U.S. ambassador blames gov't, ministers

Cameron Munter said yesterday that the Serbian government "failed to properly protect the U.S. embassy in Belgrade". The U.S. ambassador to Serbia said that the government "did not send police officers to protect the embassy on February 21". U.S. ambassador blames gov't, ministers “We were encouraged by the government’s promise that it would not happen again, but it is understandable why we are skeptical because of the last time and the stance of the government” Munter told Zrenjanin television station KTV. Munter said that he has "not been allowed to contact ministers and state secretaries of the Serbian government" since the U.S. recognized Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration. He called on the government to condemn the comments of ministers Velimir Ilic and Slobodan Samardzic, adding that "there is an atmosphere being created in Serbia by irresponsible politicians who are saying things that encourage violence". "Ilic said that breaking windows is a way to demonstrate democracy. Samardzic said that violence is a legitimate response in such an atmosphere. Yes, I am worried and am calling on these ministers to clearly state that they do not support violence and I am calling on the government to make sure that these individuals are not speaking for the government and the Serbian people,” he said. Munter said that he has "no intention of leaving Serbia" and that the U.S. is not putting any limits on contacts with Serbia, adding that the U.S. embassy is "there to help the country on its European path". “If the ministers and state secretaries decide they do not want to communicate with me, that will only slow down the process of offering help,” Munter warned. Asked whether he has met privately with any ministers he said “some are my friends, but since it is the decision of the government I will let them decided whether they want to meet with me.” Munter also said that the U.S. "does not believe that the solution it supports for Kosovo’s final status breaks any international laws". “In such a situation, where an international mission is sent in order to find a final status solution for Kosovo, the status was not determined ahead of time, but would be opened once the solution was found,” Munter said. “The plan made by the UN Security Council chief [sic] was meant to secure all rights being respected. That plan was rejected by the Serbian government. Sometimes I think that the Serbian government thinks about borders, but , maybe I am different than they are, but I think about the people,” Beta quoted Munter as saying. He said that the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 allows such a solution for Kosovo, because the status quo was no longer sustainable. Cameron Munter (FoNet)

U.S. ambassador blames gov't, ministers

“We were encouraged by the government’s promise that it would not happen again, but it is understandable why we are skeptical because of the last time and the stance of the government” Munter told Zrenjanin television station KTV.

Munter said that he has "not been allowed to contact ministers and state secretaries of the Serbian government" since the U.S. recognized Kosovo’s unilateral independence declaration.

He called on the government to condemn the comments of ministers Velimir Ilić and Slobodan Samardžić, adding that "there is an atmosphere being created in Serbia by irresponsible politicians who are saying things that encourage violence".

"Ilić said that breaking windows is a way to demonstrate democracy. Samardžić said that violence is a legitimate response in such an atmosphere. Yes, I am worried and am calling on these ministers to clearly state that they do not support violence and I am calling on the government to make sure that these individuals are not speaking for the government and the Serbian people,” he said.

Munter said that he has "no intention of leaving Serbia" and that the U.S. is not putting any limits on contacts with Serbia, adding that the U.S. embassy is "there to help the country on its European path".

“If the ministers and state secretaries decide they do not want to communicate with me, that will only slow down the process of offering help,” Munter warned.

Asked whether he has met privately with any ministers he said “some are my friends, but since it is the decision of the government I will let them decided whether they want to meet with me.”

Munter also said that the U.S. "does not believe that the solution it supports for Kosovo’s final status breaks any international laws".

“In such a situation, where an international mission is sent in order to find a final status solution for Kosovo, the status was not determined ahead of time, but would be opened once the solution was found,” Munter said.

“The plan made by the UN Security Council chief [sic] was meant to secure all rights being respected. That plan was rejected by the Serbian government. Sometimes I think that the Serbian government thinks about borders, but , maybe I am different than they are, but I think about the people,” Beta quoted Munter as saying.

He said that the UN Security Council Resolution 1244 allows such a solution for Kosovo, because the status quo was no longer sustainable.