Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ALGIERS169
2008-02-17 06:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:  

ALGERIA RESERVED ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

Tags:  PREL UN UNMIK PGOV AG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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P 170626Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5269
INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE 0010
RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST 0179
RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO 0004
RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE 0004
RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA 0011
RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB 0016
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2552
RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 8807
RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 2170
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 7022
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI
RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3259
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 0009
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0062
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0486
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000169 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE SEIJI SHIRATORI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA RESERVED ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

REF: STATE 13716

Classified By: Ambassador Robert Ford, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000169

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/SCE SEIJI SHIRATORI

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA RESERVED ON KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE

REF: STATE 13716

Classified By: Ambassador Robert Ford, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: We received a noncommittal response from
Algerian government interlocutors when the Ambassador raised
the issue of recognizing an independent Kosovo. The Algerian
government prefers a "go slow" approach, even though a top
MFA official readily agreed Kosovo could never be
reintegrated into Serbia. The Ambassador stressed the
importance of immediate recognition and its impact on
regional stability, as well as the difficulty of
reintegrating Kosovo into Serbia. The Algerian MFA official
highlighted the importance of finding UNSC consensus and not
rushing to recognize Kosovo's independence. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) In a February 13 meeting with MFA's Director General
for European Affairs (A/S equivalent) Mouloud Hamai and
Deputy Director for Central Europe and the Balkans
Abdelmadjid Amalou, the Ambassador told the Algerian
government the United States and a majority of EU states
intended to recognize an independent Kosovo and asked Algeria
to do the same. The Ambassador stressed the unique case of
Kosovo, noting that its independence should not be seen as a
precedent. He also told Hamai that it would be difficult to
reintegrate Kosovo into Serbia and said that immediate
recognition of its independence would diminish the influence
of groups that seek to be more adventurous in the region.


3. (C) Hamai told us that although Algeria had not yet
reached a decision on the issue, it understood that it was
impossible to reintegrate Kosovo into Serbia. Hamai
cautioned against a rush to recognize an independent Kosovo,
however. Hamai continued by saying that Algeria favored a
solution based on international legality that was directed
through the UN Security Council. In this regard, he noted
the importance of Russia and its Security Council veto, but
expressed hope for consensus in the UNSC.


4. (C) According to Hamai, the Serbian government understands
the inevitability of an independent Kosovo and has indicated
this to him privately. However, he continued, the Serbian
government is looking for an "honorable" exit from the
situation. Hamai added that it was necessary to avoid
humiliating Serbia and to find something "to offer" the Serbs
to make the honorable exit possible. Without this, he said,
the political situation in Serbia easily could become more
difficult. Hamai further reminded us of the political
landscape of the region, highlighting an enclave in northern
Kosovo that is 10 percent Serbian, as well as other small
Serbian enclaves in Kosovo clustered near monasteries. These
enclaves, as well as various enclaves in Macedonia, must be
carefully considered when discussing an independent Kosovo
because they point to groups trying to adjust borders, Hamai
maintained. Ambassador noted the utility of prompt
recognition of an independent Kosovo as a means of
restraining Serb hardliners. Hamai demurred again, opining
that other international disputes, such as Israel/Palestine
and Western Sahara, had dragged on longer and without
resolution.


4. (C) COMMENT: Both Hamai and Amalou have experience in
the Balkans. Hamai has served as Algeria's ambassador to
Yugoslavia and Amalou has served in Romania. Our sense from
the conversation is that while Algeria is officially
non-committal on recognizing an independent Kosovo, it is
likely to adopt a cautious policy for the near future.
Another factor for Algeria is its longstanding close ties to
Belgrade which date to Algerian President Bouteflika's role
in standing up the non-aligned movement with the old
Yugoslavia.
FORD