Howler's shocking statement last night: US deeply concerned about Kosovo government's recent actions towards Serb community

US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Hovenier has said he is concerned about the recent actions of the Kosovo Government against Kosovo Serbs. He has cited the operation to close Serb parallel municipalities in Kosovo.

Hüvenier, through a statement to the media last night, has said Kosovo authorities are pushing unnecessary interethnic tensions.

He has added that these actions limit US options to serve as an effective applicant for Kosovo in the international arena.

Hüvenier said far that he is also concerned about the seizure of a Serbian dinar vehicle coming to Kosovo from Serbia.

The American diplomat said the Kosovo government has responsibility for all citizens' concerns, while adding that the issue of Serbian structures should be involved in dialogue.

Ambassador Havenier's full statement:

The United States government is deeply concerned about the recent actions of Kosovo Government authorities, who have direct and negative influence on members of Serbian ethnicity and other minorities in Kosovo. These actions are unnecessarily increasing interethnic tensions, and in turn limit options for the United States to serve as an effective applicant for Kosovo in the international arena. These include operations by Kosovo Police, by orders from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, during the past week at Serbia's offices and institutions administered in Dragash, Pec, Istog, Kline and the NGO Centre for Peace and Tolerance in Pristina. We are also concerned by the shares of the Kosovo Police today to sequencing Serbian dinars and the transport vehicle that allocated the fees of social benefits from Serbia. We ask Kosovo authorities to ensure that the individuals for whom these social benefits are destined to receive them without delay.

It is the responsibility of the Government of Kosovo to promote the vision set forth as founders and envisioned in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution -- a fully multiethnic democracy that answers the concerns of all its citizens. Issues dealing with structures supported by Serbia in Kosovo should be addressed through dialogue facilitated by the EU. We also reiterate our demand that Kosovo postpone the implementation of Kosovo's Central Bank's changed arrangement for cash operations until satisfactory procedures are established in line with European standards, and until the population is well informed how the transition of their benefits will continue.