Croat general to lead KLA as part of reorganisation
As part of the drive to reorganise the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA),
Agim Ceku, a former Croatian Army brigadier-general, has been named the new chief of staff.
The new KLA-led 'Kosovo Provisional Government, which announced his
appointment, is spearheading efforts to regroup the battered KLA. The army suffered heavy casualties at the hands of Yugoslav Army (VJ) and Serbian Interior Ministry forces.
It is estimated that only 4,000 KLA fighters remain in Kosovo, in three isolated hilltop enclaves. However, their fighting capacity is limited by the need to protect thousands of refugees. Most of the original force, which the KLA claimed numbered 24,000, retreated into Albania or dropped their arms and adopted civilian clothes to mix with refugees.
Spearheaded by the 'Delta special unit', the KLA managed to take over the VJ border garrison at Kosare on 9 April, establishing a supply line into Kosovo. However, the further advance of KLA units has met with strong resistance from VJ units which are well dug-in and backed by armour and artillery.
The former KLA commander, Sylejman Selimi, a political appointee with no formal military training, has been named commander of the newly-formed National Guard (Garda Kombetare). His performance was criticised for indecision and incompetence, and it is unlikely that the National Guard will become a serious force.
His replacement, Ceku graduated from the Belgrade Military Academy and
served in the former Yugoslav Army as an artillery captain. In 1991, he defected to the newly-formed Croatian Army (HV). In September 1993, he masterminded the successful HV offensive at Medak and in 1995 was one of the key planners of the successful Operation 'Storm' in which the HV quickly defeated their Serb opponents.
In February 1999, Ceku resigned from the HV. A retired US Army officer now with the Virginia-based Military Professional Resources Incorporated and who has served as consultant to the HV since 1995 describes Brig Ceku as a highly competent and disciplined officer. "We were impressed by his overview of the battleground and the ability to always predict his enemy's next move," the source told Jane's Defence Weekly.
Brig Ceku is expected to instill some discipline into KLA forces and organise basic training for the volunteers who have been reaching the area. The current order of battle with seven 'operational zones' and 17 'brigades' is likely to be changed.
The KLA's immediate political aim is to secure the support of Bujar Bukoshi, the former 'prime minister' of the self-styled Kosovo Republic. During his eight years in office, Bukoshi is estimated to have amassed $300 million in donations. Following NATO's refusal to arm the KLA, its leaders seem ready to reach a political compromise with Bukoshi if he makes those funds available to procure vital anti-tank weapons. |
