"The deployment of the army along the administrative border line (with Kosovo) is very worrying and must be stopped immediately." There is no place on the European continent for the strengthening of armaments and security forces. (Serbian) forces should withdraw," Borelj told a group of journalists from international media, as reported by Radio Free Europe (RSE).
He confirmed that he is in regular contact with "partners and allies, including the United States of America", and that they discuss the current situation in the north of Kosovo, which first of all requires de-escalation and stabilization of the security situation.
"Last week's discovery of weapons and military equipment is very serious," Borelj said.
As RSE writes, the deployment of Serbian troops along the border with Kosovo followed the attack by a Serbian armed group led by Milan Radoičić on the Kosovo police on September 24 in Banjska, Zvečan. Pristina blamed Serbia for the attack, and Belgrade denies any connection.
On the night between September 23 and 24, a masked and armed group of Serbs first set up a barricade at the entrance to the village of Banjska, and then attacked the Kosovo police. One Kosovo policeman was killed, and several others were injured. Part of the attackers then left the territory of Kosovo, and part of the armed group took refuge in the Banjska monastery, from where they again clashed with the Kosovo police. In this conflict, three attackers, members of the Serbian nationality, were killed, according to RSE.
Borelj called the attack on the Kosovo police a "terrorist act" and insisted that the attackers must face justice.
And Washington is asking Serbia to withdraw its troops
The same warning comes from Washington.
US National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby expressed Washington's concern over what he called the "large deployment" of Serbian troops along the "border" with Kosovo. RSE reports.
He warned of the "unprecedented" presence of "Serbian artillery, tanks and infantry units," calling it a "destabilizing development" and called on Serbia to "withdraw its forces from the border" and reduce tensions, Kirby said during a press conference on September 29. and transmitted by RSE.
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti asked the US for "a greater degree of assistance against", as he claims, "Serbia's war plans". writes KoSSev. He says that Vučić organized the attack in Banjska and that on September 24 he "wanted to start a war."
The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, stated that it is "false" that the Serbian Army is at the highest level of combat readiness, that he did not sign such a next one, and that "we do not have half as many forces" on the administrative line with Kosovo, "as we had before two or three months".
MN/RSE/FoNet
Read daily news, analysis, commentary and interviews at www.vreme.com
