„You have ruined the strong US-Kosovo bond. You are the first leader of Kosovo to be condemned by both Democrats and Republicans,“ Richard Grenell told Albin Kurti.
In a show of force, Special Kosovo Police assisted Albanian mayors yesterday in entering the buildings of Serbian Temporary Municipal Bodies in three northern municipalities – Zvečan, Zubin Potok, and Leposavić.
„Foreign aid is not a right, though,“ said former envoy for the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, Richard Grenell.
He emphasized that the US supports those who they believe are making progress on Western values, and then addressed Vjosa Osmani, by saying „silence is troubling,“ while mentioning Hashim Thaçi, a detainee at The Hague, with „Hashim Thaçi, we need you now.“
The entry of mayors into municipal buildings was accompanied by incidents in which dozens of local residents, along with five police officers suffered light injuries, mostly from tear gas. At least two police vehicles were destroyed, one of which was set on fire. Tear gas and stun grenades were used, and gunshots were heard in Zvečan, while citizens briefly set up barricades in Leposavić.
The Kosovo Minister of Interior Affairs congratulated the police on their „professionalism“ in protecting institutions, the rule of law, and democracy from what he described as, „organized criminal groups“ and „gangs“.
The Kosovo President approved the actions of the Kosovo Police towards „Vučić’s illegal structures and criminal groups“ as „legitimate.“
The tone of the reactions from international officials, especially the United States and KFOR, was varied. Among the first to react were American officials, including the Secretary of State, who strongly condemned the Kosovo government’s actions, specifically the violent entry into the Temporary Bodies’ buildings, which they called a provocation. They also called on the Kosovo Prime Minister to halt violent measures and focus on dialogue.
KFOR called the action a „forced entry of newly elected Mayors into municipality buildings“ and described it as „extremely dangerous“ for the normalization process.
The German envoy, who urgently flew to the Balkans after last night’s events, also condemned Pristina’s move, stating that the EU would not allow foolish decisions to undermine the chance for implementing the Ohrid Agreement.
Other international officials have also expressed their condemnation but in a somewhat milder tone, urging an end to provocative actions.
Read more:
KP’s POV: We asked them to let the mayors in, they attacked us, we acted in self-defense
Arsenijević: Kosovo Police beat me, harassed me and insulted me with ethnic slurs
Violence Ensues As Special Police Forcibly Enter Municipal Buildings
Quint countries condemn Kosovo’s decision, concerned by Serbia’s decision
Blinken: Kurti to immediately halt violent measures and focus on dialogue
Bisevac: SL leadership went to Belgrade, the mayor and the police wanted to enter…
Chris Murphy spoke to Chollet: Provocation by Pristina, Kurti to end it immediately
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