would like to work for partition should realize that this is not a solution and this can never be the solution.  I'm citing a principle of the contact group which has so much responsible for the future of Kosovo.

And I've also, of course, talked to the representatives of the minority of the Kosovo Serbs in this regard.  And before too long, I'll travel to Belgrade as well to discuss with my interlocutors there about the Ahtisaari proposals and the future of Kosovo.

And when I talk about the future of Kosovo, please do realize that NATO is part of the international community, that KFOR is here now...  And that NATO, as you know, and the Ahtisaari proposals will play an important role in giving form to the international military presence in the transition period but also afterwards.  In other words, NATO Allies will not forsake their responsibility.  And I think to be able to tell you, and you know that better than I do that NATO is welcomed in Kosovo.  And I'm sure that NATO will stay welcomed.  That welcome of NATO will be extended in Kosovo. 

Finally, as we speak and as I visit Kosovo, the world is watching very carefully what kind of messages come from Kosovo.  In other words, how mature Kosovo institutions, how mature the citizens of Kosovo are to shape their own future. 

You'll be heard; you'll be seen; you'll be watched by the international community.  And my advice would be please grasp this opportunity you have with the assistance of the international community for what is a better future for every single Kosovar citizen. 

Because I think in the end, and there I'll stop and that's my last message, in the end this whole political process is about development; is about economic prosperity; is about investment; is about a better standard of living; is about education; is about people wanting a better life. 

NATO will play its part. NATO supports the Ahtisaari proposals; although NATO, as you know, is not in the political forefront of the process.  That is President Ahtisaari.  Those are the parties.  That is the United Nations Security Council.  They're in the lead.  But NATO and KFOR will create the conditions to make that process happen. 

Ladies and gentlemen those are my messages, I'm open to your comments and questions. 

Q:  Do you think, Sir, do you think that last Saturday (INAUDIBLE) police on PBS?

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  As you know, that is under investigation.  So I'll not comment on that.  I simply also told the unity team that I offer my condolences on behalf of NATO to the families of the victims.  And I'll repeat here publicly what I said in the meeting room a moment ago.  There should be no need for more fatalities and more victims in Kosovo.  Kosovo has known too many.  So the two of last Saturday are two too many.  But what you question is under investigation so it would be wrong from me to comment on this now.

Q:  (INAUDIBLE) Serb Press.  You urged a speedy resolution to Kosovo's future.  Do you feel that your troops here in Kosovo be in danger if there's delay in the process?  Or basically violence will start again soon?

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Well, that is not the phraseology I would use.  Rest assured that KFOR is prepared for all eventualities.... And that KFOR will not tolerate those people who think violence is the answer in solving the questions which are on the table, in solving in other words Kosovo's future.  And I said again.  It's more than symbolism that you see the Commander of KFOR and the NATO Secretary General standing side by side here; because General Kather has the full political backing of all 26 NATO Allies. 

And it's finally NATO men and women in uniform who are doing an excellent job here.  But rest assured, KFOR is prepared for all eventualities.  And KFOR does that in cooperation, of course, as I said with KPS, with UNMIK police.  But I can say, I can speak on behalf of the Allies and on behalf of NATO KFOR, KFOR is prepared for all eventualities.  And KFOR will certainly not tolerate violence.

Q:  (INAUDIBLE)  What will happen to KFOR's mandate in the event the UN Security Council fails to adopt a resolution on Kosovo?

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER: In a long political career, I have always held one principle dear it is that I don't answer "iffy" questions.  My position is that the Ahtisaari process will run its course. That hopefully the Ahtisaari process will lead to a Security Council resolution which will guide the further process in Kosovo.  That is my opinion and... I think it will be inappropriate for to start answering these kinds of "iffy" questions.

Q:  (INAUDIBLE)  Secretary General, what are you planning for (INAUDIBLE).

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER: I beg you pardon.

Q:  Are you planning to downsize... KFOR troops and why?

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Definitely not.  There will be no downsizing because this period which is important, which is sensitive, needs a KFOR at full strength.  And KFOR is at full strength.  The reserves are there in case of...  So you can rest assured that there will be no downsizing of KFOR. 

MODERATOR:  Next question. (INAUDIBLE)

Q:  (INAUDIBLE) 

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER: The danger, Sir, is of course... are, of course, those people who think that there is a violent solution for Kosovo, that there's a solution based on violence.  You know who thought that there was a solution for Kosovo based on violence, and ethnic cleansing and murder and rape.  That was Mr. Milošević.  He thought that violence was the answer.  Why are we here? Why I'm standing here speaking to you?  Why is KFOR here?  That is to prevent those people getting their way if they think there's a violent solution.  KFOR is there to secure that climate of security and stability every Kosovar citizen needs.  And I say again, finally, it is about their future and the future of their children, politically, but also certainly economically and financially.  I said before and I'll repeat this publicly, here again, in front of your microphones and notepads and cameras, this is an important part of Europe.  The Western Balkans are an important part of Europe.  And lasting security and stability in this part of Europe, I underline this part of Europe, is of course that we bring this part of the world closer to the EuroAtlantic institutions.  That's crystal clear to me.  And that may be a long and winding road but that is also certainly the future of this region. 

Q: (INAUDIBLE)  Sir, yesterday, (INAUDIBLE).

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER:  Well, my comment is.  First of all is that the Parliament in Serbia is of course fully legitimized to say what it has to say.  Having said that, this decision will only strengthen my call to all the parties, including Serbia.  And I say I'll go to Belgrade soon to make that point again, to work on the basis of the Ahtisaari proposals in a constructive way.  Because there really is no alternative.  There will be another round as you know, as well as I do starting on the 21st of February under President Ahtisaari's leadership.  That is the way to go.  And no other way.

MODERATOR: Last question.

Q:  (INAUDIBLE)  ... more countries in the region, as police say, are you worried for regional stability since there are some people across the borders (INAUDIBLE)

JAAP DE HOOP SCHEFFER: If the presumption which is underlying your question is right, let me start by saying that I don't know.  I've not seen facts established that is the case.  It would, of course, be wrong for anybody, wherever he or she would come from to incite violence