FINLAND: INVITING COUNTRIES TO KOSOVO STEERING

C O N F I D E N T I A L HELSINKI 000056 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV OSCE YI FI SUBJECT: FINLAND: INVITING COUNTRIES TO KOSOVO STEERING GROUP REF: STATE 12026 Classified By: Pol Chief Greg Thome for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Finland has signaled its intention to move very quickly to offer bilateral recognition to an independent Kosovo. Although the GoF strongly supports a "common EU platform" in favor of recognition, it recognizes that some member states' opposition makes this unlikely. Finland is eager to participate in the Kosovo International Steering Group (ISG). During his Feb. 5-6 trip to Belgrade and Pristina, FM and OSCE CiO Kanerva encountered anger and bitterness, even from President Tadic; the Serbs were willing to discuss some OSCE-related issues but roundly rejected even Kanerva's effort to raise EU initiatives, calling the Union "deceitful." In Pristina, Kanerva told PM Thaci, "Your work is now only beginning -- don,t expect independence to produce miracles." END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) PolChief delivered reftel demarche to Finnish MFA Office Director for the Western Balkans Juha Ottman Feb. 8. Ottman also offered a read-out on Foreign Minister and current OSCE Chairman in Office (CiO) Ilkka Kanerva,s Feb. 5-6 trip to Serbia and Kosovo. GOF TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO; EAGER TO PLAY A ROLE IN ISG -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Ottman confirmed what Kanerva had signaled to the press earlier this week and what we had reported previously (reftels): i.e., that Finland will move rapidly to recognize an independent Kosovo, joining the US and some EU member states in the "first wave" of countries to do so. Finland will also strongly support a "common platform" for EU recognition, even though some member states, strong objections will likely prevent the platform from emerging. ¶4. (SBU) Ottman also informed us that the GoF would be very pleased to join an International Steering Group (ISG) that would support Kosovo's development as an independent state. Promoting peace and stability in Kosovo has been a top GoF foreign policy priority since 1999, Ottman reminded, and Finland is already moving forward with a new package of security and development assistance. Finland will increase its peacekeeping presence from 400 to 450 troops and will resume a "framework nation" role within NATO/KFOR this spring. The GoF has approved sending 80 experts to Kosovo as part of the EU Rule of Law mission, and has authorized $15 million in development assistance over the next three years. Given this long-term commitment, the offer of a position on the ISG is very welcome, Ottman said. ICY RECEPTION IN BELGRADE -------------- ¶4. (C) Regarding Kanerva,s Feb. 5-6 visit to the region, the "tone in Serbia was remarkably negative," Ottman noted. The Serbs were incensed that the EU had announced publicly the approval of its Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, a move that Prime Minister Kostunica told Kanerva was "deceitful." Belgrade remains adamantly opposed to the Ahtisaari Plan, and Kostunica condemned the EU Mission as "de facto implementation of Ahtisaari -- which we cannot accept." Even President Tadic angrily criticized the timing of the EU announcement, Ottman reported. Tadic told Kanerva that he firmly believes in promoting the European perspective for his country, but that as president he is also bound to "defend" Serbia's territorial integrity. Beyond these conversations, Kanerva,s efforts to raise other EU-related issues were rejected, with FM Jeremic canceling a lunch in which he and Kanerva were to discuss Serbia,s Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). KOSOVO: "YOUR WORK IS ONLY BEGINNING" -------------- ¶5. (C) In Pristina, PM Thaci signaled that Kosovo would declare independence "any day," but he assured Kanerva that his government would coordinate the announcement well in advance with EU and NATO partners. Thaci and other leaders eagerly argued that Kosovo is ready for independence; Kanerva agreed, but told them, "Your work is now only beginning," especially in terms of developing the economy and ensuring the rule of law. "Don't expect independence to produce miracles." Kanerva urged the Kosovars to press for extending the OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMIK). Thaci agreed that this is important, although he reportedly complained about the need for the OSCE to provide more support for Kosovar institutions -- and about the activities of OSCE Rep Guildiman. Kanerva acknowledged that there had been some problems and that as CiO he would seek to address them, but he also urged Thaci to maintain a supportive relationship with OMIK. ¶6. (C) NOTE: Ottman added as an aside that Moscow is all but certain to prevent OMIK's mandate from being renewed if Pristina declares independence. However, the Finns are now picking up signals that Moscow might subsequently allow a smaller OSCE mission to be reconstituted, perhaps in three or four months. While the Russians want to make a big show of their unhappiness over an independence declaration, they are also coming to realize that with no OSCE presence on the ground in Kosovo, Russia will also have no presence, Ottman opined. Kanerva is convinced that a 200-person mission would be affordable from a financial perspective and could provide a sufficient complement to the EU mission, once it stands up, Ottman added. END NOTE. WARE