NATO "concerned" over Thaci's "Kosovo army" plan

NATO is concerned about a proposal to turn Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an armed force without constitutional changes, writes the daily Vecrnje Novosti.

"The secretary general also conveyed this message directly to the Kosovo authorities. He also urged the Kosovo authorities to stay in close contact with Belgrade. NATO's position on this issue has not changed," reads the reply that the Belgrade newspaper received from NATO officials in Brussels.

It was announced earlier from the cabinet of Kosovo President Hashim Thaci that, unless they are able to secure the necessary Serb votes in favor of constitutional amendments, a draft law on the transformation of the KSF into an army would be sent to the Kosovo Assembly.

This draft was also sent to the Assembly in March, but was then withdrawn under pressure from Western countries and NATO.

"We welcome the...