A New KFOR: Changes for International Security in Kosovo
Abstract
The International Community in Kosovo has taken responsibility for security and further development of the entire Kosovo province since 1999. The cause of the conflict - Kosovar Albania's struggle for final status of independence hasn't been solved yet. On the contrary economic stagnation and frustration from an uncertain future deepened animosity between Kosovar Albanians and Kosovar Serbs. "UNMIK's structure and mandate have been exposed as inappropriate to prepare Kosovo for the transition from war to peace from socialism to the market economy and from international political limbo to final status." Kosovo wide ethnic violence exploded in March 2004 again. KFOR as the NATO lead multinational peacekeeping force has been responsible for maintaining a secure and safe environment and support for the peace process. Results and analysis from the March 2004 crisis indicate that KFOR failed in its mission to prevent ethnic minorities from violence. The study addresses some examples of KFOR failures both conceptual errors during transformation in the past and mistakes of KFOR units reported during the period of crisis. The analysis provides explanation of why the Kosovo security system failed and what was the KFOR responsibility for the collapse. Finally a new KFOR strategy and structure are proposed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449381
Entities
People
- Rudolf Honzak
Organizations
- United States Army War College