PORTUGAL SUPPORTS UN KOSOVO PROPOSALS

C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000839

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: YI PREL PGOV PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL SUPPORTS UN KOSOVO PROPOSALS

REF: SECSTATE 37835

Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: In response to the Ambassador's demarche on
reftel points, MFA Secretary of State for European Affairs
(and acting Foreign Minister) Manuel Lobo Antunes assured us
that Portugal fully supports UN Special Envoy Martii
Ahtisaari's proposals on Kosovo. Should the UN be unable to
reach consensus, Lobo Antunes suggested that the U.S. and EU
members discuss the issue further to ensure a unified
international policy on Kosovo's future. He added that time
is of the essence and that Portugal shares our interest in
seeing progress as soon as possible. End summary.


2. (SBU) Ambassador Hoffman met MFA Secretary of State for
European Affairs (and acting Foreign Minister) Manuel Lobo
Antunes to underscore our interest in seeing UN Special Envoy
Ahtisaari's proposals on Kosovo, including supervised
independence, move forward in this decisive phase. Lobo
Antunes stated that, even though Kosovo's status is important
to Europe, it is up to the UN Security Council to take
action. He mentioned that the international community should
pressure Russia to support the proposals and to allow a UN
resolution on Kosovo. If Russia acts as a spoiler and vetoes
a resolution, Lobo Antunes recommended that the U.S. and EU
resume a dialogue about possible next steps to ensure that
the international community remains largely unified.


3. (SBU) Lobo Antunes stressed that the UN discussions should
avoid harsh rhetoric during this key phase of discussions.
He added that the international community should not placate
the Serbs, but should provide clear guarantees to protect
Serbian interests. Ahtisaari has already analyzed the
situation carefully and it is now time to act, according to
Lobo Antunes, to provide stability and a future for both
Kosovo and Serbia. He noted that independence is a sensitive
issue but commented unfortunately one side would have to
lose that debate. Still, he said supporting moderates in
Belgrade would be the best way to avoid a violent response.


4. (C) Comment: Portugal has in the past mentioned concerns
about the impact of granting Kosovo full independence but
clearly backs Ahtisaari's proposals and hopes to see them
succeed. End comment.
O'Neal