Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CAIRO1410
2008-07-06 13:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPT STILL WARY ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
how-toVZCZCXRO0410 PP RUEHBC RUEHDA RUEHDE RUEHGI RUEHJS RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHEG #1410 1881306 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 061306Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9756 INFO RUCNISL/ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0236 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA 0063 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 0028 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0212
UNCLAS CAIRO 001410
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL PGOV EG KV YI
SUBJECT: EGYPT STILL WARY ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. SECSTATE 69691
B. CAIRO 1212
C. CAIRO 579
D. BERMAN/HYLAND E-MAILS
Sensitive but unclassified, not for Internet distribution.
UNCLAS CAIRO 001410
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL PGOV EG KV YI
SUBJECT: EGYPT STILL WARY ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. SECSTATE 69691
B. CAIRO 1212
C. CAIRO 579
D. BERMAN/HYLAND E-MAILS
Sensitive but unclassified, not for Internet distribution.
1. (SBU) On July 1, the Ambassador pressed Deputy Foreign
Minister Wafaa Bassim for Egypt to recognize Kosovo. Bassim
repeated previous Egyptian objections to Kosovo recognition
(ref C),noting that Kosovo's declaration of independence
came "outside of international law" and worrying that it
might be a precedent for other separatist movements.
However, she said Egypt had not closed the door on
recognition but was in no hurry to make a decision. The
Ambassador countered per ref A demarche, pointing out that 43
countries have already recognized Kosovo, violence has been
low, the transition from UNMIK to EULEX is progressing, and
that Kosovo's independence has not spawned other separatist
movements, and asked if the GOE might be willing to receive a
high-level delegation from Kosovo. Bassim repeated the
previous MFA position that they would have to internally
consult on any such request (ref C).
2. (SBU) Comment: Given the GOE's reluctance, we suggest
Kosovo representatives consider a sub-ministerial approach
whenever the opportunity presents itself, including outside
of Egypt. We will continue to highlight possibilities to the
GOE when they arise.
SCOBEY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL PGOV EG KV YI
SUBJECT: EGYPT STILL WARY ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. SECSTATE 69691
B. CAIRO 1212
C. CAIRO 579
D. BERMAN/HYLAND E-MAILS
Sensitive but unclassified, not for Internet distribution.
1. (SBU) On July 1, the Ambassador pressed Deputy Foreign
Minister Wafaa Bassim for Egypt to recognize Kosovo. Bassim
repeated previous Egyptian objections to Kosovo recognition
(ref C),noting that Kosovo's declaration of independence
came "outside of international law" and worrying that it
might be a precedent for other separatist movements.
However, she said Egypt had not closed the door on
recognition but was in no hurry to make a decision. The
Ambassador countered per ref A demarche, pointing out that 43
countries have already recognized Kosovo, violence has been
low, the transition from UNMIK to EULEX is progressing, and
that Kosovo's independence has not spawned other separatist
movements, and asked if the GOE might be willing to receive a
high-level delegation from Kosovo. Bassim repeated the
previous MFA position that they would have to internally
consult on any such request (ref C).
2. (SBU) Comment: Given the GOE's reluctance, we suggest
Kosovo representatives consider a sub-ministerial approach
whenever the opportunity presents itself, including outside
of Egypt. We will continue to highlight possibilities to the
GOE when they arise.
SCOBEY