EGYPT: ARAB LEAGUE AND MFA ON KOSOVO FINAL STATUS

UNCLAS CAIRO 001302

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR NEA/ELA AND EUR/SCE FOR HANISH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC KSAC EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: ARAB LEAGUE AND MFA ON KOSOVO FINAL STATUS



1. (SBU) Special Representative for Kosovo Final Status
Talks Ambassador Frank Wisner and Ambassador Ricciardone met
with Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa and Foreign
Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit on April 30, soliciting support
for Kosovo's independence following an anticipated May vote
in the UNSC. Ambassador Wisner underscored that Kosovo will
eventually become independent but that an orderly,
internationally monitored turn over of power would be a far
better option than potential chaos which could result if the
UNSC resolution is vetoed.


2. (SBU) Moussa pledged to ensure the Arab League moves
quickly to recognize Kosovo's independence following the
passage of a UNSCR, and agreed to encourage Indonesia to vote
for the resolution or abstain. Noting Russia's hesitance to
approve the resolution, Moussa hinted at a US-Russian
trade-off on Kosovo in exchange for a more amicable deal on
the proposed missile defense shield. Wisner emphasized that
there is "no deal making," stressing that all negotiations
are contained "within the borders of Kosovo." He added if the
Russians do veto the UNSCR, and the Kosovars declare
independence, the United States will ask for Arab League
support in recognizing the new nation. Moussa suggested that
a vote before the UNGA might be helpful in establishing a
broad mandate for independence, should the UNSCR fail.
Wisner noted that, while eventually working with the General
Assembly could be a useful part of the recognition process,
the UNSC was the necessary forum in which to address
retirement of UNSCR 1244.


3. (SBU) Moussa referenced an April meeting with a Serbian
envoy who proposed that Kosovo, instead of an independent
country, be turned into an autonomous territory of Serbia.
Noting that Kosovo had "autonomous" status under the
Milosevic regime (which was unilaterally revoked by
Belgrade),Wisner said this proposed autonomy would not
guarantee Kosovar representation in parliament, the right to
independent currency, or border control. The Ahtisaari
package, he countered, grants Serbs a number of rights
including independent municipalities, schools, judges, and
religious freedom.


4. (SBU) In a subsequent meeting on April 30, FM Aboul Gheit
asked a variety of questions about the underlying U.S.
assumptions related to Kosovo Final Status. He expressed
concern about the functionality of the Ahtisaari package.
Aboul Gheit also questioned the urgency of settling final
status now. Defending the Ahtisaari proposal, Wisner said
Kosovo's status has been unresolved for eight years, and that
the UNMIK's ability to carry out its is mandate ending.
Though he promised to recognize Kosovo's statehood after the
passage of a UNSCR calling for independence, Aboul Gheit
declared that the GOE will not intervene on behalf of the
resolution, especially with noncommittal South Africa. He
promised to brief President Mubarak on the contents of this
meeting.


5. (U) Ambassador Wisner's staff cleared on this cable.
RICCIARDONE