Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BELGRADE408
2007-03-23 16:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/19 -
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBW #0408/01 0821607 ZNR UUUUU ZZH (CCY AD979A40 MSI7539-695) P 231607Z MAR 07 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0520 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC 1315 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RXFEAA/HQ AFSOUTH NAPLES IT
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000408
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/19 -
3/23)
REF: BELGRADE 381
UNCLAS BELGRADE 000408
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/19 -
3/23)
REF: BELGRADE 381
1. (SBU) This cable summarizes notable events
relating to Serbia and Kosovo.
2. (SBU) Summary: For the week of March 19,
reports that Ahtisaari has recommended
independence for Kosovo, followed by Russia's
strong objections to any settlement other than a
"compromise solution" through new talks, were the
dominant events of the week related to Kosovo and
Serbia. End Summary.
UNOSEK VS RUSSIA: THE VIEW FROM BELGRADE
--------------
3. (SBU) As reported in reftel, PM Kostunica and
other Serbian officials reacted quickly to
applaud Russian calls throughout the week for new
talks and a replacement for Ahtisaari. Belgrade
media focused on Russian PermRep Vitaly Churkin's
comments following SRSG Rueker's report, in which
Churkin noted that the report was "one-sided" and
that Moscow supports further talks.
4. (SBU) Coordinating Center for Kosovo (CCK)
director and DSS VP Sanda Raskovic-Ivic announced
she will lead a delegation to Moscow to support
the Russian initiative with officials in the
government and the Duma. Minister of Public
Administration Zoran Loncar, who is also going to
Moscow, told the press that the delegation will
emphasize that Serbia "advocates a compromise"
within UNSCR 1244 and called Russia's support "of
historic importance."
5. (SBU) Former US PermRep Richard Holbrooke's
comments to Zagreb daily "Jutarnji List" warning
that violence could follow a Russian veto
received attention from both the media and the
PM's office. Kostunica's spokesperson said that
Holbrooke warns of violence by Kosovo Albanians
"as if he wishes for a new wave of violence."
The spokesperson added that rather than
"rewarding terrorists," the international
community is obliged by UNSCR 1244 to prevent
violence and punish terrorists.
DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY
--------------
6. (SBU) Belgrade media noted support for an
expedient UNSCR from EU and British officials and
the UNSYG. EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn said
that Europe -- not Russia or the U.S. -- would
"pay the price" if the UNSC did not pass a
resolution. He stressed that he is working
towards unity in Europe on Kosovo in the UN.
Media also noted a British Foreign Office
spokesman's comment that Britain supports
Ahtisaari's proposal and believes that the plan
offers extensive guarantees to the Serbs and
Albanian communities in Kosovo.
7. (SBU) French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy,
during a visit to Belgrade on March 22, told
Draskovic, Kostunica, and Tadic that he saw no
need for further negotiations on Kosovo because
Ahtisaari's proposal offered balanced guarantees
to the Serb minority in Kosovo -- including
international protection -- and to the Albanians.
Draskovic and Kostunica expectedly chided the
Ahtisaari plan as bereft of compromise and
therefore unfit for UNSC deliberation.
8. Visiting EUR/SCE Director Hoh met with an
array of civil society and GOS officials during
his 3/23 visit. GOS officials close to the PM
dismissed increasing speculation in Belgrade
about a partition deal as "preposterous,"
although one allowed that partition could crop up
in the longer term as a result of events on the
ground (i.e., a de facto separation of northern
Kosovo from an independent Kosovo). GOS and DS-
related interlocutors also insisted that any
solution would have to be endorsed by the UNSC.
3/23)
9. (SBU) According to one influential official close
to the PM, a scenario involving a UNSCR followed
by broad (but not unanimous) EU recognition of
Kosovo would lead to a "4-6 month souring of
relations" between Serbia and recognizing
countries, followed by a re-normalization of
ties. Officials acknowledged that the prospective
coalition partners are negotiating potential
reactions to an independence outcome, and one
senior official told us that the DSS would
request that all parties in coalition agree in
writing to a firm policy response to Kosovo
independence (including possible suspension of
relations with EU and NATO countries, or, less
drastically, recalling of Ambassadors).
POLT
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE SIPDIS
C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PBTS KPAO SR MW YI
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIA WEEKLY UPDATE (3/19 -
3/23)
REF: BELGRADE 381
1. (SBU) This cable summarizes notable events
relating to Serbia and Kosovo.
2. (SBU) Summary: For the week of March 19,
reports that Ahtisaari has recommended
independence for Kosovo, followed by Russia's
strong objections to any settlement other than a
"compromise solution" through new talks, were the
dominant events of the week related to Kosovo and
Serbia. End Summary.
UNOSEK VS RUSSIA: THE VIEW FROM BELGRADE
--------------
3. (SBU) As reported in reftel, PM Kostunica and
other Serbian officials reacted quickly to
applaud Russian calls throughout the week for new
talks and a replacement for Ahtisaari. Belgrade
media focused on Russian PermRep Vitaly Churkin's
comments following SRSG Rueker's report, in which
Churkin noted that the report was "one-sided" and
that Moscow supports further talks.
4. (SBU) Coordinating Center for Kosovo (CCK)
director and DSS VP Sanda Raskovic-Ivic announced
she will lead a delegation to Moscow to support
the Russian initiative with officials in the
government and the Duma. Minister of Public
Administration Zoran Loncar, who is also going to
Moscow, told the press that the delegation will
emphasize that Serbia "advocates a compromise"
within UNSCR 1244 and called Russia's support "of
historic importance."
5. (SBU) Former US PermRep Richard Holbrooke's
comments to Zagreb daily "Jutarnji List" warning
that violence could follow a Russian veto
received attention from both the media and the
PM's office. Kostunica's spokesperson said that
Holbrooke warns of violence by Kosovo Albanians
"as if he wishes for a new wave of violence."
The spokesperson added that rather than
"rewarding terrorists," the international
community is obliged by UNSCR 1244 to prevent
violence and punish terrorists.
DIPLOMATIC ACTIVITY
--------------
6. (SBU) Belgrade media noted support for an
expedient UNSCR from EU and British officials and
the UNSYG. EU Enlargement Commissioner Rehn said
that Europe -- not Russia or the U.S. -- would
"pay the price" if the UNSC did not pass a
resolution. He stressed that he is working
towards unity in Europe on Kosovo in the UN.
Media also noted a British Foreign Office
spokesman's comment that Britain supports
Ahtisaari's proposal and believes that the plan
offers extensive guarantees to the Serbs and
Albanian communities in Kosovo.
7. (SBU) French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy,
during a visit to Belgrade on March 22, told
Draskovic, Kostunica, and Tadic that he saw no
need for further negotiations on Kosovo because
Ahtisaari's proposal offered balanced guarantees
to the Serb minority in Kosovo -- including
international protection -- and to the Albanians.
Draskovic and Kostunica expectedly chided the
Ahtisaari plan as bereft of compromise and
therefore unfit for UNSC deliberation.
8. Visiting EUR/SCE Director Hoh met with an
array of civil society and GOS officials during
his 3/23 visit. GOS officials close to the PM
dismissed increasing speculation in Belgrade
about a partition deal as "preposterous,"
although one allowed that partition could crop up
in the longer term as a result of events on the
ground (i.e., a de facto separation of northern
Kosovo from an independent Kosovo). GOS and DS-
related interlocutors also insisted that any
solution would have to be endorsed by the UNSC.
3/23)
9. (SBU) According to one influential official close
to the PM, a scenario involving a UNSCR followed
by broad (but not unanimous) EU recognition of
Kosovo would lead to a "4-6 month souring of
relations" between Serbia and recognizing
countries, followed by a re-normalization of
ties. Officials acknowledged that the prospective
coalition partners are negotiating potential
reactions to an independence outcome, and one
senior official told us that the DSS would
request that all parties in coalition agree in
writing to a firm policy response to Kosovo
independence (including possible suspension of
relations with EU and NATO countries, or, less
drastically, recalling of Ambassadors).
POLT