On 10 June 1999, a Military Technical Agreement (MTA) for the withdrawal
of all Serb forces from Kosovo was signed between General Jackson,
Commander of the International Security Force (KFOR) and representatives
of the VJ General Staff and Republic of Serbia Ministry of Internal
Affairs.
On 11 June, the NATO Secretary General announced the suspension
of the air campaign after confirmation from SACEUR that Serb forces
had started their full withdrawal. That evening the United Nations
Security Council passed resolution 1244 (1999). UNSCR 1244 authorises
member states and relevant international organisations to establish
an international security presence in Kosovo, under unified command
and control and with substantial NATO participation.
Also on 11 June, Russian troops enter Pristina in advance of KFOR
troops.
On 12 June, the first elements of KFOR, under General Jackson (COMKFOR),
started deploying into Kosovo. KFOR will work in close co-ordination
with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
(UNMIK).
KFOR's primary role, once Serb forces have complied with the MTA
and withdrawn from Kosovo, is to provide a secure environment for
the re-building of Kosovo. However, until the appropriate civil
authorities or international agencies can take over, immediate support
will be necessary for assistance with emergency humanitarian support,
public security, initial civil administration and essential infrastructure
repairs.
18 countries, including 13 Partners, have expressed interest in
participating in KFOR (Argentina, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria,
Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden Switzerland, the UAE and Ukraine). NATO
is also discussing with Russia her participation.
At the same time NATO's forces have continued their support for
humanitarian efforts in Albania. Similarly rear elements of KFOR
remain in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1)
to provide both humanitarian assistance to aid agencies and support
for NATO forces in Kosovo.
Additional information:
- NATO Speeches:
Press statement
by NATO Secretary General on the suspension of air operations
1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia
with its constitutional name.
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