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KLINA, Yugoslavia, July 29 (AFP) - The head of the KFOR peacekeeping force marked the halfway point of his command in Kosovo Saturday by hailing the "safe environment" provided by his troops but warned that political violence could mar upcoming elections. "There used to be 40 to 50 murders each week. The average is now four to five per week," General Juan Ortuno said, at a news conference on board a new freight train. "We have witnessed similar dramatic reductions in the number of cases of arson, kidnapping and looting. In simple terms, the safe and secure environment provided by KFOR's 43,000 soldiers has contributed significantly to the normalization of daily life for most Kosovars." But the Spanish general also warned that in the build up to Kosovo's October municipal poll, its first election since the 1998-1999 civil war, political and ethnic violence could increase. Ortuno, who is halfway through a six-month command, said that KFOR's total troop strength would be increased to provide security during the campaign and urged Kosovars to show tolerance. "KFOR will do everything possible to protect the minorities in Kosovo. But we can only do so much. The future is in the hands of the people of Kosovo. They must show that they are able and willing to live together," he said. "They must show the international community that its time, effort and resources are not being wasted." The general was speaking on board a new freight train service set up by the local firm Railways of Kosovo with the help of an Italian military railway unit and funding from international donors. The service will transport fresh fruit and vegetables from the fertile area around Prizren in southwest Kosovo to the capital Pristina and be largely staffed by local Kosovars, a step he described as "real progress". |
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