“Serbia closer NATO that Kosovo”, Clark for Hill's statement: I think what he says is absolutely true.

Retired US General Wesley Clark, who had been in supreme command of NATO's Allied Forces during the bombing of the Sebe targets due to ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, has spoken to Ambassador Christopher Hill, who last week said” Serbia is closer NATO...”

Below Clark's full comments to Hill.

Question: General Clark, you know American Ambassador to Serbia Chris Hill for a long time, since the intervention (s) NATO. Two days ago he said that now “Serbia is closer to NATO than Kosovo. We have had joint exercises and many things with the Serbian Army. We now work much more together (with Serbia) than with the KLA or whatever came out of it”. What is your opinion on this statement?

Clark: I think Ambassador Hill is an excellent diplomat. I get what he says like he says.

Question: Can you express yourself more specifically?

Clark: I think what he says is absolutely true.

Question: That the United States has better relations with the Serbian Army than with Kosovo?

Clark: I can't speak in detail because I'm not part of that relationship. I see things from the outside. But Ambassador Hill seems to have done a good job of strengthening this relationship and moving forward reports between the United States and Serbia. And that's his job as ambassador. Whether it is stronger or weaker than Kosovo's relationship with the United States and NATO, I cannot say that because I see things from outside.

Question: But that actually conflicts with Belgrade's own stance that has not expressed readiness to be a member NATO or to be closer to the alliance, right?

Clark: I think this is an attempt to get Belgrade in the right direction. I hope the ambassador succeeds in what he's doing, because it's very important, it would be an extraordinary achievement. / VOA