The Role of NATO in the Processes of Demobilization of the Kosovo Liberation Army, and Formation of Kosovo Protection Corps and Kosovo Security Forces

Abstract

After the NATO operation Allied Force, the conflict between Kosovo Albanians and Serbian forces in Kosovo, and the humanitarian catastrophe provoked by operations of Serbian military and paramilitary forces was ended. On the grounds of the United Nations Security Resolution 1244 (UNSCR 1244), NATO announced a cessation of bombing and deployment of KFOR forces under operation Joint Guardian. NATO has attained new duties connected to post-conflict reconstruction of the society. In order to implement the mission of international military and civilian presence in Kosovo it was necessary to create, in a short time, a satisfactory level of security for functioning of international military and civilian administration in Kosovo. Basic precondition was demilitarisation of Kosovo. That referred to both, Serbian forces, and forces of Kosovo Albanians - Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).Retreat of the Serbian forces from Kosovo was made under the terms of the Military Technical Agreement signed in Kumanovo, Republic of Macedonia. The retreat of the Serbian forces under the terms of that agreement was ended on the 20 of June 1999.According to the provision of article 9 point b. UNSCR 1244 there had to be made a demilitarisation of the KLA and of other armed groups of Kosovo Albanians.That was a rather complicated task for NATO because, in the institutional vacuum after the retreat of Serbian forces and authority structures, when international forces were not in the position to overtake, especially, civilian elements of authority, KLA had established temporary civilian and military authority in the major parts of Kosovo.NATO did not want to cause negative reactions of the local Albanian population by in its first activities in Kosovo. Because of that NATO, on grounds of the articles of the Rambouillet Accord and UNHCR 1244 sought an agreement with the KLA for demobilisation and demilitarisation. The agreement was accepted and signed by the KLA and under the control of military components of the international administration in Kosovo – Kosovo Forces (KFOR) the demobilisation was completed.After the demobilisation of the KLA, the Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) was formed. KPC was structured as civil emergency organisation which acted until the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, which came into power on the 15 June 2008. By the Constitution it is regulated the dissolution of the KPC and creation of a new security formation in Kosovo – Kosovo Security Forces (KSF). The authority upon work and control of activities of the KPC during that time was made by Special Representative of the Secretary General of the UN (SRSG) and KFOR.The founding and training of the KSF will be leaded by NATO, whose disposal to take that engagement was confirmed by the NATO spokesperson just before coming into power of the Kosovo constitution.Political importance of the formation of the KSF in the affirmation of Kosovo independence emerges from the decree of the US President George W. Bush, by which from the 19.03.2008 was given the authorisation for the delivery of weapons to Kosovo, by which it was stated that Kosovo fulfills the conditions for obtaining of the modern equipment and utilities from the USA. That decision which in its basis signifies military cooperation has announced an overturn in the character of the development of Kosovo security forces.Engagement of NATO in relation to Kosovo have had three distinct phases characteristic for so called asymmetrical wars, all of which must be surmounted before success can occur. The first phase is the actual fighting aimed to bring fighting to an end on some terms (peace imposition). Second phase after the fighting has ended is one of adjustment and unstable peace, when the problem is maintaining the peace and beginning to improve conditions (peace enforcement). Third phase is peacekeeping during which the situation must be improved physically and politically – state building. The first phase ended after the NATO operation Allied Force.