Two Nations – One Force

Szöveg: László Szűcs | 2012. június 13. 12:26

“There is an excellent cooperation between the Hungarian and Portuguese soldiers, and as a commander I’m satisfied with the work of the peacekeepers serving in the camp” – Lt.-Col. José Manuel Dos Santos Sá, the Portuguese commander of the KFOR Tactical Reserve Maneuver Battalion (KTM) deployed in Pristina told us in an exclusive interview.

Answering our question, the Portuguese commander told us that the KTM is under the direct command and control of the commander of KFOR (COMKFOR). The unit is tasked with assisting the work of the international battle groups operating in Kosovo. The core missions of the battalion are to participate in crowd riot control (CRC) operations, to mount patrols, to set
up and man checkpoints and to plan, organize and conduct movement operations.

“During the last period the KTM battalion was ordered to participate in live operations on several occasions. COMKFOR decided to increase the peacekeepers’ presence in Mitrovica, a town populated by Albanians and Serbs, so this was the place where we deployed the most often. The soldiers of the joint battalion conducted presence patrolling mainly in the northern part of Mitrovica", the lieutenant-colonel told us, adding that when they have no taskings, the companies of the KTM are on standby to move at one to four hour’s notice in Camp Slim Lines at the “heart" of Pristina. The camp is located near the KFOR Headquarters, and from here the Portuguese and Hungarian troops may be ordered to deploy to any part of Kosovo.

There are 300 troops serving in the camp, and the Hungarian–Portuguese ratio is around 50:50, the commander of the battalion pointed out. He informed us that the slogan of the KTM is “Two Nations – One Force".

“In my opinion, there is an excellent cooperation between the Portuguese and Hungarian soldiers, and as a commander I’m satisfied with the work of the peacekeepers serving in the camp. I hasten to add that we have managed to establish a good relationship with those parts of the Hungarian contingent that are not assigned to the joint battalion, and we regularly discuss all emerging problems with Lt.-Col. András Polyák, the commander of the Hungarian contingent", Lt.-Col. José Manuel Dos Santos Sá told us.

Of course, conducting operations is the top priority for the personnel of the battalion, but whenever they have some free time, they can spend it meaningfully in Camp Slim Lines, the commander stressed, adding that there are several sporting facilities for the soldiers, and each room is equipped with internet access and a television set. Those who wish to do so may participate in a Holy Mass, which is celebrated inside the container chapel every Sunday.

Answering our question, the commander of the KTM battalion told us that Portugal has been participating in KFOR since 1999, the start of the peacekeeping mission. The present battalion is based on a subunit of an infantry regiment stationed in a town near Porto.