KOSOVO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO UNSC ACTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUDAPEST 000777 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2012 TAGS: PREL PGOV HU SUBJECT: KOSOVO: DEMARCHE ON KOSOVO UNSC ACTION REF: SECSTATE 64975 Classified By: P/E COUNSELOR ERIC V. GAUDIOSI; REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) Ambassador Foley delivered reftel demarche in a meeting with MFA State Secretary (Political Director-equivalent) Ivan Udvardi May 15. ¶2. (C) Udvardi evinced little surprise at the broad outlines of our policy but did seek confirmation that passage of a resolution in May is our objective, expressing his opinion that high-level engagement with Moscow will be required. ¶3. (C) Udvardi commented that the text of the resolution he had seen in the media struck him as being "unclear" enough to invite varying interpretations. He emphasized the value of the "the strongest possible wording" for both NATO and EU and for democratic forces in Serbia to have "a clear resolution of the Kosovo issue." He compared the situation to the Montenegrin referendum, where he saw the agreed EU position on recognition as having played a vital role. He also underscored the importance of unspecified steps to promote Serbia's integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, noting that the GoH had raised this in meeting with "10 EU capitals" and was now considering sending FM Goncz on a trip to Belgrade. Udvardi emphasized Hungary's interest in the issue and its appreciation for continued updates on the state of play. ¶4. (C) Comment: Udvardi's comments reflect Hungary's concerns that a status decision will leave the question of recognizing an independent Kosovo up to individual governments, depriving Budapest of the cover of a common EU position. However much that prospect concerns him, he understands - as do all our GoH interlocutors - that decisions on Kosovo will be made within the Contact Group and the Security Council. That said, we believe continued consultations are of real value in keeping Hungary constructively engaged - or at a minium constructively quiet. End Comment. FOLEY