KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE: TANZANIA VOICES NO MAJOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000117 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR KOSOVO MONITORING GROUP ALSO AF/E FOR JLIDDLE ADDIS FOR AU MISSION E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2018 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV YI EU KV TZ SUBJECT: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE: TANZANIA VOICES NO MAJOR OBJECTIONS TO RECOGNITION; INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS ONGOING REF: A. DAR ES SALAAM 0114 ¶B. STATE 016319 ¶C. STATE 015111 Classified By: Ambassador Mark Green for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) As reported Ref A, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Bernard Membe, forwarded the U.S. request for the Government of Tanzania (GOT) to recognize the independence of Kosovo to President Jakaya Kikwete in advance of the POTUS' (February 16 to 19) visit to Tanzania. Minister Membe told Ambassador Green on February 19 that Tanzania has no major objections to Kosovo's independence and are likely to recognize Kosovo. Minister Membe will travel to Addis Ababa for meetings this week and plans raise the issue of recognition of Kosovo's independence with other African leaders. Membe promised to contact Ambassador Green upon his return from Addis to further discuss the issue, including how and when Tanzania might formally announce its recognition of Kosovo as an independent state. GREEN