AUSTRALIA CONTEMPLATES KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000871 SENSITIVE NOFORN SIPDIS EUR/SCE AND EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018 TAGS: PREL UNGA AS SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA CONTEMPLATES KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION FOR UNGA REF: STATE 91908 Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole ¶1. (C/NF) POLOffs delivered reftel demarche to Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on September 5. Australia is reviewing the implications of Serbia's request for an International Court of Justice (ICJ) review of Kosovo's independence, according to Glenn White, Director, Southern Europe Section, DFAT. DFAT's Legal Division is conducting the review and drafting the GOA's position, which is expected to be complete soon and sent to FM Smith for approval. Mr. White indicated that originally the GOA viewed the Serbian proposal positively. He quoted Serbian politicians in characterizing the ICJ review as "the least they could do" to appease their vexing domestic political situation. ¶2. (C/NF) However, after further discussion with their Legal Division, GOA policymakers are clear on the possibilities of the ICJ review having both unintended consequences and providing impetus for instability in the region. Mr. White observed the ICJ is influenced by differing legal and political agendas, and consequently that their outcomes are unpredictable. The GOA is developing a response to the proposal with a broad perspective of the global implications. Mr. White indicated they had also been demarched by the UK on this issue and shared that the UK believes that Serbia has enough support to pass the proposal. He also advised that the Australian Ambassador to their UN Mission in Vienna will be presenting his credentials in Kosovo next week. CLUNE