NATO KFOR mission, Portolano: there is a risk of a rapid deterioration in security

And it was precisely these two issues that General Luciano Portolano focused on. The Chief of the Defence Staff spoke on Wednesday 17 June at hearing before the joint Defence and Foreign Affairs Committees of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate on the missions decree.

Portolano commented on the possible reduction and restructuring of the KFOR mission in Kosovo, “in which we have been actively involved since 1999. I remember this personally, as I was the first commander to enter Kosovo at that time”. “I believe,” said the general, “that an assessment of the reduction in troop numbers must be carried out, but in a truly prudent and thorough manner to avoid running the risk of exposing the theatre to a rapid deterioration in security conditions due to the never-dormant tensions between Pristina and Belgrade.”

“Moreover,” he continued, “any reduction without a careful ‘strategic assessment’ that also takes political aspects into account could well open the door to further influence by external stakeholders – and I am referring to Russia. “Therefore, in the letter I sent to NATO’s Supreme Commander, General Grynkewich – having also consulted Minister Crosetto – I sought to highlight the key aspects that should be taken into account before proceeding with the implementation of a so-called reduction in the current contingent in the Balkans,” explained the Chief of the Defence Staff.

As for UNIFIL, ‘the United Nations is talking about a follow-up mission in Lebanon. Honestly,” Portolano confided in his address to MPs and senators, “I do not know whether this will ever be accepted by Israel, but having the backing of a United Nations resolution is absolutely essential. However, priority should be given to an international mission that already exists and is effectively carrying out activities in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces, which are the key element in the demilitarisation and disarmament of Hezbollah”. This should take place, he clarified, “not only through training, capacity building and economic and financial support, but above all through what could be an operational component, which could support the Lebanese Armed Forces in providing guidance, assistance and advice as they develop their own activities, as well as a naval component that continues to carry out the tasks currently performed by UNIFIL (monitoring to prevent the supply of weapons to Hezbollah militias),’ concluded the Chief of the Defence Staff.