US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller Addresses Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti’s Accusations, Violent Clashes, And Excessive Force Concerns

During today’s press briefing, Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the United States State Department, answered questions from The Pavlovic Today about Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti’s accusations against EU officials, violent clashes in Kosovo, and concerns of excessive force.

Here are the key points:

THE PAVLOVIC TODAY: Gabriel Escobar in an interview with The Pavlovic Today told me that Kurti’s letter to Secretary Blinken in which Kosovo prime minister is accusing Lajcak and Borrell of colluding with Russia to have a biased approach towards Kosovo is factually incorrect, and he said that the president of Kosovo also should condemn those attacks on the partners of the US. Will you call on President of Kosovo Osmani to denounce attacks on Lajcak and Borrell?

MATTHEW MILLER: So you said the deputy assistant secretary gave you a comment on – spoke to you about this earlier today? I don’t think I have anything further to add to those comments that he gave to you.

THE PAVLOVIC TODAY: But you agree with that, yeah?

MATTHEW MILLER: He’s speaking on behalf of the State Department.

THE PAVLOVIC TODAY: Okay. So another urgent matter. Violent clashes yesterday in Kosovo. A Kosovo policeman has been killed as well as four – so far confirmed – Serbian nationals. It has been confirmed that two Serbs were killed by a sniper. Given that Kosovo police is partially funded by the United States, will you call for an investigation into potential excessive use of force and police brutality by the Kosovo police force, especially in light of the reported use of snipers?

MATTHEW MILLER: So first of all, we strongly condemn the coordinated violent attacks on the Kosovo police. We express deep condolences to the family of the Kosovo police sergeant who was killed in the line of duty. The perpetrators of this crime must be held accountable via a transparent investigative process, and we call on the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to refrain from any actions or rhetoric which could further inflame tensions and to immediately work in coordination with international partners to de-escalate the situation, ensure security and rule of law, and return to the EU-facilitated dialogue.

THE PAVLOVIC TODAY: And in regards in the – the reported use of snipers?

MATTHEW MILLER: I have not seen those reports confirmed. I have seen the reports but I’m not going to speak to them as they have not been confirmed as far as – as far as to my knowledge.

MATT LEE: Sorry. Can I also check, what you just said just before was verbatim what the Secretary’s statement on this was —

MATTHEW MILLER: Correct. That is – that is —

MATT LEE: — this morning. So there hasn’t been any change in any —

MILLER: There has not. Correct.