Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08FREETOWN222
2008-05-13 15:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Freetown
Cable title:  

DEMARCHE: SIERRA LEONE WILL RECOGNIZE KOSOVO

Tags:  PREL UNMIK PGOV SL 
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VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHFN #0222 1341540
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 131540Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY FREETOWN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1906
INFO RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA 0009
C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000222

SIPDIS

DEPTARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO EUR/SCE KOSOVO DESK OFFICER
DANIELA CARCANI.

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/13/2023
TAGS: PREL UNMIK PGOV SL
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: SIERRA LEONE WILL RECOGNIZE KOSOVO

REF: A. SECSTATE 48545

B. FREETOWN 85

C. FREETOWN 53

Classified By: Ambassador June Carter Perry, Reasons 1.4 b/d

1 (C) On May 12, DCM met spoke with Minister of Foreign
Affairs and International Relations Zainab Bangura during a
government event to urge Sierra Leone to recongnize the
independence of Kosovo. Minister Bangura responded that she
had just received instructions from Sierra Leone President
Koroma to proceed with recognition of Kosovo's independence,
but could not provide an immediate time line of when Sierra
Leone would make the announcement. She stated she had to
review the correct procedures for formal recognition, and was
uncertain if it would require an act of Parliament.


2. (C) As per reftel B, Minister Bangura had indicated to
Ambassador previously that Sierra Leone would wait until
others recognized Kosovo before the Sierra Leone Government
would do so. Our guess is that the OIC's eventual
declaration has given Sierra Leone the cover needed to take
eventual action.


3. (U) Post will report further plans to implement this
decision by Sierra Leone to recognize Kosovo's independence.
PERRY