Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRIDGETOWN93
2008-02-14 16:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bridgetown
Cable title:
PRIORITY LOBBYING FOR KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE: EC
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHWN #0093/01 0451614 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 141614Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6087 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0145 RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J5 MIAMI FL RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
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)
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
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