KOSOVO: COM INAUGURATE AID PROJECT, URGES KOSOVO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000091

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KDEM PGOV PINR PREL YI UNMIK EAID PHUM
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SUBJECT: KOSOVO: COM INAUGURATE AID PROJECT, URGES KOSOVO
SERBS TO LISTEN TO AHTISAARI'S PROPOSALS

REF: A. 06 PRISTINA 687


B. 06 PRISTINA 518

C. 06 PRISTINA 1071

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED, PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY


1. (SBU) SUMMARY. During the inauguration of a U.S.-funded
town hall and road rehabilitation project in northern Kosovo
on February 1, COM urged Kosovo Serbs to listen carefully to
Ahtisaari's proposal, saying that it will contain significant
rights and guarantees for Kosovo's Serbs. In a private
meeting afterwards, COM urged the mayor of Zubin Potok to
keep lines of communications with the international community
open. Mayor Ristic asserted that although Kosovo Serbs will
not accept independence, they will not resort to violence.
END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On February 1, COM traveled to the northern
Serb-majority municipality of Zubin Potok to inaugurate a
USAID-funded project that included major structural
renovations to the severely dilapidated town hall and
improvements to the central traffic interchange. The USD
178,000 project, implemented by the International
Organization for Migration (IOM) through its Community
Enhancement and Development Program, is part of the USD one
million pledged in late 2006 for quick, high impact
infrastructure projects in northern Kosovo, to be implemented
in advance of Kosovo's status resolution (Ref A). The town
hall rehabilitation included a new roof and heating system,
as well as new windows, flooring and bathrooms. In the town
center, IOM contractors built new sidewalks, installed a
drainage system and streetlights, and reorganized traffic
flow and parking to reduce congestion and increase security
for drivers and pedestrians.


3. (SBU) During a ceremony at the new town hall celebrating
the completion of both projects, Zubin Potok Mayor Slavisa
Ristic praised the U.S. government for making these and other
investments, including the recent rehabilitation of a local
elementary school, in his municipality. He mentioned that
the town hall is the traditional venue for social,
educational, political and festive gatherings, and said that
two weddings have already taken place in the newly renovated
facility. Rade Utvic, President of the Agricultural
Cooperative, mentioned the building's historical significance
to the community, saying that it was the venue in which Zubin
Potok municipality was disbanded in 1973 and then re-instated
in 1986. Approximately 40-50 people attended the event,
including local dignitaries, citizens and students, as well
as representatives of international liaison offices, NGOs and
KFOR.


4. (SBU) In her remarks, COM said that these projects
exemplify the U.S. commitment to, "help all people of
Kosovo...enjoy a better life." She promised that the U.S.
will continue to fund more such projects in Serb-majority
areas throughout Kosovo. Referring to Special Envoy Martti
Ahtisaari's imminent arrival in Kosovo, COM said that the
U.S. believes that his proposals will contain very
significant rights and guarantees for the Serb community in
Kosovo, and added that, "we will support such efforts both
politically and with further concrete assistance." Following
the speeches, local Serb teenagers performed traditional
dances.


5. (SBU) Afterwards, during a brief private meeting, COM
urged Ristic to listen to Ahtisaari's proposals carefully,
and keep lines of communication open. Specifically
referencing the decisions of the northern municipalities to
cut ties with Pristina's Provisional Institutions of Self
Government in June 2006 (Ref B),Ristic said that they have
no intention to cease cooperation with the international
community. Ristic agreed that the coming days will be
difficult, but expressed his hope that differences can be

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resolved through dialogue and not violence. He assured COM
that although Kosovo Serbs will never accept independence, he
said they will not resort to violence. However, he expressed
concerns about possible reactions from the Kosovo Albanian
side. COM urged Ristic to maintain a sense of calm in his
municipality and to engage productively with international
representatives as the process moves forward.


6. (SBU) In a subsequent interview with Radio Kontakt Plus,
COM again emphasized that the Ahtisaari package will benefit
all of Kosovo's citizens, including strong guarantees for
Kosovo's Serbs. She urged all Kosovo Serbs to listen
carefully to Ahtisaari's proposals.


7. (SBU) COMMENT. The million dollars we pledged towards
infrastructure projects is quickly bearing fruit in the
north. This is the second such project inauguration in
recent weeks (Ref C),and we expect more to come. These
high-visibility projects have had an immediate impact and
improved the quality of life for local communities.
Inauguration events allow us to ensure that citizens know
where the assistance has come from, and thereby prevent the
rampant misinformation which usually credits Belgrade for any
and all investments. These upbeat, positive events also give
us a platform to deliver crucial messages to a critical but
skeptical audience. We plan further outreach in the coming
days and weeks, to remind to Kosovo Serbs to read the package
for themselves and not rely on misinformation from Belgrade
and their own self-designated "leaders."


8. (U) Post clears this message in its entirety for release
to Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari.
KAIDANOW