An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 41 Initially a peace- ful resistance was adopted, but as resistance to Serb rule increased the Kosovo Libera- tion Army (KLA) emerged and began attack- ing Serbian security forces, who responded heavy-handedly against the population as a whole. By 1997, with the situation in the remainder of the Balkans stabilising, the international com- munity finally began to focus on Kosovo. Throughout 1998 international diplo- macy sought to reign in Serb aggression, while NATO planners drew up plans for military intervention. In September UN Resolution 1199 high- lighted an impending human catastrophe in Kosovo and de- manded a ceasefire. However, by March 1999 the violence was continuing and NATO began an aerial bombardment of Serb targets in Kosovo and Serbia. In June 1999 Serbia agreed to the G8 Peace Principles and began to withdraw its forces. NATO ended its air strikes and KFOR, authorised by UN Resolution 1244, entered Kosovo. Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008 has been recognised by a large majority of UN member states, includ- ing Ireland. Notable exceptions include Serbia, Russia, China, Greece and Romania. kfoR mandate: The 1999 agreement between KFOR and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) and the Republic of Serbia allowed the NATO-led KFOR mission to deploy in Kosovo and for FRY and Serbian forces to cease hostilities and withdraw from Kosovo. The scope and nature of KFOR's role is deter- mined by UNSCR 1244, which authorises member states to establish an international security presence in Kosovo to deter hostilities, and to provide a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement. KFOR's mission also included, verifying and enforcing com- pliance with the various agreements, and to providing support to the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The mission began on 12th June 1999 with 50,000 troops from 36 NATO and non-NATO nations, including Ireland. Its current strength is 4,000 personnel. Defence forces involvement: In 1999, the DF's initial contribu- tion to KFOR, comprising a transport/logistics company, with a fleet of articulated vehicles, DROPS vehicles, 4x4s and ancillary vehicles, under the command of Comdt Martin Gibson, entered Kosovo as part of the 23-mile long international military convoy. The Irish unit, based in Camp Clarke, Lipljan, 15km south of Pristina, was situated in Multinational Brigade (MNB) Centre, and was under control of HQ KFOR. Its mission was to provide, on order, equipment and material lift to KFOR and to humani- tarian organisations working with the UN. It also included as- sisting with the recovery of the bodies of many of the approxi- mately 13,000 people killed in the conflict in Kosovo between 1998 and 2000. In October 2003 DF involvement with KFOR changed when 8 Ir Tpt Coy was replaced by 27 Inf Gp, an APC-mounted infantry company, under the command of Lt Col Michael Finn. (On 17th March 2004 the Irish unit was involved in the pre- vention of a serious attack on a Serb enclave on the outskirts of Pristina. Their performance led to 18 of the Irish troops receiving letters of commendation from the commander of MNB Centre.) The change of the Irish contributions saw the contingent split between Camp Clarke, Camp Ville, and Camp Karhu (a for- mer Finnish position). A number of Irish personnel also served with KFOR HQ, Task Force (Centre) HQ, and the multinational MP company. The Irish company's area of responsibility (AOR) covered 190 sq km and it carried out its mission through vigorous and regular Mowag patrols. The eastern part of the AOR was mountainous and dotted with Albanian villages while the western part contained a Serb enclave. The AOR also included two mixed-population villages, Janjevo and Robovce. current Df Role: In 2010 Camp Clarke closed and Irish appoint- ments in Camp Ville were phased out. However, the DF still holds 12 appointments in KFOR HQ (Camp Film City), including commander of the Headquarter Support Group (HSG), which is responsible for protecting Camp Film City; providing material support to KFOR HQ, including food, accommodation, trans- port, fire service, engineering and maintenance services and Role 1 and Role 2 hospital facilities; and protecting the military point of departure at Pristina airport current Situation: Currently, the situation in Kosovo is stable but fragile. Ongoing issues include visa liberalisation, border disputes and organised crime. With one of the youngest populations in Europe and high levels of unemployment, the requirement to apply for a visa to enter the EU is creating much stress. However, visa liberali- sation is connected to Kosovo tackling organised crime and resolving its last remaining border dispute (with Serbia). KFOR's current posture is 'deterrent presence' with no set timeline to move to the final stage of 'minimum presence'. Initial accommodation structures in Camp Clarke. Photo: Pte Olan McCarthy, 1 Tpt Coy Col Ray O'Lehan who will take over as OC Irish Contingent from Col Timmy Daly. The then Capt Ray O'Lehan was the first Irish member of EUMM sent to Kosovo from Bosnia in Nov 1999 as an observer. 1 Tpt Coy, KFOR convoy in Kosovo. Photo: An Cosantóir Archives

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