International Community Urges Rapid Deployment of Troops and UN Personnel to Kosovo

Strategic Insights -

Less than three weeks after the Kosovo conflict ended, Secretary-General Kofi Annan convened key international players to urge a more rapid deployment of troops and UN personnel to run the battered province. The meeting, attended by representatives from 16 nations and three international organizations, aimed to accelerate the deployment of the 50,000-strong NATO-led force, with at least 24,000 troops already on the ground. However, the UN faces significant challenges in establishing a functioning legal system and civilian police force, with only about 1,300 civilian police pledges, short of the desired 3,000.

Key Takeaways:

  • The international community is pressing for a rapid deployment of troops and UN personnel to Kosovo, with 24,000 troops already on the ground out of the expected 50,000-strong NATO-led force.
  • The UN requires additional funding to pay local officials, including judges and utility workers, and to finance urgent projects like putting a roof on a school.
  • The UN aims to establish a force of 3,000 civilian police, but has only received pledges for about 1,300.
  • The Group of Eight, a coalition of seven major industrialized nations and Russia, originally planned to convene a meeting to assess progress on implementing the terms of the Kosovo conflict settlement.
  • Secretary-General Kofi Annan expanded the meeting to include eight additional countries and three organizations, known as the "Friends of Kosovo".
  • The meeting aimed to bring together key international players to discuss the needs of the UN civilian administration and accelerate the deployment of troops and personnel.

Statistics:

  • At least 24,000 troops are already on the ground in Kosovo, out of the expected 50,000-strong NATO-led force.
  • The UN aims to establish a force of 3,000 civilian police, but has only received pledges for about 1,300.
  • The meeting was attended by representatives from 16 nations and three international organizations.
  • The UN requires additional funding to pay local officials and finance urgent projects, but the exact amount is not specified.

Sources:

  • Edith M Lederer