Munter: Focusing on Kosovo is cynical

U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter says a period of instability is ahead for Serbia. In his assessment, it will last "as long as there is a combination of irresponsible leadership and legitimate concerns of the Serbian public over Kosovo". Munter: Focusing on Kosovo is cynical Munter, in an interview with Belgrade's CorD magazine, said he "did not know how long that will take", but that he "would like to think that people who represent the majority in Serbia will succeed to set priorities in a way that will enable them to take the path they want, and to address genuine problems of unemployment, corruption, European integrations". As for the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, the ambassador said the authorities in Belgrade "made a terrible mistake by not being realistic about what was going to happen". "I believe that it’s been for rather cynical domestic gain that irresponsible leaders have chosen to make Kosovo the only issue at a time, as shown by the results of the presidential election, that most people in Serbia want peace and a European future," the U.S. diplomat said. According to him, "this does not mean there is no genuine anger in the country because of Kosovo", but this should not lead to "justification or even incitement of violence". This is a terrifying way to stifle and destroy the country's ambition to realize its European future, Munter added, in reference to Feb. 21 demonstrations in Belgrade that saw attacks on U.S. and other western embassies. "If there had been a solution found to which Serbs would have agreed, that would have been preferable, but unfortunately the two sides were not able to come up with anything that was acceptable, and so now we’re stuck with a situation that we will have to make work," he said. "We will make it work. I just hope that we don’t have to do so, yet again, at the expense of the Serbian people, because of bad leadership," Munter warned. As for the American business community in Serbia, the diplomat said "they’re very realistic". "They’re sobered and careful, but I don’t see them cutting and running. Those American businesses that have come here have assembled a terrific local workforce, and have seen great opportunities, and they know that it is worthwhile investing in Serbia," he said. "Investors that have come here have not done so charitably or as a favour to anyone, but rather because they feel that Serbia is a good place to turn a profit. That said, we will have to watch developments in the next days and weeks, in order to make sure that people are safe, because nobody can live in an atmosphere where they feel that the host government, for whatever reason, is unwilling to afford them the protection they need," he U.S. ambassador added. Munter also said he was "impressed with Serbia's economic potential and with the knowledge of some ministers, especially those from the economic domain". Cameron Munter (FoNet)

Munter: Focusing on Kosovo is cynical

Munter, in an interview with Belgrade's CorD magazine, said he "did not know how long that will take", but that he "would like to think that people who represent the majority in Serbia will succeed to set priorities in a way that will enable them to take the path they want, and to address genuine problems of unemployment, corruption, European integrations".

As for the unilateral declaration of Kosovo's independence, the ambassador said the authorities in Belgrade "made a terrible mistake by not being realistic about what was going to happen".

"I believe that it’s been for rather cynical domestic gain that irresponsible leaders have chosen to make Kosovo the only issue at a time, as shown by the results of the presidential election, that most people in Serbia want peace and a European future," the U.S. diplomat said.

According to him, "this does not mean there is no genuine anger in the country because of Kosovo", but this should not lead to "justification or even incitement of violence".

This is a terrifying way to stifle and destroy the country's ambition to realize its European future, Munter added, in reference to Feb. 21 demonstrations in Belgrade that saw attacks on U.S. and other western embassies.

"If there had been a solution found to which Serbs would have agreed, that would have been preferable, but unfortunately the two sides were not able to come up with anything that was acceptable, and so now we’re stuck with a situation that we will have to make work," he said.

"We will make it work. I just hope that we don’t have to do so, yet again, at the expense of the Serbian people, because of bad leadership," Munter warned.

As for the American business community in Serbia, the diplomat said "they’re very realistic".

"They’re sobered and careful, but I don’t see them cutting and running. Those American businesses that have come here have assembled a terrific local workforce, and have seen great opportunities, and they know that it is worthwhile investing in Serbia," he said.

"Investors that have come here have not done so charitably or as a favour to anyone, but rather because they feel that Serbia is a good place to turn a profit. That said, we will have to watch developments in the next days and weeks, in order to make sure that people are safe, because nobody can live in an atmosphere where they feel that the host government, for whatever reason, is unwilling to afford them the protection they need," he U.S. ambassador added.

Munter also said he was "impressed with Serbia's economic potential and with the knowledge of some ministers, especially those from the economic domain".