SPAIN: NATO SECRETARY, TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM KOSOVO UNTIMELY
(ANSAmed) - MADRID, MARCH 19 - "Unilateral" and "untimely" were the words that NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer used to describe the withdrawal of Spanish troops in the KFOR mission in Kosovo which was announced today by Spanish Defence Minister Carme Chacon. Hoop Scheffer, reported EFE, considers what was announced today as a decision not to be made unilaterally, and that political and security conditions in the area do not allow for such a move. "Any substantial change in the size or structure of KFOR should be the result of a decision made by the entire alliance," said Hoop Scheffer, "when we agree that there is political and security stability in Kosovo. This time has not yet arrived." Announcing a withdrawal of Spanish troops before the summer today, Chacon promised that "the withdrawal will be staggered, not unilateral, and it will be coordinated by NATO allies". Spain does not recognise Kosovòs unilaterally declared independence, announced on February 17 2008. (ANSAmed). 2009-03-19 19:46 http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/[email protected] __._,_.___
