Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BELGRADE1167
2008-11-13 14:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Belgrade
Cable title:
SERBIA TRADES ICJ REFERRAL FOR IRAN NAM VOTE
how-toVZCZCXRO0197 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHBW #1167 3181445 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 131445Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY BELGRADE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0626 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0027 RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001167
STATE FOR EUR/PGI (ELDRIDGE) AND USUN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA TRADES ICJ REFERRAL FOR IRAN NAM VOTE
REF: STATE 117357
UNCLAS BELGRADE 001167
STATE FOR EUR/PGI (ELDRIDGE) AND USUN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA TRADES ICJ REFERRAL FOR IRAN NAM VOTE
REF: STATE 117357
1. (SBU) During a November 7 meeting, MFA Assistant Minister Feodor
Starcevic, Director General for Multilateral Relations, confirmed to
us that Serbia will abstain from the upcoming UN General Assembly
Third Committee vote on the Iran no-action motion (NAM)(reftel).
Starcevic stated bluntly that Serbia's political decision to abstain
resulted from Iran's vote in favor of Serbia's resolution referring
the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence to the
International Court of Justice (ICJ).
2. (SBU) Although Starcevic agreed the human rights situation in
Iran was poor and essentially unchanged since last year when Serbia
voted with the U.S. in opposing the Iran and other no-action
motions, he argued that voting against the Iran NAM this year would
be "bad form." He further portrayed the decision to abstain as
elementary "horse trading," which he claimed was not connected to
the bilateral relationship with the U.S.
3. (SBU) We responded that Serbia's decision would be perceived
very negatively in light of GOS promises that moving the Kosovo
question to the legal arena would permit constructive engagement in
other areas. We also stressed that taking such an unconstructive
position would be particularly harmful to Serbia's reputation given
that it comes as the new U.S. administration's transition team is
forming.
4. (SBU) In light of Serbia's intentions to abstain, we recommend a
phone call from a Department principal to Foreign Minister Jeremic,
urging that Serbia think through the consequences of its actions.
MUNTER
STATE FOR EUR/PGI (ELDRIDGE) AND USUN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN SR
SUBJECT: SERBIA TRADES ICJ REFERRAL FOR IRAN NAM VOTE
REF: STATE 117357
1. (SBU) During a November 7 meeting, MFA Assistant Minister Feodor
Starcevic, Director General for Multilateral Relations, confirmed to
us that Serbia will abstain from the upcoming UN General Assembly
Third Committee vote on the Iran no-action motion (NAM)(reftel).
Starcevic stated bluntly that Serbia's political decision to abstain
resulted from Iran's vote in favor of Serbia's resolution referring
the legality of Kosovo's declaration of independence to the
International Court of Justice (ICJ).
2. (SBU) Although Starcevic agreed the human rights situation in
Iran was poor and essentially unchanged since last year when Serbia
voted with the U.S. in opposing the Iran and other no-action
motions, he argued that voting against the Iran NAM this year would
be "bad form." He further portrayed the decision to abstain as
elementary "horse trading," which he claimed was not connected to
the bilateral relationship with the U.S.
3. (SBU) We responded that Serbia's decision would be perceived
very negatively in light of GOS promises that moving the Kosovo
question to the legal arena would permit constructive engagement in
other areas. We also stressed that taking such an unconstructive
position would be particularly harmful to Serbia's reputation given
that it comes as the new U.S. administration's transition team is
forming.
4. (SBU) In light of Serbia's intentions to abstain, we recommend a
phone call from a Department principal to Foreign Minister Jeremic,
urging that Serbia think through the consequences of its actions.
MUNTER