US Secretary Pompeo warns Hashim Thaci of consequences if Kosovo hinders work of war crimes court

Gazeta Express

05/03/2020 14:10

US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, replying to a letter sent by Kosovo president Hashim Thaci warned that Kosovo might suffer serios consequences if hinders the work of the Hague-based Specialist Chambers established to try alleged crimes committed by the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).

Media group KOHA published Thursday in its website Koha.net a letter that US Secretary Pompeo replied to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci on 29 November 2019. Thaci who during Kosovo war in 1998-1999 was political representative of the KLA is named 27 times in the Council of Europe rapporteur’s report on crimes committed during and after the war in Kosovo. The report was drawn up by Swiss Senator Dick Marty. Thaci speaking to media on Wednesday said that he was not questioned by the Hague prosecutors. Kosovo president Hashim Thaci launched in December 2017 an initiative to undo the Specialist Court. The initiative was opposed by international community and threats coming from US that Kosovo might be isolated if the war crimes court is abolished. The Specialist Prosecutor’s Office has questioned more than 250 former KLA members either as witnesses or suspects but no indictment has been filed yet. /GazetaExpress/