Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BRUSSELS2961
2006-08-31 14:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
UPDATED BRIEFING ON KOSOVO STATUS NEGOTIATIONS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #2961 2431433 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 311433Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2963 INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 0084 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 0200 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA IMMEDIATE 0092
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002961
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV EU BE
SUBJECT: UPDATED BRIEFING ON KOSOVO STATUS NEGOTIATIONS
REF: STATE 135734
Classified By: POLCOUNS TED ANDREWS. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002961
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV EU BE
SUBJECT: UPDATED BRIEFING ON KOSOVO STATUS NEGOTIATIONS
REF: STATE 135734
Classified By: POLCOUNS TED ANDREWS. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Poloff met with Thomas Antoine, MFA Director for the
Balkans, to provide an updated briefing on Kosovo status
negotiations (reftel). Antoine expressed pessimism that a
negotiated solution would be reached in 2006 while agreeing
that every effort should be made to reach a settlement this
year. Antoine was concerned that Serb interests be
satisfactorily represented in any final agreement. In
quoting Belgian Foreign Minister DeGucht, he emphasized that
no solution would be lasting "if it is not mutually
acceptable."
2. (C) Antoine said Belgium thought Serbs needed to be "more
flexible" in talks and had urged a more constructive
engagement from the Serbs. He emphasized, however, that
Belgium was strongly against marginalizing the Serbs and
nothing must be imposed against their will. In his view, the
Serbs had minimal trust in the negotiation process because
"any implication that Kosovo will be independent takes the
flexibility out of the negotiations." More incentives were
needed for Belgrade.
3. (C) Antoine stressed the need for quick implementation of
strict standards, particularly on minority rights. He said
Belgian FM De Gucht felt strongly that final status could not
be effectively implemented without tangible progress on
implementing standards. He thought Serb cooperation would
come easier then.
IMBRIE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2016
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV EU BE
SUBJECT: UPDATED BRIEFING ON KOSOVO STATUS NEGOTIATIONS
REF: STATE 135734
Classified By: POLCOUNS TED ANDREWS. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Poloff met with Thomas Antoine, MFA Director for the
Balkans, to provide an updated briefing on Kosovo status
negotiations (reftel). Antoine expressed pessimism that a
negotiated solution would be reached in 2006 while agreeing
that every effort should be made to reach a settlement this
year. Antoine was concerned that Serb interests be
satisfactorily represented in any final agreement. In
quoting Belgian Foreign Minister DeGucht, he emphasized that
no solution would be lasting "if it is not mutually
acceptable."
2. (C) Antoine said Belgium thought Serbs needed to be "more
flexible" in talks and had urged a more constructive
engagement from the Serbs. He emphasized, however, that
Belgium was strongly against marginalizing the Serbs and
nothing must be imposed against their will. In his view, the
Serbs had minimal trust in the negotiation process because
"any implication that Kosovo will be independent takes the
flexibility out of the negotiations." More incentives were
needed for Belgrade.
3. (C) Antoine stressed the need for quick implementation of
strict standards, particularly on minority rights. He said
Belgian FM De Gucht felt strongly that final status could not
be effectively implemented without tangible progress on
implementing standards. He thought Serb cooperation would
come easier then.
IMBRIE