More than 70 members of the Serbian community who were part of the Kosovo Security Force [KSF], have left the ranks of this Force after the numerous pressures reported against them, through certain circles in Serbia.
The highest political representatives in Belgrade have stated that they would not like to see members of the Serbian community part of the KSF, especially now, when this force is increasing its capacities and taking the "path" of transformation towards creation of the future army of Kosovo.
Officials in the Ministry of the Security Force of Kosovo say that the pressures and threats are continuing and not only against the members of the Serbian community, but also against other communities.
The latest case, which was assessed by the police as a general risk, happened over the weekend in the Bosnian Quarter in the north of Mitrovica.
According to the representatives of the Ministry of KSF, an explosive device was placed in the backyard of a member of the Kosovo Security Force from among the Turkish community, but it had no consequences, as the device was deactivated.
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Ibrahim Shala, director of the Department for Public Relations in the Ministry of KSF, told Radio Europe that these threats are continuing and are unacceptable.
"It is true that members of minority communities, especially the Serbian community, but also other communities continue to have pressure from regions outside Kosovo to leave the Kosovo Security Force. The last case in the Bosnian Quarter, where a member of the KSF was planted with an explosive device in his yard, "said Shala.
He also said that until now the pressure on the members of the KSF has been developed in various political and psychological forms, but now they have also used means that endanger people's lives.
"It has turned into very concrete pressures that endanger the lives of our members and their families, that is, it has turned into actions that endanger lives," said Shala.
On the other hand, the president of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, said on Tuesday that the Kosovo authorities intend to mark the Day of the Albanian Flag on November 28 with the formation of the Kosovo Army.
This, according to him, is contrary to the spirit of all agreements, the UN Resolution, the Kumanovo agreement with NATO, and the Brussels Agreement. Today, he called on the members of the Serbian community in Kosovo not to become part of this army.
"I once again appeal to the Serbs of Kosovo not to become part of it. I make an open and public appeal to the Kosovo Serbs not to participate in the formation of the Kosovo Army, because that army is being formed, for nothing else, but only for those Serbs to use them to one day shoot at other Serbs . I call on the Serbs not to help them in any way in that dirty work, with which they even violate their Constitution, which has no meaning for us and which we do not accept", said Vucic.
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Meanwhile, the expert on military and security issues, the former commander of the Kosovo Security Forces, Kadri Kastrati, told Radio Free Europe that he sees such threats as a threat to peace and a threat to the progress towards solving the problem between Kosovo and Serbia.
"It is a serious threat to the members of the KSF and their families, who have been threatened not only now, but also in the past. We have two cases in the north where two bombs were thrown at their family members in the backyard. Then we have numerous arrests when they go to visit their families in Serbia, where they are interrogated by members of the secret service in informative conversations, there is a lot of pressure, but also threats of death personally for members of the KSF". said Kastrati.
He says that such actions pushed by Serbia are absolutely unacceptable, since the people who are members of the Security Force are citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and see their lives in Kosovo and not elsewhere.
"This is extremely bad. We, as Albanians, but also other non-Serb communities have seen these threats not well. We are sorry that this is happening, but regardless we have some news and some information from the field that many other young Serbs want to be part of this Force and the army will move forward regardless", Kastrati said. .
The Kosovo Security Force is looking to fill the positions left empty by members of the Serbian community, who had left its ranks in the last two or three months.
The process of transformation of the Kosovo Security Forces had so far remained blocked due to the lack of support from the Serbian deputies in the Assembly of Kosovo.
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The three draft laws approved in principle by the Assembly of Kosovo for the transition of the Kosovo Security Force are expected to be subject to public hearing and revision, before going to the Assembly for final approval.
Public hearings are expected to be organized in Prizren and Graçanica. It is about the Draft Law for the Ministry of Defense, the Draft Law for the Kosovo Security Force and the Draft Law for Service in the Kosovo Security Force.
