O'Brien: Serbia knows that use of force against Kosovo would be unacceptable

(Patria) - U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien says the U.S. is monitoring the movement of the Serbian army near the border with Kosovo and has informed Serbia that the use of force would be unacceptable.

O'Brien said in an online conversation with reporters that the U.S. would consider any potential movement of Serbian forces as a threat to NATO forces stationed in Kosovo to protect Albanians and Serbs, reports RFE.

According to him, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that there would be no use of force.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti said yesterday that Serbian army units were spotted a few meters from the border with Kosovo and described these movements as "deliberate provocations."

The Serbian Ministry of Defense today called Kurti's statements part of a disinformation campaign about the Serbian army.

According to them, the Serbian Army forces are performing their duties in the secure administrative zone, in accordance with all signed agreements.

When speaking about Kosovo, O'Brien said that no government should make decisions that impoverish the population.

- But we see that in northern Kosovo, it is very difficult for a number of individuals to buy things they need for everyday life - O'Brien points out.

His statement was a reference to the new regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo which defines the euro as the only currency for cash payments, and that it is impossible to use the Serbian dinar.

O'Brien recalls that U.S. Special Envoy for the Western Balkans Gabriel Escobar visited citizens in northern Kosovo a few days ago to see the situation up close.

- The U.S. believes that the regulation of the Central Bank of Kosovo is being implemented in a way that complicates the daily lives of Kosovo's citizens - added O'Brien.

He emphasizes that Kosovo's friends would like this regulation to be reviewed and applied in a way that allows citizens to pay for everyday items.

- That probably means taking a step back, allowing the entry of any currency, euro, dinar, that is something that (EU envoy for the Serbia-Kosovo dialogue Miroslav) Lajčak is discussing - O'Brien states.

He adds that the decision on the dinar was not made at the right time, because many important agreements were reached last year, including one for citizens in northern Kosovo to start paying for electricity.

- It is a strange decision to deny them the banking services they need to pay bills in Kosovo - O'Brien assessed.