O'Brien-Kurt: Disregarding your decision about the dinar, if you treat it as partners, it raises questions as to whether we might consider you a partner

Kosovo must withdraw from the decision on the dinar, says the senior American official. Although the United States had cautioned the Kosovo government against such an act, it decided to implement it, without considering the advice of key partners, says Mr. O'Brien. The modern European countries, says Mr. O'Brien, settle these issues with preliminary dialogue and inform residents over time. The US official said he had some contacts with Prime Minister Kurti before announcing the decision and only a brief exchange after his proclamation.

Asked about Kosovo relations Serbia has since Ohrid agreements, Mr O'Brien said their implementation is up to each side to take its own actions, unconditionally from the other side. Serbia said it has taken two important steps towards recognising Kosovo's de-facto, such as the issue of license plates and customs documents. Asked whether Belgrade stands behind the attack of the Serbian armed group in Banjska, Mr O'Brien said Serbia replaced the intelligence service chief, who was involved in it, drew troops close to the border with Kosovo and that Washington expects Serbia to prosecute responsible persons.

Voice of America: Mr. O'Brien, the Government of Kosovo's recent decision to get out of circulation the Serbian dinar is the latest frustration in relations

Kosovo and Serbia. The government in Pristina says it wants to implement its laws, its Constitution, to allow only Euro as single currency. The United States and the European Union are saying otherwise. Can you tell us why you feel that way?

Jim O'Brien: This is a matter of partnership and ability in government. All the problems that have been faced since this decision was announced were identified in the first 5-10 minutes after we learned about it. However, the government continued with its unannounced implementation and has left a number of its citizens confused about how to pay for bread, rent and electricity, which some have just begun to pay. This is not the form of effective governance. We are very concerned, as this shows the government's inability to serve its citizens, but also its partnership. Being part of Europe today means solving issues through dialogue with effective planning and warning. This decision has been announced hastily, without warning, and without an attempt to exploit existing mechanisms for answers to all problems that could arise.

Voice of America: It seems that the Kosovo government understood this even after the pressure on it and the Central Bank announced a three-month extension. Is this enough time, in your opinion?

Jim O'Brien: People have to know how to pay the bills. When I read the Central Bank statement, it does not say that dinar use will be allowed. He says an alternative will be offered. This had to be done before the decision was implemented in co-operation with the affected communities and with neighbours affected by the decision and sincerely with the European Union and us. So no, they have to shut this down immediately and then work towards solving the concrete problem, that they want to solve, as modern European states do.

Voice of America: Have you talked to the Prime Minister about your concerns and this suggestion?

Jim O'Brien: We had some conversations in the period before the decision was announced and a brief exchange later.

Voice of America: And how does he expect your appreciation?

Jim O'Brien: He understood his concerns, promised to work for them, but he clearly decided to approve the decision. If he does not treat us as a partner, it raises questions as to whether we can view this government as a partner.

Voice of America: Mr. O'Brien, the European Union has imposed some restrictive measures on Kosovo without calling it sanctions. Do the United States plan to do the same if Pristina insists on its stance?

Jim O'Brien: I do not make vague threats publicly. I would say, that if we are not treated as partners, we will not treat the Kosovo government as partner”.

Voice of America: Do you see the case of the dinar related to Association?

Jim O'Brien: The association would solve this problem because it would clarify the issue of money sent out and the goals used for it. There are other ways to provide this clarity, including through dialogue, through informal consultations, just as modern states give answers to these
Case. Not by declaring decisions in the middle of the night after your closest partners tell you this is a bad idea and weak governance.

Voice of America: Mr. Kurti's government has agreed on association, which would solve the dinar issue, but considers it a major concession to Belgrade in exchange for the de facto recognition of Kosovo, or for at least Belgrade to sign the agreements the parties have agreed to. Is Mr. Kurt right? Should de facto recognition take place parallel to the creation of association?

Jim O'Brien: In the past spring, in Ohrid, the two sides have agreed to a number of actions that they should take one after another, each in spite of the other's actions. And now circumstances have been created that allow both sides to blame each other instead of working to free and advanced residents.

I want to stress that since October, Serbia has taken two important steps to normalise Kosovo's de facto recognition, through the implementation of vehicle plates and customs documents. These are the goals that have been long required and realised, and I believe there are other things that will happen in this regard, if we go back to dialogue instead of acting outside, as the government (of Kosovo) decided to do.

Voice of America: But according to a letter Serbia's prime minister, Brnabic, has sent to European Union officials, it actually rejects the content of those agreements.

Jim O'Brien: I think the first version of the letter he rejected (the agreement) has been withdrawn. What I see are actions, de facto recognition. Normalisation in these two key components took place in recent months and there are discussions on other things that can be done if modern European states work that way.

Voice of America: I want to ask you about the incident in Banjska, which seems to have changed the Western approach to Serbia slightly. Do you think Belgrade stands behind him?

Jim O'Brien: After Banjska's incident, we made it clear that KFOR protects all of Kosovo's people, including those in the northern part. We have called on the two governments to be transparent and open with KFOR, and I want to stress that Serbia replaced the intelligence service chief, who was involved in it. They have arrested and agreed that they will prosecute people who are directly responsible for the incident in Banjska, and Serbian troops have withdrawn from the near border. All these steps have been taken and then, after Banjska, steps were taken towards recognition of de facto customs and license plates.

These are important steps that came as a result of response and commitment to dialogue. So we want commitment to work towards the practical solution of these problems, not the one-sided measures for personal benefits that concern your partners as much as your citizens do.