Around 15.00 a very large group of troublemakers started to launch objects against the police forces belonging to the Kosovo Police and to the EULEX agents located near the place of the demonstration to protect the safety of the citizens who, many were rushed to participate in democratic and peaceful manner at a protest demonstration organized in the southern part of the capital near the 'Austerlitz' bridge.
In the morning before the start of the event, the KFOR units with the carabinieri constantly present and in service on the bridge, were reinforced with a further US company also equipped with anti-riot material: the unit was positioned right at the center of the bridge with the aim of avoiding any possible inter-ethnic clash between the citizens of the south and the north. In the same morning the carabinieri units of the MSU regiment were previously deployed in force in the northern part of the bridge to prevent any crossing and to maintain the situation under control.
In reinforcement of the already important device on the ground, was also called to intervene a further German company that, in the morning had already been deployed in a preventive manner near the place of the event ready to intervene and, action during, the battalion was also deployed reserve with a Portuguese guide.
"In summary, everything has been prepared and implemented to prevent the demonstration from degenerating into an inter-ethnic clash" commented the commander of KFOR division general Salvatore Farina "Thanks to the preventive joint planning with the Kosovo Police to the managers of EULEX, KFOR averted the escalation of violence. The clash between the different ethnic groups was avoided thanks to the meticulous preparation work and the great professionalism and ability demonstrated by all the security operators. In addition, I would like to especially thank the multinational units of KFOR and the carabinieri of the MSU Regiment in particular, for having 'physically' intervened to avoid the worst. However, as I said yesterday on the eve of this important demonstration in which citizenship was called to democratically express their dissent, I believe that it is necessary to consider resolving disputes in a peaceful way through dialogue, democratic and plural discussion, negotiation. KFOR, as demonstrated in the fifteen years of its history in Kosovo, acts and will always continue to act in a prudent, impartial but decisive manner where appropriate. KFOR is an important actor who will continue to cooperate with all institutions guaranteeing a safe environment for all citizens and, at the same time, will continue to support and promote the dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade which is fundamental for the affirmation of peaceful coexistence ”.
Source: Italian contingent in Kosovo
