KOSOVO: OKPCC, EUPT AND ICO AGREE TO SECURITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000543 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, DRL, AND INL, NSC FOR BRAUN, USUN FOR DREW SCHUFLETOWSKI, AND USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/11/2017 TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM EAID KDEM UNMIK YI SUBJECT: KOSOVO: OKPCC, EUPT AND ICO AGREE TO SECURITY MEETING, BUT ASK FOR ADEQUATE NOTICE REF: STATE 90284 Classified By: COM TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (SBU) Summary: USOP delivered reftel non-paper on building an effective security sector to contacts at the Office of the Kosovo Protection Corps Coordinator (OKPCC), the European Union Planning Team for Kosovo (EUPT) and the International Civilian Office (ICO). All agreed in principle to participate in the recommended meeting, but stressed that they will need adequate notice and that the early July timeframe was unrealistic. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) USOP delivered reftel non-paper on building an effective security sector to OKPCC, EUPT and the ICO. (Note: The ICO was not included in reftel, but USOP felt their inclusion was essential given the important role they play in developing the security sector in Kosovo. End Note.) All agreed in principle to participate in the recommended meeting, but stressed that they will need adequate notice and that early July was unrealistic. ICO Political/Security Advisor Frank Neisse suggested late-July or early-September for the meeting since most Europeans will be on holiday in August. ¶3. (C) Neisse, EUPT Political Adviser Alessio Zuccarini and OKPCC Political Adviser Eleanor Gordon asked if the non-paper reflected a belief that the Working Group on Security (WGS) is not doing an adequate job to prepare for post-status security. We stressed that this is not the case and that the meeting is aimed at improving coordination among capitals and headquarters. Gordon thought the meeting was a very good idea, while Zuccarini and Neisse did not object, but questioned its utility. Additional participants and alternative approach suggested ¶4. (C) Gordon and Zuccarini both said the ICO's participation would be critical. Gordon also thought the World Bank and the donor arm of the EU should be included. She later shared the non-paper with OKPCC Coordinator General Matthew Sykes, who liked the idea, but thought UNDP should be included and that the U.S. should consider an alternative approach. Sykes, a British national, proposed that the U.S., with likely U.K. support, first present the idea to WGS Chair Frank Neisse and then formally ask the WGS to present its work and requirements to Quint capitals. He also thought the U.S., U.K. and WGS should agree on the agenda beforehand. Neisse echoed Sykes's sentiments on participation, saying UNDP should be present since the trust fund for KPC retirees would be on the agenda. He also suggested inclusion of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) since they implemented the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) demobilization and are currently working on a pilot reintegration program for ex-KPC members. OKPCC and ICO question topics ¶5. (C) Gordon concurred with most of the topics listed, but questioned including the "structure of the civilian oversight organization" and "meeting the timelines prescribed by the Ahtisaari Plan." She maintained that the Kosovo government is responsible for the civilian oversight organization's structure, with advice from NATO, and that involving other actors might confuse the issue. She also pointed out that meeting the Ahtisaari Plan timelines is NATO's responsibility and could be very challenging unless there is sufficient donor support. Sykes took issue with the semantics of the agenda item dealing with setting up a NATO or other trust fund for KPC retirees. He thought it would be inappropriate at this stage to specify assistance to retirees, and said the agenda item should instead be a straight quote from the Ahtisaari proposal or read: "Setting up a NATO or other trust fund for the proposed demobilization and reintegration process." ¶6. (C) Neisse thought it would be inappropriate to include PRISTINA 00000543 002 OF 002 supervising the new intelligence service in this broad meeting, but said he did welcome the idea of discussing the issue further at the ICO and Quint level. He sees this as an ICO issue, but said the ICO recognizes that an international organization will be unable to supervise the intelligence service alone and will need the assistance of liaison offices, especially the U.S. and the U.K. (Note: USOP concurs with Niesse on the desirability of keeping intelligence service discussions off the agenda. End Note.) Neisse also questioned the necessity of including the item on identifying, vetting and training personnel for security sector institutions. He said the Kosovo government is about to adopt a policy paper on this and that a Slovenian expert will be in Pristina the week of July 9 to make a first implementation assessment. (Note: USOP concurs with Neisse since vetting and training are NATO/International Military Presence responsibilities. End Note) KAIDANOW