CIA: will change borders in the Balkans

In the Balkans, sooner or later, border changes will take place, a new one likely to be withdrawn in Macedonia, but also in Kosovo, claims former CIA Deputy Head of Balkans Steven Meyer

"Everything could and should have been different, but the great powers looked more at their own interest than the interest of the region," says the war of the 1990s on the territory of the countries of former Yugoslavia prof. Dr. Steven Meyer, former deputy chief of the CIA for the Balkans, in an interview for Belgrade's 'Večernje novosti'. He believes that the EU has no solution for the Balkans, and that the United States of the Balkans is no longer interested in the region.

Speaking of Serbia, he assessed that Aleksandar Vučić's election for the Serbian president was expected. "He is a clever and efficient politician and will make a credible job. The Serbian people are now looking for great achievements, especially for economic reforms, "Meyer said in an interview.Asked whether October 5 was a democratic revolt or overthrow, Meyer, who worked in the Balkans before that date, replied:

"The Petro-Coptic Revolution in Serbia was, in essence, the suppression of power. This was done because many politicians in Serbia were convinced that the country would not be able to move forward and would not be accepted from the West while Milosevic was in power. It is clear that Western governments wanted to see a change and applauded Milosevic's downfall. "

Talking about the situation in the region, he says:

"BiH is still far from being a unique state than at any time in the past. Kosovo's question becomes more serious, and Macedonia has been in serious decline for months. At the same time, the EU does not have any answers to the issues surrounding the Balkans, "says Meyer. He believes that any possible change of border between Albania and Macedonia could lead to the creation of a larger Albania, but that it would not have the support of the US. "However, it is important to keep in mind that Washington is no longer too interested in the Balkans. The Trump administration will not react specifically if these changes happen peacefully, similar to the way in which, say, Montenegro has come to independence, "said the analyst.

Asked what kind of fate expects Macedonia, Meyer answers:

"If Montenegro and Kosovo can claim independence, reduced Macedonia could also be an option. But this may not be the best course of action for the smaller Macedonia. In that case, it would be wise for them to consider the federal union with Serbia. " Asked how the US administration would react to the formation of the so- Army of Kosovo, he says that the American authorities are not inclined to do so, but that can easily be changed.

"Trump administration has a little technical approach in relations with the Balkans. Serbia needs to closely monitor changes in US policy, "he said. According to him, this army, if formed, would add another flammable element to a situation that is unstable. This is particularly true of the danger of possible conflicts in the north of Kosovo, he added. Talking about the situation in BiH, Meyer says she, after dismissing the lawsuit against Serbia, could become more unstable.

"Bosniaks are now disappointed and angry, and Serbs are alive. This is especially difficult for relations between the Federation and RS ", emphasizes Meyer. On the possibility of possible terrorist attacks in the Balkans, Meyer said that this is a problem that is growing and becoming very difficult, especially when it comes to the influence of Wahhabism in Kosovo. "There is a particular danger to the link between organized crime and terrorism, and when added to the fact that the Balkans are a transit area, it is quite difficult for us to do business," he said.

Concerning the US and Russia's interest in the Balkans, Meyer believes that both states will be a side-line of action and interest. After the 90s, US official interests were over and American interests are now in the Middle East, and the same goes for Russia, Meyer said, who is now the head of the National Security Program at the Daniel Morgan Academy in the United States.

Interestingly, Meyer sees no reason why Serbia should become a NATO member. "Membership requires money, there is pressure to buy weapons from America and the EU that is not necessary to Serbia," Meyer said, which at the same time believes that Montenegro will certainly join NATO, although it does not know "what will bring them ".

He also believes it will be very difficult, perhaps impossible, to achieve better relations between RS and Washington.

According to Meyer, relations between Russia and the US are very bad, primarily because of disagreement over Syria and Ukraine, but also because of the accusation that Moscow was involved in the presidential election in the United States.

"It is not necessary that the United States and Russia like, the most important thing is that they can establish an acceptable working relationship. But it will be very difficult to do so because of Russia's aggressive foreign policy and the inability of Trump's administration, "he concluded.

• 29 May, 2017
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