MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTERMINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 DECEMBER Chief of the U.S. National Guard Bureau Visits Kosovo On the 24th of

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 DECEMBER

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE

Dear friends,

I am pleased to present you with the 44th edition of the

MKSF’s newsletter.

It was with great joy that I received the news of NATO’s

invitation to start talks of accession with Montenegro. This

is a direct result of the dedication and rigorous efforts of the

Republic of Montenegro, while at the same time it

demonstrates an historic achievement for the entire

Western Balkan region - an event that marks an important

step towards further integration of the region into the Euro-

Atlantic family.

As we approach the end of the year and get ready for

Christmas and the New Years, I want to use this

opportunity to thank all of our international friends and

partners. Thank you very much for your hard work and

efforts this past year; I remain impressed by your

dedication, commitment and zeal. This edition of our

newsletter is yet another proof of how dynamic, diverse and

essential your support and assistance is to Ministry and the

KSF.

I wish you a festive season and a happy New Year. May it be

filled with happiness and success for everyone!

Sincerely Yours,

Haki Demolli


From the 20th to the 22nd of November, Minister Haki Demolli took part in the 2015 Halifax International Security Forum in

Canada. The recent security developments in Europe and Africa, such as the refugee crisis and the fight against ISIS were the

main topics at the forum panels in which many senior state officials, diplomats, experts, Parliament members, media

editors, and think tank representatives from more than 60 countries took part. Within the framework of the Forum,

Minister Demolli had several bilateral meetings to include a meeting with the Minister of National Defence of Canada,

Hajrit Sing Sajjan, the US Deputy Secretary of Defence, Robert Work, the Defence Ministers of Albania, Mimi Kodheli and

from the Republic of Macedonia, Zoran Jolevski. At the meetings, Minister Demolli discussed the current security

challenges in the region and emphasized the need for an accelerated Euro-Atlantic integration of the Balkan countries. The

Halifax International Security Forum is an independent, non-profit organization that is held once a year which is dedicated to

global security issues and is based out of Washington, DC. The Forum is organised in cooperation with the Canadian private

sector and the Canadian government.

Minister Demolli Participates in the Halifax

International Security Forum

Minister Çeku participates in U.S.-Adriatic Charter Defence Ministerial Conference


Minister Demolli Attends Riga Conference

In early November Minister Haki Demolli travelled to Latvia to attend the 2105 Riga Conference that took place on the 6th and

7th of November and welcomed over 500 participants from more than 40 countries worldwide. For two days state leaders,

experts, academics, and journalists debated the high priority issues for the transatlantic alliance and regional stability: EU role in

rise of geo-economics; security challenges in the information age and hybrid warfare; transatlantic relationship as a critical axis

of global stability; relations between Russia and the West; and prospects of Eastern Partnership countries. The Riga Conference

is an annual meeting of regional and international experts in foreign policy and defence, academics, journalists, and business

representatives, promoting the discussion and assessment of issues affecting the transatlantic community. During his stay in

Riga, Minister Demolli had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Defence of Latvia, Raimonds Bergmanis. In the meeting

both parties discussed the prospects of further cooperation between both Ministries. Minister Demolli thanked Latvia for its

support of highly professional advisors who help Kosovo develop and advance its security sector. The Latvian Minister of

Defence expressed strong support to Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and willingness to share Latvia's experience in Euro-

Atlantic integration.


Chief of the U.S. National Guard Bureau Visits Kosovo

On the 24th of November, Minister Haki Demolli and the KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, received the Chief

of the U.S. National Guard Bureau, General Frank Grass, where they discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation with the United States

in the area of security. Minister Demolli spoke to General Grass about the processes regarding the Kosovo Security Force’s

transformation to the Kosovo Armed Force which, when accomplished, will conclude the consolidation of the sovereignty of Kosovo.

Minister Demolli also used the opportunity to reiterate the appreciation of the People of Kosovo for the support that the United

States is and has provided to Kosovo. He also thanked General Grass for the outstanding contributions of the U.S. National Guard,

whose members have been a part of KFOR for many years and a strong partner of the professionalization and modernization of the

KSF. General Grass expressed the support of the U.S. National Guard for the transformation of the KSF to the Kosovo Armed Forces

and for Kosovo’s membership in NATO. At the meeting General Rama pointed out that the State Partnership Program with the Iowa

National Guard has been very helpful for the KSF as it helps build up the needed capacities to become a professional and capable

force. About 15,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen have served with KFOR since 2003; the Iowa National Guard alone has

deployed more than 800 members to KFOR. The Iowa National Guard is also providing two officers to advise and assist the Ministry

for Kosovo Security Force.


Minister Demolli Meets with the Hungarian Minister

of Defence

On the 26th of November, Minister Haki Demolli hosted the Hungarian Minister of Defense, Istvan Simicsko, during a visit to the

Ministry of KSF. Minister Demolli welcomed the Hungarian Defense Minister for the first time to the MKSF and thanked him for

the Hungarian contributions to Kosovo as a member of KFOR. The Minister also expressed his gratitude for Hungary’s willingness

to formalize the cooperation with Kosovo in the security area through the signing of the bilateral security cooperation agreement.

Minister Demolli informed his counterpart about the KSF transformation process into Kosovo Armed Forces, pointing out that the

entire transformation process will be gradual, transparent and done in cooperation with Kosovo’s strategic partners. “Kosovo

Armed Forces will be a defense force that will contribute to peace in the country and the region, a force that belongs equally to all

citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,” stressed Minister Demolli. Minister Simicsko appreciated the progress made in strengthen ing

KSF’s capabilities and assured the full support of Hungary for KSF’s further professionalization. “Hungary is willing to support the

KSF with training and education, as well as in other areas of common interest,” said Minister Simicsko.


On the 26th of November, the KSF Commander, Lieutenant General Rrahman Rama, paid an official visit to the Republic of

Macedonia where he met with the Chief of the General Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM), Major General

Metodija Velickovski. General Velickovski commended the constructive and pragmatic cooperation between the ARM and the

KSF that covers a wide range of fields of cooperation which, to name a few, are crisis management exercises, cadet summer

camp in Krivolak, courses at the Regional Training Centre for Public Affairs and Military Medical Center, expert talks,

consultations and workshops. General Rama expressed his satisfaction with the very dynamic cooperation and pointed out that

the experience of the ARM, acquired in international peacekeeping operations, is much needed for the KSF because Kosovo’s

aspiration is to become security provider and give its contribution to ensuring peace and stability in the world. General Rama

thanked General Velickovski for the opportunity to educate KSF personnel in the Military Academy “Mihajlo Apostolski” which

is currently schooling 11 representatives from the KSF. General Rama Visiting the General Staff, the KSF delegation also met

with the Deputy Defense Minister, Iljmi Selami. The official visit was rounded off with the introduction of the capacities and

possibilities of training at the Center for pilot training in the "Straso Pindzur" in Petrovac.

KSF Commander Visits the Army of the Republic

of Macedonia


KSF Marks “Force Day”

On the 27th of November, the KSF marked “Force Day”, which is the anniversary of the establishment of the Kosovo Security

Force. The main ceremony was held at the Land Forces Command in Pristina and was attended by the President of Kosovo,

Atifete Jahjaga, MKSF and KSF senior leadership, diplomatic corps, bilateral partners and citizens of Kosovo. During her visit to

the Land Force Command, President Jahjaga stated that the KSF is prepared to be transformed to a Kosovo Armed Force. “We

are in the process of furthering the transformation of the KSF which we expect to happen soon. Throughout the day all KSF

barracks in Pristina, Mitrovica, Istog, Gjilan, Prizren, Ferizaj and Pomozotin were open to citizens for display of the EOD,

Search and Rescue, and medical equipment. They were also able to familiarize themselves with the KSF vehicles, armament and

uniforms and to enjoy a warm cup of tea as they listened to the KSF Orchestra.


US Marine Forces Europe Provide Company Level

Tactical Planning Course

From the 10th to the 12th of November, three subject matter experts from the United States Marine Forces Europe

(MARFOREUR) presented and exchanged information with the KSF on Operations Planning and Coordination; Intelligence

Integration and Military Decision Making Process at the tactical (Company) level. The primary audience of the event were

Company Commanders and Deputy Commanders in the Operational Support Brigade, Civil Protection Regiment and Rapid

Reaction Brigade. During the course of the seminar the MARFOREUR Team exchanged information and familiarised the KSF

on Tactical Planning to enhance the KSF’s operational effectiveness in preparation of Company Level training.


KSF Ethnic Communities Improve Their

Albanian Language Skills

On the 30th of October, non-Albanian KSF members received certificates of completion for successfully completing an Albanian

language course. The 41 members of the KSF, mostly from the Serbian and Bosniak communities, met twice a week for classes

designed to improve and refine their Albanian language proficiency. The 8 week course was organized by the 1 st Battalion,

Rapid Reaction Brigade. Most of the attendees had already completed their first level of language training last year. This year

the course was organized on two levels, level 1 for the beginners and level 2 for the more proficient students. As quoted by

Azemina Culum, Head of the Office of Community Affairs at the Ministry, “good command of the Albanian language helps to

improve these KSF members’ performance and task execution. It also inevitably strengthens their self-esteem and will help

them to advance in their careers”. The Ministry is determined to continue Albanian language courses as part of its efforts to

facilitate the integration of various ethnic communities into the KSF.


Welsh Guards Support KSF Ceremonial Guard

In November, the KSF Ceremonial Guard received training and support from members of the Welsh Guards whom most

people know as the Regiment’s of the British Queen’s personal guards. These individuals protect Her Majesty at Buckingham

Palace in the centre of London. The request for training and support came from the KSF in support of the professional

development of the KSF ceremonial guards as they are assigned increasingly varied duties ranging from full military honours for

visiting foreign heads of state to burial duties for KSF members. Alongside the KSF Orchestra they are seen as one of the high

profile units within the Force and it is important that they perform to the highest professional standard as they are very much in

the public eye. The Welsh Guards were asked to work with the KSF ceremonial guards to help with the refinement of their

marching drills, the handling of ceremonial weapons, and overall professional bearing which included the introduction of new

procedures. Lieutenant Mentor Ibrahimi, Ceremony Guard Officer, said that “the timing of the Welsh Guards visit could not

have been better as we were preparing for a head of state visit to Kosovo by King Abdullah of Jordan, who received full military

honours. The KSF ceremonial guard performed extremely well on this important visit which can be directly attributed to the

support, guidance and advice of the Welsh Guards instructors”.


In April Lieutenant Colonel Darren Doherty, from the UK Ministry of Defence, lead a seminar with key personnel from the

KSF on reserve force issue developments in the UK. The seminar initially focused on the history of Army Reserves in the UK.

Discussions were held on how the force developed over the last century up to the present day, talking about the growth of

reserve forces and the challenges that Armed Forces face today. Lieutenant Colonel Doherty provided participants with how

KSF Orchestra Members Travel to UK

United States European Command Soldiers Provide Explosive Ordnance

Disposal Train The Trainer Instructor Course

In November, four senior members of the KSF Orchestra travelled to the UK for training, as a continuation of the excellent

relationship and co-operation that has developed between the KSF and the British Army military music. As a follow on to the

training and support received in Kosovo from the Nottinghamshire Band of Royal Engineers and the Prince of Wales’s

Divisional Band KSF in 2015, members attended training at the world renowned Headquarters Corps of Army Music, Kneller

Hall on the outskirts of London. KSF musicians spent time working alongside their UK counterparts as part of a professional

study period, with an aim to learn more about international military music and increase KSF musical repertoire. During their

stay they also had an opportunity to play two concerts to the public and military audiences. Sergeant Avni Krasniqi said it was a

“fantastic experience working with great musicians and in such a historical setting of Kneller Hall. The British Army has such a

wonderful history with military music and we have been very lucky to spend this time in the UK”.


Run With KSF Organisers Present a Cheque to the

Municipality of Gjakova

Following the huge success of the “Run with KSF” event, held in Gjakova on the 4th of October, a ceremony was held to present a

cheque for the money raised to help the children of Gjakova who are in the greatest of need. On the 24 th of November, a 4177.00

Euro cheque was presented to the Mayor of the Gjakova Municipality, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, by the organisers of the KSF 10 km run

at a ceremony in the Municipality offices in Gjakova. The money raised will be used to support pre-school children’s education

from disadvantaged families within the Gjakova area. M. Kusari-Lila thanked the KSF for doing a great job in organizing the run and

explained that the money will go to children in need. Lieutenant Manushaqe Nura, 3rd Battalion of the Rapid Reaction Brigade, said

“it was a real honour to be involved with organizing the run and raising the much needed money for the children of Gjakova who

are in need of this kind of additional support”.


KSF Distributes Aid to Kosovo Citizens

During three days in mid-November, the MKSF Department for Civil-Military Cooperation, in conjunction with the US Embassy

Civil-Military Support Element (CMSE) delivered several donated agricultural items and clothing to the villages of Begrace,

Lubishte and Remnik and Kacanik. “The US Embassy’s Civil-Military Support Element has had a long period of cooperation with

the KSF CIMIC department, whom has been one of our strongest partners over the past years. The CIMIC mission is closely

related to that of the Civil Military Support Element, as the mission of both organizations is to support the civilian structure within

Kosovo. Additionally, we are very fortunate that the CIMIC Department was able to provide us with the vehicles necessary to

deliver these items. Without this support, we would have been unable to transport the agricultural equipment and the donated

clothing,” said Peter Preisinger, Team Leader of the CMSE. The donated agricultural items in Remnik, Lubishte, and Begrace

were purchased by the American based NGO, Spirit of America and included pots/jugs for collecting and delivering dairy

products, as well as the specific detergents needed to clean and sanitize this equipment for food safety purposes. The total cost of

these donated items was approximately 2500 Euro. Prior to the donation the CMSE worked with representatives of Women for

Women to determine which specific supplies would be most beneficial to support the women’s agriculture and training

associations in these three communities. The clothing donated in Kacanik was collected from the employees of the US Embassy in

Pristina. Mr. Preisinger pointed out that “by showing their support to these areas, the KSF has demonstrated that even though

these villages may be isolated from the larger cities and towns of Kosovo, they are still an important part of the country as a

whole”.


KSF EOD Respond to Pristina Hospital

On the morning of 30 November, a KSF Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team from the Civil Protection Regiment

responded to call to assist Kosovo Police at Pristina Hospital. Discovered in a roof space above an office in Pristina Hospital Eye

Clinic was a hand grenade. The first floor of the Eye Clinic Building was evacuated and further searches commenced. These

searches of the roof space revealed two hand grenades and fifteen rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. All the ordnance was safely

removed to be disposed of at a later date. The KSF EOD Company have teams on 24/7 standby in Pristina and Prizren ready to

assist civil authorities. They respond on a daily basis to EOD incidents and are widely respected for their dedication, bravery and

professionalism.


UK Remembers the Fallen

On the 8th of November, a large crowd gathered near the Headquarters KFOR at the British Memorial, for the annual act of

Remembrance for United Kingdom and Commonwealth personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice, in the cause of peace.

Since 1999, 14 British service personnel have been killed in Kosovo, on operational duties. The annual act of remembrance takes

place on the 11th November, the day in 1918 when the guns fell silent at the end of World War I, or the Sunday nearest the 11th, as

it happened this year. Her Majesty’s Ambassador, Ruarí O’Connell, Madam President Atifete Jahjaga on behalf of the Kosovo

people, and Major General Guglielmo Miglietta on behalf of KFOR, and the Commander of the KSF, Lieutenant General Rrahman

Rama on behalf of the KSF, all participated in the laying a poppy wreath at the Memorial. The KSF was well represented at this

solemn event with six musicians from the KSF band providing excellent musical accompaniment for the ceremony. There were

also nine Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) graduates in attendance. “I would like to thank everyone who participated,

especially the KSF band who did a splendid job providing the right atmosphere,” said Lieutenant Colonel David Jones, Adviser to

KSF Commander.

Documents

MINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTERMINISTRY FOR THE KOSOVO SECURITY FORCE NEWSLETTER 2015 DECEMBER Chief of the U.S. National Guard Bureau Visits Kosovo On the 24th of