http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i8jjD1VfQiP1mUd2RWbzmn4SJ0ug
UK troops on standby over Kosovo
British troops are on standby to fly to Kosovo in the event of
violence breaking out following the province's expected declaration of
independence on Sunday.
About 600 members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will be sent to
the new state if widespread civil unrest follows its split from
neighbouring Serbia.
The soldiers make up the current Nato Response Force which is tasked
with assisting troops already deployed in Kosovo if need be.
The Nato-led Kosovo Force (Kfor) currently has about 15,000 personnel
in place as part of its peacekeeping efforts in the region.
But if numbers on the ground are deemed to be insufficient in the case
of ethnic violence recurring, extra troops will be moved in.
Nato's Response Force rotates its host country every six months, with
the UK having taken over the post on January 1.
As such, it will fall upon the 1st Battalion Welsh Guard to go to
Kosovo if the need arises.
