Simic: Security of Serbs threatened primarily by actions of Kosovo Police, while KFOR transfers responsibilities to it

Igor Simic, a member of the Presidency of the Serb List, stated that the situation in Kosovo was extremely complex and that the security of Serbs was threatened primarily by the actions of the Kosovo Police, to which KFOR now intends to transfer responsibility for security on the Ibar Bridge in Mitrovica and in the vicinity of the Visoki Decani Monastery, TV Most reported.

"The question is, on the basis of what analyses did KFOR conclude that the situation on the ground is stable and that it is necessary to remove strategic positions both on the main bridge in Kosovska Mitrovica and in front of the Visoki Decani Monastery, particularly when we know that over the past several months the Serbian people have been subjected to terror by the Kosovo Police, which frequently violates the law by assisting, or rather providing physical protection to, those who violate the law and demolish Serbian homes near Gazivode," Simic said.

Simic stated that the fact was that the situation remained extremely complex and security was threatened, primarily by the actions of the very same police force to which KFOR now intends to transfer responsibility for security on the Ibar Bridge and in the vicinity of the Visoki Decani Monastery.

"The Serb List strongly opposes this intention because we believe that the time has absolutely not come for such a step. If it is true that the security situation in northern Kosovo and Metohija has improved to such an extent and that the Kosovo Police are doing their job, then the first thing that should have been done was to remove those World War II-style checkpoints at Bistrica Bridge and Gazivode, thereby demonstrating that there is no need for such places where Serbs traveling with their children from the Serbian municipality of Leposavic to the Serbian municipality of Zvecan or Kosovska Mitrovica are subjected to harassment," Simic said.

He assessed that this would be the way to ease the security situation and that this was what citizens expected, rather than the removal of KFOR personnel from sensitive locations such as the main Ibar Bridge, which had been the scene of clashes and where more than 1,000 incidents had occurred as a result of attacks from the south toward the north.

"The Serb List once again calls on KFOR to respect Resolution 1244 and guarantee security for all citizens, and we interpret that as a guarantee of security for Serbs in this area as well," Simic said.
KFOR announced yesterday that it had begun reducing its permanent presence on the main bridge over the Ibar River, which connects South and North Mitrovica, citing the improved security situation as the reason for the decision.

Kosovo Online addressed the question of why the Carabinieri are withdrawing from the main Ibar Bridge at this particular time in its analysis, "Ibar Bridge and Visoki Decani in KFOR's new 'security architecture' – why are Serbs concerned?"