§ Baroness Park of Monmouthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which countries have promised to provide police with the necessary skills in Kosovo; how many of these are now there; and when it is expected that (a) the full agreed complement of police will be in place; and (b) it will be possible to make a corresponding reduction in the numbers of United Kingdom troops now carrying out police duty in Kosovo. [HL3955]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)Fifty-seven countries from all regions of the world have so far promised to provide some 2,300 police for executive policing in Kosovo. The UK has offered 60 officers. Of the police promised, about 1,700 are now in theatre, with the majority of the remainder arriving by the end of October. The UN has recently notified substantial additional requirements for policing in Kosovo. These are being considered by member states.
The OSCE has also requested 165 officers for the Police Training School in Kosovo. Of these, 131 officers are in place, including the full complement of 32 UK police officers. Other contributors are the Americans and Scandinavians.