KFOR Commander General Erhard Drews from Germany warned that certain conflicts in Kosovo could arise in case Albanian nationalists should feel provoked by the referendum northern Kosovo Serbs announced, and added that any potential incidents should prevented.

There will certainly be certain expressions of dissatisfaction, and the referendum does not suit many people, Drews stated in an interview for the German magazine Focus which will be published on Monday.

Estimating that as many as 98 per cent of Serbs would vote negative at the forthcoming referendum as regards acceptance of Kosovo institutions, Drews warned that certain conflicts with the Serb minority in the south could arise in case Albanian nationalists should feel provoked.

This needs to be prevented by all available means, Drews stated.

When asked whether Serbia still has government over Kosovo Serbs since the referendum blocks the long-awaited EU candidate status, Drews stated that Belgrade is still providing considerable financial assistance to the northern Kosovo public life and that Belgrade has an influence over northern Kosovo representatives.

However, interests of northern Kosovo Serbs do not coincide with Belgrade's interests any longer, Drews said and added that compromises Belgrade is making do not suit northern Kosovo Serbs, having in mind the EU stand. When asked whether the background of the conflict is more political or criminal, the KFOR commander replied that both are present.

Both sides are present, he said and added that there are strong political forces which want to see the area stay within Serbia, but at the same time, the local population fears that if the EU and the Kosovo Police Service take over the border control, they would lose their revenue sources, that is, the funds from Belgrade and the money obtained by smuggling.