2007 Press Releases

Ambassador Frank Wisner speech on June 15, 2007 in Pristina, Kosovo

I am delighted to be back in Pristina, and to have the opportunity to consult with the Mr. President, and with the political leadership.

I reported to them on the progress made within the international community to secure your independence.  I reiterated the determination of the United States and our friends in Europe.

In Tirana, President Bush said “we want everyone to hear that America supports the independence of Kosovo.”  He noted that we will work with Russian and EU diplomats to find solutions, but if this does not happen, the President added “we will say, enough.”  Kosovo will be independent.

Similarly, at the G-8 meeting in Germany, France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy noted, importantly, that the inevitable conclusion of this process must be the independence of Kosovo.

Let’s take a moment and reflect.  Look how far we’ve come over the past months.  The UN has agreed that the time has come to settle the question of final status.  President Ahtisaari completed his complex and comprehensive negotiations, and submitted his report, recommending supervised independence.  The UN Security Council is now in the process of discussing a resolution on the matter -- the details have not been worked out.  UNMIK is in the process of turning over responsibility to your government for the governance of Kosovo.

It is important to note that the Ahtisaari plan, which calls for independence, has been broadly accepted worldwide, within the EU, by a significant number of UN Security Council members, and by your own Assembly, which voted overwhelmingly in support of the plan.

The process to achieve independence is taking longer than any of you or we would have liked.  But, it is important that independence be achieved as a result of a UN Security Council resolution that will set the stage for recognition, and will open the door to your acceptance into NATO and the EU.

I pause to congratulate Kosovo’s political leaders, your Unity Team, comprised of government and opposition, and all Kosovo’s citizens for the restraint and patience you have constantly displayed during this trying time. 

The United States, I assure you, will continue to push hard to get a prompt outcome.  I can’t give you an exact date.  International, multilateral negotiations are, by definition, complex and time consuming.

But, while we are working for your future, there is much you can do in Kosovo: work on constitutional issues; draft an election law; plan the mechanics of decentralization; delineate protective zones for cultural heritage sites; continue with the transition framework; and finish the process of state symbols.

It is very important to maintain the calm and discipline that have defined Kosovo and its leaders over the past months.  We look to them to maintain their unity of effort and work in partnership with the international community, as Kosovo moves toward independence.