8 Sep. 1999	Kosovo The NATO-led multinational Kosovo peace implementation force (KFOR) now consists of 49,000 personnel, 41,000 of whom are in Kosovo, 6,000 in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) and 1,600 in Albania. In addition to the 17 NATO nations in KFOR, 21 Partner and other non-NATO nations are also participating. Of the Partner and non-NATO contributors, Russia has the largest contingent with 3,595 troops in Kosovo. The current KFOR Commander (COMKFOR), Lt. General Sir Mike Jackson (left) of the UK, and the ACE Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) he leads, will rotate out of Kosovo starting in October, to be replaced by forces from LANDCENT under Germany's General Klaus Reinhardt (right). The change of command is scheduled for 8 October in Pristina, Kosovo. The Kosovo Liberation Army, or UCK, has almost completed its demilitarisation and will cease to exist as an organisation on 19 September. The Kosovo Police School has recently been refurbished with KFOR help, and has just started training recruits for the new Kosovo Police Service (KPS) under the supervision of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Until the KPS is fully effective, the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) has deployed International Police officers into Kosovo, who are carrying out joint patrols with KFOR troops. Despite a recent upsurge of violence, marked by ethnic unrest and violent attacks, the overall trend of violent and security related incidents in Kosovo is still downward. The general low level of serious incidents, points towards continuing KFOR and UNMIK success in restoring peace and stability throughout the Province. However, KFOR will continue to seek a secure environment for all, regardless of their ethnic background and in support of UNSCR 1244. 1. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
8 Sep. 1999	Wolfgang Petritsch at NATO HQ On 8 September, Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch came to Brussels to meet NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana. This was the first time that the Ambassador visited NATO HQ in his capacity as the High Representative for Coordinating the Civilian Organisations and Agencies in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The two men discussed the current political situation in the country and the future of the NATO-led Stabilisation Force, SFOR. Additional information: High resolution photos of the visit to NATO by Ambassador Wolfgang Petritsch
9 Sep. 1999	NATO-Ukraine Within the framework of the « Distinctive Partnership » established between NATO and Ukraine in 1997, the NATO-Ukraine Commission met at Ambassadorial level on 9 September. Kosovo and Ukraine's full participation in the international security presence in the province were discussed, as were other forms of cooperation outlined in the Washington Summit Declaration. These included issues such as the progress made by the Joint Working Group on Defence Reform, Civil Emergency Planning, and cooperation in the field of Information.
10 Sep. 1999	50th anniversary celebrations in Rome Within NATO's 50th anniversary programme, the new premises of NATO's Defense College in Rome, Cecchignola, were inaugurated on 10 September. The College has been hosted by Italy for the past 33 years, providing strategic-level education and training for senior officers, diplomats and officials from NATO member countries. In recent years, participants from Partner and Mediterranean Dialogue countries and from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe have also benefitted from the College's facilities. Every year, approximately 500 representatives from over 40 different countries participate in the courses offered. NATO Secretary General, Dr Javier Solana gave a speech at the inauguration ceremony, emphasising how the new building now reflected the College's new spirit. He also made a speech at a NATO-sponsored conference on security in Southeastern Europe which was being held in Rome on the same day. Additional information: NATO Speeches: Secretary General's Inauguration Remarks at the NATO Defense College, Rome NATO Speeches: Secretary General's Remarks At the CEMISS Conference on Security in Southeastern Europe, Rome
10 Sep. 1999	Leaders of more than 20 Black Sea and Baltic states gather in Yalta, Ukraine to discuss issues of European integration.
13 Sep. 1999	Troops from Germany, Poland, Denmark, Romania, and Lithuania participate in military exercises held in central Lithuania.
14 Sep. 1999	Military Authorities meet at NATO HQ Chiefs of Defence Staff from each NATO member country met at NATO HQ on 14-15 September. They were convened by the Chairman of NATO's Military Committee, Admiral Guido Venturoni, to discuss the situation in Kosovo, work achieved since the Washington Summit and NATO-Russia military cooperation. Additional information: High resolution photos of the Meeting of the Military Committee with Chiefs of Defence Staff