German Defence Minister welcomes Swiss involvement in Kosovo
German Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping (left), who held talks with his Swiss counterpart Adolf Ogi in Berne on Tuesday, has welcomed Switzerland's involvement in peacekeeping activities in Kosovo.
German Defence Minister Rudolf Scharping (left), who held talks with his Swiss counterpart Adolf Ogi in Berne on Tuesday, has welcomed Switzerland’s involvement in peacekeeping activities in Kosovo.
Speaking at a news conference, Scharping said Switzerland’s expertise would be especially useful in providing reconstruction assistance for the Serbian province.
Scharping added that he did not view as a problem that the Swiss contingent deployed in Kosovo will be unarmed. He said any possible difficulties could be avoided by cooperating with other national units serving with the KFOR international security force.
Addressing the death sentence imposed by Turkey on the Kurdish rebel leader, Abdullah Ocalan, Scharping called on Kurds throughout Europe to remain calm. Scharping said the sentence had not surprised him, adding that he presumed Turkey would consider very carefully the political consequences of carrying out the execution.
During his visit, Scharping also met Swiss President Ruth Dreifuss and Foreign Minister Joseph Deiss.
On Monday, Ogi held talks with his visiting British counterpart George Robertson. The French Defence Minister, Alain Richard, is expected in Switzerland on Thursday.
Source: APD, sda-ats
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