US expresses deep concern about Kosovo’s actions having negative effect on ethnic Serbs

BELGRADE, Serbia

American Ambassador Jeff Hovenier warned Saturday that Kosovo is losing the support of the US because of the government's recent actions that are negatively affecting ethnic Serbs.

''The United States Government is deeply concerned about recent actions by authorities of the Government of Kosovo that have a direct and negative effect on members of the ethnic Serb and other minority communities in Kosovo,'' Hovenier said in a statement.

He blamed the Kosovo government for "unnecessarily raising ethnic tensions” and said, they “limit the options of the United States to serve as an effective advocate for Kosovo in the international arena,'' referring to the operations by Kosovo Police in the past week to the offices of Serbia-administered institutions in Kosovo.

''We are also concerned by Kosovo Police actions today to seize the Serbian Dinar and the vehicle transporting it to distribute social benefit payments from Serbia. We look to the authorities of Kosovo to
ensure that the individuals for whom these social benefit payments are and state that this limits the US's ability to serve as an advocate for Kosovo in the international arena,'' he said.

Serbia will request an emergency session of the UN Security Council in writing Monday in response to Kosovo’s decision to adopt the euro for cash and payment transactions, effectively eliminating the Serbian dinar, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced Friday.

Kosovo adopted the euro for cash and payment transactions on Thursday, effectively eliminating the Serbian dinar, despite concerns expressed by ethnic Serbians in the north.

The Central Bank announced the decision Jan. 18 and said currencies other than the euro can only be used in Kosovo for physical safekeeping or bank accounts.

The decision sparked outrage because until now, ethnic Serbian communities in Kosovo had used the dinar, the official currency of neighboring Serbia, in state and commercial institutions. Many Serbs have an attachment or even allegiance to Serbia.

Kosovo's First Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi said at a news conference Wednesday that the government will focus entirely on informing businesses and citizens in the process, which he called the “transitional phase.”

Western countries, including the US, France, Italy, Germany and the UK, have urged Kosovo to halt implementation of the currency regulation.