LUXEMBOURG PREVIEWS UPCOMING GAERC

C O N F I D E N T I A L LUXEMBOURG 000068 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV ETRD EUN LU SUBJECT: LUXEMBOURG PREVIEWS UPCOMING GAERC REF: STATE 13840 Classified By: DCM Steven Kraft for reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) ¶1. (U) Post delivered reftel demarche points February 9 to MFA Deputy Political Director Stephan Muller. He previewed the GAERC agenda and provided the following comments. -------------- Kosovo -------------- ¶2. (C) Discussion on the status of Kososvo will be the most important issue addressed by the ministers. The EU will decide whether to grant more time to resolve the status question. Muller said that Luxembourg will support UNSE Ahtisaari's final decision on timing. The Government of Luxembourg (GOL) is aware of the U.S. position against delay and shares U.S. concerns that ethnic Albanians in Kosovo may become restive and disruptive if a decision is delayed. Ultimately, Muller said that the GOL suspects the ministers will find a delay of ten days acceptable. -------------- Sudan -------------- ¶3. (C) Muller said that Luxembourg FM Asselborn publicly challenged the Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol to accept full UN-led peacekeeping in Darfur during the recent child warrior conference in Paris. The exchange came following remarks by the Sudanese FM when Asselborn, who had already made his remarks, remained at the front of the room long enough to take a microphone during the question and answer period. Asselborn challenged Akol to accept the three-phase package for UN-controlled peacekeeping in Darfur and the FM replied that he would. Muller noted that Asselborn was proud of his action and added that this was an example of Luxembourg's ability to influence international policy despite its small size. WAGNER