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