PRIORITY LOBBYING FOR KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE: EC

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 000093 SIPDIS SIPDIS WHA/CAR FOR DE PIRRO AND RYAN SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD EUR/SCE FOR SHIRATORI E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNMIK SR XL SUBJECT: PRIORITY LOBBYING FOR KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE: EC NATIONS REF: A. SECSTATE 13716 ¶B. SECSTATE 15111 Classified By: Ambassador Mary M. Ourisman for reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Ourisman carried out ref b demarche February 13 by calling the Prime Ministers of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Luia, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and theGrenadines, and meeting with Barbados PM Thompso on the same day. Embassy Grenada raised the issue with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. While some of the EC leaders were surprisingly candid and positive about recognizing Kosovo, most were typically noncommittal, promising only to discuss the matter with their UN representatives. End Summary. Barbados -------------- ¶2. (C) In an introductory meeting with the Ambassador (septel),PM Thompson noted that as the "new kid on the block", he "does not want to usurp power with his CARICOM PM colleagues." While the Barbados tendency to fall back on the need to "consult with CARICOM" is not new, Thompson's candid admission is refreshing, and could indicate a willingness to serious contemplate recognition of Kosovo. OECS Demarches -------------- ¶3. (C) With each Prime Minister, AMB Ourisman stressed each nation's right as a sovereign and independent state to recognize whomever they desire, much as some of the OECS nations recognize Taiwan, while others recognize the PRC. She stressed that small Eastern Caribbean states could have a large impact on another small nation starting down its own road to independence. Antigua & Barbuda -------------- ¶4. (C) Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer (who was at the Mayo Clinic for an unspecified medical issue) did not commit, but said that he would speak with his UN representative to discuss the issue. St. Kitts and Nevis -------------- ¶5. (C) Prime Minster Denzil Douglas, who was in New York at the time, also did not make a commitment; however, he conceded that his country is a "new nation as well" and only recently "had to declare its own independence." He likewise said that he would be speaking to his UN representative about the matter. St. Lucia -------------- ¶6. (C) Prime Minister Stephenson King indicated that his country would very likely recognize Kosovo expeditiously, stating that it "sounds like something we can do." St. Vincent and the Grenadines -------------- ¶7. (C) Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves was very welcoming, saying, "if the people of a country want independence, then I think they should have it." Note: Gonsalves' son is the new SVG PERMREP at the UN, and has been helpful in the past, most recently in voting against the Iran (and with us) on a "no action" motion in the 3rd Committee. End note. Dominica -------------- ¶8. (C) AMB Ourisman was unable to reach Prime Minister (and FONMIN) Roosevelt Skerrit to discuss the matter. We are following up with the PermSec in the MFA. Grenada -------------- ¶9. (C) Grenada Charge raised the issue with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on February SIPDIS 13th. The PermSec noted that Grenada's representative at the UN, Ambassador Angus Friday, had asked for direction from the capital earlier in the week. According to Charge, the MFA was not quite sure what to do with the issue, and perhaps wanted to see what the USG had so say before making a decision. The PermSec committed to having more information by COB February 15. Comment -------------- ¶10. (C) Since OECS countries usually use CARICOM as a shield to hide behind instead of taking a stand on sensitive issues, it is surprising to note that none of the OECS Prime Ministers said anything about conferring with CARICOM or even the other OECS heads. In post's opinion, of the six nations, it is likely that at least a couple will recognize Kosovo very soon after they declare independence. Many of these countries rely heavily on the positions of their UN PERMREPS, and pressure on them in New York might be the best way to encourage recognition, as Embassy Bridgetown reinforces this demarche at every opportunity. End Comment. OURISMAN