Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BRUSSELS2562
2007-08-10 09:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
KOSOVO: DEMARCHE TO BELGIANS ON NEXT STEPS
VZCZCXYZ0010 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBS #2562 2220945 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 100945Z AUG 07 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6147 INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE IMMEDIATE 0106 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0221 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA IMMEDIATE 0100
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002562
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2017
TAGS: KV YI UN PGOV EU PREL BE
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: DEMARCHE TO BELGIANS ON NEXT STEPS
REF: A. STATE 109526
B. BRUSSELS 2114
Classified By: ACTING POLCOUNS SHARON BOWMAN. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 002562
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2017
TAGS: KV YI UN PGOV EU PREL BE
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: DEMARCHE TO BELGIANS ON NEXT STEPS
REF: A. STATE 109526
B. BRUSSELS 2114
Classified By: ACTING POLCOUNS SHARON BOWMAN. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Poloff discussed reftel points August 8 with Thomas
Antoine, the Belgian MFA's Director for the Balkans. Antoine
reiterated Belgium's support for Ahtisaari's recommendations,
calling them a good starting point for new talks. While
noting that the "aspirations of both parties must be
respected," Antoine said Belgium will push Belgrade to move
forward in the coming months. He pointed out when Belgian FM
De Gucht met with Serbian FM Jeremik in June, De Gucht urged
the Serb leadership to adopt a "realistic approach" to Kosovo
independence and indicated the international community was
ready to act with or without the Serbs (ref B). Antoine
recalled De Gucht's statement in July, calling the status quo
in Kosovo "unacceptable" and calling for Ahtisaari's
proposals to guide European policy.
2. (C) Antoine lamented Russia's role, calling Moscow
"obstructionist" on the issue. Looking toward December, he
thought it would be difficult for the EU to move forward
without a new UNSCR, seeing it as the "only way to get the EU
on board."
IMBRIE
.
SIPDIS
NOFORN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2017
TAGS: KV YI UN PGOV EU PREL BE
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: DEMARCHE TO BELGIANS ON NEXT STEPS
REF: A. STATE 109526
B. BRUSSELS 2114
Classified By: ACTING POLCOUNS SHARON BOWMAN. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) Poloff discussed reftel points August 8 with Thomas
Antoine, the Belgian MFA's Director for the Balkans. Antoine
reiterated Belgium's support for Ahtisaari's recommendations,
calling them a good starting point for new talks. While
noting that the "aspirations of both parties must be
respected," Antoine said Belgium will push Belgrade to move
forward in the coming months. He pointed out when Belgian FM
De Gucht met with Serbian FM Jeremik in June, De Gucht urged
the Serb leadership to adopt a "realistic approach" to Kosovo
independence and indicated the international community was
ready to act with or without the Serbs (ref B). Antoine
recalled De Gucht's statement in July, calling the status quo
in Kosovo "unacceptable" and calling for Ahtisaari's
proposals to guide European policy.
2. (C) Antoine lamented Russia's role, calling Moscow
"obstructionist" on the issue. Looking toward December, he
thought it would be difficult for the EU to move forward
without a new UNSCR, seeing it as the "only way to get the EU
on board."
IMBRIE
.