19-20 July 2004

Multimedia High resolution photos “NATO remains committed to Kosovo” said General Harald Kujat, Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee at a Press Conference on 20 July 04, during the Military Committee visit of the Kosovo Force (KFOR). The Military Committee received in-depth briefings from Lieutenant General Holger Kammerhoff, Commander KFOR, and later from the UN Senior Representative. Their visit extended to Multinational Brigade Centre, Multinational Brigade North East, and Multinational Brigade South West. At his press conference, General Harald Kujat pointed out that KFOR continues to do an excellent job, with some 270,000 NATO-led peacekeepers working together from 36 nations over the past five years. He was pleased to see from the UN-Development Programme opinion poll that 83% of all citizens in Kosovo support KFOR and that the vast majority of local people are satisfied with the work of NATO troops. “This feeling of confidence is very encouraging for every peacekeeper deployed in Kosovo”, he said. He went on to explain that NATO remains committed to Kosovo and therefore will maintain a robust presence, keeping its present strength of forces for the foreseeable future. The March riots had shown that KFOR was ready to step in as it did, to re-stabilize the situation. He underlined the important and challenging future task for all local leaders all over the country to organize peaceful and successful municipalities and communities. All citizens in Kosovo are responsible for their safe and secure environment.