Kosovo Protection Corps

The Kosovo Protection Corps (KPC) - Trupat Mbrojtëse Të Kosovës (TMK) - was officially constituted upon the inauguration of 46 key leaders on 21 January 2000. The ceremony transformed the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) into a civilian agency charged with providing emergency response and reconstruction services to Kosovo. Modeled on the French Sécurité Civile, the KPC consists of an active corps of 3,000 members and an auxiliary branch of 2,000. Ten percent of its members are to be from minority communities.

The KPC's mission is to protect the Kosovo population against any natural or man-made disasters and to assist in the rebuilding of Kosovo through work on public utilities and social projects. Its personnel and activities are paid for with voluntary contributions from UN Member States, among which firm pledges have been received from the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the European Commission. The KPC's budget for the year 2000, about DM 20 million, covers operational, training and equipment costs.

UNMIK regulation 1999/8 states that the Corps will compromise:

• Five fixed Regional Emergency Response Units, one in each KFOR/UNMIK sector,
• One mobile Rapid Response Unit,
• Support units specialized in training, communications, engineering, chemical decontamination, search and rescue, medical assistance, transportation and supply and maintenance.

Furthermore, Regulation 1999/8 states that the KPC will:

• Eschew military or law enforcement functions. This means no riot control, counter-terrorism or any other task related to the maintenance of law and order.
• Have only 200 KPC members authorized to carry weapons.
• Operate under the authority of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, with day-to-day supervision by KFOR.
• Be subject to UNMIK's Civil Administration planning and coordination.
• Receive monthly salaries averaging DM 292 month for active members.

The KPC was established on a provisional basis on 20 September as part of the transformation of the KLA. In order to prevent former soldiers from turning to crime or taking the KLA underground, UNMIK had first sought to provide ex-KLA members with opportunities for civilian employment in the public and private sectors identified by the International Organization of Migration (IOM). The KPC was thus designed as the key body to absorb the aspirations and manpower of the former KLA.

By 21 January, the KPC inauguration day, the criteria of the transformation process as described by Regulation 1999/8 had been met and sufficient funding secured. The former KLA had also demonstrated full compliance with the relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1244, i.e. it had ended all offensive actions. It had also complied with the Undertaking on Demilitarization, an agreement for a cease-fire by the KLA signed on 21 June 1999 with KFOR.

IOM subsequently interviewed and screened more than 18,500 KLA soldiers, out of more than KPC 20,000 applicants. In addition, more than 100 Bosniacs and 730 women applied. However no Serbs applied and the majority of the 500 slots for minorities remain to be filled.

Having coordinated application process, IOM was then tasked with coordinating KPC training. All applicants were tested for a variety of skills and abilities and screened for criminal records and illegal activities. The KPC is intended to play a key role in identifying new skills for former soldiers, most of whom are between 18 and 24 and have only basic education. Thus, former fighters will receive the same basic training and the be able to take courses in construction and electrical work. More senior members will learn general management. Active members will receive advanced training in rescue, disaster relief and other emergency techniques. Through its Information Counseling and Referral Service, IOM also develops income-generating activities for former combatants who are not in the KPC.

During February nearly 500 mid-level members were sworn in at ceremonies throughout Kosovo. By March, all 5,052 corps members. minus most of the 500 slots reserved for minorities. were appointed with provisional, one year terms. Its leaders. first task, an emergency needs survey, helped define the Corps. priorities for when it is trained, equipped and fully operational in September 2000.

Provisional members of the KPC were originally issued identity cards and many also received provisional uniforms as part of the KLA transformation agreement. On completion of the selection process, all KPC members were issued with a distinctive uniform, insignia and ID card. Provisional uniforms and ID cards are no longer valid.