The former assistant to the US Secretary of State, Daniel Fried, has told Radio Free Europe that he does not understand why the Government of Kosovo is clashing with the United States, adding that with its own actions, it is making the Government in Belgrade he looks like the injured party, something he didn’t believe could happen.
The American diplomat made these statements while commenting on the recent actions of the Government of Kosovo, including the closing of parallel structures and branches of the Serbian Post in the north, and the intentions to open the main bridge over the Iber River.
According to him, it is not in anyone’s interest for Kosovo to have disagreements with its friends.
In the interview conducted on the sidelines of the security forum, Globsec, held in Prague, Fried also spoke about Russian influence in the Western Balkans, and about the US approach to the region, depending on who wins the US presidential elections in November.
Question: Mr. Fried, Kosovo has recently been criticized by the West for unilateral steps, regarding attempts to open the bridge over the Iber River for vehicles, for closing parallel institutions, for closing the Bank of Serbia in the north of Kosovo. How do you see the Government’s steps?
Daniel Fried: I find them very difficult. So, I don’t understand why the Government of Kosovo is clashing with the United States. The Government of Kosovo has somehow managed to make the Serbian Government in Belgrade look like the injured party. I didn’t think this would be possible, but she did. This means that the United States is being ignored and clashing with Kosovo’s friends is not in anyone’s interest.
Kosovars do not need an American to tell them that some people within [former US President Donald] Trump’s administration have great sympathy for Serbia. If Trump wins, that sympathy could return. I see no reason to justify the policies of people who would put pressure on Kosovo, without any reason, and keep Serbia comfortable, when it is not in anyone’s interest.
Therefore, the actions of the Government of Kosovo are an enigma for me. I have read statements from the US Embassy and the anger is clear. Again, I see no interest.
It’s not that I have much sympathy for the Serbian separatists in the north, or for the people who have made the bridge a hot topic. I understand the anger. But there are ways to approach and how not to approach this topic. I have in mind the flag of Kosovo. That flag is designed to look like the flag of the European Union. The stars on the flag represent the population of Kosovo. It is not an American flag, it is a Kosovar flag. It is a wonderful flag, which shows that Kosovo is not a creature of ethnic nationalization, but is the country of all those who live in it. This is the American and European Union view. Therefore, I do not understand what the Government of Kosovo is doing.
Q: The government says it is extending sovereignty to the north. The West, on occasion, has said that the Government’s steps are in accordance with the Constitution, but has requested coordination for the time being.
Daniel Fried: Here’s the problem. I was very closely involved in the independence of Kosovo. During the [former US President George] Bush administration, I was one of the earliest advocates, and I negotiated with the European Union and with European countries, so I know the history there. According to the American view, Kosovo is a sovereign state, it has rights, but it should use those rights intelligently and not just by taking a bold stand, and let other people then do the hard work of dealing with the consequences.
The main objective is the position of Kosovo in the world, in Europe and I hope in the future also in the European Union. But, this should be done in a way that is sustainable, and not in a way that creates discord between Kosovo and its friends. In whose interest is this?
