UNMIK/PR/839
Friday, 4 October 2002

SRSG Michael Steiner addresses Change of Command of KFOR

General Valentin, General Mini, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is with profoundly mixed feelings that I bid farewell to General Marcel Valentin.

Marcel was here for a full year – longer than any COMKFOR before. During his year in Kosovo, Gen. Valentin earned the respect of his colleagues, staff and the people of Kosovo.

KFOR, France and indeed NATO can be proud of this outstanding commander.

I commend General Valentin’s exemplary performance here in Kosovo and thank him for his critical support at many difficult junctures.

In the eight months we have worked together, Marcel, you have become a trusted partner and if I may say so here, a friend. I am sorry to see him go.

We met three times a week for regular briefings, not counting the many irregular meetings, calls and joint appearances. We enjoyed close cooperation and confidence and I believe I can say this was mutual.

Marcel combines many virtues that make him reassuring partner.

Marcel’s most obvious quality is his capacity for work – and I say this as a German. He would often start the day at 5 in the morning and continue working until midnight.

Though he has commanded an armour regiment and an airborne division, Marcel’s personal style is modest.

But Marcel’s modesty cannot disguise his firmness of character. Though he talks quietly, he has steel behind him.

He always shared my determination to do whatever necessary to establish security and the rule of law. To nurture multi-ethnicity and integration. And to facilitate return.

Despite many attempts from different directions to divide KFOR and UNMIK, whatever our task, whatever the problem may have been: ours has always been a truly joint effort.

In Bosnia, IFOR and SFOR were often worrying about ‘mission creep’, which could sometimes become an excuse for shirking responsibilities.

I never heard the phrase “mission creep” from anyone in KFOR under Marcel’s command. On the contrary, In Kosovo you see the international community at work – jointly and successfully.

What I perhaps value most in Marcel, is his political judgment. He is the exemplary soldier who has an excellent political instinct. I could always rely on his analysis. His advice was always right – and I repeat, it was always right.

KFOR has undertaken many responsibilities that go beyond ordinary military duties. Some of these the public can see, but many important things they cannot see. One example was Marcel’s discreetly effective handling of a potential crisis at the airport.

There are places in Kosovo where it is relatively easy for the military to win praise. Mitrovica is not one of them.

Maintaining security in Mitrovica without deepening the status quo is the most difficult and also the most thankless job in Kosovo.

General Valentin and I always agreed on how to approach Mitrovica.

On Wednesday, Marcel and I walked across the bridge from Southern and Northern Mitrovica to demonstrate our determination to make Mitrovica a normal European town.

We rely on KFOR’s continuing vigilance to ensure the secure environment that is essential for implementing our Seven-Point Plan. And I think we now have the chance for real progress in Mitrovica.

UNMIK is indebted to the outgoing commander of KFOR. Even more importantly, Kosovo has every reason to be grateful to General Valentin. And the Kosovans are deeply thankful to you.

Marcel. Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you on your new post.

You will be Military Governor of Paris – an important job given to you in recognition of the many talents you have demonstrated over your long career of distinguished service.

Madam le Ministre, permettez-moi d’ajouter un mot de la perspective du Kosovo. You, la France, will now regain one of the finest French soldiers. Kosovo will lose its finest international soldier.

As I say farewell to General Valentin, I also want to welcome General Fabio Mini.

General Mini will preside over another challenging period. We have begun to transfer power to Kosovo’s institutions. This will intensify. We also have to continue on the common path in Mitrovica. A safe and secure environment remains a precondition.

Yes, we can only be successful together. But if we continue together we will succeed.

General Mini, I look forward to working with you.

Marcel, I wish you all the best for your future in Paris. And I thank you.