We expect our friends to govern well

Margarita Kadriu, editor of the Pristina daily Kosova Sot, asked some questions.  Here is what I replied.  The interview should have been published in Albanian today:

Q:  There are different statements in Belgrade and Prishtina about the possibility of an agreement between the parties, with the guarantee of Mrs. Ashton. Do you expect this dialogue to succeed?

A:  I hope it succeeds.  It is not guaranteed to succeed.  There are real difficulties ahead for both Belgrade and Pristina.

Q:  Serbia requested an autonomous community of the Serb municipalities, while Kosovo is agreed to have an Association of Serb Municipalities without executive powers. Is it dangerous for the stability of Kosovo such an association if it creates a new level of legislative or executive power?

A:  Kosovo is well within its rights to ask three things:  that whatever is agreed be consistent with the Ahtisaari agreement; whatever the Serbs get inside Kosovo should be available also inside Serbia to Albanians; that nothing should impede Kosovo’s progress towards European Union membership.

Q:  Despite talks about normalizing relations, Serbia continues to have territorial claims about a part of Kosovo. Will the pressure from Brussels be sufficient to make Belgrade give up from this claim?

A:  I don’t know, but I do think it important.  Kosovo should not need to live with a neighbor claiming all or part of its territory.  As I understand the situation today, the claim is over all of Kosovo, not just a part. 

Q:  It is mentioned an amnesty for the Serbs of the North who have been part of parallel structures. Is this a right thing to do?

A:  I don’t see participation in the parallel structures as something people should be punished for, in and of itself.  The question is whether they committed criminal acts:  violence, property theft, expulsion of people from their homes and other crimes.  A bit of understanding for those who cooperated with institutions that they thought legitimate is in order. 

Q:  Serbia’s urgent need is to get “the date,” while Kosovo has been promised the launch of negotiations for the S[tability and] A[ssociation] A[greement]. Which country has more urgent need to find a solution for the North in relation with the EU?

A:  It seems to me clear that Serbia has the more urgent need.  I don’t think a launch of SAA negotiations has the same significance in Kosovo that the launch of accession negotiations has in Serbia.

Q:  Seeing the progress of dialogue, do you see any opportunity for creation of some sort of Republika Srpska in northern Kosovo?

A:  I think it is something people in Kosovo are right to worry about.  The question is whether the authority entrusted to the Pristina government will be sufficient to qualify the country for EU membership.  That is not the case in Bosnia today.  I would not want to see that disease infect Kosovo.

Q:  A part of the opposition, “Vetevendosje,” is calling Prime Minister Thaci traitor, saying that he is trading with the North. How consistent is this accusation?

A:  I don’t think it is appropriate to call anyone a traitor.  The opposition has to criticize the government—that’s its role.  But the Prime Minister is clearly trying to do the best he can for the country.  I find it a bit surprising that an opposition that opposes clauses of the constitution and advocates a referendum on union with another country would call anyone a traitor.

Q:  While continuing talks with Serbia, Kosovo has other important emergencies, especially in the development of the economy, attracting foreign investors, improving the environment for doing business. Recently, there is an increase of people’s dissatisfaction about the living standard, bills, privatization of public companies. Do you think that there is a risk from social unrest?

A:  There is always a risk of social unrest, even when times are good.  That Kosovo has a lot of problems is clear.  I too look forward to the day it can focus on those and not on relations with Belgrade

Q:  The rule of law is a strong concern in Kosovo. Judiciary suffers from political influences, various abuses, nepotism and misuse of justice. Is EULEX THE rescue mechanism, or Kosovars themselves should be able to strengthen the justice?

A:  In the end, it will be courageous Kosovars who bring justice to the country.  EULEX is trying hard to help, but there is no substitute for courageous police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, and journalists.

Q:  We hear a lot about corruption and it is a disease of all the countries in the region. How do you see the way out of this high degree of corruption affairs that have characterized the country several times?

A:  The way out is good governance, which depends on transparency and accountability.  You’ve seen how Croatia has moved in that direction.  Serbia is moving too.  Join the parade.

Q:  This year there are foreseen local elections to be held, but there are voices that support the idea of holding national elections, too. Is this a good idea, or a premature one?

A:  I think I’ll leave to Kosovo’s elected politicians the responsibility for deciding when to hold elections.

Q:  Let’s talk a little bit now also about some developments in the region. Again, we have tensions in Macedonia. Why this country is continuing to have troubles?

A:  Macedonia has well-known problems:  the name issue with Greece, sometimes tense inter-ethnic relations and difficulty in meeting European political standards, even where ethnic differences are not involved.  But it has done relatively well economically, has reformed its military and participates in the NATO mission in Afghanistan, and has a long record of inter-ethnic collaboration in governing the country.  I hope to see Macedonia sort out its problems and continue to progress.

Q:  In Albania, this year is crucial election year in relation to the EU. Do you believe that Tirana will pass this test?

A:  I really don’t know. I hope so.  Good elections are fundamental to qualifying for EU membership.

Q:  Let’s conclude this interview with a Gallup poll that shows Albania and Kosovo as the most pro-American countries. What effect has this sentiment in relation to Washington?

A:  Albanian and Kosovar affection for the United States are much appreciated in Washington, including by me, but of course we expect our good friends to contribute to regional peace and security, govern well and respect the rights of all their citizens.