nato kosovo force (kfor) chronicle #9

8/3/2019 NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) Chronicle #9

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PrProgramogram

Change of CommandChange of Command

CommanderCommander Kosovo ForKosovo Forcece

Sept. 20062

Welcome of the VIPs

Presentation of the troops to the official party by COS

Troops review by COMJFC Naples and COMKFOR

The Band of the 7th Bersaglieri Regiment will play

Speech by the President of Kosovo, Dr. Seidju

Speech by COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto

Speech by COMJFC Admiral Ulrich

Presentation of the NATO Medal to COMKFOR by COMJFC Naples


Posting Colours

Transfer of Authorithies


Departure of the COMJFC Naples

Departure of COMKFOR


Musical recital


Our distinguished guests and honored colleagues are cordially invited to attend

a Reception following the Parade

Film City, 1st of September 2006, 11.00 hrs

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The Kosovo Force (KFOR) is a NATO-led international force responsible for establishing and maintaining securityin Kosovo. This peace-enforcement force entered Kosovo on June 12, 1999 under an United Nations mandate,two days after the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

While continuing to maintain and develop a climate of safety and security, KFOR is also here to support theUnited Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). UNMIK and KFOR work together in promoting the transfer ofincreased responsibility to civil authorities, in order to facilitate the withdrawal from large-scale frameworkoperations in Kosovo.

KFOR contingents are grouped into five multinational Task Forces. Although the Task Forces are responsible for

specific areas of operations, they all fall under the single chain of command of Commander Kosovo Force(COMKFOR). This means that all national contingents pursue the same objective, which is to maintain a safe andsecure environment in Kosovo. They do so with professionalism and in an even-handed manner towards allethnic groups.

KFOR troops come from more than 35 nations - NATO and Non-NATO.

Kosovo ForceKosovo Force

KFORKFOR

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H

QK

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-FILMCITY

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CITY


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A The Band of the 7th Bersaglieri Regiment

B Headquarters Kosovo Force Brigadier General Gilles Fugier, FR

B Headquarters Kosovo Force Brigadier General Michael Aslanidis, GR

C Multinational Task Force North Brigadier General Jean-Jacques Bart, FR

D Multinational Task Force Center Brigadier General Per Lodin, SE

E Multinational Task Force East Brigadier General Darren G. Owens, US

F Multinational Task Force South Brigadier General Lutz Niemann, DE

G Multinational Task Force West Brigadier General Vincenzo Santo, IT

H Multinational Specialized Unit Colonel Domenico Libertini, IT

I Kosovo Tactical Maneuver Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Eduardo Ferrao, PT

J Hungarian Guard and Security Battalion Captain Pl Fejes, HU

K Operational Reserve Force Battalion Lieutenant Colonel Andreas Nehring, DE

Chief of Staff Kosovo Force Brigadier General Albert Bryant, US

Parade OverviewParade Overview

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The Bersaglieri Corps (the nameBersaglieri means "Sharp shooters"),created by Captain Alessandro La

Marmora, was established on June 18,1836.La Marmora intended to form a quick

force of marksmen able to do rapidmovement and accurately fire in closerange, in other words, he wanted to havea quick moving infantry corps at one'sdisposal.The Bersagliei must have a greatresistance to fatigue, in order to do a lotof quick movements, must be a good shotwith the carbina and need to have theintelligence to always stay in the rightplace at the right moment.

The brass band of the Bersaglieri"Fanfara" was established with the 1stCompany Bersaglieri on June 18, 1836.In the organization and during the battle,the trumpeters had a precise position anda definite task: they played during the

march a cheerful and high-spirited musicin order to spur the troops to run fasterand to make a clean sweep of physicaland mental fatigue.The first uniform was black withbrimmed hats, called "vaira". These wereintended to defend the head from sabreblows.La Marmora summarized in a decaloguethe education of a Bersagliere.From their establishment to today, the

Bersaglieri took an active part in the mainfait of arms of the Risorgimento, thecoloniale, World War I and World War II.In the last 50 years the Bersaglieri helpedpeople stuck by natural disasters(Polesine, Vajont, Belice, Friuli, Irpinia

and Umbria).Furthermore, the Bersaglieri units haveserved abroad as Peacekeepers, inLebanon in 1981, in Somalia during theCivil War in 1992, in the Balkans (Bosniaand Kosovo), Afghanistan and Iraq.Also, today the Bersaglieri collar patchesare purple-red "flames". Enlisted troopsstill wear the red fez. Officers wear blackberets with their ordinary uniforms, andthe feathered "vaira" in ceremonialuniform. They also wear black gloves

while other Italian regiments wear whiteones. Each Bersaglieri unit has a bandcalled a "fanfara", who play theirinstruments at the run while on parade.While in the past the mobility of theBersaglieri was helped by their trainingin running and by the aid of bicycles, themodern Corps are mostly mechanized.The 7 Rgt Bersaglieri was established inVerona on January 1, 1871. It fought inNorth Africa in 1887 - 88, in the waragainst Turkey in 1911 -12, in the FirstWorld War, with valour and braverydeserving a Gold Medal for MilitaryValour for the FLONDAR - JAMIANOBattle.

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From 1941 to 1943 theirtroops were deployed inNorth Africa, where theRegiment was destroyedthree times and three times

reorganized, deserving aGold Medal for Military Valour. Inparticular, it contributed to one of themost glorious and sad events of the

Second World War: the El AlameinBattle, 111 Km far from Alexandria,on October 28, 1942, where all theBersaglieri died, except about twentywounded soldiers who were captured,allowing the withdrawal of the Italian- German troops.

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In consequence to the reduction of theRegiments on October 21, 1975, thetradition and the Regimental Coloursare entrusted to the 10 BattalionBersaglieri "BEZZECCA".The "7 Regiment Bersaglieri" wasreorganized in Bari on October 21,1992, in the "PINEROLO" ArmoredBrigade and include the 10 BattalionBersaglieri "BEZZECCA".Recently, the "legendary" 7 Rgt. hasserved in a lot of national operations:"Vespri Siciliani" in Sicily, "Riace" inCalabria, "Salento", in Puglia and"Partenope" in Campania.Furthermore, their troops weredeployed in the Joint GuardianOperation in Albania and in Bosnia-Herzegovina, during the EUFOR"Althea" Operation, led by EuropeanForces.The Regimental Colors was awarded a

Knight Cross of the Italian MilitaryOrder, a Gold Medal, a Silver Medaland two Bronze Medals for MilitaryValour.At the present, the 7 Rgt Bersaglieri isin Bari, at the "Milano" and "Capozzi"barracks. It is composed by a CommandRegiment, a Logistics Company and aBersaglieri Battalion, that is theoperational unit.The Motto of the 7 Rgt Bersaglieri is:"Celiritate ac virtute".

The fanfare of the 7 RegimentBersaglieri was established on October21, 1992. It consists of a 22-piece band,a fanfare director and a conductor. Thefanfare usually plays during a parade ormilitary ceremony, but also in aninternational event like the OpeningCeremony of the "Fiera del Levante"(Levante Exhibition) and the"International Festival of the MilitaryBands".

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Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)

General James JonesGeneral James JonesKFOR CHRONICLE

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General James JonesGeneral James JonesSupreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR)

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Dua t'ju falenderoj pr shrbimin e devotshm dhe lidershipin tuaj gjat misionit si Komandant i Shtabit t Prgjithshm tForcs s Kosovs (KFOR). Energjia, profesionalizmi dhe vizioni juaj mbizotruan gjat tr kohs dhe shrbyen si shembull ishklqyer pr ata t cilt ju i udhhoqt me aftsi. Lidershipi juaj ka qen qensor n zgjidhjen e cshtjeve n lidhje me kufizimetkombtare mbi prdorimin e forcave t tyre n mbshtejte t misioneve t NATO-s. Takti dhe diplomacia juaj kan siguruarq t arrihet nj zgjidhje q ishte e pranueshme pr t gjith.

Transformimi nga katr Brigada Shumkombshe n pes Njsi Vepruese q ju i futt n fuqi, thekshm prmirsoi reagimin eKFOR-it, prmes zvoglimit t shpenzimeve dhe rritjes s efektshmris. Planet emergjente q i zhvilluat dhe koordinimi ingusht me agjencit ndrkombtare t cilin e krkuat ju, mundsuan q KFOR-i t jet i prgatitur optimalisht pr fardoeventualiteti n lidhje me bisedimet mbi statusin e Kosovs. Ju jeni prgjegjs pr bashkveprimin e shklqyeshm i cili ekzistonmes agjencive ndrkombtare, agjencive civile udhheqse dhe forcave ushtarake t NATO-s. Duhet t ndiheni shum krenarpr arritjet e KFOR-it gjat mandatit tuaj.

Ju falemnderit pr profesionalizmin dhe mbshtetjen q m dhat gjat qndrimit tuaj n detyr. Ka qen nder dhe privilegj tpunoj me ju dhe e moj lart miqsin tuaj. Ju jam mirnjohs pr gjith at q keni br pr KFOR-in dhe Aleancn n

rrugtimin ton n shekullin XXI. Ju dshiroj sukses t vazhdueshm dhe shndet t mir tash kur po e nisni kt kapitull t rit jets tuaj.

Me respekt,James L. JonesGjeneral i Trupave t Marins Amerikane

Gjeneral-Lejtnant Giuseppe ValottoKomandantShtabi i Prgjithshm i Forcs s KosovsKosova FilmAPO AE 09340

Zelim da Vam zahvalim na Vasoj posvecenosti sluzbi i vodjenju tokom sluzbovanja na mestu komandanta u Glavnom stabuKFOR-a. Vasa postojana energija, profesionalnost i vizija su sluzile kao sjajan primer onima koje ste tako sposobno predvodili.Takodje je pod Vasim vodjstvom bilo reseno nekoliko prigovora u vezi ucesca u misijama NATO-a. Vas takt i diplomatija uveksu pronalazili resenje prihvatljivo za sve.

Prelazak sa cetiri Multinacionalne brigade na pet Multinacionalnih borbenih grupa na Vasu inicijativu, znatno je popravioefikasnost i spremnost KFOR-a da reaguje, a u isto vreme smanjio troskove. Planovi postupka u slucaju uzbune koje ste razvilii tesna koordinacija sa medjunarodnim agencijama doprineli su najvisem nivou spremnosti KFOR-a da reaguje u svakoj situacijido koje moze doci tokom pregovora o konacnom statusu Kosova. Zasluzni ste za sjajnu sinergiju izmedju medjunarodnih,vodecih civilnih agencija i vojnih snaga NATO-a. Mozete biti veoma ponosni na sve sto ste postigli na Kosovu tokom svoje ture.

Hvala Vam na profesionalnosti i podrsci koju ste mi pruzili za vreme svog mandata. Bila mi je cast i privilegija da saradjujemsa Vama i duboko cenim Vase licno prijateljstvo. Licno sam Vam zahvalan na svemu sto ste uradili, za KFOR i za Savez, doknapredujemo u 21. vek. Zelim Vam uspeh u buducnosti i dobro zdravlje u sledecem poglavlju Vaseg zivota.

Srdacno Vas,

James L. JonesGeneral, Mornarica SAD

General-potpukovnik Giuseppe ValottoKomandantGlavni stab KFOR-aFilmski GradAPO AE 09340

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Commander Joint Force Command Naples (COMJFC)

Admiral HarrAdmiral Harryy GG. Ulrich III. Ulrich IIIKFOR CHRONICLE

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Admiral HarrAdmiral Harryy GG. Ulrich III. Ulrich IIICommander Joint Force Command Naples (COMJFC)

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General-pukovnik Giuseppe Valotto je preuzeo komandu nad KFOR-om prosle godine u kriticnom trenutku u istoriji ovogregiona. Kako mu se duznost blizi kraju, izrazavam iskreno uvazavanje prema njegovim izvanrednim naporima i predanosti udavanju primera za saradnju i toleranciju koje svi treba da sledimo.Tokom svog komandovanja, General-pukovnik Valotto je radio velikodusno sa Specijalnim Predstavnikom GeneralnogSekretara UN i Sefom Misije Ujedinjenih Nacija na Kosovu, gospodinom Sorenom Jesenom Petersenom, na daljoj normalizacijii rekonstrukciji za dobrobit svih gradjana Kosova. Od donacija kompjutera skolama do partnerskog rada kako bi se popravili iponovo izgradili putevi, kao sto je obilaznica kod Mitrovice, on je pazljivo organizovao neprevazidjen program angazovanjakako bi unapredio kvalitet zivota svih stanovnika Kosova, u isto vreme ucvrscujuci veze i uvecavajuci poverenje javnosti.General-pukovnik Valotto se takodje tokom svog mandata bavio pojednako izazovnim zadatkom odrzavanja spremnosti KFOR-

a za bilo koju potencijalnu situaciju koja moze da nastane. U ovu svrhu je zapoceo transformaciju strukture KFOR-a od one satradicionalnim brigadama do one koja se sastoji od agilnih i veoma fleksibilnih borbenih grupa. Dostignuca kao sto su ova surad pouzdanog, profesionalnog vodje koji ispunjava svoje trupe istim kvalitetima i uliva osecaj bezbednosti i nade za buducnostsirom regiona.Dobar vodja postavlja visoki standard i vodi dajuci sopstveni primer, ali on ne moze da ispuni misiju sam. Veoma sam ponosanna rad izuzetnih muskaraca i zena iz redova KFOR-a koji su ostavili svoje porodice i domove da bi se posvetili ovoj veomaznacajnoj misiji. Njihova posvecenost i napori i dalje donose postovanje i kredibilitet prisustva NATO-a na Kosovu, ipartnerstvo koje nastavljaju da sklapaju sa lokalnim gradjanima ce biti osnova trajnog mira i stabilnosti u buducnosti.Uprkos naim skorim uspesima takodje se suocavamo i sa mnogim izazovima. Nastavicemo da nastojimo da izgradimopluralisticko, multietnicko, demokratsko drustvo za Kosovo, te izrazavam toplu dobrodoslicu General-pukovniku RolanduKatheru, za koga znam da ce nastaviti da neguje demokratiju. Njegovo snazno vodjstvo je u skladu sa zahtevima sa kojima cese suociti u predstojecim mesecima. Obecavam svoju punu podrsku njemu i njegovom timu; spremni smo da pomognemo gde

god mozemo.General-pukovnik Valotto sad moze da uziva u satisfakciji koja dolazi sa saznanjem da je obavio tezak posao narocito dobro, izelim mu svaki uspeh u buducnosti. Znam da ga je narod Kosova primio u svoja srca, kao sto je i on primio njih u njegovo. Onodlazi sa naim velikim divljenjem, postovanjem i iskrenim uvazavanjem.

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Gjeneral Lejtnant Giuseppe Valotto morri komandn e KFOR-it vitin e kaluar, n nj periudh kritike pr historin e rajonit. Taniq detyra e tij po prfundon, un shpreh vlersimin tim m t sinqert pr punn e tij t jashtzakonshme dhe dedikimin pr tna ln t gjithve shembuj mbi bashkpunimin dhe tolerancn.

Gjat detyrs si komandant, Gjeneral Lejtnant Valotto punoi me t Drguarin e Posam t Sekretarit Gjeneral dhe shefin emisionit t Kombeve t Bashkuara n Kosov, Zotri Soren Jessen-Petersen, n drejtim t normalizimit dhe rikonstruimit tmtutjeshm pr t mirn e t gjith qytetarve t Kosovs. Duke filluar nga dhurimi i kompjuterve npr shkolla deri tek punae prbashkt n rregullimin dhe rindrtimin e rrugve, si p.sh rruga dytsore n Mitrovic, ai orkestroi nj program t paprecedentt angazhimit pr t prmirsuar kualitetin e jets pr t gjith Kosovart, n t njjtn koh duke forcuar lidhjet dhe duke ngriturbesimin publik.Gjithashtu gjat mandatit t tij, Gjeneral Lejtnant Valotto preku detyra mjaft sfiduese duke ruajtur gatishmrin e KFOR-it nrast t fardo situate t paparashikuar q mund t ndodhte. Pr m tepr, ai udhhoqi transformimin e strukturs s KFOR-it ngakoncepti i brigadave tradicionale n nj koncept t shkatht dhe mjaft fleksibil t njsiteve vepruese. Arritjet e tilla jan pun enj udhheqsi t besueshm profesional i cili i pasuron trupat e tij me t njjtat kualitete dhe ngulit nj sens sigurie dhe shpresepr ardhmri npr tr rajonin.Udhheqsi i mir vendos nj standard t lart dhe udhheq mbi shembullin e tij personal, por ai nuk mund ta arrij misionin i

vetm. Jam shum krenar pr punn e arritur nga meshkujt dhe femrat shembullor t KFOR-it t cilt i kan ln familjet e tyren shtpi pr t'u dedikuar n kt mision shum t rndsishm. Prkushtimi dhe prpjekjet e tyre vazhdimisht kan sjell respektdhe kredibilitet mbi prezencn e NATO-s n Kosov dhe partneriteti q ata vazhdojn ta ojn prpara me qytetart lokal do t

jet baza e nj paqe t qndrueshme dhe stabiliteti n rajon.Pavarsisht nga sukseset tona t kohve t fundit ne gjithashtu prballemi me shum sfida. Ne do t vazhdojm t prpiqemi tndrtojm nj shoqri pluraliste shumetnike n Kosov dhe un shpreh nj mirseardhje t ngroht pr Gjeneral Lejtnant RolandKather pr t cilin e di se do t vazhdoj t mbaj statujn e demokracis. Udhheqja e tij e fort prshtatet mir me krkesat met cilat ai do t ballafaqohet n muajt e ardhshm. Un i jap prkrahjen time t plot atij dhe ekipit t tij si dhe shpreh gatishmrinti ndihmojm kurdo q mundemi.Gjeneral Lejtnant Valotto tani mund t knaqet me njohurin se e ka br nj pun t vshtir n mnyr veanrisht t mir dhei dshiroj do sukses n t ardhme. E di se populli i Kosovs e ka n zemr, njjt sikurse i ka edhe ai ata. Ai largohet me njadmirim t lart nga ne duke e muar sinqerisht.

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President of Kosovo

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DrDr. Fatmir. Fatmir SejdiuSejdiu


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I nderuari Gjeneral-Lejtnant Giuseppe Valotto,

Gjat mandatit tuaj njvjear si Komandant i KFOR-it, Kosova ka kaluar n koh shum te rndsishme me sprova te ndieshme,

t cilat, fal edhe kontributit Tuaj, i kemi kaluar me sukses.Le ta prkujtojme njren prej tyre: vdekjen e Dr. Ibrahim Rugovs, presidentit historik t Kosovs, udhheqsit tepaprsritshm q ka vlersuar prher me notat m t larta luftn e NATO-s pr lirimin e Kosovs dhe punn e KFOR-it nKosovn e lir.Me knaqsi t madhe moj punn shum t vyeshme dhe profesionale q ka br KFOR-i nn udhheqjen Tuaj pr t ofruarsiguri fizike dhe psikologjike pr popullin e Kosovs n kohn kur po prcaktohet statusi I vendit ton n procesin ndrkombetart udhhequr nga Presidenti Marti Ahtisaari.Statusi i Kosovs do t jet, natyrisht, pavarsi dhe sovranitet pr vendin ton, sepse kjo sht zgjidhja parimore, q respektonvullnetin e popullit t Kosovs pr jet t dinjitetshme e t mvetsishme si t gjitha kombet e lira ne bot.

I nderuari Gjeneral,Institucionet demokratike t Kosovs, n krye t t cilave qndroj un si president, mojn punn tuaj dhe gatishmrine pr

bashkpunim n frymn e partneritetit. Pr kt arsye, Ju, Gjeneral Valotto, keni pasur besimin dhe keni gzuar prkrahjen eqytetarve t Kosovs.Me kt rast, n emr t popullit t Kosovs, Ju falnderoj pr bashpunimin Tuaj t fryetshm me Presidencn dhe meinstitucionet e tjera t Kosovs.Gjeneral Valotto, jam i bindur se Ju do te mbeteni nj mik i muar i Kosovs. Presim prkrahjen Tuaj n t ardhmen prKosovn, e cila, si vend i pavarur, me njohje ndrkombtare t pavarsis, synon t integrohet n BE dhe n NATO.Ju dshiroj gjith t mirat n detyrat Tuaja n t ardhmen!

Juaji sinqerisht,

Dr. Fatmir Sejdiu

Presidenti i Kosovs

Dragi generale Valotto,

Tokom Vase jednogodisnje sluzbe na mestu komandanta KFOR-a, Kosovo je prolazilo kroz veoma vazan period i bilo suocenosa mnogim izazovima, sa kojima se, zahvaljujuci Vama, uspesno suocilo.Podsetimo na jedan od tih izazova: smrt dr. Ibrahima Rugove, istorijski znacajnog predsednika Kosova, izvanrednog vodje, koji

je oduvek davao najvise ocene ratu koji je NATO vodio za oslobodjenje Kosova i zalaganje u slobodnom Kosovu.Imam cast da skrenem paznju na veoma vredan i profesionalan rad KFOR-a pod Vasim vodjstvom, na pruzanje psihicke i fizickebezbednosti stanovnicima Kosova u vreme kada se u okviru medjunarodnog procesa pod vodjstvom Predsednika MartijaAhtisarija odlucuje o statusu nase zemlje.Status Kosova ce naravno biti nezavisnost i suverenitet nase zemlje, jer to je principijelno resenje, koje je potpuno u skladu savoljom naroda Kosova, da zive dostojenstveno kao narod koji zasluzuje status nacije, kao i svi drugi narodi na Svetu.

Dragi generale,Demokratske institucije Kosova, koje kao predsednik zemlje predvodim, cene vas rad i spremnost da se zalozite i saradjujete uduhu zajednistva. Iz ovog razloga ste Vi, generale Valotto, uzivali poverenje i podrsku svih gradjana Kosova.Dozvolite mi da iskoristim ovu priliku da Vam u ime ljudi Kosova zahvalim na plodnoj saradnji sa predsednistvom i drugiminstitucijama Kosova.Generale Valotto, uveren sam da cete ostati dragoceni prijatelj Kosova. Kosovo ocekuje Vasu podrsku u buducnosti, kada ce kaonezavisna nacija uzivati medjunarodno priznanje svoje nezavisnosti, sa namerom da se integrise u Evropsku zajednicu i pridruziNATO-u.Zelim Vam sve najbolje u Vasim buducim nastojanjima!

Srdacno Vas,

Dr. Fatmir SejdiuPredsednik Kosova

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President of Kosovo

DrDr. Fatmir. Fatmir SejdiuSejdiu

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Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Kosovar friends

Today, the time has come to leave Kosovo, after having spent one year of my life as Commander of the Kosovo

Force.

Certainly this has been one of the most demanding challenges in my life both as man and soldier, but it was a

challenge which had to be done, a challenge which has paid me back and enriched me.

This assignment, as COMKFOR, has been the most important professional experience in all my long military

career, and I am proud to have successfully accomplished it; it has been a great opportunity to work for the

future of Kosovo.

Since the beginning of my mandate I exercised my role with the main commitment to understand from my "super

partes" position the Kosovar reality in all its components.

Then I tried to correlate all the inputs and information in order to transform KFOR into an efficient military

tool, so to provide the best support to the leaders who were responsible for Kosovo.

First, as the third Italian commander of the Kosovo force, let me thank Italy, my home country.

Through the Minister of Defence, Mr. Arturo Parisi, I want to express to the national authorities my thanks:

I hope that the results have proven their trust was well placed.

Second, I wish to thank my superiors on the NATO chain of command, General Jones and Admiral Ulrich, both

for the large autonomy of decision and for their directives.

They have been for me a clear point of reference during my period of command.

Third, my most sincere thanks to the "twin" authorities of UNMIK, and I am glad to use the expression "twin"

because I think it expresses well the idea that KFOR and UNMIK have always worked and cooperated at all

levels and in all sectors.

Initially, with Mr. Petersen and then with Mr. Schook and Mr. Rucker, I have developed a solid relationship of

esteem and mutual trust.

Without these relations many remarkable steps forward for Kosovo could not have been achieved.

I am referring to the progresses for the setting up of a peaceful Kosovo, multiethnic and oriented toward

European integration, which were also the goals of the provisional institutions of self-government, the third

pillar with UNMIK and KFOR, of the Kosovar society.

In this regard, I am proud of the friendship and of the mutual respect which bind me to all the institutional

leaders: the President Mr. Sejdiu, the President of Assembly Mr. Berisha, the Prime Minister Mr. Ceku

(including their predecessors Mr. Daci and Mr. Kosumi) and KPC Commander General Selimi, to all the

ministries and all the provisional institutions of self government authorities who honoured me with their respectand consideration.

Change of Command SpeechChange of Command Speech

Lt. Gen. Giuseppe ValottoCommander Kosovo Force


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I also want to mention all the civil and religious authorities, the mayors of all the municipalities, the heads of

the scientific institutions who have always been close to me and helped me to understand, even from different

positions, the Kosovar reality.

I have lived with intensity all the events of the Kosovar society, assuring the required support and the necessary

security conditions so to guarantee a fair and impartial development of the activities, especially for the

population of Kosovo.

From my position of impartiality and total commitment, I wish to address a message of deep affection for all

the people of Kosovo, which I have had the chance to deeply know during many visits: "the Kosovars are a

good people, who highly suffered and indeed from these sufferings they have to find the energies to look to the

future, overtaking the contrasts of the past, in order to build a better way, above all for the good of their

children, who are the most precious resource within Kosovo and who have the right to live in a peaceful and

European Kosovo.

But all what I have done, in my role of COMKFOR in order to accomplish my mission and for the support of

the Kosovar people, would have been nothing without the possibility to count on the KFOR, such a brilliant

reality, in all its aspects and levels.

The largest military force currently deployed by the alliance : a total of more than 16.000 soldiers from 35

nations, outstanding soldiers who honour their countries and to whom I express my unconditional professional

respect as commander and my esteem as man.

Due to their daily sacrifice, their high sense of duty and their remarkable professional skills I strongly affirm

that KFOR must be considered as an example for any support operation for peace and international stability.

And today, with these feelings, with legitimate pride I hand over the command of this force to General Kather:

dear Roland, my best wishes for the great challenges ahead and for the paramount events you are about to

undertake.

You can be sure that these soldiers will always support you in the best way: I know them very well and I entrust

them to you.

Finally, let me to conclude, with reverent thoughts for a great man.

One man I was honoured to meet here in Kosovo, who honoured me with his friendship and esteem, a man who

made the history of this land: the late President Ibrahim Rugova.

President Rugova immediately welcomed me with esteem and joy, he opened me the doors of his house and he

supported me in the difficult initial moments; in a short time he made me feel as if Kosovo was my new home.

The opportunity to meet him was an extraordinary experience, which has deeply marked my personality, but

now, in the moment of handing over the command, I firmly state that I feel being a Kosovar like him, and I want

everybody to know what he taught me.

Thanks again for being here,

Viva the Kosovo Force,Good luck to Kosovo and let me blow to Kosovar children a loving kiss.


Sept. 2006


18/44

Mysafir t Nderuar, Zonja dhe Zotrinj, miq t dashur kosovar

Sot ka ardhur koha pr t'u larguar nga Kosova, pasi kalova nj vit t jets sime si komandant i forcs kosovare.

Gjithsesi, kjo ka qen nj ndr sfidat m t mdha n jetn time si njeri dhe si ushtar por ishte nj sfid q duhej

br, nj sfid q m sht paguar prapa dhe prej t cils kam msuar mjaft.

Kjo detyr si komandant i KFOR-it ka qen prvoja profesionale m e rndsishme n karriern time t gjat

ushtarake dhe ndihem krenar q e kam prmbyllur me sukses; Ishte nj shans i madh pr t punuar pr

ardhmrin e Kosovs.

Q nga fillimi i mandatit tim un kam kryer detyrn time m prkushtimin kryesor pr t kuptuar nga pozita

ime e paanshme realitetin kosovar dhe te gjith komponentt e tij.

Gjithashtu jam munduar t lidh s bashku t gjitha udhzimet dhe informatat pr t transformuar KFOR-in n

nj mjet efikas ushtarak, ashtu q t'iu ofrohet prkrahje t gjith liderve q ishin prgjegjs pr Kosovn.

S pari, si komandanti i tret italian i forcs kosovare, me lejoni t falnderoj atdheun tim Italin.

Prmes Ministrit t Mbrojtjes, Z. Arturo Parisi dshiroj t'i shpreh falnderimet e mia autoriteteve kombtare:

Shpresoj se rezultatet kan dshmuar se besimi i tyre ia vleu.

S dyti, dua t falnderoj mbikqyrsit e mi nga zinxhiri i komands s NATO-s, Gjeneralin Jones dhe

Admiralin Ulrich, t'i falnderoj q t dy pr autonomin e gjer t vendim-marrjes dhe pr perkrahjen e tyre te

vadhdueshme .Ata kan qen pr mua nj pik e qart referimi gjat periudhs sime t komandimit.

S treti, falnderimet e mia m t sinqerta pr autoritetet 'binjake' t UNMIK-ut dhe m vjen mir q prdor

shprehjen "binjake' sepse mendoj se prezanton mir iden q KFOR-i dhe UNMIK-u gjithmon kan

bashkpunuar n t gjitha nivelet dhe sektort.

Fillimisht me Z. Petersen dhe pastaj me Zotrinjt Schook dhe Ruecker, un kam zhvilluar nj marrdhnie t

qndrueshme t besimit t dyanshm.

Shum hapa t veant prpara pr Kosovn nuk do t mund t arriheshin pa kto marrdhnie.

Un po i referohem prparimeve pr t krijuar nj Kosov t qet, shumetnike dhe t orientuar kah integrimet

europiane, q gjithashtu ishin edhe qllimet e institucioneve t prkohshme vete-qeverisse, shtylls s tret t

UNMIK-ut, KFOR-it dhe shoqris kosovare.

Lidhur me kt, un jam krenar pr miqsin dhe respektin e dyanshm q m afroi me t gjith udhheqsit

institucional: Presidentin Z. Sejdiu, kryetarin e Kuvendit Z. Berishn, Kryeministrin Z. eku (duke prfshir

edhe paraardhsit e tyre Z. Daci dhe Z. Kosumi) dhe komandantin e TMK-s Gjeneralin Selimi, si dhe me t

gjith ministrat dhe autoritetet e institucioneve t prkohshme vete-qeverisse t cilt m nderuan me respektin

dhe konsideratn e tyre.

Gjithashtu dshiroj t prmend t gjith autoritetet civile dhe fetare, kryetaret t gjitha komunave,

udhheqsit e institucioneve shkencore t cilt kan qen gjithmon afr meje dhe m kan ndihmuar t kuptoj

realitetin kosovar nga pozita t ndryshme.

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Lt. Gen. Giuseppe ValottoCommander Kosovo Force Albanian Language


19/44

I kam prjetuar intensivisht t gjitha ndodhit n shoqrin kosovare duke risiguruar prkrahjen e duhur dhe

kushtet e nevojshme t siguris pr t garantuar nj zhvillim te paanshm dhe t drejt t aktiviteteve,

veanrisht pr popullatn e Kosovs.

Nga pozita ime e paanshmris dhe prkushtimit total, dua t adresoj nj mesazh t thell pr t gjith popullin

e Kosovs, q kam pasur rastin ta njoh thellsisht gjat vizitave te shumta: "Kosovart jan popull i mir q

vuajtn shum. Sidoqoft, nga kto vuajtje ata duhet t gjejn energjit pr t shikuar kah ardhmria duke i

kaluar kontrastet e t kaluars n mnyr q t ndrtojn nj rrug m t mir, mbi t gjitha pr t mirn e

fmijve te tyre t cilt jan burimi qe i vlefshm brenda Kosovs dhe t cilt kan t drejt t jetojn n nj

Kosov t qet europiane.

Sidoqoft, e gjitha q kam br n rolin e komandantit t KFOR-it pr t kryer misionin tim dhe pr t

prkrahur njerzit e Kosovs, do t ishte asgj pa mundsin q mund t mbshtetesh n KFOR, nj realitet aq

brilant n t gjitha aspektet dhe nivelet.

Aktualisht forca me e madhe ushtarake drguar nga Aleanca: m shum se 16,000 ushtar nga 35 kombe,

ushtar t shklqyer t cilt nderojn vendet e tyre dhe t cilve iu shpreh respektin tim profesional t

pakushtzuar si komandant dhe vlersimin e lart si njeri.

Duke pas parasysh sakrificn e tyre ditore, ndjenjn e lart pr detyr dhe aftsit e shklqyera profesionale,

un fuqimisht besoj se KFOR-i mund t konsiderohet si nj shembull pr fardo operacione mbshtetse pr

paqe dhe stabilitet ndrkombtar.

Kshtu q sot, me kto ndjenja dhe kt krenari humane un i dorzoj komandn e ksaj force Gjeneralit

Kather: I dashuri Roland, dshirat e mia m t mira pr sfidat e mdha prpara dhe pr ndodhit jetike qe dot'i ndrmarrsh.

Mund t jesh i sigurt se kta ushtar do t t prkrahin gjithmon n mnyrn m t mir: Un i njoh ata shum

mir dhe t'i besoj ty.

Prfundimisht me lejoni t them disa fjal plot respekt pr nj njeri t madh:

Kam pasur nderin t takoj nj njeri n Kosov i cili me nderoi me me miqsin dhe afrsin e tij, nj njeri i cili

e krijoi historin e ktij vendi: Presidentin e ndjer Ibrahim Rugova.

Presidenti Rugova menjher m pranoi me nder dhe knaqsi, i hapi dyert e shtpis s tij pr mua duke me

prkrahur n momentet e vshtira t fillimit; Brenda nj kohe t shkurt ai m shtyri t ndjej se Kosova ishte

shtpia ime e re.

Mundsia pr ta takuar ishte nj prvoje e jashtzakonshme q ka prekur thellsisht personalitetin tim, por tani

n momentin e dorzimit t komands, vendosmrisht them se ndihem kosovar sikurse ai dhe dua q t gjith

t din se ka m msoi ai mua.

Faleminderit edhe nj her q ishit ktu dhe me pai fat

Rroft Forca Kosovare

Fat t mbar Kosovs dhe me lejoni t dhuroj nj puthje t ngroht pr fmijt Kosovar.

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20/44

Uvazeni Gosti, Dame i Gospodo, dragi prijatelji sa Kosova

Danas je stigao trenutak da napustim Kosovo nakon godinu dana provedenih ovde na mestu komandantaKosovskih Snaga.

Ovo je svakako bio jedan od najvecih izazova u zivotu za mene kao coveka i kao vojnika. Medjutim, bio je to

izazov koji se morao prihvatiti, izazov koji se isplatio i obogatio me.

Zadatak komandanta KFOR-a bio je najvaznije profesionalno iskustvo u mojoj dugoj vojnoj karijeri i ponosim

se sto sam ga uspesno obavio. Bila je to odlicna prilika za rad na boljoj buducnosti Kosova.

Od pocetka svog mandata bio sam posvecen svojoj ulozi da iz svoje "super partes" pozicije razumem sve

komponente stvarnosti Kosova.

Zatim sam pokusao da povezem sve informacije koje sam dobijao kako bih pretvorio KFOR u efikasno vojno

orudje, da kao takav pruzi najbolju podrsku vodjama odgovornim za Kosovo.

Za pocetak zelim da, kao treci italijanski komandant Kosovskih Snaga, zahvalim svojoj rodnoj Italiji.

Preko ministra odbrane, gospodina Artura Parizija, zelim da iskazem svoju zahvalnost drzavnim vlastima:

nadam se da su rezultati opravdali njihovo poverenje.

Drugo, zelim da zahvalim svojim nadredjenima u lancu komande NATO-a, generalu Dzonsu i generalu Ulrihu,

kako za veliku autonomiju u donosenju odluka tako i za njihovu stalnu podrsku.

Za mene su oni bili jasni vodici tokom mog sluzbovanja na mestu komandanta.

Trece, najiskrenije zahvaljujem UNMIK vlastima - "blizancima". Drago mi je sto sam upotrebio izraz

"blizanci", jer mislim da docarava ideju da su KFOR i UNMIK uvek saradjivali zajedno na svim nivoima i u

svim sektorima.

U pocetku sa gospodinom Petersenom, a potom sa gospodom Sukom i Rikerom, sam razvio odnos pun

postovanja i uzajamnog poverenja.

Bez takvih odnosa, Kosovo ne bi napravilo mnoge izvanredne korake napred.

Mislim na napredak ka uspostavljanju mirnog, bezbednog i multietnicnog Kosova okrenutog ka evropskoj

integraciji, sto su takodje ciljevi privremenih institucija samouprave, treceg stuba drustva Kosova sa UNMIK-

om i KFOR-om.

U tom pogledu se ponosim prijateljstvom i uzajamnim postovanjem koji me vezuju sa svim vodjama institucija:

predsednikom gospodinom Sejdiuom, predsednikom Skupstine gospodinom Berisom, Premijerom gospodinom

Cekuom (zajedno sa njihovim prethodnicima gospodom Dacijem i Kosumijem), komandantom KZK generalom

Selimijem i svim ministrima i vlastima privremenih institucija samouprave koji su mi ukazali cast svojim

postovanjem i uvazavanjem.

Takodje zelim da spomenem sve civilne i verske vlasti, gradonacelnike svih opstina, nacelnike naucnih

institucija, koji su mi uvek bili bliski i pomagali mi da razumem stvarnost Kosova iz razlicitih uglova.

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Lt. Gen. Giuseppe ValottoCommander Kosovo Force Serbian Language


21/44

Burno sam prezivljavao sve drustvene dogadjaje na Kosovu, obezbedjujuci potrebnu podrsku i neophodne

bezbednosne uslove, da bih mogao da garantujem pravedan i nepristrasan razvoj aktivnosti, narocito za

stanovnike Kosova.

Kao nepristrasan i potpuno posvecen, zelim da izrazim najdublja osecanja za sve ljude Kosova, koje sam imao

priliku da dobro upoznam prilikom brojnih poseta: stanovnici Kosova su dobri ljudi koji su dosta propatili, a

iz te patnje oni moraju da skupe snagu da se okrenu ka svojoj buducnosti, da prevazidju razlike iz proslosti da

bi izgradili bolji put, pre svega za dobrobit svoje dece, koja su najvrednije blago Kosova i koja imaju pravo da

zive u mirnom i evropskom Kosovu.

Medjutim, sve sto sam uradio kao komandant KFOR-a da bih ispunio svoju misiju i pruzio podrsku ljudima

Kosova ne bi bilo moguce bez sjajne podrske KFOR-a, u svim svojim aspektima i na svim nivoima.

Trenutno najveca angazovana vojna sila Saveza broji 16 000 vojnika iz 35 nacija, odlicnih vojnika koji postuju

svoje zemlje i kojima izrazavam svoje bezuslovno profesionalno postovanje kao komandant i veliko uvazavanje

kao covek.

Zbog njihovog svakodnevnog zrtvovanja, smisla za duznost i sjajnih profesionalnih vestina, mogu da potvrdim

da KFOR mora da sluzi kao primer svim operacijama podrske i uspostavljanja mira i medjunarodne

stabilnosti.

Danas, sa svim tim osecanjima i zasluzenim ponosom, predajem komandu nad ovim snagama generalu Kateru:

dragi Rolande, moje najbolje zelje za velike izazove koji predstoje i za najznacajnije poduhvate koje cete

preduzeti.

Mozete biti uvereni da ce Vas ovi vojnici uvek podrzavati na najbolji nacin jer ih dobro znam i sada ih

poveravam Vama.

Na kraju mi dozvolite da zakljucim recima postovanja prema jednom velikom coveku.

Coveku koga sam imao cast da upoznam ovde na Kosovu, koji mi je ukazao cast svojim prijateljstvom i

postovanjem, koji je izgradio istoriju ove zemlje: pokojnom predsedniku Ibrahimu Rugovi.

Predsednik Rugova me je odmah docekao sa postovanjem i radoscu, otvorio mi je vrata svoje kuce

podrzavajuci me u pocetku dok mi je bilo tesko i za kratko vreme sam se osecao kao da je Kosovo moj dom.

Prilika da ga upoznam bila je jedinstveno iskustvo, koje je ostavilo dubok trag u mojoj licnosti, ali sada, u

trenutku predaje komande, pouzdano tvrdim da se osecam stanovnikom Kosova kao on i zelim da svi znaju to

sto me je naucio.

Hvala Vam jos jednom na prisustvu

Zivele Kosovske Snage

Zelim srecu Kosovu i dozvolite mi da posaljem poljubac svoj deci Kosova.

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Lieutenant General Giuseppe Valotto was born in 1946 in Venice(Italy). He attended the Italian Military Academy in Modena and wascommissioned a Second Lieutenant of Cavalry in 1968. Followingtwo years of specialisation training in Turin, he was assigned as a FirstLieutenant to the 132nd "Ariete" Tank Regiment and latercommanded a tank company in the 13th "M.O. Pascucci" TankBattalion of the 182nd "Garibaldi" Armoured Regiment. Before andafter company command, he served at the Military Academy as a

Cadet Platoon Commander, later Company Commander, Teacher andStaff Officer in the Office of Doctrine and Research.

Following the Basic and Advanced Courses of the Italian ArmyGeneral Staff College (1980-81; 1984-85), he served with the ItalianArmy General Staff - G1 Division (1985-1987). Other staffassignments include ACOS G1 and ACOS G3 (1989-1992) of IIIItalian Corps in Milan and Chief of the General Staff Office of theGeneral Secretary in the Ministry of Defence (1993-1997).

Lieutenant General Valotto's command experience includes Commander of the 20th Tank Battalion "M.O.Pentimalli" in Legnano (1987-1989), Commander of the Turin Military District (1991-1992), Commander ofthe 132nd "Ariete" Armoured Brigade (March 1997- July 1999), during which he was assumed Command ofthe Multinational Brigade North in Sarajevo (October 1998-April 1999), Commander of the Italian MilitaryAcademy (1999-2001), Deputy Commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Rheindahlen (GERMANY),from 31 July 2001 to 16 July 2004.He has been Head of the Personnel Department of the Army General Staff in Rome (24 July 2004 - 30 August2005). He has been the 10th COMKFOR since the 1st September 2005.

Lieutenant General Valotto's decorations include the Gold and Silver Cross for Long Service, the "Mauriziana"

Medal, Officer of the Italian Republic Military Order, Silver Medal for Long period of Command, theCommemoration Medal for the Assistance provided after the Friuli Earthquake (1976), the Italian Army BronzeMedal for Valor, the Gold Medal of the French National Defence for the Operations in Bosnia, the MeritoriousFirst Class Medal of Portuguese Army, the UN Medal for Serving in Kosovo, the NATO Medal for Operationsin the Former Yugoslavia, and the Commemorative Cross for Peace Missions Abroad.In 2003 he was conferred with the title of "COMMENDATORE" by the President of Italian Republic(Ceremony 14 Feb 03).

He holds a University Degree in Strategic Sciences and is married to the former Mara Bevilacqua. They havetwo sons and a daughter: Marco (Lawyer), Barbara (Architect), Massimo (Economist).

CV

Lt. Gen.Lt. Gen. GiuseppeGiuseppe VValottoalottoCommander Kosovo Force


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Biografia e Gjeneral Lejtnant Giuseppe Valotto

Gjeneral Lejtnant Giuseppe Valotto u lind m 1946 n Venedik (Itali). Ai kreu Akademin Ushtarake Italiane n Modena dhe m1968 u emrua Lejtnant i Dyt i Kalorsis. Pas dy vjetsh trajnimi t specializuar n Torino, atij iu dha detyra e Lejtnantit tPar t Regjimentit Tankist 132 "Ariete", ndrsa m von komandoi nj kompani tankiste n Batalionin Tankist 13 "M.O.Pascucci" t Regjimentit t Blinduar 182 "Garibaldi".Para dhe pas detyrs s komandantit t kompanis, ai shrbeu n Akademin Ushtarake si Kadet Komandant i Togs, m vonsi Komandant i Kompanis, Msues dhe si Oficer i Shtabit n Zyrn pr Doktrin dhe Krkime.Pas nj numri kursesh themelore dhe t avansuara n Kolexhin e Pergjithsm Ushtarak t Ushtris Italiane (1980-81; 1984-85),ai shrbeu me Divizionin e Prgjithshm G1 t Ushtris Italiane (1985-1987). Detyrat tjera n shtab prfshijn ACOS G1 dheACOS G3 (1989-1992) t Trups s III-t Italiane n Milano dhe detyrn si Shef i Zyrs s Shtabit t Prgjithshm t Sekretaritt Prgjithshm n Minisitrin e Mbrojtjes (1993-1997).Eksperienca e Gjeneral Lejtnant Giuseppe Valottos prfshin detyrat n rol t Komandantit t Batalionit t 20-t Tankist "M.O.Pentimalli" n Legnano (1987-1989), pastaj si Komandant i Qarkut Ushtarak t Torinos (1991-1992), Komandant i Brigads sBlinduar 132 "Ariete" (March 1997- July 1999) ku gjat ksaj koh shrbeu si Komandant i Brigads Shumkombshe Veri nSarajev (Tetor 1998-Prill 1999), si Komandant i Akademis Ushtarake Italiane (1999-2001), dhe nga 31 Korriku 2001 deri m

16 Korrik 2004 si Zvends Komandant i Trups s Bashkuar pr Reagim t Shpejt n Rheindahlen (Gjermani).Q nga 24 Korriku 2004 deri m 30 Gusht 2005, ai ka qen Kryesues i Departamentit t Personelit t Shtabit t PergjithshmUshtarak n Rom.Dekorimet e Gjeneral Lejtnat Giuseppe Valottos prfshijn Kryqin e Art dhe t Argjendt pr shrbim t gjat, Medaljen"Mauriziana", mimin pr Oficer t Republiks italiane, Medaljen e Argjendt pr periudhn e gjat komanduese, MedaljenPrkujtimore pr ndihmn e ofruar pas trmetit Friuli (1976), Medaljen e Bronzt t ushtris italiane pr trimri, Medaljen e Artt mbrojtjes kombtare franceze pr operacionet n Bosnj, Medaljen e Merituar t klass s par t ushtris portugeze, Medaljene UN-it pr shrbim n Kosov, Medaljen e NATO-s pr operacionet n ish-Jugosllavi si dhe Kryqin Prkujtimor pr misionete paqes jasht vendit.M 2003 ai u mua me titullin "COMMENDATORE" nga Presidenti i Republiks Italiane (ceremonia u mbajt m 14 Shkurt2003).Ai ka diplomn univerzitare n Shkencat Strategjike dhe sht i martuar me Mara Bevilacqua.

Ata kan dy djem dhe nj vajz: Marcon (Avokat), Barbarn (Arkitekte) dhe Massimon (Ekonomist).

Biografija General-pukovnika Giuseppe Valotto

General-pukovnik Djuzepe Valotto je rodjen 1946. godine u Veneciji, Italija. Pohadjao je italijansku Vojnu Akademiju u Modenii dodeljen mu je cin potporucnika u Mehanizovanim jedinicama 1968. godine. Nakon dve godine specijalisticke obuke u Turinudodeljen je 132. Tenkovskom Puku "Ariete" kao porucnik, a kasnije je komandovao tenkovskom cetom u 13. TenkovskomBataljonu "M.O. Pascucci" 182. Oklopnog Puka "Garibaldi". Pre nego sto je bio komandir cete i nakon toga, sluzio je na VojnojAkademiji kao Komandant Voda Kadeta, kasnije Komandant Cete, Nastavnik i Stabni Oficir u Odeljenju za Doktrinu iIstrazivanje.Nakon Osnovnog i Viseg Kursa Koledza Italijanske Vojske za Generalstab (1980-81; 1984-85), sluzio je u Generalstabu Vojske

Italije - u odseku G1 (1985-1987). Druge stabne duznosti ukljucuju: Pomocnik Nacelnika Staba ACOS G1 i ACOS G3 (1989-1992) Treceg Italijanskog Korpusa u Milanu i duznost Nacelnika Generalstaba Kancelarije Generalnog Sekretara u MinistarstvuOdbrane (1993-1997).Komandno iskustvo General-pukovnika Valotto ukljucuje: Komandant 20. Tenkovskog Bataljona "M.O. Pentimalli" u Lenjanu(1987-1989), Komandant Armijske Oblasti Turina (1991-1992), Komandant 132. Oklopne Brigade "Ariete" (mart 1997-jul1999), a tokom ovog perioda je preuzeo komandu nad Multinacionalnom Brigadom Sever u Sarajevu (oktobar 1998-april 1999),Komandant italijanske Vojne Akademije (1999-2001), Zamenik Komandanta Zdruzenog Korpusa za Brze Reakcije uRajndalenu (Rheindahlen), Nemacka od 31. jula 2001. do 16. jula 2004. Od 24. jula 2004 do 30. avgusta 2005. nalazi se namestu Sefa Personala Generalstaba Vojske u Rimu.General-potpukovnik Valotto ima sledeca odlikovanja: Zlatni i Srebrni Krst za Dugu Sluzbu, Medalju "Mauriziana", OficirVojnog Reda Republike Italije, Srebrnu Medalju za Dugu Sluzbu, Komemorativnu medalju za pomoc pruzenu posle zemljotresau Frijuliju 1976. godine, Bronzanu medalju za hrabrost Vojske Italije, Zlatnu medalju Drzavne odbrane Francuske za operacijeu Bosni, Pocasnu medalju Prve klase Vojske Portugalije, UN medalju za sluzenje na Kosovu, NATO medalju za operacije nateritoriji bivse Jugoslavije i Komemorativni Krst za mirovne misije u inostranstvu2003. godine Predsednik Republike Italije mu

je dodelio titulu "COMMENDATORE" (ceremonija je odrzana 14. februara 2003).Zavrsio je Fakultet Strateskih nauka i ozenjen je Marom Bevilakva (Mara Bevilacqua). Imaju dva sina i kcerku: Marka(advokat), Barbaru (arhitekta), i Masima (ekonomista).

Albanian Language

Serbian Language

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Lt. Gen. Roland Kather was born on May 17th, 1949 inBennemuehlen, which is located near Hannover. He enlisted in theBundeswehr in 1968 as a volunteer at Eutin with the 6th ArmoredReconnaissance Battalion.

After Officer training, his assignments as platoon leader and officer

within the headquarter staff, Kather was a company commanderwithin the 6th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Eutin till 1979.

From 1979 till 1981 Kather attended General Staff training at theBundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg (22ndGeneral Staff Course), followed by the assignment as G4 staffofficer with the 18th Armored Brigade at Neumnster.

From 1983 till 1984 he attended the Spanish Armed Forces GeneralStaff Academy in Madrid. After returning back to Germany, Katherbecame Branch Chief within the MOD Army Staff, OrganizationBranch in Bonn. Followed by G3 Plans within the Supreme AlliedHeadquarters of NATO Forces in Europe (SHAPE) at Mons /Belgium till 1989.

Kather became Battalion Commander 6th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in Eutin from 1989 till 1991 and assignedwithin the MOD Army Staff as Branch chief and staff officer to the Chief of Staff Armed Forces Staff in Bonn. In 1995he became Chief of Staff Military District Command III / 7th Armored Division in Dsseldorf.

In April 1996 Kather became Chief of Staff IFOR, German contingent at Trogir / Croatia till August 1996. In 1997 hebecame Deputy Commander of the Bundeswehr Command and Operations Center within MOD, Bonn. In 1999 Kathertook over the Command of the 42nd Armored Brigade "Brandenburg" in Potsdam.

In December 1999 till June 2000 Kather became Commander Multinational Brigade South and Commander GermanContingent in Theater in Prizren / Kosovo. After an assignment as Chief of Staff German Army Forces Command inKoblenz in February 2001, Kather became Commander of the 13th Mechanized Infantry Division in Leipzig inSeptember 2003. From September 1st 2006 until the end of August 2007 Kather was assigned as Commander KFOR inPristina / Kosovo.

Lieutenant General Roland Kather is married to Christiane.

CV

Lt. Gen.Lt. Gen. Roland KatherRoland KatherCommander Kosovo Force from September 1, 2006

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Lt. Gen.Lt. Gen. Roland KatherRoland KatherCommander Kosovo Force from September 1, 2006

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Biografia e Gjeneral Lejtnand Roland Kather

Gjeneral Lejtnant Roland Kather u lind m 17 maj t vitit 1949 n Bennemuehlen, afr Hannover-it. Ai iu bashkangjit

Bundeswehr-it n vitin 1968 si vullnetar n Eutin, Batalioni i 6-t i Blinduar i Zbulimit.

Pas kursit pr oficer, emrimit si udhheqs togu dhe oficer n kuadr t shtabit t prgjithshm, Kather u emrua komandantkompanie n rradht e Batalionit t 6-t t Blinduar t Zbulimit n Eutin deri n vitin 1979.Prej vitit 1979 deri n vitin 1981, Kather vijoi kursin pr oficer t stafit n Komandn e Bundeswehr-it dhe Kolegjin Ushtarakn Hamburg (Kursi i 22-t i Stafit t Prgjithshm), gj q u shoqrua me emrimin e tij si oficer shtabor n G-4, n Brigadne 18-t t Blinduar n Neumnster.Prej vitit 1983 deri n vitin 1984, ai vijoi Akademin e Stafit t Prgjithshm t Forcave t Armatosura Spanjolle n Madrid. Met'u kthyer n Gjermani, Kather u emrua Shef i Sektorit n Ministrin e Mbrojtjes t Shtabit t Armats, Dega organizative nBon, e m pastaj n Sektorin e Planifikimit t G-3 n Shtabin Suprem t Forcave t Prbashkta t NATO-s pr Evrop (SHAPE)n Mons, Belgjik, ku qndroi deri n vitin 1989.Prej vitit 1989 deri n vitin 1991, Kather u emrua Komandant i Batalionit t 6-t t Blinduar pr Zbulim n Eutin dhe u caktua

n kuadr t Ministris s Mbrojtjes t Shtabit t Armats si Shef i Sektorit dhe oficer shtabor i Shefit t Shtabit t Forcave tArmatosura n Bon. N vitin 1995, ai u emrua Shef i Shtabit i Komands s Qarkut t III-t Ushtarak, Divizioni i 7-t iArmatosur n Dsseldorf.N prill t vitit 1996, Kather u emrua Shef i Shtabit i IFOR-it, kontigjenti gjerman n Trogir, Kroaci, deri n gusht t vitit 1996.N vitin 1997 ai u b Zvends Komandant i Komands s Bundeswehr-it dhe Qendrs Operative brenda Ministris s Mbrojtjesn Bon. N vitin 1999, Kather mori prsipr Komandn e Brigads s 42-t t Blinduar "Brandenburg" n Potsdam.Prej dhjetorit t vitit 1999 deri n qershor t vitit 2000, Kather u emrua Komandant i Brigads Shumkombshe - Jug dheKomandant i Kontigjentit Gjerman n rajon, n Prizren, Kosov. Pas caktimit n detyrn e Shefit t Shtabit t Komands sForcave t Armatosura Gjermane n Koblenz, n shkurt t vitit 2001, Kather u b Komandant i Divizionit t 13-t t Mekanizuart Kmbsoris n Leipzig, n shtator t vitit 2003. Prej 1 shtatorit 2006 e deri n fund t gushtit 2007, Kather emrohetKomandant i KFOR-it n Prishtin, Kosov.Gjeneral Lejtnant Roland Kather sht i martuar me Christiane.

Biografija General-potpukovnika Roland Kathera

General-potpukovnik Roland Kather rodjen je 17. maja 1949. godine u Bennemhlen-u, blizu Hannover-a. U nemacku armijuje stupio 1968. godine, gde je sluzio u 6. oklopnom bataljonu za osmatranje i obavestavanje u Eutin-u.

Posle oficirske obuke, bio je vodnik i oficir u istom bataljonu, pa komandant cete u okviru 6. oklopnog izvidjackog bataljona uEutin-u sve do 1979.Akademiju federalnih oruzanih snaga (Generalstabsausbildung) u Hamburgu je pohadjao od 1979. do 1981. (22. kursgeneralstaba), a potom je rasporedjen na mesto stabnog oficira G4 18. tenkovske brigade u Neumnster-u.Godine 1983/1984 pohadja stabni kurs spanskih oruzanih snaga u Madridu, a potom biva rasporedjen u Odsek za organizacijunemacke vojske u Bonu a zatim u Mons, u Belgiju, u sediste NATO za Evropu (SHAPE), kao oficir u G3 odeljenju za planiranje.gde je radio do 1989.

Karther je bio komandant 6. oklopnog izvidjackog bataljona u Eutin-u od 1989. do 1991. i dodoljen je Generalstabu nemackevojske u Bonn-u, gde je bio stabni oficir nacelnika Generalstaba. 1995. postao je nacelnik staba komande trece vojne oblasti 7.tenkovske divizije u Duesseldorf-u.

Aprila 1996. Kather je postao nacelnik staba IFOR-a, nemackog kontingenta u Trogiru, Hrvatska, do avgusta 1996. 1997. postaoje Zamenik sefa komandnog centra nemackih oruzanih snaga pri Ministarstvu odbrane Nemacke u Bonu. 1999. Kather je postaoKomandant 42.tenkovske brigade "Brandenburg" u Postdam-u.

Od decembra 1999. do juna 2000. Kather je bio komandant Multinacionalne brigade Jug i komandant Nemackog kontingentaKFOR-a u Prizrenu, Kosovo. Posle toga postaje nacelnik staba oruzanih snaga Nemacke u Koblenzu februara 2001. Kather jepostao komandant 13. mehanizovane pesadijske divizije u Lajpcigu septembra 2003. Od 1. septembra 2006. do kraja avgusta2007. Kather ce biti mestu komandanta KFOR-a u Pristini/Kosovo.General-potpukovnik Roland Kather je ozenjen sa Christiane.

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Lt. Gen. Roland KatherLt. Gen. Roland Kather

The mission will be new forGerman Lt. Gen. Roland Katherwhen he takes over command ofthe Kosovo Force consisting of35 nations, but he is already veryfamiliar with the sphere.

It's the third time that GeneralKather, who commanded the13th Mechanized Infantry Divi-

sion, deployed in Leipzig fromSeptember 2003 to August 2006,is in Kosovo and making acontribution toward stabilizingpeace in the region and helpingpeople.

He hopes he can continue wherehe started as commander ofMNTF South in Prizren. Heknows some of the projects at

that time, which were planned tobring a better life and a securefuture to the people of Kosovo, fell victim to the riots in March 2004. His main objective as COMKFOR is tomaintain a secure and stable environment, which should enable the politicians of all parties to find a sustainablesolution for the future of Kosovo and their population in the foreseeable future.

"I would like to continue the good job of my predecessors and I will use all my power and experience so all thepeople of this region are able to look at a future full of trust and hope. For this reason I can rely on the militarycontingents of 35 nations, which make up KFOR and be a guarantor for peace and stability. I'm absolutelyconvinced that a peaceful future and development of this country is only reachable and possible with a strongwill and the participation of all inhabitants.

To enable this, we are here and we will work toward our motto, which I have chosen for the time as COMKFOR:Shaping the future!

I look forward to an interesting time and a good cooperation with all who are working on a fortunate future forKosovo.

Shaping the future!Shaping the future!

First Comments of the Incoming COMKFORFirst Comments of the Incoming COMKFOR


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Komentet e para t Komandantit t ardhshm t KFOR-it Gjeneral Lejtnant Roland Kather

Ky do t jet nj mision i ri pr Gjeneral Lejtnant Roland Kather, me 'rast ai do t marr komandn e Forcs s Kosovs, t

prbr prej 35 kombeve dhe mund t themi se ai tashm sht i njohur shum mir me kt sfer.

sht hera e tret q Gjenerali Kather, i cili ka komanduar Divizionin e Mekanizuar t Kmbsoris, n Leipzig, prej shtatorit2003,deri m shtator 2006, vjen n Kosov pr t dhn nj kontribut t cmuar drejt stabilizimit t paqes n rajon dhe pr t'indihmuar popullit.

Ai shpreson se mund t vazhdoj aty ku filloi si Komandant i Forcs Operative t Jugut n Pizren. Ai sht n dijeni t disaprojekteve t asaj kohe t cilat u planifikuan pr t sjell nj jet m t mir dhe nj t ardhme t sigurt pr popullin e Kosovs,dhe ra viktim e trazirave t tetorit 2004. Detyra e tij kryesore si Komandant i KFOR-it jan pr t ofruar nj ambient t sigurtdhe stabil, i cili do t'u mundsonte politikanve t t gjitha partive n gjetjen e nj zgjidhjeje t qndrueshme pr t ardhmen eKosovs si dhe pr t ndihmuar popullatn n t ardhmen.

"Un dshiroj t vazhdoj punn e mir t paraardhsit tim dhe do t prdor tr fuqin dhe prvojn time ashtu q i gjith popullii rajonit t jet n gjendje t shikoj kah e ardhmja me shum besim dhe shpres. Pr kt arsye un mund t mbshtetem tekkontigjentet ushtarake t 35 kombeve t cilat e prbjn forcn e KFOR-it t cilt jan garantues t paqes dhe stabilitetit. Un

jam thellsisht i bindur se nj e ardhme paqsore dhe zhvillimi i ktij vendi sht i arritshm dhe i mundur vetm me nj vullnett fort dhe me pjesmarrjen e t gjith qytetarve.

Pr ta mundsuar kt ne jemi ktu dhe do t punojm drejt mottos ton t ciln ksaj here si Komandant i KFOR e kanzgjedhur t jet si vijon: "T'i japim form s ardhmes."

Me padurim pres t filloj misionin tim n kt koh q sht shum fundamatale ashtu siq e pres me padurim bashkpuniminme t gjith ata t cilt jan duke punuar pr nj t ardhme fatlume pr Kosovn.

Prvi komentari dolazecim Komandantom KFOR-a, General-pukovnikom Roland Kathera

Preuzimanje komande nad KFOR-om u ciji sastav ulazi 35 nacija bice nova misija za nemackog General-potpukovnika RolandaKathera, ali on vec ima iskustva u toj oblasti.

General Kather, koji je komandovao 13. mehanizovanom pesadijskom divizijom u Lajpcigu od septembra 2003. do avgusta2006 po treci put dolazi na Kosovo, dajuci doprinos uspostavljanju mira i stabilnosti u regionu i pomazuci ljudima.

On sa nada da moze da nastavi tamo gde je poceo kao komandant MNBG-Jug u Prizrenu. Poznato mu je da su neki od projekatazapoceti u to vreme propali zbog nemira u martu 2004. Njegov osnovni cilj je da, kao komandant KFOR-a, ocuva sigurnost istabilnost, sto bi trebalo da omoguci politicarima raznih strana da nadju odrzivo resenje za buducnost Kosova i njegovogstanovnistva u skoroj buducnosti.

"Zeleo bih da nastavim dobar posao svojih prethodnika i upotrebicu svu svoju moc i iskustvo da bi svi ljudi ovog regiona moglida gledaju ka buducnosti ispunjenoj nadom i poverenjem. Zato se mogu osloniti na vojni kontingent koji se sastoji od 35 nacija,clanica KFOR-a i garentovati mir i stabilnost. Potpuno sam uveren da je mirna buducnost i razvoj ove zemlje izvesna i mogucasamo uz snaznu volju i ucesce svih stanovnika.

Tu smo da to obezbedimo, i radicemo prema maksimi koju sam odabrao za svoje sluzbovanje na mestu komandanta KFOR-a,a koja glasi: "Oblikovanje buducnosti"!

Radujem se zanimljivom iskustvu svog boravka na Kosovu i dobroj saradnji sa svima koji rade na njegovoj srecnoj buducnosti.

Albanian Language

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The Change of CommandCeremony (COMKFOR) was

held at Headquarters Kosovo Force (KFOR) inPristina. Lieutenant General Giuseppe Valotto,Italian Army, took over command of KFOR fromLieutenant General Yves de Kermabon, FrenchArmy.

SEPTSEPT 11

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valottomet the Catholic Bishop of Prizren/Prizren,

Mark Sopi. Together they visited the biggest Catholic area in

Kosovo.

SEPTSEPT 1010

Commander of Joint Force Command Naples (COMJFC N), Admiral Harry G. Ulrich III (USNavy) visited KFOR HQ to meet with COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto, officialauthorities of Kosovo and the President Mr. Ibrahim Rugova.

SEPTSEPT 2828

C O M K F O RLieutenant GeneralValotto visitedMNB Northeastand had a meetingwith the Mayors of

Zvecan/Zvean ,L e p o s a v i c / Leposaviq and

Zubin Potok/Zubin Potok in order to discuss the currentsituation in this region.

SEPTSEPT 2424

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ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFOROctoberOctober 20052005

Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Sir John Reith visited KFOR HQ. He was briefedby COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto about the current situation in Kosovo.OCTOCT 44

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto visited theKosovo Protection Corp HQ and met with KPCCommander Lieutenant General Agim eku.

OCTOCT 55COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto visited

Crowd Riot Control Exercise "Balkan

Hawk". The exercise was in closecooperation between Kosovo PoliceService, Multinational Special Unit,UNMIK-Police, KFOR TactikalManeuver Battalion and the German andItalian Operational Reserve ForceBattalions.

OCTOCT 55

25 OSCE Ambassadors visited Lieutenant GeneralValotto, COMKFOR and attended a briefing about thesituation in Kosovo.

OCTOCT 1818

Captain Movm Paglia,

Italian Armed Forces,who was honored with a "GoldenMedal, visited COMKFOR GeneralValotto and Italian Army soldiers inKFOR.

OCTOCT 2222

C O M K F O RL i e u t e n a n t

General Valotto attendedChange of Command ceremonyin Camp "Belvedere," MNBNortheast, Mitrovica/Mitrovice.During the ceremony BrigadierGeneral Tracqui handed over

command to Brigadier GeneralAlziari de Malaussene.

OCTOCT 33

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COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto, in front of military, civilian and religious authorities attended theCelebration Italian National Unity and Armed Forces Day ceremony, in Camp "Villaggio Italia", BeloPolje/Bellopoje.

NOVNOV 44

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto metwith the Ambassadors to Serbia and Montenegro

from the Organization of the Islamic Conference. During themeeting they got a general overview of the political and socialsituation in Kosovo.

NOVNOV 1818

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORNovemberNovember 20052005

COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto attended the

Change of Command ceremony betweenoutgoing MNB (SW) Commander BrigadierGeneral Norber Stier, German Armed Forces andincoming MNB (SW) Commander BrigadierGeneral Claudio Mora, Italian Army.

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ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORDecemberDecember 20052005

COMKFOR Lieutenant GeneralValotto and the Chief of

Inspection and Evaluation Team of Turkish LandForces Command visited MNB Centre, UK ISR,POLUKRBAT and Greek BN.

DEC 26DEC 26

COMKFOR Lieutenant

General Valotto visitedDakovica/Dacovice airfield and attended theItalian and Spanish contingent.

DECDEC 2727

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto, with KPC Commander Lieutenant General Agim eku

visited the Jashari family in Prekaz/Prekaz.

DECDEC 33

C O M K F O RL i e u t e n a n t

General Valotto visited theAustrian, Swiss and Turkishcontingents in order tocongratulate soldiers and officersand to wish them MerryChristmas and a Happy NewYear.

Italian Minister of Defense Mr. Gianfranco Fini andCOMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto visited Camp

"Villaggio Italia", in Belo Polje/Bellopoje and wished all the soldiersMerry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

DECDEC 3030

DEC 29DEC 29

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ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORJanuarJanuary 2006y 2006

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto and Italian Bishopof Defense Monsignor Anjelo Bagnaso visited

Djakovica/Gjakove Mosque. In the Mosque they had a meeting with Imamof Djakovica/Gjakove Mosque to discuss inter-religious relations inKosovo.

JAN 8JAN 8

COMKFOR Lieutenant GeneralValotto visited the funeral ceremony

of the Catholic Bishop of Prizren/Prizren, Mark Sopi.General Valotto expressed his deepest commiserationwith Bishop Mark Sopis death.

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valottotook part in ceremony organized for the

funeral of the President of Kosovo Mr. Ibrahim Rugova.General Valotto offered his deepest condolences to Mr.

Rugova's family and to the Kosovo people after PresidentIbrahim Rugova died.

JAN 14JAN 14

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ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORFebruarFebruary 2006y 2006

Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe GeneralSir John Reith and Representatives of Contact Group

visited KFOR HQ. They were briefed by COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto about the current situation in Kosovo.

FEBFEB 1010

COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto met with

the Kosovo Minister of Transport and Post -Telecommunication, Mr. Qemaji Ahmeti todiscuss some questions about the opening ofthe road between Pristina/Prishtine andHan i Elezit/Deneral Jancovic.

FEBFEB 1313

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto had a meetingwith the new President of Kosovo, Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu.

During this meeting, Mr. Fatmir Sejdiu thanked General Valotto for thegood work KFOR soldiers are doing in Kosovo and questioned him aboutthe continued support for a safe and secure Kosovo.

FEB 15FEB 15

Sept. 2006

COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto visited

Malisevo/Malisheve municipality and the

Mayor Mr. Gani Krasniqi. The Mayorgave a past and present overview ofMalisevo/Malisheve.

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The Transfer of Authority of the KFORTactical Maneuver Battalion (KTM) took

place at Pristina/Pristine Military Airport. The 1st MechanizedBattalion replaced the 3rd Paratrooper Battalion, PortugueseArmed Forces. COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto attendedthis ceremony.

March 14March 14

COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto, attended

a high - level meeting. The meeting took placein Nis city located in Serbia and Montenegro.

March 15March 15

United States Navy AdmiralH.G. Ulrich III, CommanderAllied Joint Force CommandNaples, visited Kosovo.During the visit he wasbriefed by COMKFORLieutenant General Valotto,about the current situation inKosovo.

March 3March 3

COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto held a

meeting with the Italian delegation in HQ KFOR,Pristina/Pristine. During the visit they were briefedby General Valotto about the current political andsocial situation in Kosovo and about the Italiancontingent.

March 23March 23

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORMarMarch 2006ch 2006

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valottovisited the Kacanic/Kacanik area with the

Prime Minister of Kosovo Mr. Agim eku. During the visit theyhad an official ceremony oppening a by-pass.

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Slovakian Minister of Defense Martin Fedorand COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto

unveiled a plaque at the monument of KFOR soldiers who losttheir lives while serving for peace, freedom and security inKosovo. The ceremony was held in honor of the fallen Slovakiansoldiers as well as the civilian and military personnel who losttheir lives at the end of the tour while flying home January 19 thisyear.

APRILAPRIL 1111

P o r t u g u e s ePresident Anibal

Cavaco Silva visited his troops and metLieutenant General Valotto. Portugalcontributes the KTM (Kosovo TacticalManeuver Battalion) to KFOR.COMKFOR pointed out that the KTM is

an irreplaceable tool for the KFORmission and expressed his fullestappreciation for the response capabilitiesof the Portuguese KTM soldiers.

APRILAPRIL 2121

Lieutenant General Valotto organizeda reception for the diplomats of the

Contact Group and members of the Negotiation Team.Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu and several members of

the government were also among the guests of this VIPevent.

APRILAPRIL 66

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORApril 2006April 2006

Leni Bjorklund, Sweden's Ministerof Defense, visited Kosovo. After

receiving a general briefing on KFOR and the currentsituation in Kosovo, the politician discussed the Swedishcontribution with COMKFOR.

APRILAPRIL 1010

Due to the recent Italianelection result, MOD

Antonio Martino took the opportunity to pay a sortof farewell visit to the Italian troops in Kosovo.COMKFOR welcomed Martino with an honorguard lined up at Dakovica military airport. In theItalian base Villaggio Italia, the ministeraddressed the formation of troops finishing withthe words, "I will keep the memory of all of you inmy heart as well as everything you have done forItaly's ambitions for international peace andstability."

APRILAPRIL 2121

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When the Commander-in-Chief British landforces, General Richard Dannat, came to see

COMKFOR, the two gentlemen did not seem to meet the first time.Insiders knew why: in 2003/2004 Lieutenant General Valottoserved as the 2nd in Command when Dannat was Commander ofthe British lead Allied Rapid Reaction Corps in Germany.

People, who areworking closely withLieutenant GeneralValotto know howmuch he loveschildren. The littleones can feel if

someone likes them,and thus were not shyto hug KFOR's 'bigdaddy' for a photo.

Lieutenant General Valotto and SRSG

Petersen visited the Kosovo ProtectionCorps (KPC). KPC Commander Lieutenant GeneralSelimi accompanied the high-ranking guests to a trainingdemonstration including fire fighting, search and rescueand mine-clearing activities.

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORMay 2006May 2006

Brigadier General Juha Osmo Kalpia,Chief of the International Division of

Finland's Defense Forces, visited his troops and had an

office call with COMKFOR. Lieutenant General Valottobriefed his guest on the general situation.

May 9May 9

May 12May 12

The Austrian diplomat AlbertRohan is the Deputy to Martti

Ahtisaari, the UN Special Envoy for the FutureStatus Process for Kosovo. Lieutenant GeneralValotto provided Rohan with a detailed update onthe current situation on the ground. A main issuewas KFOR's focus on northern Kosovo andspecifically the situation of people living north ofthe Ibar River dividing Mitrovica/Mitrovice.

Just one dayafter MNB SW

had been officially split into thetwo Multinational Task ForcesSouth and West, the SpanishAmbassador to Serbia &Montenegro Jose Riera Siquiercame to Kosovo. Lieutenant

General Valotto briefed thediplomat on the background ofKFOR's restructuring processand the overall situation in theregion.

May 18May 18

May 16May 16

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In casual wear andapparently an excellent

mood Mr. Karel Erjavec, Slovenia's Minister

of Defense, came to meet COMKFOR. In hisconversation with Lieutenant General Valottothe MOD confirmed that, in July, Sloveniawill deploy a Transport Company to MNTFWest.

Exactly 7 years ago, NATO troopsentered Kosovo to bring peace and

stability to the suffering people of the province. On the

occasion of that anniversary, Lieutenant General Valottoheaded a ceremony at the memorial monument in FilmCity, HQ KFOR. A little girl helped the Commander planta tree as a green symbol of growth, stability and permanentdevelopment.

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORJune 2006June 2006

As a sign of loyalty and friendship,the Commander of the Portuguese

Land Forces, Lieutenant General Da Palma, awarded the

Meritorious First Class Medal of the Portuguese Armyto COMKFOR. Lieutenant General Valotto has a closelink with the Portuguese troops since their countrycontributes a brigade to the Allied Reaction Corps (ARC)in Germany, where General Valotto served a few yearsago. The ceremony took place at Camp Slim Lines,Pristina/Prishtine.

June 14June 14

June 12June 12

COMKFOR Lieutenant General welcomed 13members of the European Parliament. He provided

a general assessment of the security situation in Kosovo and assuredthem KFOR troops are well trained and determined to maintain a safeand secure environment. General Valotto expressed his confidence inthe local institutions and the need to send positive messages toKosovo's population.

June 22June 22

Lieutenant GeneralValotto's designated

successor Major General Kather joined the so-called Key Leader Training, an in-theatretraining for key-personnel of the next KFORrotation. In parallel to his daily business,General Valotto dedicated most of his time tothe German General and briefed him in detailon the current situation in Kosovo. Togetherthe two Generals visited the key players ofUNMIK and the local government.

Brigadier General Carlos Edoardo Perona visitedthe Argentinean KFOR troops and had an office call

with COMKFOR. LieutenantGeneral Valotto briefed hisguest on the current situationin the theatre. The SouthAmerican country currentlycontributes an Engineerplatoon to MNTF Westlocated in Villaggio Italia,Pec/Peje.

June 13-21June 13-21June 22June 22

June 22June 22

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Italian Army Chief of Staff,Lieutenant General Filiberto

Cecchi, spent two days in Kosovo. During thefirst day of his visit, General Cecchi wasreceived and briefed by COMKFOR, LieutenantGeneral Valotto, about the current situation inKosovo. That same day, the Italian Army Chiefof Staff had a meeting with President Fatmir

Sejdiu and PM Agim eku. General Cecchiensured them about the commitment of theItalian Army to KFOR mission.

Italian Minister of Defense, ArturoParisi, and Chief of Defense General

Staff, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, visited Lieutenant

General Valotto in Djakovica/Gjakove. Then, Prof.Arturo Parisi held meetings with PM Agim eku, DeputySRSG Steven Schook and Mr. Oliver Ivanovic, the headof the Serbian List for Kosovo.

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORJuly 2006July 2006

A ceremony to celebrate the FrenchNational Day known as Bastille Day

took place in MNTF North HQ, Novo Selo. During thesolemn parade, COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valottowas awarded the Lgion d'honneur by Major GeneralPhilippe Sommaire, DCOM KFOR.

July 13July 13

July 13July 13

July 20July 20

COMKFOR LieutenantGeneral Valotto, attended the

Hungarian Guard and Security Battalion MedalParade in Hungarian Camp, Pristina/Prishtine.

July 24July 24

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Sept. 200640

The new DCOS OPSKFOR, BrigadierGeneral GilesFugier, French Armyreplaced Brigadier

General Hans-ErichAntoni, GermanArmy. COMKFOR,Lieutenant GeneralValotto expressed his appreciation of the job done by Brig. Gen.Antoni over his six month deployment in Kosovo during the KFOR'srestructuring process. At the end of his speech General Valottowelcomed Brigadier General Fugier.

July 24July 24

United States NavyAdmiral H.G.Ulrich III, AlliedJoint ForceCommand NaplesC o m m a n d e r ,arrived in Kosovo.During his visit,accompanied byC O M K F O R ,Lieutenant General Valotto, he met with Mr. Esad Haxhijaha,Municipality President of Orahovec and Mr. Jovan Djuricic, a local

Serb leader of Velika Hoca during a visit to southern Kosovo.Admiral Ulrich was also in Kosovo for meetings with commandersof KFOR, MNTFs, with Mr. Bajram Rexhepi, senior member ofDemocratic Party of Kosovo, and Ms. Tina Kaidnow, Chief of USDiplomat Office.

July 25July 25


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NATO's senior

m i l i t a r ycommander, U.S. MarineCorps General James L. Jones,Commander Allied CommandOperations, met with civilianleaders in Kosovo to exchangeviews and discuss therelationship between NATO'sKosovo Forces (KFOR) andthe local population.

ONON TTourour with COMKFORwith COMKFORAugust 2006August 2006

United States Navy Admiral H.G.Ulrich III, Commander, Allied Joint

Force Command Naples, took an opportunity to visit theZvacan/Zvecan area and to meet the Mayor.

AUGAUG 1414

AUG 3AUG 3

COMKFOR Lieutenant

General Valotto visited thefamous Decani/Decan Orthodox monasteryto say goodbye. During the visit, he met theabbot of this monastery, Father Sava, andwished him all the best for the future.

Aug 21Aug 21

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valottoand the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Mr.

Agim eku, visited the Orahovac/Rahovec municipality tomeet with regional authorities.

AUGAUG 1818

COMKFOR Lieutenant General Valotto attended thefarewell ceremony in his name at Camp "VilaggioItalia", Belo Polje/Bellopoje.

AUGAUG 2121

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KFOR CHRONICLE

As a last thought to the 150 KFOR soldiers,

who lost their lives in Kosovo:

"You will always be remembered"

Commander KFOR:Commander KFOR:Lt. Gen. Giuseppe Valotto, IT Army

Chief Public Information:Chief Public Information:Col. Pio Sabetta, IT Army

Chief Internal Informat ion & Edi tor inChief Internal Informat ion & Edi tor in

Chief :Chief :Maj. Alexander Unterweger, AUT Army

[email protected]

Journal i s tJournal i s t1st Lt. Maksym Klunnyk, UKR Army

PhotographerPhotographerMr. Armend Aqifi

The KFOR Chronicle isprinted by KOSOVA SOT

Tel: 038 548 402

How to contactKFOR Chronicle:

Phone:Int: +389 268 2897

Kos.:(038) 503 603 2897KPN: 2897FAX: 2373

E-mail:

[email protected]

Internet:www.nato.int/kfor

KFOR CHRONICLE

Thank you for your support:

Combat Camera Team

PIO interpreters

43

LTG Giuseppe ValottoCommander Kosovo Force

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nato kosovo force (kfor) chronicle #9

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