NATO leader says no Kosovo troop reductions planned

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NATO leader says no Kosovo troop reductions planned
By John Vandiver, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, March 6, 2009

STUTTGART, Germany — NATO on Wednesday denied that it is looking at a plan to scale down the size of its 15,000-strong Kosovo peacekeeping force, which also includes a U.S. contingent of roughly 1,500 troops.

"Let me be very clear, those who are speculating on any possible reductions to KFOR (Kosovo Force), including those in uniform, do not speak for NATO on this issue," said NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in a statement. "There is no plan, and certainly no decision for any reductions to KFOR. Any changes will be made on the basis of a political decision by all the allies.

"Such a decision will only be taken if all allies are assured that a possible reduction of KFOR will not jeopardize the safety and security of Kosovo. And that time has not come."

Speculation about a troop reduction began last week when the NATO commander in Kosovo said security conditions have improved to such an extent that scaling back the peacekeeping force was an option to be explored.

"We are thinking we are planning to reduce our strength here," Italian Lt. Gen. Giuseppe Emilio Gay told The Associated Press.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=61147