22 Mar. 2004

Kosovo violence unacceptable, says NATO Secretary General News 22/03/2004 - NATO NATO Secretary General to visit Kosovo 19/03/2004 - SHAPE NATO’s strategic reserve forces deploy to Kosovo 18/03/2004 - NATO Press statement on the situation in Kosovo 18/03/2004 - SHAPE NATO deploys "prudent reinforcements" to Kosovo in response to violence 17/03/2004 - NATO Statement by NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer on the situation in Kosovo Background NATO's role in Kosovo Key links KFOR online From left to right: UN SRSG Harri Holkeri and NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer In Kosovo on 22 March, NATO Secretary General de Hoop Scheffer said the recent violence was unacceptable and would not help the Albanian majority achieve its political aims. "Nobody in Kosovo should think, and that goes more specifically for the majority community in Kosovo, the Albanians, that by inciting violence they will bring their political ambitions closer," Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said in Budapest, prior to his visit in Kosovo. "Indeed, it will take much longer before they can realize that." The Secretary General travelled to Kosovo on 22 March to discuss the situation with the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Harri Holkeri, the Commander of the NATO-led peacekeeping force KFOR, General Kammerhoff, and local leaders. Mr. de Hoop Scheffer said that NATO is resolved to help bring the violence under control, but that Albanian leaders must do their utmost to put an end to it. He praised KFOR troops for their swift and determined efforts to restore peace. During the visit the Secretary General met with members of the Serb community who have been internally displaced and who are currently being protected by KFOR troops. OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Bulgaria Salomon Passy, accompanied Mr. de Hoop Scheffer on his visit.