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French Forces in KFOR
French soldiers are responsible for one of the most volatile sectors
in Kosovo
Text & Photos by JoMarie Fecci
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French Forces patrol a
North Mitrovica neighborhood.
© JoMarie Fecci |
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| KFOR entered Kosovo on the 12th of
June, tasked with the implementation of UN Resolution 1244. Their
military mission was to create a secure environment that would allow
the local population to return to "normal" life, and to
support reconstruction of the area. |
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"Within a period of ten months, Kosovo
has been radically transformed. When KFOR troops first came in on
June 12, 1999, the streets were deserted, the stores were shut.
It was impossible to get bread. Our first success was the return
of so many refugees in such a short time, and then, the return to
a more normal life," said Bernard Kouchner, UN Secretary-General's
special representative for Kosovo. "The troops are very active
in humanitarian assistance. They rebuild villages, have assisted
with the re-establishment of essential public services such as drinking
water and electricity. Military Engineers have rebuilt bridges and
repaired roads. In short, KFOR is everywhere in Kosovo."
There are currently about 5,200 French
soldiers in Kosovo. Under the KFOR umbrella, they make up the main
part of the Multinational Brigade North (MNB N) contingent, which
also includes troops from Belgium, Denmark, Jordan, Luxembourg,
Morocco, Poland, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates.
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French troops in "Little
Bosnia."
© JoMarie Fecci |
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French battle tanks -- a Dissuasive Force.
In the initial phase of the operation,
when the Serb forces were retreating and the Albanian refugees were
returning, French armored troops with their Leclerc tanks provided
a strong deterrent force. The Leclercs served both an operational
and a psychological role.
"As soon as the tanks arrived, the
guns were silenced," affirmed a French Armor officer. The tanks
never had to fire a round. The presence of the Leclercs at strategic
crossroads stopped the UCK from attacking the retreating Serbs along
the Pec/Mitrovica axis.
After KFOR secured its positions in the
Mitrovica area, the tanks were positioned more discretely -- with
the idea of aiding "normalization" by making the area
seem less like a combat zone with main battle tanks in the streets.
While they remain ready to intervene if
necessary, the tank crews have been able to assist the peace in
other ways. Many of the soldiers have taken part in ACM actions,
including the distribution of aid packages and the rebuilding of
schools.
Security for Mitrovica
According to their mandate, KFOR is supposed
to provide balanced aid and protection to all Kosovars (Albanian,
Serb or other). This mandate has left the French Forces with a very
complicated mission in their sector which includes the divided city
of Mitrovica. A Mechanized Infantry Battalion is tasked with providing
security for the city's inhabitants.
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| The troops work hard to prevent and
contain the periodic explosions of violence, but the mission can only
be accomplished through constant monitoring and a strong presence
in all parts of the city. The Foreign Legion, who guard the bridge
that has come to represent the fault line between the Serb and Albanian
communities in this city, is the most obvious symbol of that "strong
presence." But for much of the population, the simple presence
of "ordinary" French soldiers is just as reassuring. |
| French troops search man
for weapons at entrance to "zone of confidence" in
North Mitrovica. ©
JoMarie Fecci |
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Within the "Zone of Confidence,"
an area heavily guarded by French KFOR, anyone threatening public
peace or order will be removed or prevented from entering the area.
The abundance of checkpoints provides a visible reassurance of security.
Still, the area has remained troubled.
In February, violence -- including a rocket
attack on a busload of refugees and hostile action by snipers --
again broke out between the communities in Mitrovica. The peacekeepers
responded and in the aftermath established a new curfew. With tension
continuing, on 20 February, KFOR began an comprehensive weapons
search operation in several Mitrovica neighborhoods.
The troops started to allow members of
the Albanian community to return to the north of Mitrovica in March,
and the same opportunity was offered to displaced members of the
Serbian community. But on 7 March, near the area known as "Little
Bosnia," violence ripped through the communities once again.
The soldiers of MNB North had to rapidly intervene to bring the
situation under control.
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According to one officer, "It is not
a war but the situation here remains explosive. 'Securing' the city
is a difficult mission because we cannot put a soldier behind each
inhabitant. Our goal is to quickly detect (and defuse) any potentially
dangerous activity that might escalate, while maintaining an effective
deterrent Force."
On the 29th of March, French soldiers inaugurated
a footpath bridge across the Ibar. The bridge was built by MNB North
troops to improve the freedom of movement across the river in a
non-inflammatory way. In fact, there are a total of five bridges
in Mitrovica, three of which may be freely crossed by civilians
from either side.
Keeping Tensions Down
While the specialists of the SRR (Section de
reconnaissance et renseignement) patrol throughout Mitrovica looking
for any movement of "troops" or "troublemakers,"
the "ordinary" soldiers also play an important role in
the intelligence flow. Each company maintains contacts with the
population around their positions -- a fundamental dimension of
this kind of operation, but one that is unfamiliar to many soldiers.
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| French troops built
this footbridge over the Ibar to help ease freedom of movement
(top). This French officer talks with a resident of "Little
Bosnia" (below). ©
JoMarie Fecci |
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In areas such as "little Bosnia,"
where Serbs and Albanians live mixed together, "normal"
disputes between members of different ethnic groups can easily escalate.
The troops on the ground -- often privates or junior NCOs -- are
frequently asked to mediate urgent situations with potentially serious
implications.
One officer explains, "Doing social
work isn't usually part of the soldier's job. But you have to adapt,
and we are in the middle of these communities and so we are often
the only available mediators."
Every French unit has also participated
in humanitarian actions, coordinated by the ACM (Affairs Civile-Militaire).
The ACM units act in close co-operation with international and non
governmental organizations. Every village in the area of operations
has been visited to head off any looming humanitarian emergencies,
and to respond to obvious needs.
The ACM effort currently continues to focus
on the transport of building materials and the distribution of food
and clothing.
Working quickly to build and repair crucial
roads and bridges before the harsh weather set in, French army engineers
helped to make sure that the Kosovars would be able to survive this
past winter. In the spring the engineers began providing support
for UNMIK 's "Village Employment Program" -- which is
intended to repair infrastructure and provide employment for local
populations -- providing a much needed boost to the local economy.
Special
Report: The French in Kosovo
Part II French Forces in Kosovo
French soldiers are responsible for one of the most volatile sectors
in Kosovo. They have successfully carried out a very complex mission
over the past year.
Part I Healing a Divided City
A year after the end of the Kosovo war, French soldiers are working
hard to reunite people across the divided city of Mitrovica.
Part III French Policy in Kosovo
An examination of key trends in French policy during the Kosovo
crisis highlights European efforts to resolve the conflict.
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