Kosovo on Wednesday began creating its own secret service, appointing former police officer Bashkim Smakaj as director of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency (KIA). President Fatmir Sejdiu and Prime Minister Hashim Thaci made the appointment at a ceremony in Pristina, two months later than expected since Kosovo had to wait for international approval.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia last February and was recognised by more than 50 countries, including the United States and most of the European Union. Serbia, backed by Russia, however, bitterly opposes Kosovo independence.