Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BERLIN1219
2008-09-04 10:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Berlin
Cable title:
GERMAN THOUGHTS ON SERBIA'S ICJ PUSH AND THE EULEX
how-toVZCZCXRO5122 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRL #1219 2481043 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 041043Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY BERLIN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2090 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0004 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY 0203
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).
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
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