11-09-2009, 07:08 AM
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Septmber 8, 2009
Germany assumes control over Kosovo peacekeepers
Pristina: German Lieutenant General Markus Bentler on Tuesday took over the command over the NATO-led peacekeeping presence in Kosovo, known as the KFOR. Bentler assumed command from his Italian predecessor, General Giuseppe Emilio Gay.
"As a sign of our successful performance, KFOR has started moving towards a new phase, since the situation in Kosovo is improving," Gay
said after handing over command to Bentler.
KFOR was deployed in Kosovo in June 1999, after NATO ousted Serbian security forces from what was then a Serbian province....
Ethnic Albanians have a 90-per-cent majority in the former province. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia last year.
The new country has been recognized by the United States and the majority of European Union nations, but not by Russia, which is backing Serbia in its fight against Kosovo's secession.
The initial force of some 50,000 troops has fallen to fewer than 20,000, with NATO planning to further downsize its presence in Kosovo.
"The gradual reduction of NATO, does not mark the end of our engagement, but it intends strengthening our positive progress which we have achieved," Gay said at the handover ceremony.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/...epers.html
Septmber 8, 2009
Germany assumes control over Kosovo peacekeepers
Pristina: German Lieutenant General Markus Bentler on Tuesday took over the command over the NATO-led peacekeeping presence in Kosovo, known as the KFOR. Bentler assumed command from his Italian predecessor, General Giuseppe Emilio Gay.
"As a sign of our successful performance, KFOR has started moving towards a new phase, since the situation in Kosovo is improving," Gay
said after handing over command to Bentler.
KFOR was deployed in Kosovo in June 1999, after NATO ousted Serbian security forces from what was then a Serbian province....
Ethnic Albanians have a 90-per-cent majority in the former province. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia last year.
The new country has been recognized by the United States and the majority of European Union nations, but not by Russia, which is backing Serbia in its fight against Kosovo's secession.
The initial force of some 50,000 troops has fallen to fewer than 20,000, with NATO planning to further downsize its presence in Kosovo.
"The gradual reduction of NATO, does not mark the end of our engagement, but it intends strengthening our positive progress which we have achieved," Gay said at the handover ceremony.
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/...epers.html
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"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.