Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The KFOR
OR Magazine for KFOR Soldiers January 2017
KFOR Conducts
Patrols Kosovo Wide
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CONTENT
COM KFOR delivered his Christmas greeting to civilian personal working in Camp Film City
03 CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Italian Children send gifts at
Christmas time.
04 EVENTS OF THE MONTH
Specific events in Kosovo du-
ring the month
VIOLENT EXTREMISM
06 Countering Violent Extremism and
Radicalization
10 WINTER IN KOSOVO
Coldest winter since 1963
12 KFOR HQ
A Visual Overview
14
CSM
Striking Realities at the CSMs
Meeting
15 MNBG W
Italian NGO donates medicins to
Kosovar hospitals
16 UNHCR
Interview with Chief of
Mission, UNHCR in Kosovo
20 KFOR EXERCISE
Winter Training
During the last few weeks, with their mission despite these and the heavy snow fall experienced
Kosovo has experienced its lowest difficulties. Here in Camp Film City in Camp Film City did not have
temperatures since 1963. There have we were no different from the other any serious effect on Camp routine,
been past winters where greater snow KFOR Camps located throughout this is to a large extent thanks to
fall was experienced, but this year Kosovo. The very low temperatures the Commander and staff of the
temperatures plummeted to a low of
-32 degrees Centigrade, which was
recorded in the Eastern Kosovo city of
Gjilan. During the month of January
it was a common experience for
KFOR soldiers located throughout
Kosovo to conduct their duties in
temperatures close to 20 degrees
Centigrade. When temperatures
fall to these low levels there are
normally consequences. Hazardous
road conditions affecting driving,
logistical challenges, maintenance
problems such as frozen or burst
pipes and many others. However
these challenges had to be overcome
and KFOR soldiers continued
HSG and ASDA who throughout Kosovos Climate different regions. Different cultures,
this period ensured that all services Located in the central part of customs and climate to mention a
where maintained and roads and the Balkans, Kosovos weather is few. One KFOR Soldier was reported
footpaths were kept open. (Thank influenced by many factors, the as saying that the last time his home
you from us all!) two greatest being the Alpine and town experienced snow was when
the Mediterranean influences. The his father was a child.
climate is predominantly continental, So what lies ahead of us over the
resulting in warm summers and cold next few weeks? Can we expect this
winters. The normal yearly range is current cold spell to last for much
between + 30 degrees Centigrade longer? Well the short term weather
in the summer and 10 degrees forecast shows an increase in
Centigrade in the winter. December temperatures in the coming weeks,
and January are regarded as the which will result in melting snow
coldest months. Other factors that and possibly a bit of local flooding
affect Kosovos weather are its and excess water on road surfaces.
mountainous regions and it height For those drivers out there, continue
above sea level. Its average altitude is to drive with caution. Well-done to
800 metres above sea level. (Kosovo all KFOR personnel for maintaining
lowest point is 297 metres and its a high operational output during the
highest is 2,565 metres). The fact coldest winter since 1963!
that most of Kosovo is surrounded
by mountains has also a direct effect
on its climate.
The weather witnessed by KFOR Maj. Eamonn Kenneally
soldiers over the past few weeks is OF-3 IRL-A
just another part of the experiences
of serving overseas and operating in
It is important to understand that violent extremism is not limited to persons of any particular age, sex, group
or community. In fact it is the younger person who is more vulnerable to the dangers of being recruited by
extremist or terrorist groups.
Definition: Violent extremism refers to the beliefs and actions of people who support or use ideological-
motivated violence to achieve radical ideological, religious or political views.
Violent extremist views can be exhibited along a range of issues, including, politics, religion and gender
relations.
Alternative Definition: Violent Extremism can also be defined as when you do not allow for a different
point of view; when you hold your own views as being quite exclusive, when you dont allow for the possibility
of difference and when you want to impose this view on others using violence if necessary.
Modern challenges:
Many countries today are faced with the challenges of not being able to control their citizens from being
drawn by extremist organisations to travel abroad to take part in the various campaigns that are currently
taking place particularly in the middle east. Many of these foreign fighters are young venerable adults who
have been misguided and influenced along the wrong path. How can these challenges be addressed? And
what should we look out for when trying to understand the early warning signs of some showing tendencies
towards one of these dangerous organisations.
1000 persons of both sexes, ranging in age from 18 to 55 has produced the undermentioned findings/results:
To why young people get involved in these organisations.
Unemployment
Low level of education
Globalisation
Targeting of a group that is easier to manipulate
The above are the possible reasons for persons becoming involved and the below graph shows some other
reasons or channels where people are led astray.
10.0%
6.2%
5.0% 5.7%
1.9%
0.0%
Through At school/ At religous By atten- By finacial Via the Dont Other
friends university institutions ding mee- compen- Internet know please
tings and sation explain
lectures
(UNDP)
31%
26%
16%
13%
9%
5%
(UNDP)
(UNDP)
Further Research
o Research across a multitude of areas requires to be conducted, to ensure a greater understanding of this
problem and also to allow authorities to quantify how far the Web of these organisations spreads.
Government
o Government engagement
o Governmental programmes to target against violent extremism
o Set up resource centres to offer support to families
Law Enforcement
o Close monitoring of these violent organisations
o Targeting of their financial resources
o Monitor extremists
So when considering how to tackle or counter these dangerous organisations, it is important that our schools
and colleges are identified as locations where governmental and non-governmental organisations should focus
their Extremism Awareness Educational Programmes. It is generally accepted in society that teenagers and
young adults are more vulnerable to the enticement of trying out something new or different in their life.
Educating teenagers and young adults to the realities of these dangerous organisations is the first step. Providing
forums that allow for open debate and providing the opportunity for people to engage in the political processes
and in the same time promoting a culture of peace, tolerance, intercultural and interreligious dialogue.
Solidarity: Irrespective of differences in age, gender, nationality or ethnicity and not just solidarity with
people of your immediate community but also with those outside it.
Respect for Diversity: It is important that we acknowledge the intrinsic value of diversity stems from the
recognition of human rights and fundamental freedoms of others.
Human Rights: Human rights are fundamental and universal safeguards. They apply to all human beings
regardless of nationality, place of residence, gender, origin, religion. Language or any other status.
Learning to Live Together: Living in a peaceful society is a long-term goal, which requires an understanding
of others and their history, traditions and spiritual values
To conclude, the purpose of this article is to improve, your general awareness of Violent Extremism and the
challenges to society in countering this global threat. From a security perspective the first step in guarding
against any threat, is being aware that the threat exists. Thus it is incumbent on us all to be vigilant when
operating in new environments. Be cautious when engaging with persons with whom we have no previous
knowledge and always be observant to what is happening in our surroundings.
Bibliography:
A Teachers Guide on the Prevention of Violent Extremism (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural
Organization) Printed by UNESCO 2016
Cooperating in Counter Violent Extremism (United Nations Displaced Persons) UNDP, January 2017
DCOMKFOR, Brigadier General Christian RIENER, spent New Years Eve with the US troops in Camp
Nothing Hill, North of Kosovo, in Leposavic Municipality.
Carabinieri of the Multinational Specialized Unit (MSU) of KFOR, this year have so far conducted a number
of CIMIC activities in support of the Kosovo population. In particular, on 3rd January, they delivered
medical supplies to the Sisters of Divine Love Zagreb clinic at the village of Vitina municipality in the
District of Gjilan of south-eastern Kosovo.
On 25 JAN 2017. In the town of Mamusha a new KFOR Liaison Monitoring Team (LMT) field house was
officially opened by COMKOR Major General Giovanni Fungo and the Turkish Ambassador to Kosovo,
H.E. Ms. Kivileim Kilic. The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries who included the Mayor of
Mamusha, local politicians, the Turkish Commander of JRD-S and KFOR soldiers.
KFORs Tactical Manoeuvre Battalion (KTM) Medical Branch and the National Blood Transfusion Centre
organised a Blood Donation Clinic in Camp Slim Lines, Pristina on 27th January.
22 DEC 2016
KFOR Commander,
Major General
Giovanni Fungo,
received at KFOR
Headquarters, the
Chief of the Swiss
Armed Forces,
Lieutenant General
Andr Blattman.
PICTURE: Mercuri (2)
12 JAN 2017
KFOR Commander,
Major General
Giovanni Fungo,
visited Skenderaj
Municipality and
met the Deputy
Mayor, Mr.Dadil
Nura.
20 JAN 2017
KFOR Commander,
Major General Giovanni
Fungo, received Head
of the Organization for
Security Co-operation
in Europe (OSCE)
Mission in Kosovo H.E.
Ambassador Jan Braathu
of Norway., at Camp
Film City NATO
KFOR HQ in Pristina.
PICTURE: Mercuri (2)
25 JAN 2017
COMKOR Major
General Giovanni Fungo,
the Turkish Ambassador
to Kosovo, H.E. Ms.
Kivileim Kilic and the
Turkish Commander
of JRD-S at an official
ceremony in the town
of Mamusha opened a
New Liaison Monitoring
Team (LMT) house.
1. What is the role of UNHCR in with Kosovo authorities to build an persons to voluntary return to their
Kosovo? asylum legal framework, enhance place of origin through working
The mandate of UNHCR, the UN local capacity for protection of with authorities on reintegration
Refugee Agency, is to provide refugees and asylum seekers, programmes, including income-
protection and seek durable prevent statelessness, and provide generation projects, restoration
solutions for displaced persons. The support for return and reintegration of infrastructure and provision
Agency established its presence in of displaced persons. of other assistance of those that
Kosovo in 1992. After the conflict in 2. How did your mission change preferred to stay in the place of
1999, UNHCR has been mandated since the first beginning of your displacement.
by the UN Security Council presence in the region? In Kosovo, among other activities,
Resolution 1244 (1999) to supervise UNHCR has been present in UNHCR is involved in supporting
free returns to Kosovo of all refugees the region for last forty years. It returnees from neighbouring
and persons displaced by the 1999 provided assistance to refugees from countries and some 16,657 displaced
conflict. Since 1999, UNHCR has third countries until the violent individuals within Kosovo towards
assisted 27,081 individuals to return dissolution of former Yugoslavia, finding a durable solution. Of the
to Kosovo in safety and dignity when the mass exodus of refugees latter group, some 468 reside in 29
and to integrate locally, which was and displaced persons took place. temporary collective shelters.
possible through UNHCR support, UNHCRs work is humanitarian and
assistance and advocacy on their non-political, to serve the people UNHCR continued to provide
behalf. In addition, in the recent in need. Throughout the years, the support to individual community
years UNHCR has been working organisation helped many displaced members to obtain personal
documentation and resolve civil achieved to assist many voluntary 4. Since the beginning of
status issues. During 2016, 442 returns of displaced people UNHCR operation in Kosovo, the
individuals have been assisted belonging to various Kosovo organisation kept close liaison with
by UNHCR in obtaining civil communities. However, I also KFOR. Can you explain the terms
documentation. realise that there is still a lot of of this cooperation?
work to be done to make sure that UNHCR has long and close
UNHCR continues to provide everyone who wishes to voluntarily working relations with KFOR. This
assistance to refugees and asylum return has the possibility to do so. is also because UNHCR, similarly
seekers. While in Kosovo the In this regard, they are still facing to KFOR, promotes confidence-
number of refugees and migrants some obstacles, such as property building and peaceful co-existence
was modest in 2015-2016, the issues, security concerns, lack of through forums involving
region has seen movements of housing projects, lack of land and communities representatives,
a large number of refugees and hesitation by municipalities to stakeholders and civil society.
migrants. In the region, but also allocate land for those displaced. On many occasions, our staff
elsewhere in the world, UNHCR Especially the latter three obstacles worked together with Liaison
provides life-saving emergency concern returns of Kosovo Roma, Monitoring Teams and other
assistance in the form of clean water Ashkali and Egyptian displaced KFORs Units. We regularly meet in
and sanitation utilities, health care, families that are landless. Most of the field, in official meetings and we
as well as shelter and other relief those families are now displaced in coordinate our work closely. Those
items, such as blankets, sleeping Montenegro and Serbia. activities include primarily the
mats, household goods and other enhancing welfare of communities
items. We also face challenges in the and assisting most vulnerable
context of sustainable reintegration. individuals. In various situations,
3. What were your main Kosovo has a large unemployment UNHCR joined KFOR in delivering
achievements and in which fields do rate and this issue is particularly aid for those accommodated in
you face the main challenges? worrisome for returnees and temporary collective shelters. I
One of the great achievements internally displaced persons. Due to believe that this cooperation started
of UNHCR was to build good difficulties in finding employment, as both of our organisations simply
relationships with all communities many people, including returnees wanted to respond to needs of
in Kosovo. While working and internally displaced, have Kosovo people.
together, we help them to solve been deciding to leave Kosovo.
any obstacles that they may have It is true that in some locations, 5. What is your opinion on the work
while re-integrating in the place of return programs were not entirely so far carried out by KFOR?
return or local integration. We are sustainable and this happened for Since the beginning of its operations
successful in assisting them simply several reasons, including access in Kosovo, KFOR contributed to a
because we talk to them openly to education and healthcare, safe and secure environment here.
and we genuinely try to understand security issues, property issues, I have an impression that KFORs
their needs. I like to think that we and obstacles to obtain personal contribution is highly respected by
are close to the people and this is documentation. During our communities also in supporting
our great strength. We also work monitoring of returnees needs and the freedom of movement.
with local authorities in building protection situation, sometimes Safety in Kosovo is an important
their capacities in the area of we see that local authorities have aspect, in particular for minority
civil documentation, asylum and not addressed them properly. That communities. The great value of
durable solutions. We work closely is why, UNHCR is also actively KFOR is the readiness of its staff to
with them on the development and supporting central and local Kosovo reach everyone in every situation,
implementation of a protection authorities to find the best solution and provide safety. In my opinion,
framework, which can meet to overcome mentioned obstacles Kosovo people appreciate it a lot.
international and regional human and enable returnees to reintegrate
rights standards. successfully.
Col. Max Andr Barbacini
I am really proud that UNHCR OF-5 ITA-A
ACTIVE RECOVERY
Does Active Recovery Work: Active their correct body composition resume training that muscle again
recovery, as opposed to total rest (relationship between total body after 48 hours of rest. (John Berardi,
(passive recovery) may have several muscle compared to total body fat). Ph.D.)
advantages if used correctly?
Nutrition and Recovery
For: Arguments to those in favour HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE - Regardless of the type of exercise
of this concept are that active FOR MUSCLES TO RECOVER? you do and how hard you do it,
recovery helps prime your bodys muscle recovery time is strongly
metabolic pathways of recovery. Working your muscles is the influenced by how and when you
only way to make them stronger fuel those muscles.
Against: Others argue that light (greater endurance and or strength Recovery is also influenced by four
workouts do not stimulate an added depending on the type of training factors;
benefit to recovery. you are doing). However it is NOT - Fluid and electrolyte status.
during the workout that your - Muscle glycogen
Regardless of the mechanism muscles grow. As we know the - Reducing muscle stress
involved many have experienced workout breaks down the muscle. - Rebuilding muscle protein
the benefits of using active recovery Its the recovery period between
in their fitness programmes. For workouts that our muscles grow Taking fluids and Carbohydrates
some, the psychological benefits of and get stronger. Without adequate both during and immediately after
active recovery are very apparent. recovery between training sessions, a workout is very important to
Surveys have shown that people your fitness plan will become speedy recovery.
feel better when they exercise stagnate (will stop). You should eat a high-protein meal
daily. Exercise has the capability as soon as possible after exercise in
to elevate ones mood and other SOME FACTS ABOUT MUSCLES order to ensure a rapid rebuilding
positive benefits. How long your muscles take to of muscle tissue.
recover depends on the type and
Another benefit of active recovery intensity of the workout. EFFECTS OF SLEEP
is some people find it easier to A Muscle will not fully recover
stick to their daily diets when they until 7 to 14 days after a hard Sleep is an important part of your
are active, which contributes to weights workout. However, you can recovery. Science has proven the
amount of sleep you get and the
quality of your sleep affects how
quickly you recover from a hard
workout.
The main reason we all train is to
improve our overall fitness and
to remain healthy. A vital factor
in achieving this fitness state and
maintaining it is to ensure that your
weekly training schedule involves
at least one (1) planned rest day, a
proper diet and Sleep. This as stated
above may include an active rest
day or a total day off. Whichever
suits you?
Unit Training is a significant factor that is the reality of being a soldier. Control and Communications.
in a commanders yearly plan. We train for all possible scenarios. Throughout the month of January in
Training is the primary means For the commander to validate that temperatures as low as -20 degrees
by which the commander can the training being conducted is centigrade and embracing the
assess his/her units capability. To adequate, she/he conducts exercises, challenges of the current weather
be ready to respond at any time which test our soldiers and leaders and in accordance with their ongoing
Day or Night, for an operational at all levels in operational real life in theatre training all KFOR units
deployment in any environment, scenarios and in the 3 Cs, Command, validated operational readiness, by
conducting training and exercises.
Military SOPs, Tactics, Techniques
and Procedures were tested at
all levels from section up to and
including Company level.
Junior and Senior commanders
and KFOR soldiers achieved high
standards in their performances by
embracing the challenges of difficult
weather and different terrain and
enjoyed the new situations the
exercise coordinators placed before
them.
Cover Photo:
Sgt. Korosoglou Emmanouil
Greek Army
Printed by Blendi
Tel.: 044 149 115
About the Mission: My duty is in Main Gate in Film City Camp in Pristina. I am
the Main Gate Guards Supervisor. I am responsible for the safety of the Film City
Camp via Main Gate and also for the proper and safe movement (entrance or exit)
of the vehicles and the people (military individuals or Civilians who work or run a
Name: Evangelos Tsikonis task in the Camp) for eight hours per day. The Guards in Main Gate are also asked
Rank: OR-5 to perform security checks in the vehicles or the people that enter or leave Film
City Camp.
Nationality: Greek Family Reaction: My familys reaction is normal enough because now that I am
abroad doesnt make a difference to them because even when I was in my home
Unit: Main Gate country, Greece, my work place was about the same distance from my home town.
Although, they seem very supportive, we talk very often and they try to keep me
Guards Supervisor going until the time passes to return back to them. They are very proud of me going
abroad and attending a NATO mission and they cant wait of my return.
Hobbies:I spend a big amount of my free time daily in the gym. I love training,
running and weight lifting. My other my free time hobbies are football, volleyball,
swimming and fishing.
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