Express writes on the front page that the US is going to have permanent official representation in Kosovo as it has decided to build an embassy. However, land is needed on which to put up the structure.
The US diplomatic presence in Kosovo can soon change its status and location in Kosovo. Reliable sources told the paper that they have already started to search for a location. According to the paper, the most probable location is Hajvalia, in the southeastern part of Pristina, close to the ‘international village’.
Express quotes US Office spokesperson, Larry Corwin as confirming that a feasibility study is underway. ‘Permanent representation is being explored. However I am not aware that a company has been contracted by the US Government, or whether the building will start,’ he said.
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16 comments:
In what non-sovereign country did the US build an embassy? This is the first step towards full recognition of Kosova as an independent state.
US Embassy of the Republic of Dardhania...sounds good…
Of course.
It's not the firs step, it's just one of the steps. The first step was when Washington decided that Kosovo should become independent as soon as possible in March of 2004.
I would say the Republic of Kosova for now and then we could change it to the Northern Albanian Republic, or the Albanian republic of Dardania.
After we become independent we'll have all the time in the world to decide :)
Don't get excited too soon. Independence is not a done deal. With Serb provocations & some Kosovar knuckleheads, there is still plenty of time left to screw this up. In addition to an embassy in each country, the USA has permanent consulates in significant cities or regions of many countries; e.g. Toronto, Munich, Hong Kong, Rio De Janeiro, Istanbul, etc.
Me likes this very much.
8:41 blogger, consulates and embassies are not the same thing. Even if they were the fact that they are not located in the capital city doesn't make your case, because in no country there exist two separate embassies with two different groups of diplomates (like in Kosova case).
Heheh:
At 8:41 PM, Anonymous said...
It says Embassy, not Consulate ;) there is one Embassy per Country, while Consulates are need based. E.g. Embassy is in Rome but consulate is in Milano, there is no Embassy in Milano :P
Does it really matter what they call it. The bottom line is the at some point in the future there will be two seats representing the Albanians in the UN, and in the EU. I think that is what the Serbs fear the most, Albanians representing themselves.
It matters what they call it, since Serbs will try and play down the fact that Kosova will be a country very soon :)
Any way you look at it, it will come down to this:
What is easier to do, independence or give Kosova to Serbia?
Let's analize the options;
Option 1 - Independence
De facto, Kosova is not connected to Serbia in any way. There are no serbian troops, police, administration officials etc etc. In case the independence is recognized, there is no way that the Serbian troops will be able to enter Kosova due to the international presence.
Option 2 - Give Kosova back to serbia
That would mean a nationwide uprising in Kosova, bloodshed, serbian troops would enter Kosova, internationals would have to leave. This would bring Kosova and the Balkans back to the 90's.
Whoever thinks that option 2 is reasonable, really must be nuts. After all that was invested in Kosova, do you really think that the world is willing to go back to square 1 (90's)?
Ylber said:
The following is an exerpt from a US State Departament document on the passing of the US Office in Kosova Act:
SEC. 1019. PROVISION OF CONSULAR AND VISA SERVICES IN PRISTINA, KOSOVA.
(a) Report- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report describing the possibility of providing consular and visa services at the United States Office Pristina, Kosova (USOP) to residents of Kosova.
(b) Contents- The report required under subsection (a) shall contain the following information:
(1) The reasons why consular and visa services are not currently offered at the USOP, even though the Office has been in operation for more than five years.
(2) Plans for providing consular and visa services at the USOP, including conditions required before such services would be provided and the planned timing for providing such services.
(3) An explanation of why consular and visa services will not be offered at the USOP by January 1, 2007, if such services are not planned to be offered by such date.
(4) The number of residents of Kosova who apply for their visas outside of Kosova for each calendar year from 2000-2005.
Notice that they are referring to the region as Kosova not Kosovo. The main difference being the "a" at the end of the name which is the Albanian name for Kosovo instead of the Serb anme which is in official use.
Also notice that they will begin issuing visas for the "Residents of Kosova" there. By contrast you can not get a visa in the US Consulate in Podgorica, Montenegro.
What does this establish?
Simply that the US is opening up an embassy there and is getting ready for the formal recognition of Kosova's independence.
Best Regards, Ylber Burgija, Charlotte, NC.
Good news indeed. I hope they broadcast the ribbon-cutting ceremony in Belgrade.
Hold on a minute, this thing is not over just yet.
Congressman against American quasi-embassy in "Kosova"
MESSAGE IS FROM CONGRESSMAN TRENT FRANKS
Section 1019 of H.R. 2601 (authorizing appropriations for the Department of State) calls for a report describing the possibility of providing consular and visa services at the United States Office Pristina, Kosovo to the residents of Kosova (emphasis added).
The Franks Amendment removes Section 1019 from the bill for the following reasons:
1. The name of the province, in international use and official U.S. use, is "Kosovo" - not "Kosova". The term "Kosova" is a one-ethnicity based pronunciation of the name of the province. "Kosovo" is a term in international use and it should be used as such in public and official correspondence, as is the United States' official policy. It would be highly prejudicial for the U.S. Congress to refer to Kosovo as "Kosova", by which it would recognize and imply that the province is only Albanian, and would ignore the minority populations living there. Albanians would have the same objection to the U.S. Congress referring to Kosovo as Kosovo-Metohija.
2. In the hour of future negotiations between Belgrade, Pristina, and the international community on the status of Kosovo, Congressional action of this nature will be perceived as one-sided and prejudicial. Further, giving authority to the Secretary of State to empower the U.S. Mission in Pristina to render U.S. visas would be a dangerous precedent to set because the United States cannot render visas without the consent of the host country in accordance with the Vienna Convention. Therefore, conducting such a "report" is to ignore Serbia's role entirely and sends the wrong message.
3. The U.S. Consulate in Montenegro does not issue visas, why should the "office" in Kosovo?
4. Notwithstanding the political issue, the U.S. State Department has very practical concerns. Essentially, the U.S. Mission in Pristina does not have the facilities to do this. It has repeatedly indicated that there is a very real security issue (i.e. bringing people through the compound to do visa/consular services without the proper facilities or security apparatus to protect everyone).
5. Residents of Kosovo are currently able to obtain U.S. visas by either going to the U.S. Embassy in Macedonia (an approximate two-hour bus ride) or in Belgrade, Serbia. Residents around the world, for example in China, Russia, and India, often have to travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to obtain a visa. The current situation in Kosovo is not prohibitive, and in light of the serious diplomatic issues present, a report is not necessary at this time and sends an improper message.
In a controversial and sensitive environment, this Congressional action is not a diplomatic or prudent one at this time. Before we offer de facto independence and embassy rights to the people of Kosovo, we should let the status talks proceed as agreed to by the entire international community
what do you mean?
You know what pisses me off, why does the Serb "name" end up being the "english" or "international" name when 95% of the country calls it Kosova.
Its like saying Italio and not Italia, or how about United States of Americo...jessus, why not start writing Kosova in cyrilic while they're at it?
You must be old, what else happened while you were there?
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