Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2114
2007-06-27 15:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIAN FM TAKES TOUGH LINE ON KOSOVO WITH SERB
how-toVZCZCXYZ0061 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #2114 1781517 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 271517Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5770 INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0105 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0036 RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 8475 RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 0462 RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 0609 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0214 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA 0099
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002114
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2012
TAGS: PREL YI AL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM TAKES TOUGH LINE ON KOSOVO WITH SERB
COUNTERPART
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002114
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2012
TAGS: PREL YI AL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM TAKES TOUGH LINE ON KOSOVO WITH SERB
COUNTERPART
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) During a June 27, 2007 meeting in Brussels with
Serbian FM Jeremik, Belgian FM De Gucht urged the Serb
leadership to adopt a "realistic approach" to the Kosovo
independence issue. An official in De Gucht's cabinet who
was present at the meeting said De Gucht pushed Jeremik to
use the current "pause" of four months to launch serious
discussions with the Kosovars, something they had failed to
do so far. While De Gucht did not want to prejudge the
outcome of any such talks, he noted that the international
community was ready to act with or without the Serbs. The
Belgian FM made many of these points publicly during a brief
session with Serbian journalists.
2. (C) Jeremik did not reply directly to De Gucht's points,
according to our contact. Instead, he stressed the
importance his party placed on educating the Serb population
and to demonstrating the tangible benefits of a stronger
connection to Europe. The list of such benefits is long, our
source said, but it included easier access to visas and EU
membership. Jeremik wanted to reach that goal by 2012, or to
have experienced steady progress.
3. (C) The Belgians reportedly told Jeremik that his dreams
would "remain dreams" if they did not begin to "fill some of
the empty rooms" waiting for war criminals in The Hague.
Given the EU's experience with the Cyprus issue, no one
wanted to admit a new member state with so much additional
baggage. Fox
.
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2012
TAGS: PREL YI AL BE
SUBJECT: BELGIAN FM TAKES TOUGH LINE ON KOSOVO WITH SERB
COUNTERPART
Classified By: Political Counselor Theodore H Andrews, reasons 1.4 (b)
and (d)
1. (C) During a June 27, 2007 meeting in Brussels with
Serbian FM Jeremik, Belgian FM De Gucht urged the Serb
leadership to adopt a "realistic approach" to the Kosovo
independence issue. An official in De Gucht's cabinet who
was present at the meeting said De Gucht pushed Jeremik to
use the current "pause" of four months to launch serious
discussions with the Kosovars, something they had failed to
do so far. While De Gucht did not want to prejudge the
outcome of any such talks, he noted that the international
community was ready to act with or without the Serbs. The
Belgian FM made many of these points publicly during a brief
session with Serbian journalists.
2. (C) Jeremik did not reply directly to De Gucht's points,
according to our contact. Instead, he stressed the
importance his party placed on educating the Serb population
and to demonstrating the tangible benefits of a stronger
connection to Europe. The list of such benefits is long, our
source said, but it included easier access to visas and EU
membership. Jeremik wanted to reach that goal by 2012, or to
have experienced steady progress.
3. (C) The Belgians reportedly told Jeremik that his dreams
would "remain dreams" if they did not begin to "fill some of
the empty rooms" waiting for war criminals in The Hague.
Given the EU's experience with the Cyprus issue, no one
wanted to admit a new member state with so much additional
baggage. Fox
.