American reporter: Tensions between Kosovo politicians and Western allies, special cause

Radio Free Europe: In recent days we have heard information that Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj does not travel to the United States, as there is no visa. There have been some opinions that this is related to developments in efforts to withdraw legislation for the Special War Crimes Court. How do you see this situation?

Valerie Plesch: I don't want to speculate, but someone can be asked about the time of this visit and visa and the recent news of the withdrawal of the legislation on Special Chambers.

Whether the visa rejection is based on the latest news of the effort by members of the Kosovo Assembly and Kosovo's top leaders to withdraw the legislation for the Special Court is unknown, or that was just a procedural issue. But this certainly raises the question of when current events occurred.

Radio Free Europe: You said you heard some speculation. What kind of speculation is there?

Valerie Plesch: I've seen in social media and local news that these two events are very interrelated. But again, neither side has confirmed why the visa was rejected. But you have to think about time.

Radio Free Europe: Following that initiative in the Kosovo Assembly, which has already failed, there has been strong opposition from Western countries, including the United States. Do you think reports between Kosovo officials and Western countries are currently tense, and for the first time, some see this as the biggest crisis between top Kosovo officials and Western allies?

Valerie Plesch: I think so! I would say that the situation is tense between Kosovo and its allies and its biggest supporters in the past 18 years. British Ambassador said on December 22nd, when all of this began to develop that <x0 this night could be the most dangerous night for Kosovo since the end of the” war.

And so, American ambassador said the United States will be considered a knife to the back if the legislation is withdrawn. Therefore, Kosovo's biggest supporters want to see Kosovo succeed and eventually want to see it moving forward in terms of its commitments to the investigation, prosecution and trial of war crimes.

During a visit Wednesday to the German and French delegations to Pristina, specifically it has been discussed for the Special Court, with cases of these officials in delegations, it reportedly warned Kosovo leaders that the annulment of the Specialised Chambers will produce serious consensus for Kosovo leadership.

Yes, this could be seen as the biggest crisis between Kosovo leaders and Western allies from the end of the war.

Radio Free Europe: In your article last year in Washington Times, you wrote about the deep love and thanks of Kosovo for America throughout the country. Now, after recent political developments, do you think this approach is in danger?

Valerie Plesch: If I correctly understand the question, I don't think the United States will withdraw from support and investment in Kosovo's long-term development. I think Kosovo's gratitude sign for the United States will always be seen throughout the country.

So I really don't see such a danger. I think the United States is here to stay. They are building the new embassy here in Pristina, a very large embassy and I think this is a clear sign that the United States will stay here and invest in Kosovo's future.

Radio Free Europe: Another serious obstacle to these reports seems to be the issue of ratification of the Demarket Agreement with Montenegro. This is also the main condition of the European Union for visa liberalisation for Kosovo citizens. Living and writing for Kosovo for a while, do you expect this issue will be resolved positively for Kosovo citizens who are isolated?

ValeriePlesh: Yeah, but I think it'll take more time. I live here for three years and no critical progress has been made on this issue, which I think would improve living conditions for citizens so that they can travel freely.

Many promises have been made by leaders throughout the year, but even today Kosovars cannot travel freely to other parts of Europe. This is extremely frustrating for citizens.

I think people are satisfied to hear promises, made during campaigns, that visa liberalisation will occur, under the leadership of the designated candidate. For example, Haradinaj told citizens that if he is elected the next prime minister, then they will travel without visas within 90 days. But, of course, that never happened.

Last month, he promised visa liberalisation in March of this year. I don't see this happening. People here are fed up with these promises and they don't want to be isolated anymore. They must wait in long lines before the embassies for expensive visas.