Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BELGRADE1498
2007-11-02 16:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
SERBIA: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR UNDERCUTS TROIKA ROLE
how-toVZCZCXRO6646 OO RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBW #1498/01 3061656 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 021656Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1718 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 1392 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 001498
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE - PLEASE PASS TO JOSH BLACK/AMBASSADOR WISNER
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV
SUBJECT: SERBIA: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR UNDERCUTS TROIKA ROLE
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 001498
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE - PLEASE PASS TO JOSH BLACK/AMBASSADOR WISNER
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV
SUBJECT: SERBIA: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR UNDERCUTS TROIKA ROLE
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) The Russian ambassador to Serbia told a Belgrade daily
November 2 that the Troika's 14 Points did not "100% reflect the
stand of Russia," and reiterated that December 10 was not a deadline
for a decision on Kosovo status. The local UN office (protect)
confirmed that the Russian ambassador's comments tracked with what
they had heard from him privately. The ambassador's remarks put
down a marker that the Troika facilitate agreement rather than
suggesting new approaches. The article also reinforced the message
that Russia has Serbia's back. Informal translation of article
follows in para 6. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In a November 2 interview with Belgrade daily Vecernje
Novosti Russian Ambassador Alexander Alexeyev said that Moscow was
not fully behind the Troika's 14 points. Alexeyev said the Troika
was charged to mediate between Belgrade and Pristina and deliver a
report to the UN Secretary General, not be "a collective Ahtisaari"
and to propose Kosovo status plans. "Therefore, if something
originates from the Troika, this does not mean it 100% reflects the
stand of Russia....This was the case with the so-called 14-point
document," Alexeyev said.
3. (SBU) Alexeyev repeated that Moscow's support for a Kosovo
status plan would reflect Belgrade's and that there should be no
deadline for status talks. "Any solution and any document made by
the Troika should be acceptable to Belgrade," the Russian Ambassador
said. He said December 10 was "not a magical date" and that a
solution could be found later. Responding to the interviewer's
question, Alexeyev said that Moscow would not change its position on
Kosovo in trade for a deal with the United States on Iran or missile
defense.
4. (SBU) A contact at the UN Office in Belgrade (protect) told
poloff November 2 that the Russian Ambassador had made similar
comments in private meetings. According to the UN Office, Alexeyev
downplayed the importance of the Troika report on December 10 and
that Moscow's position against Kosovo independence outweighed the
Troika process.
5. (SBU) DCM called Russian DCM Aleksey Sokolov and was told,
improbably, that he had "not known about or had to time to read" the
interview. DCM read to Sokolov Alexeyev's comment that the Troika
did not represent the position of its members' capitals and
expressed concern about the implied lack of solidarity of the
Russians in the Troika process. She emphasized that the USG was
100% behind the Troika and asked Sokolov to convey our concerns to
his ambassador. He said he would do so.
6. (U) Begin text of translated Vecernje Novosti article:
"Don't Doubt Russia"
The Troika of the Contact group does not represent collective
Ahtisaari. It only needs to prepare and send a report to the
Secretary General of the UN, not to suggest future status of Kosovo,
SIPDIS
Alexander Alexeyev told Vercenje Novosti.
Q - How does the Troika make Decisions? Do they bring decisions by
consensus?
A - In principle, the Troika works on consensus. Of course, you
need to have in mind one delicate thing: the Troika is not some
generator of initiatives and suggestions but a mechanism whose goal
is to lift the burden or make it easier for both side to come to an
agreement. That is why things that are being suggested by the
Troika are not always in accordance with the opinion of the Troika
member capitals. Therefore, if something comes out of the Troika,
it does not mean it is 100% the opinion of Russia. This was the
case with the so-called 14-point document.
Q - How, in general, did they come to the famous 14 points if Russia
did not agree or approve?
A - It was an attempt to find some points they could mutually
accept. How successful that was is up to you, to be judged by you.
We always say every solution, as well as every document made by the
Troika, should be acceptable to Belgrade.
Q - Do you believe that some mutual agreement points were actually
found in the 14-point agreement?
A - It is not up to me to make any judgment; it is up to our Serbian
friends to do so. I know that they made several serious corrections
to the documents. That's it.
BELGRADE 00001498 002 OF 002
Q - Does Moscow still believe in reaching a compromise in the Kosovo
issue?
A - If Russia did not believe in a possible compromise, we would not
put all our efforts into it so far. Russia is ready to repeat
everything we have said so far about Kosovo, and that is we need to
find a compromise solution, exclusively through negotiations in
accordance with international law and a solution that would be
acceptable for both sides. For us, December 10 is not a magic date.
We are urging that a solution is found before that date but if not
it could be found at a later date.
Q - Can citizens of Serbia rely upon Russia not to abandon its
current position on Kosovo for a favorable deal on the missile
shield and Iranian nuclear program?
A - Just think about how many stories have been spread about Russia
changing its attitude in the beginning. At first, it was said we
would do that without any reason. Now they say because of an
exchange or trade. Both of these are completely untrue. Our
position is principled and our position cannot be subject to a
trade. I am ready to confirm that Serbs can be absolutely sure that
we will not accept any solution that is not in accordance with our
position. There is not a shadow of doubt about this!
End text of translated article.
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Alexeyev's comments imply that the GOR will insist the
Troika go no further than report a Kosovo-Belgrade agreement or the
lack of one. His assurance that the Troika will not present or that
Russia will not support any Kosovo future that Belgrade would not
endorse will resonate well here. He also sends a strong message to
the public that Russia will protect Serbia's interests in the
remaining weeks of negotiation and beyond. End Comment.
MUNTER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/SCE - PLEASE PASS TO JOSH BLACK/AMBASSADOR WISNER
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW KV
SUBJECT: SERBIA: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR UNDERCUTS TROIKA ROLE
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) The Russian ambassador to Serbia told a Belgrade daily
November 2 that the Troika's 14 Points did not "100% reflect the
stand of Russia," and reiterated that December 10 was not a deadline
for a decision on Kosovo status. The local UN office (protect)
confirmed that the Russian ambassador's comments tracked with what
they had heard from him privately. The ambassador's remarks put
down a marker that the Troika facilitate agreement rather than
suggesting new approaches. The article also reinforced the message
that Russia has Serbia's back. Informal translation of article
follows in para 6. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In a November 2 interview with Belgrade daily Vecernje
Novosti Russian Ambassador Alexander Alexeyev said that Moscow was
not fully behind the Troika's 14 points. Alexeyev said the Troika
was charged to mediate between Belgrade and Pristina and deliver a
report to the UN Secretary General, not be "a collective Ahtisaari"
and to propose Kosovo status plans. "Therefore, if something
originates from the Troika, this does not mean it 100% reflects the
stand of Russia....This was the case with the so-called 14-point
document," Alexeyev said.
3. (SBU) Alexeyev repeated that Moscow's support for a Kosovo
status plan would reflect Belgrade's and that there should be no
deadline for status talks. "Any solution and any document made by
the Troika should be acceptable to Belgrade," the Russian Ambassador
said. He said December 10 was "not a magical date" and that a
solution could be found later. Responding to the interviewer's
question, Alexeyev said that Moscow would not change its position on
Kosovo in trade for a deal with the United States on Iran or missile
defense.
4. (SBU) A contact at the UN Office in Belgrade (protect) told
poloff November 2 that the Russian Ambassador had made similar
comments in private meetings. According to the UN Office, Alexeyev
downplayed the importance of the Troika report on December 10 and
that Moscow's position against Kosovo independence outweighed the
Troika process.
5. (SBU) DCM called Russian DCM Aleksey Sokolov and was told,
improbably, that he had "not known about or had to time to read" the
interview. DCM read to Sokolov Alexeyev's comment that the Troika
did not represent the position of its members' capitals and
expressed concern about the implied lack of solidarity of the
Russians in the Troika process. She emphasized that the USG was
100% behind the Troika and asked Sokolov to convey our concerns to
his ambassador. He said he would do so.
6. (U) Begin text of translated Vecernje Novosti article:
"Don't Doubt Russia"
The Troika of the Contact group does not represent collective
Ahtisaari. It only needs to prepare and send a report to the
Secretary General of the UN, not to suggest future status of Kosovo,
SIPDIS
Alexander Alexeyev told Vercenje Novosti.
Q - How does the Troika make Decisions? Do they bring decisions by
consensus?
A - In principle, the Troika works on consensus. Of course, you
need to have in mind one delicate thing: the Troika is not some
generator of initiatives and suggestions but a mechanism whose goal
is to lift the burden or make it easier for both side to come to an
agreement. That is why things that are being suggested by the
Troika are not always in accordance with the opinion of the Troika
member capitals. Therefore, if something comes out of the Troika,
it does not mean it is 100% the opinion of Russia. This was the
case with the so-called 14-point document.
Q - How, in general, did they come to the famous 14 points if Russia
did not agree or approve?
A - It was an attempt to find some points they could mutually
accept. How successful that was is up to you, to be judged by you.
We always say every solution, as well as every document made by the
Troika, should be acceptable to Belgrade.
Q - Do you believe that some mutual agreement points were actually
found in the 14-point agreement?
A - It is not up to me to make any judgment; it is up to our Serbian
friends to do so. I know that they made several serious corrections
to the documents. That's it.
BELGRADE 00001498 002 OF 002
Q - Does Moscow still believe in reaching a compromise in the Kosovo
issue?
A - If Russia did not believe in a possible compromise, we would not
put all our efforts into it so far. Russia is ready to repeat
everything we have said so far about Kosovo, and that is we need to
find a compromise solution, exclusively through negotiations in
accordance with international law and a solution that would be
acceptable for both sides. For us, December 10 is not a magic date.
We are urging that a solution is found before that date but if not
it could be found at a later date.
Q - Can citizens of Serbia rely upon Russia not to abandon its
current position on Kosovo for a favorable deal on the missile
shield and Iranian nuclear program?
A - Just think about how many stories have been spread about Russia
changing its attitude in the beginning. At first, it was said we
would do that without any reason. Now they say because of an
exchange or trade. Both of these are completely untrue. Our
position is principled and our position cannot be subject to a
trade. I am ready to confirm that Serbs can be absolutely sure that
we will not accept any solution that is not in accordance with our
position. There is not a shadow of doubt about this!
End text of translated article.
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Alexeyev's comments imply that the GOR will insist the
Troika go no further than report a Kosovo-Belgrade agreement or the
lack of one. His assurance that the Troika will not present or that
Russia will not support any Kosovo future that Belgrade would not
endorse will resonate well here. He also sends a strong message to
the public that Russia will protect Serbia's interests in the
remaining weeks of negotiation and beyond. End Comment.
MUNTER