Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRATISLAVA459
2007-08-15 12:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bratislava
Cable title:  

SLOVAKIA STILL LEERY OF MOVING TOO FAST ON KOSOVO

Tags:  KV YI UN PGOV EU PREL LO 
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VZCZCXYZ0010
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSL #0459 2271254
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 151254Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1129
INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 0109
RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA IMMEDIATE 0076
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000459 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2012
TAGS: KV YI UN PGOV EU PREL LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA STILL LEERY OF MOVING TOO FAST ON KOSOVO

REF: A. STATE 109526


B. BRATISLAVA 368

Classified By: CDA Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRATISLAVA 000459

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/17/2012
TAGS: KV YI UN PGOV EU PREL LO
SUBJECT: SLOVAKIA STILL LEERY OF MOVING TOO FAST ON KOSOVO

REF: A. STATE 109526


B. BRATISLAVA 368

Classified By: CDA Lawrence R. Silverman for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. PolEcon Chief, accompanied by Poloff,
delivered Ref A points to Ivan Lancaric, Head of the UNSC
Coordination Unit at MFA, on August 9. PolEcon Chief followed
up with Stefan Rozkopal, Director of CIS and Balkan Peninsula
Countries on August 13. Although the tone and emphasis --
and indeed, sometimes the substance -- of Lancaric's and
Rozkopal's responses were notably different, neither deviated
from the standard Slovak position on the need for a
UNSCR-based resolution to Kosovo. However, while Lancaric's
primarily negative comments focused on perceived passed
missteps in the process, Rozkopal characterized the last
UNSCR on Kosovo as a "good" one, and pondered how Russian
participation in the Troika might inject some realism into
its approach. End Summary.


2. (C) In an August 9 meeting, Lancaric regretted that
Russian objections to Kosovo independence and to the
Ahtisaari process in the UNSC had not been taken more
seriously, and suggested that negotiations within the UNSC up
to now had been merely "public relations." The only
sustainable solution, according to Lancaric, could come from
a "serious" negotiation yielding a UNSCR. He stressed that a
"quick" solution is not necessarily a good one.


3. (C) MFA Balkan and CIS Director Stefan Rozkopal also
stressed that an agreement was more important than adherence
to a strict timeframe, but made clear that the issue should
not "drag on." Rozkopal echoed Lancaric's comments on the
need for a UNSCR, highlighting the implications for the EU
presence in Kosovo that failure to achieve a resolution would
pose. Rozkopal was not optimistic about the prospect for
change in the positions of the parties, nor of the Russians.


4. (C) Rozkopal described the Serbian mood at Slovak-Serb
bilateral meetings in Belgrade earlier this month as relaxed.
From the Serbian perspective, according to Rozkopal, the
Ahtisaari plan is dead; there will be no forcing actions in
the next 120 plus days; and the Russians will continue to
support them. He suggested, however, that Russia's
participation in the troika could help facilitate a shift in
the Russian approach, if not in its principles. As one of the
"big three," Russia will play the most integral role yet in
international efforts to broker a solution. If, as Rozkopal
suspects, no agreement is reached by December, Russia will
have to face reality and will have a harder time deflecting
blame for the failure to find a solution. He doesn't expect
the Russians to move on Kosovo, however, before the
Presidential elections in March. In closing, Rozkopal offered
to reinforce our messages in the region if it would be
useful, including with the Macedonians (re: Albanian
population). He also asked that we convey the MFA's sincere
appreciation for the assistance of US Office Pristina to the
new Slovak liaison officer there. (Comment: While the GOS
hasn't always played a helpful role on Kosovo, Slovak NGO's
have made meaningful contributions. We will be meeting with
key groups to learn more about their plans for the coming
period, and to explore avenues for potential cooperation.
End comment)
SILVERMAN