Serb representatives want security force for northern Kosovo

KOSOVSKA MITROVICA - The Serb political representatives in northern Kosovo-Metohija backed on Saturday the Serbian government and president in their demand that a "special security force" be set up in that part of the province.

In response to Pristina's plans to form a so-called Kosovo army, the political representatives of the Serbs in the north of the province said that the ethnic composition of the security force would reflect that of the population in the area and that the force would be a guarantee of safety and security.

"We, the political representatives of the Serbs in northern Kosovo-Metohija, pledge full support to the government and the president of Serbia in their demand that a special security force be established in northern Kosovo-Metohija like the one Pristina has plans to establish, which, however, cannot be present in northern Kosovo-Metohija under the Brussels Agreement," a media statement said.

The statement was signed by the steering team for the community of Serb municipalities, the head of the Kosovska Mitrovica district, the mayors and assembly presidents of North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Zubin Potok and Leposavic, as well as by members of the interim councils of the four municipalities in the north of the province.

The force would be headed by a Serb elected by the community of Serb municipalities, the Serb representatives said.

Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic has said recently that Pristina's announced plans to form an army call for a new annex to the Brussels Agreement, adding that he raised the issue of the so-called Kosovo army with the European Union four months ago.

"They responded that it is a Kosovo defence force, so I asked who they are defending themselves from. I also...