ARGENTINA ON KOSOVO STATUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000057 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/SCE JOSH BLACK E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/13/2018 TAGS: PREL KPKO PBTS UNMIK PGOV YI ER AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA ON KOSOVO STATUS REF: STATE 1087 Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES THOMAS P. KELLY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AN D (D) ¶1. (C) Ambassador delivered reftel points to Foreign Minister Jorge Taiana on January 10. Taiana indicated that the MFA would consider the matter, but noted that Kosovo is a complex issue. He asked whether European support for Kosovo independence included Spain. The Ambassador replied that we expect many European capitals to recognize Kosovo once it declares independence. Taiana also asked what would happen to Serb minorities if Pristina were to unilaterally declare independence. He cautioned that the move could prompt northern Kosovo to request secession to join Serbia, raising the risk of possible violence. The Ambassador noted that UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari's Plan provides extensive protection for minorities and envisions a major role for the international community in overseeing implementation of these provisions. He reiterated that Ahtisaari's recommendation for supervised independence was the best way to move forward and promote stability in the region. Taiana said that he would consider the request carefully in the coming months. ¶2. (SBU) Note: Argentina is the only Latin American country to have had peacekeeping troops in Kosovo. Argentina has had troops on the ground since 1999, with its last major contingent of 35 engineers departing in April 2007. At present, it maintains 15 gendarmes and one liaison officer at the UN Mission in Kosovo. KELLY