FM FINI'S MESSAGE TO BELGRADE LANDS ON DEAF EARS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 000137 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV SR MW YI IT EUN SUBJECT: FM FINI'S MESSAGE TO BELGRADE LANDS ON DEAF EARS REF: A. FINI LETTER TO SEC. RICE DECEMBER 30 ¶B. 2005 Classified By: Classified by David D. Pearce, Political Minister Counse lor, for reasons 1.4. (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Italian FM Fini's recent visit to Belgrade failed to persuade Serbian PM Kostunica to accept the possibility that a decision on Kosovo's status could result in anything other than broad autonomy. Kostunica is convinced that the international community would be prevented by international law and political pragmatism from granting any sort of independence - phased, conditional or otherwise, to Kosovo. End summary. ¶2. (C) On January 13, Ambassador to Serbia and Montenegro Darko Uskokovic gave poloff a readout of the December 27 Fini-Kostunica meeting in Belgrade, which he attended. Uskokovic said Fini urged Kostunica to begin thinking about the practical steps that Belgrade needed to make as the international community begins considering the future of Kosovo. Fini told Kostunica that the international community was seeking a solution to the status question that would contribute to regional stability and safeguard the rights of Kosovar Serbs and Albanians alike. Within this framework, Belgrade and Pristina should be prepared to negotiate without preconceived notions of the outcome. Kostunica responded that Belgrade was ready to work closely with the international community to address the concerns of Kosovo's residents but insisted the international community had a common interest in the preservation of current international borders. ¶3. (C) After the meeting, according to Uskokovic, Kostunica told his advisors that the Fini's view did not represent the views of the international community. Kostunica insisted that the international law, specifically the U.N. charter, could be invoked to prevent Serbia and Montenegro's borders from being changed unilaterally. Failure to adhere to this charter would, in the words of Kostunica, be "a triumph of the law of force over the force of law". Kostunica stated that the international community would realize redrawing the borders of Serbia and Montenegro could lead to legitimate calls to reopen border issues in Bosnia and Macedonia as well. ¶4. (C) Comment. In a letter to the Secretary on December 30 (ref),Fini indicated that Kostunica is still having trouble digesting the international community's message. He urged the international community to find a common ground in dealing with the GOSAM and the Kosovar leadership. Uskokovic also acknowledged Kostunica's unwillingness to accept reality. He told poloff that the SaM MFA has made the Kosovo issue their highest priority, sending repeated instructions to embassies on the SaM position. He noted with concern, however, that the MFA refuses to hear the messages ambassadors are sending back to Belgrade on how the international community sees the status question. Uskokovic warned that Kostunica's absolutist positions and unwillingness to accept reality are increasing the possibility of a major, nationalist backlash in Belgrade. SPOGLI