Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TIRANA586
2006-06-02 13:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
PM BERISHA ON MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO, MACEDONIA AND A
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000586
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT, SAINZ)
NSC FOR BRAUN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL AL
SUBJECT: PM BERISHA ON MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO, MACEDONIA AND A
VISIT TO ALBANIA BY PRESIDENT BUSH
REF: A. TIRANA 585
B. TIRANA 573
Classified By: Ambassador Marcie B. Ries for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000586
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT, SAINZ)
NSC FOR BRAUN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL AL
SUBJECT: PM BERISHA ON MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO, MACEDONIA AND A
VISIT TO ALBANIA BY PRESIDENT BUSH
REF: A. TIRANA 585
B. TIRANA 573
Classified By: Ambassador Marcie B. Ries for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: During a June 1 meeting with Ambassador
focused mainly on Iran (Ref A),Prime Minister Berisha also
shared his thoughts on Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and made
a pitch for a visit by President Bush to Albania. Berisha
expressed serious concern about upcoming elections in
Macedonia and possible fallout from that on Kosovo's status.
He suggested use of prominent Albanians as monitors in those
elections and pledged to continue to urge moderation on
Kosovar and Macedonia's ethnic Albanian leaders. End Summary.
2. (C) Berisha, noting that 22 percent of Montenegro's
population were "minorities", said that Montenegrin
independence was a contribution to stability in the region
and made the region as a whole "more free." Belgrade's
stance was "realistic", but he cautioned that Belgrade would
likely argue that its good conduct vis a vis Montenegro
should count as a "concession" in its favor during status
talks on Kosovo. Ultimately, however, he believed that such
a position would be only "temporary and would lose its
meaning."
3. (C) On Kosovo, he said his contacts there seemed less
rigid in their positions on some issues than they were seven
months ago. He said Kosovar leaders now understand the level
of responsibility they bear in the negotiations and
afterwards. Berisha felt the Kosovars would be sensitive to
messages from Albania and undertook to make a strong pitch
for "responsibility" and "flexibility" in their status talks
during his upcoming (June 15) visit to Pristina. He said he
would also offer help to the new PISG Ministry of Interior
and police to fight regional organized crime.
4. (C) Berisha felt that the upcoming elections in
Macedonia were "a serious problem" not only for Macedonia but
also for Kosovo status progress. He said he has counseled
Kosovar leaders and Macedonia's ethnic Albanian leaders
(Ahmeti and Xhaferi) to strive for free and fair elections.
He also encouraged Macedonian PM Buckovski to use centralized
counting of ballots as it "prevents the local militant effect
and bribing of commissioners." Berisha also suggested
that it may be useful to have prominent Albanians, "perhaps
MPs and others," serve as monitors in the Macedonian
elections.
5. (C) Berisha pledged to remind Kosovar leaders of the
disastrous consequences of Kosovar activists interfering in
the Macedonia election. (see Ref B)
6. (C) Berisha made a very strong pitch for a visit by
President Bush to Albania. He said he had himself extended
an invitation directly to the president while at the UNGA in
September, but since the exchange was so brief we wanted to
tell the Ambassador that this was a genuine, heart-felt
invitation. He said he had instructed Ambassador Sallabanda
to mention this during his recent credentialing ceremony.
Noting that no sitting US President had visited since
Albania's escape from communism 15 years ago, he said that
there was no one Albanians would welcome more warmly than a
president of the United States.
RIES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (BENEDICT, SAINZ)
NSC FOR BRAUN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2016
TAGS: PREL AL
SUBJECT: PM BERISHA ON MONTENEGRO, KOSOVO, MACEDONIA AND A
VISIT TO ALBANIA BY PRESIDENT BUSH
REF: A. TIRANA 585
B. TIRANA 573
Classified By: Ambassador Marcie B. Ries for
reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: During a June 1 meeting with Ambassador
focused mainly on Iran (Ref A),Prime Minister Berisha also
shared his thoughts on Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and made
a pitch for a visit by President Bush to Albania. Berisha
expressed serious concern about upcoming elections in
Macedonia and possible fallout from that on Kosovo's status.
He suggested use of prominent Albanians as monitors in those
elections and pledged to continue to urge moderation on
Kosovar and Macedonia's ethnic Albanian leaders. End Summary.
2. (C) Berisha, noting that 22 percent of Montenegro's
population were "minorities", said that Montenegrin
independence was a contribution to stability in the region
and made the region as a whole "more free." Belgrade's
stance was "realistic", but he cautioned that Belgrade would
likely argue that its good conduct vis a vis Montenegro
should count as a "concession" in its favor during status
talks on Kosovo. Ultimately, however, he believed that such
a position would be only "temporary and would lose its
meaning."
3. (C) On Kosovo, he said his contacts there seemed less
rigid in their positions on some issues than they were seven
months ago. He said Kosovar leaders now understand the level
of responsibility they bear in the negotiations and
afterwards. Berisha felt the Kosovars would be sensitive to
messages from Albania and undertook to make a strong pitch
for "responsibility" and "flexibility" in their status talks
during his upcoming (June 15) visit to Pristina. He said he
would also offer help to the new PISG Ministry of Interior
and police to fight regional organized crime.
4. (C) Berisha felt that the upcoming elections in
Macedonia were "a serious problem" not only for Macedonia but
also for Kosovo status progress. He said he has counseled
Kosovar leaders and Macedonia's ethnic Albanian leaders
(Ahmeti and Xhaferi) to strive for free and fair elections.
He also encouraged Macedonian PM Buckovski to use centralized
counting of ballots as it "prevents the local militant effect
and bribing of commissioners." Berisha also suggested
that it may be useful to have prominent Albanians, "perhaps
MPs and others," serve as monitors in the Macedonian
elections.
5. (C) Berisha pledged to remind Kosovar leaders of the
disastrous consequences of Kosovar activists interfering in
the Macedonia election. (see Ref B)
6. (C) Berisha made a very strong pitch for a visit by
President Bush to Albania. He said he had himself extended
an invitation directly to the president while at the UNGA in
September, but since the exchange was so brief we wanted to
tell the Ambassador that this was a genuine, heart-felt
invitation. He said he had instructed Ambassador Sallabanda
to mention this during his recent credentialing ceremony.
Noting that no sitting US President had visited since
Albania's escape from communism 15 years ago, he said that
there was no one Albanians would welcome more warmly than a
president of the United States.
RIES