BULGARIA SEEKS TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN KOSOVO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SOFIA 002056 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA SEEKS TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN KOSOVO TALKS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: With the Kosovo talks about to begin, Bulgaria is actively working to build confidence among the participants and create a positive environment for negotiations. The Bulgarian Minister of Culture last week hosted a meeting with his Serbian and Kosovar counterparts to discuss protection of cultural monuments. The GOB believes advocating for one particular solution at this point is premature and counterproductive. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Kyuchukov, Bulgaria has a clear stake in the Kosovo talks and is concerned that failure to reach an agreement that is acceptable to Serbs and Kosovars could destabilize the region generally and neighboring Macedonia specifically. End Summary. Bulgaria Not Ready to Offer Solution to Kosovo -------------- -- ¶2. (SBU) Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Kyuchukov on December 7 invited Ambassadors from the EU, Southeastern Europe and the Kosovo Contact Group countries for a briefing on several rounds of regional talks Bulgaria has had regarding Kosovo. Foreign Minister Kalfin in early December and Kyuchukov in November traveled to Pristina, Belgrade, and Podgorica to discuss upcoming talks on Kosovo's future status with the different parties involved in the negotiations. Sofia on November 30 also hosted a meeting of the Socialist International that focused on Kosovo and was attended by a number of regional leaders including Kosovar Interior Minister Thaci and aides to the Serbian President (Tadic himself had planned to attend but cancelled at the last minute for reasons apparently unrelated to the meeting itself). ¶3. (SBU) Kyuchukov characterized Bulgaria's role at this point as one of helping to create a positive environment for the negotiations. Kyuchukov said the process of negotiations itself and how negotiations are conducted--from beginning to end--will play an important part in ensuring a successful agreement. The public should be informed and get used to the various ideas being discussed during negotiations, so that the ultimate outcome does not come as a surprise or appear to be imposed. Kyuchukov stressed the importance of reaching an agreement on Kosovo to ensure the future stability of the region. Everyone he met with expressed a real fear that the final agreement could lead to the destabilization of the region and radicalization of some communities, particularly if the result is viewed as negative by one side. ¶4. (SBU) The Bulgarians also see a role in building trust and confidence between the various participants. One example is the recent discussions hosted by Bulgaria's Culture Minister with his counterparts from Serbia and Pristina on the protection of cultural and historical sites. The three ministers held informal meetings on December 9 in Veliko Turnovo and nearby Arbanasi, two Bulgarian towns with historical links to Serbia and Albania; Veliko Turnovo is the burial place of St. Sava, founder of the Serb Orthodox Church while Arbanasi was founded by Orthodox Albanians in the 15th century. According to Foreign Ministry contacts, the meeting was extremely positive--the visiting ministers reportedly "did not want to leave"--and demonstrated that both sides trusted Bulgaria as an even-handed intermediary. The ministers discussed the tender process for contracts to protect and restore Kosovo's monuments, agreeing the process should be open to Serbs and Kosovars from Kosovo as well as Serbia. Kosovo's Culture Minister Astrit Haraqija at the end of the meetings said he was confident that "together with our Bulgarian friends and other nations in the region we will work for our common European future." The sides agreed to meet again in January in Pristina. Western Balkans Need A Euro-Atlantic Perspective -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Bulgaria is in full agreement with the three "no's" (no return to Kosovo's status prior to 1999; no change in Kosovo's borders (i.e. no internal partitions or unification with other countries or parts of countries); no predetermined outcome or threat of force. However, the GOB believes there also needs to be a number of "yes's" in order to stabilize the region. One important "yes" for Bulgaria is a "Euro-Atlantic perspective" for the Western Balkans. According to the GOB, these countries should have the opportunity for full Euro-Atlantic integration, including a partnership with NATO, and concrete EU criteria and standards to follow regarding the functioning of Kosovo. For Bulgaria, Kosovo's ability to meet standards is as important as the results of the talks. Bulgaria also hopes that Europe will remain actively engaged in the negotiations, the eventual administration of Kosovo and the military stabilization of the country after the settlement. For Serbia, the prospect of integration into European institutions will act as a stabilizing factor, all the more important in the event that Kosovo,s final status is independence. Finally, Bulgaria is particularly sensitive to the impact the Final Status talks might have on the delicate ethnic balance in neighboring Macedonia. Instability in Macedonia would undoubtedly have an impact in Bulgaria. Different Visions For Talks -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Kyuchukov said it is clear from their discussions that the two sides differ on a number of issues related to the talks: Kosovo's Final Status: For now the two sides are sticking to their initial negotiating positions--with Pristina unwilling to consider anything but unconditional independence and Belgrade open to any options but full independence. One Bulgarian official characterized Belgrade and Pristina,s current positions as "everything but independence" versus "nothing but independence." Form of Negotiation: Pristina prefers the "shuttle" approach while Belgrade wants face-to-face negotiations. Bulgarian officials believe shuttle diplomacy may be required initially, but that real progress can only be made face-to-face. Length of Negotiations: Pristina envisions talks lasting half a year with a resolution likely in June. Belgrade sees the process as taking longer with an agreement "possible" by the end of 2006. UN Seat/National Flag: Belgrade is ready to discuss Kosovo having its own seat in certain international organizations, namely financial organizations like the IMF, but sees a UN seat for Kosovo as unacceptable. Belgrade also expects the Serb flag to remain on Kosovo's borders. Pristine views a UN seat and flag as inevitable and part of independence itself. ¶7. (SBU) Kyuchukov said both sides welcome decentralization and view it as inevitable, although the sides have different definitions. All sides mentioned the importance of displaced persons being able to return to their own houses or wherever they choose. There is general agreement as well on the need to build administrative and legal structures and to protect historical and cultural sites. Kyuchukov also mentioned that, while the official position in Montenegro is closely aligned to Belgrade, many Montenegrins sympathize with the Kosovars and closely identify with their aspirations for independence. Comment -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Bulgaria has a vested interest in the stability of its neighbors, which in turn is the driving force behind its activist foreign policy related to Kosovo. The successful visit of Serbia and Kosovo's Culture Ministers has clearly boosted the GOB's confidence that they can play a role in restoring trust between Belgrade and Pristina. Our Foreign Ministry contacts said they had detected "a little jealousy" from their Greek colleagues at having hosted a successful meeting on the protection of cultural monuments. We are certain Bulgaria will welcome U.S. suggestions for further engagement. We will continue to encourage the GOB to use its status as an even-handed neighbor to build confidence between the sides. End Comment. BEYRLE