Havenier message Kurt is coordinating with Allies: Opening the bridge endangers American soldiers ' safety

US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Havenier said in an interview for Radio Free Europe that there is a real danger related to the opening of the bridge in Mitrovica at this time, which could affect the security of NATO soldiers, including American soldiers.

“We believe this risk increases the threat, the possibility of violence and other problems, both for the local community and NATO soldiers, including American soldiers working to ensure peace and security in Kosovo. We take very seriously any action that can affect the security and protection of American soldiers working to support Kosovo”, the US ambassador said.

“Our hope is that the Government will hear this and take into account these concerns”, he added.

Kosovo's government has said it intends to open the bridge over Iber, which divides South Mitrovica by majority Albanian and Serb majority North. Despite the opposition of the QUINT and NATO countries, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said the bridge should be opened and that “is not against anyone”.

The warning of opening the bridge took place after Kosovo authorities closed Serbia's Post offices in the north on August 5th, the move that has been seen by Kosovo's allies as the co-ordinated and unilateral “.

Hüvenier said the US has been challenged by the prime minister and his government in some respects.

“I have to say that the quality of our partnership is not what we would hope to be on some of these issues related to the way it handles the north and how it manages the dialog”.

He added that the government's uncoordinated actions in the north diminish US enthusiasm to support Kosovo on its Euro-Atlantic path.

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Radio Free Europe: I'll start with the latest developments. Why is it not an appropriate time for him Bridge opened in Mitrovica, which Kosovo and Serbia agreed to in Brussels?

Jeffrey Havenier: I'm really glad you brought this question up because I think this case is misunderstood. The United States of America strongly believes that it is not time to reopen the vehicle bridge. Let me explain something.

We believe that the bridge will eventually have to be opened for vehicle flow, and this, as you said, was part of the EU's facilitated dialogue. A deal has been reached, but we've asked the Government not to continue with this issue, for now, and not only the United States of America has. My QUINT colleagues have been with me at a meeting with (Kosovo) Prime Minister Albin Kurti on the issue.

The reason we ask for this is that we believe there is real danger associated with such an act now, and we believe that this danger increases the potential threat of violence and other problems, both for the local community and for NATO soldiers, including American soldiers, who are working to provide peace and security in Kosovo. And we take very seriously actions that can affect the security of American soldiers working to support Kosovo.

So our request to the Government and we've been having this conversation for months is, please, don't take this action now. Work with us. We want to help create conditions where something like this can be done, but we don't believe it's time now.

Radio Free Europe: But who can cause violence?

Jeffrey Havenier: I can't talk about who can cause violence. I just know that we have estimates that there may be violence and that it is real and the question of who might be responsible for it, which is a very reasonable question, does not deny the fact that there can be real violence and danger for the local community and for NATO soldiers.

The United States of America is not interested in facing additional dangers on this subject right now.