Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force MKSF S NEWSLETTER Issue nr. 2. April 2012 From the Minister s Desk Dear friends, welcome to the 2 nd edition of the KSF newsletter. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo on the 21 st of March had a meeting where it was suggested that I chair the steering committee for the Strategic Security Sector Review. I respectfully accepted this task that I must admit would be one of the greatest challenges in my career. Therefore I want to express my deepest appreciation for everyone that will be part of this great project and at the same time I want to thank the government of USA that will provide professional consultancy regarding SSSR and KFOR for the unreserved support. I want to elucidate to our international community that there are mainly two reasons why the Republic of Kosovo ought to conduct a National Strategic Security Sector Review. The first one is to identify the changes to, and the current Strategic Environment; deliver Recommendations for the way forward for all security sector role-players; Change National Security Strategy and Ministerial Strategies to address the newly identified Strategic Environment. And the second one is to Enable Effective Capability Based Planning in the Security Sector Ministries. On behalf of Ministry for Kosovo Security Force I congratulate all of you on coming Easter. May the great gift of Easter - hope - is always with you and your families. Ministry for the Kosovo Security Force 1
Content: Page 3 Denmark Trains Members of Kosovo Security Force KFOR Donates MAIBEY COMPACT 200 Bridge Page 4 Kosovo Participates in US-Adriatic Charter Defense Ministerial Page 5 Regional Centre for Emergency Reactions-Centre for Excellence Page 6 Cooperation Plan for 2012 signed between Albanian MoD and Kosovo Security Force Successfully Completed Recruitment Campaign of Kosovo Security Force Reserves Page 7 First Generation of Non Commissioned Officers Certified Page 8 Kosovo Security Force Trains for Assessment of Avalanche Risk Ministry for KSF Reports about Community Integration Work 2
Denmark Trains Members of Kosovo Security Force On the 25 th of March, 40 officers and non-commissioned officers from the Liaison Crisis Response Unit went to Denmark for a oneweek of field training. The Danish Emergency Management Agency provided members of Kosovo Security Force with acquired skills and knowledge necessary to assist the citizens of Kosovo during emergency situations and natural disasters. KFOR Donates MAIBEY COMPACT 200 Bridge On March 22 nd, the Training and Doctrine Command, Ferizaj, hosted a ceremony to accept the donation of a MAIBEY Compact 200 Bridge from KFOR. With all the pieces donated, 4 bridges of 55 m long can be constructed. A MAIBEY bridge is a portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge, designed to fit almost every gap in some remote areas. It requires no special tools or heavy equipment for construction, the bridge elements are small enough to be carried in trucks and it is strong enough to carry heavy trucks and other heavy equipment. This type of bridge is considered a great example of military engineering as a bridge to provide assistance during natural disasters, construction projects and other situations. 3
Kosovo Participates in US-Adriatic Charter Defense Ministerial On March 28 th and 29 th, a delegation from the Ministry for Kosovo Security Force took part in US Adriatic Charter Defense Ministerial Common Challenges and Joint Solutions. The aim of the Ministerial was to discuss the challenges faced by Western Balkan countries and look for potential joint solutions. Among the topics considered were the challenges and perspectives of the Euro-Atlantic integration; regional defense and security cooperation; global economic crisis and its implication on regional security and development; and energy security issues. The importance of regional cooperation was stressed in terms of Euro-Atlantic integration, these efforts provide for an inclusive and comprehensive Euro- Atlantic community where each state finds its place and feels secure. In the end, Ministerial representatives of the Adriatic Charter signed the Joint Statement supporting continued dialogue for continuing the implementation of reforms in defence and security sector. 4
Regional Centre for Emergency Reactions-Centre for Excellence One of the important objectives of KSF is regional security cooperation. In order to become more useful in regional support and following the common goal of maximization of each other s capabilities, KSF is committed to build a Search and Rescue Centre for Excellence. This is one of the biggest KSF s undertakings and it will be realized with the help of USA and KFOR. We agree that it is a unique opportunity that will enable KSF to offer this valuable support to the region. 5
Cooperation Plan for 2012 signed between Albanian MoD and Kosovo Security Force On March 7 th, the 2012 cooperation plan between Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Albania and Ministry for Kosovo Security Force was signed. The plan included a Bilateral Cooperation Agreement; signing of Status of Forces Agreement; consultations and exchange of experience; education of Kosovo Security Force personnel in Albania; support of Kosovo Security Force personnel in individual and collective training; common training for response to civil emergencies; support to the establishment the military museum in Kosovo; cultural, sports, and other activities. Successfully Completed Recruitment Campaign of Kosovo Security Force Reserves In March, the campaign to recruit an additional 250 members for the Kosovo Security Force Reserve Component was continued; currently 140 of 800 positions are filled. During the recruitment campaign, 2131 application forms were completed and returned by candidates. Of these, 1978 were Albanian males, 107 were females and the remaining 46 applications were submitted by various communities (11 Serbians, 10 Bosnians, 10 Turkish, 2 Roma, 9 Ashkali, 3 Egyptians). 6
First Generation of Non Commissioned Officers Certified In March, 310 Non-commissioned Officers (NCOs) were certified by the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Ferizaj, after successfully completing the 8 week NCO basic training course. The aim of the course was to develop the NCO corps and train them in leadership skills. The following areas were included in the training: leadership and management theory and practice; civil protection operations and crisis response; land navigation; assessment and report writing; first aid; communication skills; computer training; drill and ceremony. The course graduates will use their newly acquired knowledge and skills in their respective units. 7
Kosovo Security Force Trains for Assessment of Avalanche Risk In the beginning of March, KFOR s Italian contingent provided a two-day training for members of Kosovo Security Force to assess the risk of avalanche. The lecturers illustrated various situations for rapid reaction including search and rescue techniques, the use of avalanche probes, and special apparatuses for search in an avalanche. As a result of the February avalanche, the training was seen as a necessary to be able to respond to future incidents. Ministry for KSF Reports about Community Integration Work On March 27 th, the Ministry for Kosovo Security Force reported the results and challenges in implementing the community rights program. During the presentation, it was pointed out that it is essential for Kosovo to create a multiethnic Ministry for Kosovo Security Force and Kosovo Security Force. The Ministry s Office for Community Affairs, is responsible for the implementation of the policy to ensure that both the Ministry and Kosovo Security Force are multiethnic and provide a minority friendly working environment. The Office for Community Affairs handed out its prepared document Communities in Kosovo Security Force The Real Picture describing the situation and development of different communities serving in the Kosovo Security Force; analyses of the reasons for joining; achievements; identification of problem areas; and recommendations. 8