The troops are the first of 600 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion The Rifles that will be sent to Kosovo's ethnically tense north to boost Nato's peacekeeping force.

They come as Kosovo's authorities prepare to take control of the country from the United Nations on June 15, almost four months after declaring independence from Serbia.

Germany, Italy and Britain each provide a battalion of around 600 troops in reserve to back up Nato and European union forces in the Balkans. Nato commands 16,000 troops in Kosovo.

The deployment is the first such reinforcement from Britain in four years. In 2004 British peacekeepers were rushed into Kosovo to quell ethnic riots.

The Rifles will sure it up,i think Europe are waiting for it to kick off out there

I hear its still a powder keg... dim officals leaving the peace keeping to the KFOR troops and large parimilitary elements still on the loose..

__________________
"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"

"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"

i am actually in pristna at the moment as part of KFOR and 2 rifles have arrived and a getting ready to get stuck into things. Things in the capital are tense but the we usual get is student protests so not much to worry about for now but i'm sure u all know how easierly a situation can change like the wind speacialy on ops

Roger that brother man!!.. be safe there, and watch out for those rioters.. especially those little b*st*rds who throw coins at you..make sure you got your body armour on...

Exo..

__________________
"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"

"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"

I spent some time in Pristna 1n 2001...theres always been something smiering just under the surface....as Exo says im sure the stone throwers will be out in force.....thats the thanks you get

There goes our last at the ready reserve battalion. They really thought that one through didn't they

Here's an opportune moment for you to adjust your text to what I have "***" out.....

__________________
"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"

"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"

Its common knowledge EXO and the sooner this bankrupt set of imbeciles get kicked out of office the better. I have NO loyalty to this Labour Government at all, in any respect! They're a set of total WANK artists!

Fair enough Tex... showing the last operational battalion reserve deployed is a something folks need to be locked up for.. but maybe Im being a bit old fashioned..

__________________
"Barrel High, Powder Dry!"

"Illic est haud effrego ex Veneratio"