GERMAN THOUGHTS ON SERBIA'S ICJ PUSH AND THE EULEX

C O N F I D E N T I A L BERLIN 001219 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018 TAGS: KAWC ICTY PREL ETTC SR GM KV SUBJECT: GERMAN THOUGHTS ON SERBIA'S ICJ PUSH AND THE EULEX STAND-UP IN KOSOVO REF: A. STATE 91908 ¶B. PRISTINA 453 ¶C. STATE 93272 Classified By: Political Minister Counselor Jeff Rathke for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) PolOff delivered points in ref (A) to Mark Bogdahn, deputy head of the Western Balkans Division at the German MFA, and desk officer for Kosovo, Dr. Michael Geisler, on September 2 to determine the level of German engagement to counter a Serb effort to seek an UNGA referral on Kosovo independence to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). PolOff also led a conversation about German thinking regarding the ramp-up of the EULEX mission in Kosovo (ref B). Bogdahn noted that the German position remains very much in sync with the U.S. as confirmed through frequent Quint meetings and phone calls. ¶2. (C) Geisler was aware of "coordination on demarching on the ICJ issue" between U.S. and German embassies in various capitals. He said, however that Germany was taking a more targeted approach, demarching roughly 20 nations about opposing the possible UNGA resolution. While clarifying that none of the 20 were EU members, he declined to name them specifically. Geisler stated that so far responses back have been fairly sober; only India noted that it was prepared to actively oppose the UNGA resolution. ¶3. (C) According to Bogdahn, with Serbian FM Jeremic in Berlin on September 3 to meet with FM Steinmeier and others, Germany is focused on an "intensified dialogue" with "pragmatic leaders in Belgrade" in order to make the ramp up of the EULEX mission throughout Kosovo a success. Germany also wants to ensure the transition from UNMIK to EULEX remains peaceful and have been pleased with how conversations of late have been progressing with Belgrade on matters such as the re-installation of a customs house on the border between Serbia and northern Kosovo. Still, Bogdahn noted, Serbia does not enjoy any sort of a veto regarding exactly how and when the transfer to EULEX will be completed. ¶4. (C) When asked whether EULEX or the ICJ issue would be on the agenda for the September 5 Gymnich in Avignon (ref C), Bogdahn noted that, while the Balkans are always on the agenda for those meetings, there are currently "hotter topics than Kosovo" (i.e. Georgia) for the foreign ministers to consider. ¶5. (C) Comment: Germany remains committed to supporting Kosovo and the Quint position while encouraging Serbia's pro-EU political ambitions and encouraging buy-in for EULEX expansion to the north of Kosovo from the Tadic government. End comment. TIMKEN JR