Crisis management forces in Kosovo upgrade readiness level
Patrols increased in ethnic hotspots
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By Petteri Tuohinen in Kosovo Polje
At a roadblock manned by Finnish peacekeepers in Kosovo Polje, Sergeant Juho Laitinen finds some long knives in a car that has been stopped. They belong to the former Gurkha soldiers who are working for a British company.
The men say that they use the Gurkha knives for cutting meat. They are embarrassed that they did not have the presence of mind to put the knives in the boot of the car.
When the men and the knives have been photographed, and the personal data written down, the group are allowed to move on.
"Remember to put your knives in the back from now on", Laitinen explains.
So far people in Kosovo have been waiting peacefully for a solution to the status of the province. Small armed extremist groups of both the Albanians and the Serbs have nevertheless given reminders of themselves by making public appearances.
"Active members probably number in the dozens rather than the thousands. KFOR will take issue with the activities of any armed group, and will take away the unauthorised weapons", says Colonel Pekka Saariaho, commander of the Finnish forces.
NATO's KFOR forces, who answer for security in Kosovo, have raised their level of readiness and have been busy honing skills such as crowd control in case rioting takes place.
The force of more than 16,000 soldiers are to be rapidly concentrated in problem areas, if needed.
KFOR has increased its patrols in ethnically sensitive areas with culturally important locations for the Albanians or the Serbs. Such areas include Kosovo Polje, where Finnish troops are deployed, where the Serbs lost a battle to the Ottomans in 1389.
Saariaho says that there have hardly been any serious clashes between Albanians and Serbs. The Finns would probably run into any such clashes, as the areas under their control have about one fifth of the more than 100,000 Serbs living in Kosovo.
"Nobody has to be afraid for their safety in Kosovo. We are prepared for all possible situations", Saariaho says.
Corporal Tero Nopanen and Lieutenant Erno Peltomäki praise the good relations that the Finns have with local inhabitants.
Kosovo residents relate their concerns to the peacekeepers - when wolves come down from the mountains into the villages, or when stray dogs become a problem. Serbs have also asked for protection when they visit cemeteries.
"Everyone likes us here. It is in everyone's interests that we are here", Peltomäki notes.
The Finns have also maintained good relations by giving Christmas presents to children: Barbie dolls for girls, and toy cars for boys.
The gifts are sorely needed in the poor region. One indication of the level of poverty is that children's playground equipment as a joint effort in the summer has been stolen for the scrap metal.
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 9.12.2007
PETTERI TUOHINEN / Helsingin Sanomat
petteri.tuohinen@hs.fi
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| 11.12.2007 - THIS WEEK |
 Crisis management forces in Kosovo upgrade readiness level |
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