Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ZAGREB168
2007-02-14 15:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:  

CROATIAN PRESIDENT SUPPORTS AHTISAARI PLAN FOR

Tags:  PREL PGOV HR YI REGIONAL ISSUES 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO7804
RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHVB #0168 0451503
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 141503Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7303
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000168 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EUR, EUR/SCE BALIAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR YI REGIONAL ISSUES
SUBJECT: CROATIAN PRESIDENT SUPPORTS AHTISAARI PLAN FOR
KOSOVO

REF: ZAGREB 0149

Classified By: Ambassador Robert A. Bradtke for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000168

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR EUR, EUR/SCE BALIAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/14/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR YI REGIONAL ISSUES
SUBJECT: CROATIAN PRESIDENT SUPPORTS AHTISAARI PLAN FOR
KOSOVO

REF: ZAGREB 0149

Classified By: Ambassador Robert A. Bradtke for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) Ambassador met July 13 with President Stjepan Mesic
to discuss the Ahtisaari plan for Kosovo final status. Other
issues covered septel.


2. (C) The Ambassador began by noting that he had been in
touch with US Kosovo envoy Frank Wisner, who had expressed
appreciation for presidential foreign policy advisor Budimir
Loncar's recent visit to New York for consultations. Wisner
was also grateful for the efforts of Loncar and Croatian Serb
parliamentarian Milorad Pupovac for their recent visits to
Kosovo and Belgrade to consult with Kosovar Serbs and the
Serbian government, as well as for the Croatian Government
office being opened in Kosovo. Finally, the Ambassador noted
the USG's full support for Ahtisaari's proposal and timeline
on Kosovo's final status.


3. (C) Mesic replied that Croatia was interested in seeing
Kosovo's final status settled as soon as possible. He noted
his support for the Loncar/Pupovac delegation to Kosovo as
well as his personal engagement with both Kosovar Albanians
and Serbs on the status issue. His message to the Serbs has
been that they should participate in the development of
Kosovar institutions. Most Kosovar Serbs, he noted, are
oriented towards Belgrade, but some do think differently.


4. (C) Mesic said his impression was that it was clear to
most Serbs that Kosovo will obtain independence. He said he
had discussed the Kosovo issue with both Serbian President
Tadic and PM Kostunica. It was clear to Tadic that Kosovo's
destiny was independence. This was clear to Kostunica as
well, but he saw a chance to capture some votes from the
Radicals by taking a harder line.


5. (C) Mesic praised Ahtisaari's work on Kosovo status,
saying that the GOC fully supported his proposal. That said,
this was not an issue where Croatia could bring much
influence to bear on Serbia.


6. (C) The Ambassador noted that Wisner had said there were
divisions among the Kosovar Serbs regarding the possible
partition of Kosovo. The US, the Ambassador said, would not
accept such a partition. Mesic replied that Belgrade would
likely not support partition in any case, due to the
likelihood that Albanians in Serbia proper would seek the
same solution.


7. (C) Mesic concluded the topic by noting GOC willingness
to send Loncar and Pupovac back to Kosovo if that would help
support our joint goals.
BRADTKE