Ivanovic's murder opens “opportunity for agreement” between Kosovo and Serbia

After the Serbian politician's assassination in Kosovo, Oliver Ivanovic, Belgrade must realise it must give up northern Kosovo, says in an interview for Radio Free Europe Edward Joseph, professor at Johns Hopkins University in Washington. Joseph stresses the importance of including the United States in dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, so that the parties can reach agreement. He also says that Albanians who have committed crimes against Serbs should answer for them at the Special Court.

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Joseph, the murder of Serbian politician in Kosovo, Oliver Ivanovic, by many is seen as opportunities for further tensions in Kosovo. In your writing, published late, you have said otherwise: “A murder may be exactly what Kosovo needs”. Why?

Edward Joseph: Let me make it clear, for murder there is no need, murder is tragedy, but if all parties take a step back and examine how and why Oliver Ivanov was killed, it turns out that the reasons are the things that Ivanovic is concerned about: crime and the lack of law in northern Kosovo. Not that there is no crime in the south, but there is no proper authority in the north. Neither does the government in Pristina have authority, nor does the Government in Belgrade. Ivanovic has warned of this, he has talked about open drug sales, about surrounding criminals, lack of police authority, possible police co-operation with criminals or the infiltrate of criminals in police. He talked about all these things in an interview for “Vreme” (v.j. The Serbian newspaper) last September. He has been killed and now is the opportunity for Belgrade to see that this is no longer applicable; to make efforts and reach agreement with Pristina. I also say in my article that this is really possible if the United States is involved.

Radio Free Europe: You have said the allegations that Russia may have orchestrated Ivanovic's murder are credible. Why do you think that?

Edward Joseph: I have cited the charges made by the leader of an opposition party in Serbia, Nenad Canak. We know Russia has made efforts to organise coups in Montenegro. She has wanted to destabilise the region, and this is the right way to do it by putting out the man who has been known for dialogue with Albanians. Ivanovic has spoken fluent Albanian and has been loyal to the Serbian cause. He believed in dialogue. We have no evidence that Russia was involved in the murder, but we know that it is interested in destabilizing the region. And the Serbian opposition leader's charges must be taken into consideration.

Radio Free Europe: Kosovo soon marks its 10th anniversary of independence, facing many challenges: one of them is normalising relations with Serbia. Many have questioned this dialogue mediated by the European Union. Do you believe in it?

Edward Joseph: I think dialogue is useful for lower-level issues on technical issues, but not for resolving serious, practical, political issues between Kosovo and Serbia. We joke with ourselves when we think the dialogue is happening and we should not worry about the relationship between Pritina and Belgrade. That's not good. The northern issue cannot be solved with this dialogue. It is a strategic issue for Kosovo and can only be resolved in the context of a comprehensive agreement between Kosovo and Serbia. That's why active involvement of the United States is needed. The US cannot contract Kosovo's problem and expect the EU to come up with solutions for the north.

Both Belgrade and Pristina have illusions

Radio Free Europe: When talking about the involvement of the United States, the leadership of late Kosovo has been putting forth effort to quote here American Ambassador to Pristina Greg Delawi “stabbed US” in connection with the Special War Crimes Court. How do you comment on this development?

Edward Joseph: I mentioned this in my article, not only to Belgrade but also to Pristina. I think Belgrade is guilty because it continues to have illusions that it can divide Kosovo and take northern municipalities. Belgrade has these illusions, but Pristina does. One of Pristina's illusions is that it can escape responsibility for crimes Albanians committed against Serbs. Albanians have also committed crimes against Serbs, not in the same way, not on the same scale, not in the same period, but, however, they are crimes. And those who have accomplished them must answer for them. Specialised rooms have been set up and it is absolutely necessary that all authorities and all political parties in Pristina co-operate.

Radio Free Europe: We mentioned Russia at the beginning of the conversation and let me come back. United States Democrat Senator Ben Cardin has said late in an interview for Radio Free Europe that the US has left the Balkans in Russia's hands. Do you agree?

Edward Joseph: I think the United States has left much to the European Union, and the European Union is in no position to rise to Russian influence in the region. There have been some good efforts by American diplomats, such as Hoyt Brian Yee, who has been very energetic in Macedonia, where he has mediated resolving the political stalemate. But I think Senator Cardin is right in principle. The United States, not being present and not being active enough in the Balkans, leaving much in the hands of the European Union, has created space for Russia

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