Blockade of "Kosovo Army", denial of money, cancellation of visit: Due to Pristina disobedience, the United States is ready for severe moves

The United States of America furious because Pristina reuses to withdraw taxes of 100 percent on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and they are ready for most extreme moves which should strike directly on political leaders and their main projects, writes "Blic".

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The spokesperson of the list from Kosovo assembly said that she wouldn't like for their future actions to be the burden on the backs of the citizens, and that is why their actions should be focused on Kosovo military, blockade of arms deals, denial of money for institution building in Pristina, but also refusing hospitality to Kosovo leaders.

- The US openly insist to unblock the dialogue, but they don't want the sanctions to be directed towards the people. And now, it is evident that they could make moves to the Kosovo Security forces, and in the form of equipment that was agreed to be delivered, which is about armored vehicles, but also through contacts with the highest officials in the KSF. It hurts them most. The second pressure line is the money Pristina receives from the United States for the construction of democratic institutions - says the source.

Due to the refusal to abolish taxes, White House sent a warning letter to the address of Ramush Haradinaj, Hashim Thaci, and Kadri Veseli where they don't hide their displeasure and disbelief about the actions of Pristina. 

Political analyst and director of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Studies, Jelena Milic, said first that Kosovo is an independent country for the US, and that Washington "will not immediately start with the heaviest weapon" in order to make Prishtina withdraw taxes.

Foto: Tanjug/Filip Krainčanić

- The cancellation of the visit to the celebration of the independence of Kosovo by the commander of the National Guard of Iowa, Major-General Timothy Ora, is a huge message - says Milic.

As a similar message there is a refusal to issue a visa to Ramush Haradinaj, and the sharp letter Pristina has received from the American administration.

- Introduction of taxes was a desperate move, brought in the moment of frustration because they weren't admitted in Interpol, and the intention was to justify themselves to the election body - sad Milic.

She said, stating about the relationship of America toward Kosovo, that diplomatic attitudes are based on facts, and when the facts change, the attitude change as well.

- The Republic of Serbia understands it better than Pristina because there are not many measures which it can use to retaliate, besides patience and proving that they are a reliable partner and that Kosovo is an unreliable partner - said Milic.

The consequences of the official hold in cooperation, bureaucratic, between USA and Kosovo is that the Kosovo officials are now denied of various training, joint exercises funded by the US administration, and this effect is reflected in - a direct blow to their people's pocket.

Asked if the US would do something more concrete and make a move that will be a clearer message to Pristina, Milic said that the USA has its own challenges it must face.

- Right now, Angela Merkel criticized Trump in Munich at a security conference. What we have seen so far as formal measures is not a small thing. If there is someone smart in Pristina, and it's clear to them. I am wondering where is the critical public, political analysts of Kosovo, to point that out - she said and added that Thaci is lonely in his attempts today that Kosovo must meet the expectations of President Trump.

Foto: Tanjug/Dimitrije Goll

US Ambassador to Belgrade Kyle Scott, questioned about the next move by the US administration, told Blic that it is not appropriate to speculate on the potential moves that the US will either make or not, but he can say that it will continue efforts to abolish the fees and return for the negotiating table.

- And yes, there are other options that can be included, but I think it is more important to focus on positive sides such as taxes withdrawal, return to the negotiating table, focus on dialogue, and under the auspices of the EU, reaching a comprehensive agreement that will restore normalization relationship, this is our goal - said Scott.

He added that in this way, a stronger and more stable Balkan region will be built, which is in the interests of Belgrade and Pristina as well as the USA.

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(Telegraf.co.uk)