KOSOVO FINAL STATUS: NO POLICY GUIDANCE FOR NEW

UNCLAS PRETORIA 004213 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, IO/UNP, AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS AORC UNSC SF YI EU SUBJECT: KOSOVO FINAL STATUS: NO POLICY GUIDANCE FOR NEW YORK, YET REF: A. SECSTATE 167211 ¶B. SECSTATE 166909 ¶1. (SBU) A/PolCouns presented reftel non-paper to DFA Deputy Director: UN Security Council (Thematic Issues) Ilia du Buisson on 18 December. Joining the meeting was UK Second Secretary David McNaught, who presented nearly identical SIPDIS points from London and, in the absence of a British non-paper, associated himself with the U.S one. ¶2. (SBU) An embarassed du Buisson admitted that she had "absolutely no instructions" on this issue, since all decision-makers (including PermRep Khumalo) were in Polokwane, Limpopo for ANC leadership elections. She was grateful for the non-paper and said she would forward it immediately in the hopes that news of a clear U.S. and European position would provoke a discussion on the margins in Polokwane. She said that SAG players were well informed on the issues, having met directly and repeatedly with representatives from both sides, and listed the factors that she expected would be considered in the decision-making process: South Africa's successful experience with negotiations in ending apartheid; ideological questions regarding the role of the UN and especially the UN Security Council; absence of international consensus; and, to a lesser degree, others' attempts to claim this would set a precedent. Du Buisson said she honestly had no idea what the leadership would decide, but agreed to inform the U.S. and UK once she had instructions from Polokwane. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: What the SAG really wants is for the two sides to follow the South African example and sit around a table talking things through until they come to a mutually acceptable solution. This experience is central to the South African approach to conflict resolution, and it is difficult for the SAG to believe that it is unachievable in the current context. That said, the SAG's worst fears are a unilateral declaration of independence by the Kosovars and/or renewed violence in the region -- they would certainly prefer Ahtisaari over either of those alternatives. The UK High Commissioner and several other European Chiefs of Mission are currently on the ground in Polokwane. McNaught will recommend they approach senior SAG officials there to further press the issue. END COMMENT. BOST