KOSOVO: SERB CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION BACK ON TRACK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000521 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, INL, EUR/SCE, NSC FOR BRAUN, USUN FOR DREW SCHUFLETOWSKI, EUR/ACE FOR DMAYHEW E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/17 TAGS: SCUL KCRM PGOV PINR PREL YI UNMIK EAID PHUM SOCI SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERB CHURCH RECONSTRUCTION BACK ON TRACK REF: A. A. PRISTINA 20 ¶B. B. PRISTINA 386 Classified By: COM TINA S. KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4(B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. After months of delay, the Reconstruction Implementation Commission for Serbian Orthodox Religious Sites in Kosovo (RIC) met June 21 and approved five new tenders. RIC Project Manager Francisco Montanes is very pleased with Vera Pavlovic Luncharsky, the new Serbian Government representative to the five-member Commission, describing her as "positive and helpful." Montanes expects the RIC meeting in July to approve more tenders and keep the process moving ahead. We can expect continuing opposition on church reconstruction from Serb Orthodox Bishop Artemije, who failed to appear at USOP's July 4 celebration, and who has been adamant that church reconstruction must remain solely in Serb hands, but -- given that the RIC is one of the few examples of successful cooperation between Pristina and Belgrade (ref b) -- the fact that the process is underway once again is most welcome. END SUMMARY. PREVIOUS DERAILMENTS ¶2. (C) While 2006 was a good year for church reconstruction (ref a),recent attempts by hardline elements in both the Government of Serbia (GOS) and the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) had stalled the RIC and put the entire reconstruction process in some doubt (ref b). Moderate Archbishop Teodosije Sibalic of Decani Monastery and RIC Project Manager Montanes worked together during this past spring to document the RIC's achievements and progress to date in an effort to fend off these attacks, led publicly by hardline Bishop Artemije Radosavljevic (head of Raska and Prizren diocese) and former GOS representative to the RIC Gordana Markovic. Markovic was replaced as GOS rep shortly after RIC Chairwoman Emma Carmichael visited Belgrade to meet with the SOC and officials from the Serbian Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments (IPM). In Markovic's place, the Serbian Minister for Culture appointed Vera Pavlovic Luncharsky, who has 20 years' experience at the IPM. MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION ¶3. (C) Montanes described Luncharsky's participation in the June 21 RIC meeting as "positive and helpful." The Committee approved five new reconstruction tenders: the Church of St. Andrew in Podujeve/Podujevo, the central konak of Devic Monastery in Skendera/Srbica, the Parish house and the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Istog/Istok, the auxiliary building of the Holy Virgin Ljeviska Church in Prizren, and the Guest House at the Church of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin Mary in Gjakove/Djakovica. Although Markovic's obstructionism has cost the RIC several months, Montanes and his team worked hard to get these tenders ready for quick action after approval. Montanes also expressed optimism about the RIC's next session in July, when he expects more tenders to be approved. AMFILOHIJE'S VISIT ¶4. (C) Montantes also told USOP that he and Archbishop Teodosije would have a chance to interact with Archbishop of Montenegro Amfilohije, who visited Kosovo for Vidovdan events June 28. Montanes planned to show him reconstruction work in Prizren. (Note: Amfilohije is the second-ranking SOC clergyman below Patriarch Pavle, and came to Kosovo to fill in for Pavle during Vidovdan Events. Many observers believe he may well be the next Patriarch of the Serbian Orthodox Church. End Note.) COMMENT ¶5. (C) Church reconstruction is a sensitive issue; Teodosije wants it to succeed to demonstrate the long-term viability of the SOC and its flock in Kosovo. Artemije and his followers want it to fail to buttress their arguments against independence. Little is known at the moment about Luncharsky, but cooperation and the Commission's progress is PRISTINA 00000521 002 OF 002 welcome, especially at this particularly sensitive moment in Kosovo. Church reconstruction continues to serve as a highly visible contributor to a more welcoming environment for returning Serbs. Post will continue to follow this important issue, particularly as a means to encourage Serb returns to Kosovo. KAIDANOW