Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS426
2008-03-19 16:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

KOSOVO: SERBIAN FM JEREMIC PRESSES ATHENS

Tags:  PREL PGOV SR YI KV GR MK 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9408
OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHTH #0426 0791604
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 191604Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1494
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000426 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV SR YI KV GR MK
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIAN FM JEREMIC PRESSES ATHENS


Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d)

-------
SUMMARY
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ATHENS 000426

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/18/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV SR YI KV GR MK
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SERBIAN FM JEREMIC PRESSES ATHENS


Classified By: A/Political Counselor Jeff Hovenier for 1.4 (b) and (d)

--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (SBU) In a "surprise" short visit to Athens March 19,
Serbian FM Jeremic asked that Greece continue not to
recognize Kosovo's independence. In public statements he
appealed for no further recognitions of Kosovo independence
and criticized the decision by Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria
to recognize Kosovo, adding that countries that take such
steps "cannot have good ties with Serbia." FM Bakoyannis
publicly emphasized the importance Greece attaches to
Serbia's path to Europe. She also reiterated GOG criticism
of statements by Macedonian FM Milososki March 18. End
Summary.

--------------
A "Surprise" Visitor
--------------


2. (C) Serbian FM Jeremic made a "surprise" visit to Athens
March 19, meeting with FM Bakoyannis at the Foreign Ministry.
Ambassador Eleftherios Angelopoulos, Director of MFA A3
Directorate for Southeast Europe, told us that Jeremic
requested the visit "just two days ago." Jeremic's agenda
was apparently limited to a request that Greece continue not
to recognize Kosovo independence. Angelopoulos said MFA
papers hastily prepared for FM Bakoyannis focused on just two
issues: Kosovo and Serbia's European perspective.


3. (SBU) The meeting was small, and the working levels of
the MFA do not yet have any readout. However, following the
meeting, the two Ministers made comments to the press (Note:
The Greek press is not currently reporting this story as all
Greek media outlets ) radio, television, and print ) are
participating in a general strike March 19 to protest
Government plans to reform social security. End Note).
Angelopoulos gave us the following summary of their public
remarks:

Bakoyannis
--------------
-- Serbia must not lose sight of its European perspective.
Greece is a strong supporter of this perspective.

-- Greece regrets recent events in Mitrovica and urges
restraint.

Jeremic
--------------
-- Serbia needs to maintain its European path, and the May
elections are critical in this regard.

-- Serbia does not accept Kosovo's declaration of
independence, and appreciates that Greece has not recognized
Kosovo.

-- The decision by Croatia, Hungary, and Bulgaria to
recognize Kosovo was not in conformity with international
law. Serbia expects its neighboring countries to help Serbia
resolve this issue in a manner that is positive for regional
stability. He later added, "don't do it. Countries that
take this decision cannot have good ties with Serbia . . . Do
not touch on the sovereignty of Serbia by recognizing
Kosovo."

-- Serbia's view of the illegality of Kosovo independence
will not change, regardless of who wins the May elections.

--------------
Reaction to Macedonian FM Comments
--------------


4. (SBU) In her public remarks, FM Bakoyannis also
reiterated the GOG's negative view of March 18 comments by
Macedonian FM Milososki to the effect that none of the names
put forward by UN Special Envoy Nimetz at last week's Vienna
meeting was an acceptable basis for negotiations. Recalling
an earlier statement by Foreign Ministry Spokesman
Koumoutsakos that these statements "confirm the absolute
intransigence of the other side," Bakoyannis added that these
statements were "not positive or in the spirit of compromise"
that is required to reach a solution.
SPECKHARD