LATVIA/KOSOVO: THE END IS CLEAR; THE PATH IS NOT

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000609 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/10/2017 TAGS: PREL KV LG SUBJECT: LATVIA/KOSOVO: THE END IS CLEAR; THE PATH IS NOT REF: STATE 109526 Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (D) ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ chief delivered reftel points to Latvian MFA political director Ilgvars Klava August 10. Klava greatly appreciated the update, as well as the recent briefing to Washington Embassies. He said that the Latvian position remained unchanged - they understood the process would lead to independence for Kosovo, although the process remained difficult. "The end is clear; the path is not," he said. ¶2. (C/NF) Asked to speculate on Latvian reaction to the possible lack of a new UNSCR, Klava, as he had previously, said that Latvia would eventually recognize an independent Kosovo, even absent a UNSCR. However, it was unlikely that Latvia would move before a "large, continental European state" recognized. And some outside discussions with FM Pabriks and PM Kalvitis might be needed to assuage any last minute anxieties when the time comes. Also as before, Klava stressed the importance of decisions by Estonia and Lithuania on this issue. The three states had not discussed this issue in some time, but Klava thought it possible that if one of the other two forged ahead, the other Baltics would quickly follow. BAILEY