Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SOFIA2056
2005-12-14 15:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:  

BULGARIA SEEKS TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN KOSOVO

Tags:  PREL PGOV PINR BU 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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


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