ALBANIA SCENESETTER FOR AMB. WISNER, U.S. SPECIAL

UNCLAS TIRANA 000352

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE (MBENEDICT/DSAINZ)
USUN PLEASE PASS TO AMB. WISNER
NSC FOR BRAUN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PINR AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA SCENESETTER FOR AMB. WISNER, U.S. SPECIAL
ENVOY TO KOSOVO NEGOTIATIONS

REF: A. TIRANA 312

B. TIRANA 276

C. 05 TIRANA 1516


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Albanian governments, past and present,
support independence for Kosovo, but within the international
framework. In contrast to generally quiet diplomacy of the
past, the Berisha government, via FM Mustafaj (and Sabri
Godo, his informal advisor on Kosovo),has more openly and
publicly voiced this support. President Moisiu, who has also
privately made clear his support for independence without
delay, has also been more outspoken on this issue.
Nevertheless, except for a recent slip on border changes by
the Foreign Minister (Reftel B),Albanian officials have
always publicly called for moderation when necessary,
supported UN negotiations and UNMIK, and made protection of
the rights of minorities government policy. The Berisha
government's more outspoken approach is a change of style
rather than substance, and we do not expect their overall
policy of support for the international community's efforts
to handle the negotiations to change (Reftel C). During his
November 2005 visit here, UN Envoy Ahtisaari called for
Albania to be "active, but not an actor in the Kosovo status
process." We suggest you reiterate this formulation, express
appreciation for Albania's traditionally moderate role on
regional issues, and apprise GOA officials of the sensitivity
of the negotiation process. End Summary.

SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE


2. (SBU) Albanian policy toward Kosovo is clear:
independence for Kosovo with some form of international
supervision in the beginning, no change in borders, strong
protections for the Serb minority, and progress on
decentralization. After winning parliamentary elections last
summer, Albanian government officials including PM Berisha
and FM Mustafaj became more outspoken than their predecessors
on the issue of independence for Kosovo. President Moisiu
also adopted a more out front style. Berisha conspicuously
raised Kosovo during his inaugural address to the Parliament,
and FM Mustafaj did the same at last year's UNGA. The
President made Kosovo independence a central theme at a
gathering of South East European countries on the margins of
the UNGA. All three made one clear point: Albania fully
supports Kosovar independence within the framework of
negotiations between Kosovar authorities and the
international community.


3. (SBU) Post believes this outspokenness is more a change in
style rather than substance. The GOA believes it has a role
to play, but remains careful to follow the lead of the
international community. Albanian officials, past and
present, have expressed their willingness to deliver messages
privately and publicly when asked and are eager to use their
influence to advance an agenda that includes an independent
Kosovo. A recent comment by FM Mustafaj that called into
question the "inviolability" of Kosovo's (and Macedonia's)
borders if Kosovo were divided might have been a case of
speaking without thinking, but was more likely FM Mustafaj
trying to balance his insistence on "conditional
independence" for which he has taken some heat here.
President Moisiu and FM Mustafaj reaffirmed Albanian policy
after meeting the new Kosovo PM Haziri late March. Mustafaj,
in particular, highlighted "Albanian diplomacy in supporting
the negotiation process between Pristina and Belgrade."

HOW ALBANIA CAN HELP


4. (SBU) Albania can help in two ways. First, Albanian
officials have often played a moderate role during difficult
times in the region, including the spring 2004 violence.
Former PM Nano was extremely helpful last spring when
violence threatened in Macedonia after an ethnic Albanian was
killed by the police. PM Berisha and President Moisiu have
also lent their good offices when asked. The present
government is very sensitive to, and concerned about, the
potential for extremist violence in the region and, in our
view, will be very willing to help should that become a
problem.


5. (SBU) Second, the new government appears inclined to
invest much more personal time and effort in relations with
Kosovars than Nano did before them. Thus they can be useful
conduits of messages we have, especially in regard to the
need for unity amongst the Kosovar negotiating team and for
agreeing to concrete measures regarding the Kosovo Serbs.
Albanians take a pragmatic view toward the future of the
region, which includes a realistic assessment of the
important role that Belgrade must, of necessity, play. They
also see themselves as having a special mandate to speak
positively about respect and tolerance for different
religious traditions as they are proud of their own tradition
of religious harmony. (Albania is roughly 70% Moslem, 20%
orthodox Christian and 10% Roman Catholic).


STRONG BELIEF IN U.S. LEADERSHIP


6. (SBU) Finally, Albanian officials will not hide their
strong support for USG leadership during the negotiation
process. Historically, Albania has been pre-disposed to the
U.S. position and the same is true regarding our role in the
region, and in Kosovo in particular. Albanians still suffer
from mines laid by the Serbs in the north of the country,
which makes up part of the legacy of the Kosovo war. The
other part of that legacy is, of course, the hosting of
thousands of Kosovar refugees in Albania during the height of
the conflict. Albanian officials will seek your guidance on
what role they should play in the status process and will be
eager to offer their support in any way we believe will
advance the mutual cause of establishing a functional and
independent Kosovo state.

BIO NOTES AND KOSOVO CONNECTIONS


7. (SBU) A Northerner, Prime Minister Berisha sees himself as
having a special affinity for Kosovo issues. Though he
nurtured a strong relationship with Rugova, he did not
hesitate to publicly condemn the 2004 riots in much stronger
terms than the Kosovo president was willing to use. He has
unofficially named Republican Party President emeritus Sabri
Godo as an advisor on Kosovo and the resourceful and erudite
Godo has spent a good amount of time in Kosovo recently in
this capacity. Agim Ceku came to Tirana just before being
named PM and met with Berisha, Godo and Defense Minister
Mediu over lunch. Personal relationships between Albanian
leaders and Kosovar counterparts do tend to follow party
lines. While Berisha knows all of the current leaders,
Hashim Thaci's closest ties remain with the Socialist Party
here, including both Nano and SP Leader (and Tirana mayor)
Edi Rama. Former Defense Minister Majko has family in
Pristina and is considered the informal "Kosovo expert" in

the Socialist camp. President Moisiu is a strong Albanian
nationalist. A former military man, he has written a book on
Kosovo's history.
RIES