NATO-trained Kosovo forces achieve "initial operational capability"
Kosovo Security Forces (KSF) "have achieved Initial Operational Capability," KFOR has announced.
(KosovoCompromise Staff) Thursday, September 17, 2009
The statement from KFOR HQ says that the decision on KSF's operational capacities was taken after Exercise Agile Lion, which, it was stated, was "the culmination point of just over seven months of hard work by KFOR and the KSF to recruit, train and equip the force."
"The exercise allowed KFOR to evaluate the KSF's current operational capabilities in the core Civil Protection trades as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Fire Fighting, Hazardous Material Handling (HAZMAT) and Search and Rescue supported by logistics, medical and security capabilities," the statement added.
It is stressed that "the KSF is a non-military, all-volunteer, multi-ethnic, lightly armed security force under democratic and civilian control."
"Its only mission is to conduct civil protection operations in Kosovo, to assist civil authorities in responding to natural disasters and other emergencies," the statement adds.
"The next goal for the KSF is to reach Full Operational Capability," the statement concludes, adding that this is expected to take two to five years.
Belgrade, but also NATO countries opposed to Kosovo's secession are critical of the KSF, as they consider it a nucleus of a future "Kosovo army".
