Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume. In a controversial and sensitive environment. section 1019 requesting a report on consular and visa services is not a diplomatic or prudent congressional action at this time. 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 onesided and prejudicial. Further. moving towards 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 within the territory of a country without that countrys consent in accordance with the Vienna Convention. Therefore. conducting such a "report" is to ignore Serbias role entirely and sends the wrong message. Kosovo remains within the territory of Serbia and Montenegro. and. therefore. citizens of Kosovo should go to the appropriate place to obtain visa and consular services. which is not prohibitive and. since it is only a 2hour bus ride. is certainly in keeping with most of the applications that need to be made by those seeking visas across the world. The text of section 1019 is itself prejudicial. Mr.
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