KOSTUNICA AND TADIC CONSTRUCTIVE AT CONTACT GROUP DEMARCHE

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001236 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SR MW YI SUBJECT: KOSTUNICA AND TADIC CONSTRUCTIVE AT CONTACT GROUP DEMARCHE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Prime Minister Kostunica and President Tadic were both cordial and constructive at a joint demarche by Contact Group (CG) Chiefs of Mission in Belgrade on August 4. Both stressed that the GOS is committed to UNOSEK talks and confirmed Belgrade will participate in August 7th and 8th meetings on decentralization and community rights, respectively. Tadic, especially, emphasized that rapid progress on decentralization and religious sites is crucial for the Kosovo Serb community. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The Contact Group COMs met on the morning of August 4 with President Tadic and Prime Minister Kostunica who were joined by Presidential advisors Leon Kojen and Vuk Jeremic and Prime Minster advisor Aleksandar Simic. After listening attentively to Ambassador Polt's presentation of the demarche on behalf of the Contact Group, Tadic and Kostunica's comments focused on their willingness to stay engaged in Ahtisaari's talks and their desire to "show results" on decentralization and religious sites. Kostunica said there was "never any doubt" that Belgrade would participate. ¶3. (SBU) Tadic responded first, noting that there were only "technical" concerns with the talks, most specifically that the GOS preferred to discuss community rights within the rubric of "constitutional issues" Nevertheless, he said that Belgrade would adhere to Ahtisaari's timeline and attend on August 7th and 8th. (Note: Serbian wires are reporting that Kojen and Simic are expected to attend along with Kosovo Serb representatives Marko Jaksic and Goran Bogdanovic and experts Gordana Matkovic, Dragor Hiber and Bosko Mijatovic. End note.) On behalf of the CG COMs, Ambassador Polt reaffirmed the CG's full confidence in Ahtisaari's decisions, including on schedule and structure. ¶4. (SBU) Kostunica referenced the CG's point that substantive rather than procedural matters should be the focus at the talks, saying that "community rights are a substantive, constitutional issue." Kosovo Serbs, he continued, need "guarantees of individual rights within the institutions of government" and talks must not be limited to a general discussion on "rights of minorities." He emphasized the CG had in the past stated a goal of a "negotiated settlement" on Kosovo, and he supported this approach. ¶5. (SBU) On northern Kosovo, Kostunica repeated the comments he made to Ambassador Wisner on July 25, stating that there was no GOS "parallel security structure" at work in the region, and also noted that UNSC Resolution 1244 allowed for less than 1000 Serbian security personnel to be present in Kosovo. Ambassador Polt responded that the CG would not tolerate any instigation of violence by any group, and it was in the best interests of the Serbs to let KFOR "hold the line" in northern Kosovo. Ambassador Polt again stressed that both Belgrade and Pristina will be held accountable for activities in the north. ¶6. (SBU) Tadic made clear how important it was to him to achieve solid results quickly on decentralization and church issues. He reiterated the "crucial" need to show "credible results" on decentralization and the church. He said the GOS expects Ahtisaari to be "productive" in this regard. "We are for compromise," the President concluded, next to a nodding Prime Minister. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Tadic and Kostunica had clearly prepared for the meeting together and the result was a productive meeting conducted in a cordial atmosphere. Even the body language was positive. Kostunica, who returned from his vacation to attend this meeting, told the Ambassador that it "goes without saying it was important" for him to attend the demarche. (We actually learned that previous attempts to send only Advisor Simic to receive the CG points had not been cleared with the PM and he decided himself that it was important for him to attend.) Kostunica exhibited none of his usual complaining about the Kosovo process or the treatment of Serbia by the international community, and both men appeared to be speaking in one voice. Without overstating the importance of this meeting, Tadic AND Kostunica deserve a pat on the back for showing up and being positive. END COMMENT. POLT