GERMANY RELUCTANT TO MAINTAIN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001066 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018 TAGS: KAWC ICTY PREL ETTC SR GM SUBJECT: GERMANY RELUCTANT TO MAINTAIN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS ON THE KARADZIC FAMILY REF: STATE 82494 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Jeff Rathke for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) PolOffs delivered reftel points to Mark Bogdahn, deputy head of the Western Balkans Division at the German MFA, and desk officer for Serbia, Silja Weibel, on August 1. PolOffs noted that a premature lifting of the travel ban on the Karadzic family could negatively impact OHR's removal of PIFWC supporters. Bogdahn and Weibel indicated that the GOG is likely to support the move to lift the travel ban on the Karadzic family. Weibel claimed that no EU member state raised this issue when it was discussed July 30 at the working level. Bogdahn said he expects the travel restrictions, and indeed all other sanctions imposed on the family, to be lifted by early or mid-September. ¶2. (C) Bogdahn noted that it was OHR that asked Brussels to give the Karadzic family back their passports in the first place, which the German side interpreted as OHR acquiescence on lifting the travel restrictions. Bogdahn and Weibel asserted that the restrictions were implemented because the Karadzic family -- at that time -- was "believed to be" aiding Radovan Karadzic's flight from justice. Now that he is in custody however, the justification for the restrictions has been removed. Neither Bogdahn nor Weibel believed that the Karadzic family is aiding fugitives Ratko Mladic and Goran Hadzic, noting there was "no love lost" amongst the erstwhile allies. Bogdahn felt that if travel restrictions are to continue, the High Representative would have to make that case. ¶3. (C) Comment: The MFA's laissez-faire approach is disappointing; Embassy will continue pressing the point that premature lifting of the restrictions could undermine other efforts to locate and apprehend PIFWCs and weaken the High Representative's credibility vis-a-vis the RS. End comment. KOENIG