Former American diplomat: Kosovo leaders have established an enemy by US government with tax decision

Radio Free Europe: Mr. Hooper, Washington is putting pressure on Kosovo to remove the tax on products of Serbia and Bosnia. But, the Kosovo government is not backing back, saying the decision is in Kosovo's best interests and the tax can be lifted only when Serbia recognises Kosovo as a state. How do you see this position, Chief? If I can call it this, the Kosovo government?

James Hoor: To be honest, all this has surprised me. I'm used to working with Kosovo leaders who think on the strategic level and who have remarkable feelings for the international community, who know what the smart step is internationally. And what happened to me seems to be the most contradictory step of Kosovo leaders, as far as I can remember.

With this decision, they have almost created an enemy from the United States government. They have brought relations with the United States to the lowest level since the war ended in Kosovo. It is remarkable, Kosovo was in a position of empowerment while the negotiation process was continuing with Belgrade and now they have rejected that powerful position, have created a controversy with the United States, which has had no need to exist.

Now they've created a public spectacle in which the Pentagon, the US State Department and the National Security Council have joined in a way I've never seen in the history of American diplomacy, to warn Kosovars that they should suspend the tax.

Frankly, for me this is a sign of a narrow and provincial form of thinking, and this is very dangerous for Kosovo, very dangerous. Kosovo cannot allow itself to enter into the pleasure of nationalist thinking.

If Kosovars think that this is how they should move forward and if this is their choice, then so be it, but the American government is telling them that if you walk this way, you will lose the support of the United States. And this co-operation is a strategic value, which Kosovo dares not lose.

Mr. Hooper, the Kosovo government says the tax is set in response to what it has called Serbia's continued campaign against Kosovo citizenship. Does that not reason?

James Hoor: No, you don't. I may see on economic and nationalistic grounds why this is being done, but on diplomatic grounds and international politics, that makes no sense at all. Kosovo may gain this argument in an economic way, but still loses the argument on the strategic level. Kosovo is currently putting strategic interests at risk to pursue tactical games. From my experience with Kosovo leaders in the past, they have been strategic players, even if they could occasionally lose some tactical goal. That's how diplomacy and international politics work.

I have the impression that President Thaci understands this, and wants to bring the process of a comprehensive agreement with Belgrade ahead. And these recent developments will not help negotiations.

But, Kosovo's prime minister has said he is committed to continuing the dialogue, and that the tax should not be related to dialogue. According to him, the tax decision is the sovereign decision of the state of Kosovo...

James Hoor: Right, and Kosovo can make such decisions, but this sovereign decision of the Kosovo government is putting Kosovo's strategic interests at risk. The prime minister can act as he wishes, I don't want to characterise things on a personal level, because I have respect for Prime Minister Haradinaj, but the United States has told him in the most extraordinary public way: You're wrong!

Kosovo can walk on the path it has chosen, it is an independent and sovereign state, while Americans are saying the relationship with Washington is being jeopardised if you move further along the path you have chosen.

Let's talk a little bit more concrete about strategic interests. You said earlier that Kosovo has almost created, and I am underlining it almost, enemy by the American government. In a practical sense, what does that mean?

James Hoor: In a practical sense, Kosovo is now seen instead of a cautious, clear-minded and practical state of mind as a country with fair-headed leaders who follow the nationalist agenda, and this contrasts with Belgrade, which is now being more rational. And that's a huge difference.
Serbia is always seen as a problematic country, which has not yet surpassed the Milosevic era, but this is now gradually changing. Somehow it seems to me that Kosovo has lost contact with the United States and has allowed this change to happen. This nationalist spirit in which Kosovo is involved is seriously damaging it to Washington.

Put some discussion on the other side, why do the United States, but also the European Union, insist so much on tax removal?

James Hoor: Because to move on, along a road that's still difficult, and with obstacles, it takes a good driver. It was very good to resolve issues with Serbia, in my opinion.

And I understand what Prime Minister Haradinaj has wanted to achieve with the tax decision to have an influential position in dialogue, but that's not how it works. With it, the deal is actually being jeopardised, although I think it is still possible to be saved, but will require suspension of the tax, immediate suspension.

And if this agreement involves border change?

I'm Hooper: I would not like to comment, or speculate, on the components of the agreement, and whether Kosovo will become a member of the United Nations, if Kosovo opens the doors to the EU, and if Kosovo has an open road to NATO. A comprehensive agreement could stabilise the relationship between Kosovo and Serbia.

Taking into account the situation in the United States since 2016, it is very dangerous for Kosovo to allow a hostile neighbour at the northern border to continue the hostilities. It is good for Kosovo to soften and end that hostility, and this can be done through agreement. The agreement implies compromise on both sides -- this is the way forward, moving towards a strategic outcome.