SECURING SLOVAK SUPPORT FOR UNSCR ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000227 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR U/S BURNS AND EUR A/S FRIED FROM AMBASSADOR VALLEE E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2015 TAGS: UNSC PREL YI RS UNMIK LO SUBJECT: SECURING SLOVAK SUPPORT FOR UNSCR ON KOSOVO REF: A. STATE 49723 ¶B. 4/16/2007 WISNER-DICARLO-MCBRIDE EMAIL Classified By: Ambassador Rodolphe M. Vallee for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) In response to ref A, we believe that there is no need for additional phone calls or messages to Slovak officials regarding Kosovo. Per ref B, the Slovak MFA is eager to see an early draft of the UNSCR and give input that will help sell the final resolution to Slovakia's domestic audience. Both the Secretary and NSA Hadley will have the opportunity to discuss Kosovo with Kubis in meetings in Washington April 18 and 20, respectively. ¶2. (C) Ultimately, Slovakia's vote in the UNSC will depend on Prime Minister Robert Fico and his read of the Slovak domestic political climate. At this point, we do not believe it is necessary to engage Fico from Washington. If, however, we sense that he is veering from his current EU consensus position, we may recommend a call from the President. It would be vastly preferable to get the desired result without such a call. We hope that Fico's April 26 meeting with Chancellor Merkel in Berlin will keep him on a positive path. ¶3. (C) Fico is scheduled to visit Moscow May 3-4. He has told U.S. and European diplomats that he does not expect in-depth discussions about Kosovo because it is clear that the Slovak position will be within the EU consensus. Other leaders of Fico's Smer party have assured us that the bottom line of the parliamentary resolution on Kosovo emphasizes the expectation that Slovakia will be in line with its EU partners. Nonetheless, we expect that the Russians will press Fico on the issue, given Slovak domestic political pressure and uncertainty. ¶4. (U) Serbian President Tadic will visit Bratislava April 24-25. VALLEE