AHTISAARI BRIEFS UNSC ON KOSOVO FUTURE STATUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 USUN NEW YORK 000453 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR DAS ROSEMARY DICARLO, EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSC UNMIK SR YI SUBJECT: AHTISAARI BRIEFS UNSC ON KOSOVO FUTURE STATUS PROCESS Classified By: Ambassador John R. Bolton, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary: In closed UNSC consultations March 7, Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari briefed Security Council members on his work to date in the Kosovo Future Status Process. Delivering a candid message, Ahtisaari argued while the current government in Belgrade is not responsible for what Milosevic had done in the past, it must nonetheless deal with the consequences of those actions now. On the other hand, said Ahtisaari, Kosovo's Albanian majority has to "create a stable society where minorities can live in peace" because only "tangible results on the ground" can create trust. Meetings between Belgrade and Pristina's negotiating teams in Vienna February 20-21 had shown the way ahead by proving that despite clear differences between the parties it was possible to reach some common ground. Ahtisaari reported he would thus push on with a "bottom up" approach of focusing on technical issues first, as agreement in some areas could help boost confidence. He also urged the Council to focus on the day after a status settlement is reached. ¶2. (C) Summary Continued: In reply, Russian Permrep Denisov advocated continuation of a "staged process of negotiations," noting only a consensus approach would lead to an outcome that can be approved by the Security Council and that such a process requires time. In what was understood to be a reference to the Abkhazia conflict, Denisov also asserted that the Kosovo problem "is in no way unique, how a solution is found will have global impact and consequence." Slovakia's Permrep asserted "no deadline" should be set for completing the status process. At the end of the session, Ahtisaari expressed hope for "speedier implementation of standards" with Prime Minister Ceku now in office. Ahtisaari stated he wanted to move quickly and might take stock in April or May of "where we are and what more can be accomplished" with an eye to moving at that point to discuss status. End Summary. Ahtisaari Delivers A Candid Message ¶3. (C) During closed UNSC consultations March 7, Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari briefed Council members and UN Secretariat officials on his progress to date in the Kosovo SIPDIS Future Status Process. Moving quickly to the candid message he had come to deliver, Ahtisaari said the Kosovo problem had been shaped by the past. He stated flatly that Belgrade had to accept that any settlement must be acceptable to the people of Kosovo. Ahtisaari noted seeing more realism from both parties after CG members delivered coordinated private messages to Belgrade and Pristina following the FM-level CG meeting in London January 31. Belgrade's current government was not responsible for what Milosevic had done in the past, allowed Ahtisaari, but it must deal with the consequences now in the final chapter of resolving Kosovo's status. Part of Belgrade's work is to also cooperate fully with ICTY. Assuming such cooperation, Ahtisaari urged the international community to support Serbia's full integration into the "Euro-Atlantic architecture." For their part, Kosovo's Albanians had to create a stable society where minorities can live in peace because only "tangible results on the ground" will create trust. Standards implementation will therefore be critical to the pace of the Future Status Process. However, Serbs need to participate in Kosovo's institutions, in part so they can convey concerns that minority protection is an important standard. ¶4. (C) Ahtisaari pronounced that the first round of talks between Belgrade and Pristina in the form of a meeting on decentralization held in Vienna February 20-21 had shown it was possible to reach some common ground. Ahtisaari will thus push on for the time being with a "bottom up" approach, hoping agreements in some areas will help boost confidence. Kosovo's future lies in Europe, said Ahtisaari, but a post-status international civilian and military presence will be needed for some time and preparation for it should be led by the SRSG. However, Kosovo needed full engagement from international financial institutions to develop its resources and economy, which would only be possible after a status decision. Russia: Only "Negotiated Solution Acceptable," Kosovo "Not Unique" USUN NEW Y 00000453 002 OF 003 ¶5. (C) In Russia's comments, Permrep Denisov called for a "staged process of negotiations." Noting the fundamental difference in positions, he said Russia would not accept a solution at any cost and called for taking the time to find a consensus in order to reach an outcome that can win support from the Security Council. In this stage-by-stage process it would be necessary to see progress on decentralization, cultural heritage, religious sites, and guarantees for minorities before moving to settle status. Denisov urged unity from the Contact Group, saying it can be a forceful mechanism in support of the Special Envoy's diplomacy. In what was interpreted by others as a reference to the Abkhazia conflict, Denisov concluded by stating how the Security Council resolves the Kosovo question will influence other "conflict situations." Contradicting Ahtisaari, Denisov said the Kosovo problem is "not unique." He stated "how a solution is found will have global impact and consequence." UK, French and Greek Comments ¶6. (C) UK Permrep Jones-Parry stated that the Future Status Process should be completed by the end of the year, without rushing. A commitment from Kosovo's Albanians on minority rights is a necessity and the Future Status Process itself should be used to leverage more progress. Jones-Parry discouraged overlooking the importance of Serbia and said a public information campaign there might be needed. Once Mladic is in the Hague, he said, we should be very supportive of Serbia. Greek Permrep Vasilakis echoed the approval of most present for the outcome of the Vienna decentralization meetings. Vasilakis also pitched the Greek think tank proposal for protecting Kosovo's religious and ethnic heritage. Any outcome that leads to stability in the region and contributes to building a new democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo is acceptable to Greece, he said, but the history and geography of the Western Balkans cannot be ignored. French Permrep de La Sabliere stressed resolution of Kosovo's status should not be further delayed. He pointed out that the proper functioning of Kosovo's institutions had been seen in the election of a new President and Prime Minister. All should remember the specific nature of the Kosovo situation. De la Sabliere also said the international community would need to maintain a presence in one form or another to guarantee post-status stability in Kosovo. Slovakia: Concerned About Moving Too Quickly ¶7. (C) Slovak Permrep Burian said Slovakia supported a lasting and balanced settlement but compromises were needed to build trust. No "deadline should be set" for completing the Future Status Process as we have to ensure Kosovo and its institutions are ready. The pace of progress on standards implementation will determine the pace of the Future Status Process and a key to determining that ought to be the number of Serbs we see returning to Kosovo. Slovakia agreed with Ahtisaari that Serbs should be encouraged to participate in Kosovo's institutions. ¶8. (C) Chinese Permrep Wang stated some progress had been made on standards, but continued that many problems still existed. Views differed in the CG and certainly among the parties, so the UNSC should avoid hasty action and predeterminations. The Kosovo problem should be solved within the context of resolution 1244, but we should also keep in mind the special history of the problem, said Wang. Ahtisaari Responds To Questions, Offers More Views ¶9. (C) At the end of the session, Ahtisaari responded to questions from Council members. He opined that the smooth transition to a new political leadership is a positive sign about Kosovo's society and its ability to handle changes. Ahtisaari also expected speedier implementation of standards now that Prime Minister Ceku was in office and hoped to visit him soon. He understood Ceku wanted to be fully prepared prior to their first meeting, but he would press for a trip in the short-term. On returns of refugees and IDPs, Ahtisaari said we needed to create a situation where people could go back to any place in Kosovo. Some Kosovar Albanian mayors had told him recently that they thought Serbs were waiting for a status solution before returning. Ahtisaari USUN NEW Y 00000453 003 OF 003 agreed with that logic, saying he was sure there were Serbs who want to go back and Belgrade should encourage them to do so. Ahtisaari had seen reports that prominent Kosovo Serb Oliver Ivanovic would join Kosovo's government, but doubted whether it would happen because Belgrade had strong influence and some Kosovo Serb politicians felt threatened by it. Ahtisaari also repeated what he had said March 6 in a briefing to the Coordinating and Drafting Group: he intends to move fast, assessing that we would soon get to a point where we can no longer avoid discussing status. "In April or May, it will probably be necessary to take stock of where we are," noted Ahtisaari. BOLTON