NETHERLANDS/KOSOVO: ELEMENTS ARE THERE IN UNSC

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 000916 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/UBI, IO/UNP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV YI NL SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/KOSOVO: ELEMENTS ARE THERE IN UNSC DRAFT RESOLUTION REF: STATE 64975 Classified By: DCM Mike Gallagher, reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: The GONL has seen the draft UN Security Council Resolution for Kosovo circulated on May 11, and believes it contains "all the elements" from UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari's Settlement Plan. But the Dutch believe Moscow will continue to oppose the plan, and questioned whether "fallback" formulations were being considered, especially regarding a phased approach to Kosovar sovereignty. MFA Head of the Western Balkans Division Cees Roels said the Dutch continue to support Ahtisaari's plan, and acknowledged that pressure was building within the EU to accelerate Serbian accession. Roels discussed reftel points with polmiloff on May 15. End summary. Draft UNSCR on Kosovo -------------- ¶2. (C) Roels said he had just returned from a visit to the region, and had reviewed the draft resolution while in Kosovo. He described the draft as "moderate," and said it contained "all the elements" from UN Special Envoy Ahtisaari's Settlement Plan. He said the Dutch continue to support Ahtisaari's plan, and "fail to see" credibility in Russia's position. That said, he anticipated Moscow will continue to oppose the plan by referring to UNSCR 1244's reaffirmation of Serbian sovereignty and territorial integrity. Roels asked what "fallback" formulations were being considered in the face of continued Russian intransigence, including specifically a phased approach to Kosovar sovereignty. Pressure For Serbian Accession Building -------------- ¶3. (C) Roels said pressure was building in the EU to accelerate Serbian accession. He noted that EU Foreign Ministers began to discuss the possibility of "moving backwards" on ICTY conditionality for Serbia -- much to the chagrin of the Dutch -- at the latest GAERC. Roels described considerable pressure on Germany, and the next GAERC in June will be pivotal. "Many EU members waited to see what type of government we would get in Belgrade in order to avoid playing into the hands of the nationalists -- now, there is building momentum for accession," Roels said. Special Attention to Northern Kosovo -------------- ¶4. (C) Roels gave a brief read-out from his trip to Kosovo, and said the Dutch are particularly worried about Serbian minorities in Northern Kosovo. He said this area has the potential of being marginalized by both Pristina and Belgrade, which may foment further instability. Roels said the Dutch currently are reviewing development assistance project ideas for Northern Kosovo, and hope to share these ideas in the near future. ARNALL