KOSOVO: SWISS TO SUPPORT AHTISAARI

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERN 000270

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/20/2017
TAGS: PREL KPKO SZ
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SWISS TO SUPPORT AHTISAARI

REF: SECSTATE 31810

Classified By: Poloff Eric Lundberg, Reasons 1.4 b/d

1.(SBU) This is an action request. EUR/SCE see para 4.

2.(C) Switzerland agrees that there should be no delay in
defining Kosovo's final status. In a March 9 meeting at
Zurich Airport with EUR Assistant Secretary Dan Fried and
Ambassador Coneway, Swiss State Secretary Michael Ambuehl
said that Bern had long recognized that independence was the
only feasible option for Kosovo, provided adequate
protections were built in for Serb and other minorities.
Ambuehl agreed that delay would only favor the hardliners on
both sides.

3.(C) Welcoming Ambuehl's assessment, Dan Fried encouraged
the Swiss to offer their vocal support once UN Special Envoy
Martti Ahtisaari releases his report in the late March/early
April timeframe. Ambuehl offered to issue this support at
whatever time the USG thought most helpful. A/S Fried
recommended that the GOS work with EUR/SCE director Chris
Hoh, via the Embassy, to coordinate a Swiss statement.

4.(C) Action Request: The Swiss DFA would welcome advice
from EUR/SCE as to the ideal timing of a Swiss statement in
support of Martti Ahtisaari's upcoming report. Embassy Bern
is pleased to assist.
CONEWAY