ROMANIAN RESPONSE -- BRIEFING CAPITALS ON U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000637

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE BILL SILKWORTH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV YI EU RO
SUBJECT: ROMANIAN RESPONSE -- BRIEFING CAPITALS ON U.S.
KOSOVO POLICY

REF: SECSTATE 59894

Classified By: CDA Mark Taplin, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) PolChief delivered reftel points April 18 to U.S.
Kosovo Policy to MFA Director General for Expanded Europe
Rasvan Rusu, a core architect of the Romanian MFA's Balkans
policy. Rusu noted that Romanian President Basescu and FM
Ungureanu would be traveling to Belgrade the same day, and he
would ensure that both were fully apprised of the points
prior to their meetings that afternoon. Among others, Basescu
and Ungureanu were scheduled to meet with Serbian and
Montenegrin President Marovic, Serbian President Tadic,
Montenegrin President Vujanovic, and Serbian PM Kostunica.
After Belgrade, Basescu would be traveling to Kosovo,
although Rusu stressed the primary goal of that visit would
be to meet with the detachment of Romanian gendarmes deployed
as peacekeepers. Rusu noted that Ungureanu would separately
be holding trilateral discussions with his Serbian and
Montenegrin and Hungarian counterparts on April 19, as part
of a regular dialogue on issues related to their common
border region.


2. (C) Rusu described Bucharest's relationship with Belgrade
as "vibrant and engaged," noting that the GOR shares the
French view of Serbia as a backbone of the region. He
commented that Romania sees full independence for Kosovo as
"an inevitability" and that Romania would continue to "follow
closely" the lead set by the Contact Group, the EU, and the
U.S. At the same time, however, Rusu said Romania quietly
encourages "flexibility on a time-frame for negotiations" and
would not speak publicly about Kosovo independence until "the
last possible moment." He noted some concerns within the GOR
that the potential independence of Montenegro after the
upcoming referendum, coupled with rapid movement on Kosovo,
could "severely strain" Belgrade. He also noted Romanian
worries that Russia would use Kosovo independence as a
"misguided model" for resolving the frozen conflicts,
including Transnistria which Romanian watches closely. He
asked rhetorically whether some of the trappings of full
independence for Kosovo -- such as full diplomatic
representation at the UN or the adoption of a national
anthem, etc. -- could be delayed as a way to ensure a "soft
landing" despite the implementation of de facto statehood.
Rusu underscored that Romania fully agrees with the premise
that EU accession can be a potent and highly effective
incentive for the Western Balkan states. To this effect,
Romania, which is on target for joining the EU in January
2007, remained fully committed and prepared to help Belgrade
and others in the Balkans on the path towards integration
with NATO and the EU.


3. (C) Rusu expressed appreciation for the points and
encouraged continued coordination as the status negotiations
continue. As requested, he promised that the GOR would treat
the information with the "fullest confidentiality."




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