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Nga:
Ferenc Kajari
- 6 janar 2022 09:40
- Shpërndaje në:
The task of the Commander of KFOR as a tactical level commander is to maintain this security and stability to provide the necessary background for the negotiations
Introduction
I was born in 1967 in Budapest, Hungary. From my early childhood I wanted to be not just simply a soldier but a reconnaissance/intelligence officer. Most of the boys grow out of this idea but somehow, I have not given up on it and upon finishing the elementary school I made an application to the military secondary school. After the secondary school I joined one of the military colleges and got commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1988 with an armoured reconnaissance officer and an engineer degree.
At the beginning of my carrier, I served at Infantry Brigades in different reconnaissance and Military Intelligence positions as platoon leader, company commander, intelligence staff officer and chief of intelligence at an infantry brigade.
In 1996, I was assigned to the Hungarian Engineer Contingent of IFOR (deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina), which was the first ever Hungarian unit deployed to a NATO operation, and served as an intelligence officer and liaison officer in the headquarters staff. Upon finishing my deployment, I was transferred to the Ministry of Defence, where I served in a number of positions, most notably as Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy State Secretary for NATO Integration.
In 1998 I was selected to serve in one of the newly established Partnership for Peace (PfP) staff positions, and was assigned to the Headquarters of SACLANT (Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic) in Norfolk (Virginia) in the U.S.A. Here I served in the PfP staff element until Hungary’s NATO accession in 1999 from which date I served in the Education and Training Department of the headquarters.
After returning to Hungary in 2001, I was posted to the Intelligence Directorate of the Hungarian Defence Forces and continued my carrier on that field in different positions – from the introductory level of a desk officer up until the very top position to which I was appointed in 2016. Naturally, during this period I had several deployments. In 2004 I was deployed to Darfur as an EU representative and Military Observer of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS).
In 2007 I spent six months in Afghanistan where I served as the first Hungarian officer in the Intelligence Chief position of the German-led region (Regional Command-North) of ISAF. Then in 2009 I was deployed to the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy, where I served until 2012.
Family life, free time & hobbies
I met my wife, Veronika during the high school years and married her in 1988. We have two kids, a daughter and a son, both are attending to universities in Hungary. As far as my hobbies are concerned, I have several of them, however in the past few years I have not really had time to pursue them and this year definitely will not be the one when I will spend much time on them.
My long-standing wish was to own a Hungarian made motorcycle – a Pannonia P10 – that was manufactured in the year when I was born. A few years ago, I managed to hunt one down and now I am trying to maintain it in a good condition (such old machines as we are need lots of care) and when the weather is good, I take her out for a ride. I am also restoring a Hungarian made small wooden sailboat.
Hungary delegates commander of KFOR for the first time
The security of the Western Balkans has been and it remains a top priority for Hungary, due to its strategic importance and its geographical location. The region’s Euro-Atlantic integration is one of the cornerstones of the Hungarian foreign policy. This is well reflected in the number of Hungarian troops committed here, which is more than half of our entire international footprint and makes Hungary the third largest troop contributing nations in KFOR. It was a long-standing strategic goal of the Hungarian Defence Forces to gain the command position of KFOR, at least for one rotation to show that the Hungarian Defence Forces are matured enough and ready to meet the challenge, ready to accomplish the mission according to NATO requirements.
It is a great honour that I had been selected to be the first ever Hungarian general to command a NATO operation. Needless to say, that it is also a huge burden, not just because I have to step into the footpath of great generals that led KFOR in the past 22 years and made it a well appreciated and accepted, successful organization, but I also have to demonstrate that a Hungarian general is also capable to lead the operation according to the expectations of the NATO authorities.
I am both honoured and humbled as I consider the immense responsibilities inherent in this position and thrilled to be the first Hungarian force commander in a NATO operation.
Current situation
KFOR and the international community have achieved a lot in the past 22 years, the situation today cannot be compared to the one in 1999. Generally speaking, the environment is safe and secure, the freedom of movement is not hampered. The security organisations are able and capable to maintain this security. NATO’s assessment is that the security situation in Kosovo is stable but this stability is fragile. Therefore, every action carefully has to be weighted not to upset the stability. There are outstanding issues that are still to be solved but the EU facilitated dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina provides a forum to discuss these issues and to find a lasting solution to problems. The task of KFOR and thus the task of the Commander of KFOR as a tactical level commander is to maintain this security and stability to provide the necessary background for the negotiations. KFOR is dedicated to provide support to the security organizations to maintain the safe and secure environment and we are also ready to act to counter any threat to security or to restore security if and when there is a need.
Challenges
There are several type of challenges the commander has to face. Firstly: KFOR needs to maintain sufficient situational awareness to accomplish its mandated mission specified in UNSCR 1244. This requires continuous data collection and analysis and coordination with all our partners as well as rapid decision making. Threats to security need to be identified at an early stage to enable the timely and adequate action. Secondly: KFOR is the longest running and without doubt the most successful operation of NATO. Since its establishment, KFOR has constantly adapted to meet the challenges of the changing operating environment and maintained its capability to respond with the most suitable means and capabilities to fulfil its mission. By doing so it earned the respect and appreciation of all involved parties as an impartial, reliable guarantor of security in Kosovo. Preserving these values is also a challenge that cannot be taken lightly. Thirdly: KFOR made up from the soldiers of 28 nations. The coordination of such an international force is a challenge in itself. Last but not least to be away from our home, from our family is a challenge that all members of KFOR need to face. In my speech I quoted the following: "Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes it meaningful." I am quite sure that I will have an interesting year, but most of I want to have a meaningful upcoming command period in KFOR.
Future hopes and perspectives
To command such a great organization as KFOR is a huge privilege but also an extraordinary responsibility. Many people and many lives depend on the decisions the commander makes. Therefore, my personal goal for 2022 is to accomplish this assignment successfully. To do my job every day with 100% attention to detail and focusing KFOR’s activity on supporting the safe and secure environment for the benefit of all people in Kosovo.
Personal feelings
During the preparation to this mission, I have arrived to the airport of Kosovo several times but when I stepped off the aircraft of the Hungarian Air Force in October at the actual start of my deployment, I felt that a heavy weight landed on my shoulders and started to feel the responsibility of the command position of KFOR. This feeling just became stronger on 15th October when I took over the flag from the previous commander, Brigadier General Franco Federici. Since I arrived to Kosovo, I have met several talented and dedicated men and women who are working for the advancement of their nation or to accomplish their tasks in KFOR I feel privileged knowing them and working with them. my meetings I have felt the trust and support towards KFOR, which means a lot and makes it easier to do my job. I am extremely proud that I have the possibility to command KFOR, have the chance to contribute to its success and be a small part of its history. I am sure that KFOR will be successful in the coming months in supporting all the communities of Kosovo and I ensure you that we will work hard to earn your respect and trust throughout the following year as well.
I wish all the people of Kosovo peace and prosperity and a Happy New Year!
(Author is the commander of KFOR)
