Spahiu: Ulutas was no different from other commanders, I expect KFOR to maintain its credibility

Analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu told Kosovo Online that outgoing KFOR Commander Ozkan Ulutas did not distinguish himself in any way during either his first or second term that would set him significantly apart from other KFOR commanders.

Spahiu recalled KFOR Commander Marcel Valentin, who held the position in 2002 and who, according to him, did something positive for Kosovo society by enabling people to move freely out of the enclaves.

“If, for example, the commander who held the position in 2008 contributed to security, given that Kosovo's independence was declared at the time and it was a very turbulent period, and played a positive role, or if the KFOR commander who held the position in 2004 proved weak because he allowed what happened to take place, meaning he was unable to prevent the events of March 2004, then this KFOR commander was, so to speak, neither more positive nor more negative than the other commanders, or the majority of those who served in Kosovo,” Spahiu said.

Spahiu does not expect anything particularly noteworthy from the new KFOR commander.

“At present, there is nothing on the horizon that could pose a, how should I put it, challenge to the security situation. Nevertheless, I expect KFOR to maintain its credibility, or the reputation it has built in Kosovo, and to remain the most trusted institution in Kosovo,” Spahiu concluded.