GOS' "RULES" FOR KOSOVO TALKS

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001100 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO AMBASSADOR FRANK WISNER E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: PBTS PGOV PREL SR KV SUBJECT: GOS' "RULES" FOR KOSOVO TALKS ¶1. The Government of Serbia passed the following letter (translated from Serbian) from Kosovo Minister Samardzic to the Chiefs of Mission of Contact Group countries in Belgrade. ¶2. Begin text of letter: Your Excellency, As Ambassador of a Contact Group country, we submit to you the proposal of the Serbian Government on rules for negotiations on the status of Kosovo and Metohija. The state institutions of the Republic of Serbia assess that these negotiations are extraordinarily important for the determination of the status of Kosovo and Metohija, and that the spirit of compromise is predominant for the peaceful, long-lasting and sustainable resolution of this issue. For that reason, we are convinced that clear and fair negotiation rules are the basic precondition for the successful conduction of negotiations. With the expectation that the Contact Group will take this proposal of the Government of Serbia extremely seriously and that we will have the opportunity to discuss regulations for negotiations during our first meeting in Belgrade, Receive the expression of my respect, Minister for Kosovo and Metohija in the Government of Serbia /s/ Slobodan Samardzic RULES FOR CONDUCTING NEGOTIATIONS ON FUTURE STATUS OF KOSOVO AND METOHIJA (Proposal of the Government of Serbia) ¶I. The subject of negotiations is the status of Kosovo and Metohija. A number of practical and technical issues (position of communities, decentralization, protection of cultural heritage, economic issues) could be subjects of negotiation but only within the primary issue of status. II. Negotiations are conducted as direct negotiations between both sides with 'Troika' mediation. All other modalities (shuttle diplomacy and others) could be only additional and consultative within the function of direct negotiations. III. No strict time limitation on negotiations. It is possible and necessary for the Contact Group ('Troika') to submit to the UN Security Council occasional and interim reports on the negotiations. IV. Negotiations are supposed to be open with regards to outcome and timeframe, with respect to norms, regulations and principles of international law. ¶V. Mr. Ahtisaari's proposal cannot be the basis for negotiations. VI. The entire process has to be conducted under the clear mandate of the UN, and only the UN Security Council can enact relevant decisions. End text. SIMMONS