Biden travels to Balkans

WASHINGTON, May 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden left Monday for his visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Kosovo, meeting with leaders, U.S. officials and military personnel.

Biden will be in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina Tuesday, joined Javier Solana, security adviser for the European Union. Besides meeting with the country's tri-presidents, Biden will speak before Bosnia's Parliament, the White House said.

On Wednesday, Biden will be in Belgrade, Serbia, meeting with Serbian President Boris Tadic and attending a plenary session of the Serbian Parliament, officials said. He also will meet with Serbian defense officials.

The vice president will travel to Pristina, Kosovo, Thursday to meet with President Fatmir Sejdiu and several Cabinet members. He also will address the Assembly and meet with U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Tina S. Kaidanow, the White House said.

While in Kosovo, Biden is scheduled to travel to Camp Bondsteel to meet and speak to U.S. troops and NATO forces.