KOSOVO: PROTEST OVER VIENNA NEGOTIATIONS FIZZLES

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000631

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL, INL, EUR/SCE, NSC FOR BRAUN, USUN FOR DREW
SCHUFLETOWSKI, USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM UNMIK YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: PROTEST OVER VIENNA NEGOTIATIONS FIZZLES



1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Only around 250-300 protesters showed up
for a July 24 demonstration in Pristina called by Albin
Kurti, the activist leader of the Self-Determination Movement
(SDM),against participation by Kosovo government officials
that same day in final status negotiations in Vienna with
senior Serbian political leaders. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) The Self-Determination Movement (SDM),led by ethnic
Albanian activist Albin Kurti, organized a July 24 protest in
downtown Pristina against the Kosovo status negotiation
process. The crowd, which the Kosovo Police Service (KPS)
estimated to have numbered only 250-300 people, was dominated
by middle-aged men and dispersed after 90 minutes. KPS
reported no incidents of violence.


3. (SBU) Kurti held a July 23 press conference announcing the
protest, and beginning on July 21 SDM reportedly put up 8,000
posters and distributed 15,000 leaflets throughout Kosovo.
Despite this, turnout was low. Participants did, however,
include representatives from Kosovo war veteran's
associations and (U.S. Executive-Order listed) Kosovo
Assembly member Emrush Xhemajli's Popular Movement of Kosovo
(LPK). (NOTE: Xhemajli's presence is the latest example of
his deepening relationship with SDM. Police arrested
Xhemajli along with Kurti and 50 supporters at the Merdare
administrative boundary line with Serbia who were protesting
Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica's June 28 visit to
Kosovo. END NOTE.)


4. (SBU) Speakers at the demonstration uniformly criticized
Kosovo negotiating team members for going to Vienna to
participate in talks on Kosovo's independence, which they
said was "non-negotiable." Most of the speakers were from
the fringes of Kosovo's political life -- little-known
members of fringe groups or fringe members of established
opposition political parties. Democratic Party of Kosovo
(PDK) member Xhevat Bislimi said: "our population should
listen to U.S. officials who have said that status will
reflect the will of the majority." Kosovo Assembly member
Xhemajli said the mandate to discuss independence is with the
Kosovo Assembly or with the people through referendum. Kurti
himself told the crowd that "Serbia is our enemy." Former
political prisoner and head of the well-known Kosovo writers'
union Adem Demaci said "we are ready to pay any price for
Kosovo's freedom." In a July 25 interview with a local
newspaper, Kurti expressed disappointment in the low number
who turned out and blamed Kosovo's politicians and their
"manipulation" of local media. (NOTE: He was referring to
negotiating team members Veton Surroi, who owns the local
daily "Koha Ditore," and Blerim Shala, who manages the daily
"Zeri." Both papers are considered moderate. END NOTE.)


5. (SBU) COMMENT. Although timed to coincide with the most
important day of the Kosovo status process to date, the
Kosovar public did not turn out in great numbers at this, the
culmination of all of Kurti's demonstrations around Kosovo in
recent months. Those few that did were treated to the same
worn-out message from war veterans and personalities from
Kosovo's political fringe. Kurti's efforts have thus far
gained more media attention than traction with the general
public. Unfolding events will help determine if he remains a
fringe actor, or garners greater support in the future. END
COMMENT.


6. (U) U.S. Office Pristina clears this cable for release in
its entirety to U.N. Special Envoy for Kosovo Martti
Ahtisaari.
KAIDANOW