http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=103427
TURKISH DAILY NEWS Serbia snubs Turkish envoy Friday, May 2, 2008 BARÇIN YİNANÇ ISTANBUL - Turkish Daily News Serbia has refused to allow Turkey's ambassador to Belgrade to begin performing his duties, in order to express its discontent over Ankara's recognition of Kosovo. Süha Umar, Turkish ambassador to Belgrade was not granted an appointment with the head of state to present his credentials, which is imperative for him to start working as Turkey's envoy. Relations between the two countries were strained as Turkey became one of the first countries to recognize the breakaway region's declaration of independence in February from Serbia, which denounced it as null and void. Serbia recalled its ambassador to Ankara within 48 hours of Turkey's recognition of Kosovo's independence. Serbian demonstrators stoned the Turkish Embassy in Belgrade, prompting reaction from Ankara. And 10 days following that event, Turkey appointed Umar, a career diplomat as its new envoy to Belgrade. Although it was a pure administrative coincidence, as Umar's appointment was just one among a dozen diplomatic postings, the decision was seen as an odd move, as some predicted that Belgrade wouldn't welcome the new envoy. What was predicted by some experts turned out to be a reality. Umar, who left Turkey for Belgrade in the first week of April, returned last week, as he was not able to present his credentials to start working as ambassador, the Turkish Daily News learned. A diplomatic envoy at ambassadorial level needs to present his or her credentials to the head of state of the host country, in order to officially begin his or her mission. Although Umar was greeted cordially by Serbian protocol officials, it was made clear that he will not be granted an appointment by the office of the president to present his credentials. �There is tremendous resentment over the issue of Kosovo. Serbians are upset not as much at the recognition of Kosovo but more by the fact that Turkey was among the first countries to do so,� said a Turkish official who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the issue. Umar is expected to go back to Belgrade next week, before the general elections in Serbia. Whatever the outcome of the elections, chances of a policy change seem dim. Furthermore, relations can deteriorate even more in case Turkey decides to open an embassy in Kosovo. __._,_.___
