Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LJUBLJANA395
2008-09-03 14:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA WAITING FOR EU POSITION ON KOSOVO ICJ
how-toVZCZCXRO4370 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHLJ #0395 2471429 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 031429Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6878 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA 0182 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0214
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000395
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA WAITING FOR EU POSITION ON KOSOVO ICJ
RESOLUTION
REF: SECSTATE 91908
Classified By: DCM Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LJUBLJANA 000395
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA WAITING FOR EU POSITION ON KOSOVO ICJ
RESOLUTION
REF: SECSTATE 91908
Classified By: DCM Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (C) On September 2, DCM met with Ambassador Matjaz
Kovacic, Head of International Organizations and Human
Security Division in Slovenia's MFA, and Blazka Kepic,
Minister Plenipotentiary in the MFA's Political Planning
and Multilateral Policy Directorate, to encourage Slovenian
opposition to Serbia's resolution on Kosovo (reftel).
Kovacic said that Slovenia will wait to take a firm
position on the resolution, allowing the French to take the
lead on any common EU determination. He noted that Slovenia
had "no problem" recognizing Kosovo's independence because
the process followed international law, and a referral to
the ICJ would not change anything. He added that although
Serbia might get enough support in the General Assembly to
refer the matter to the ICJ, such support "won't mean much"
because recognition is a political, rather than legal,
issue.
2. (C) Speaking personally, Kovacic speculated that the
proposal could simply be Serbia's attempt to delay the
inevitable. He claimed that it might be better to let
Serbia "have [the resolution pass] just to get it over
with." Kepic commented that Serbia might be hoping that
the resolution will confer some legitimacy on Serbia's
position because all UN countries have recognized the ICJ
but not all have recognized Kosovo. Kovacic stated that it
would be great if Belgrade could see EU integration as the
way forward instead of constantly looking back.
3. (U) Although he will not make the final decision,
Slovenian President Danilo Turk stated to the press on
September 2 that Slovenia does not support Serbia's
resolution because the ICJ is a legal forum, while Kosovo's
status is a political issue.
4. (C) COMMENT: If the EU is unable to reach a common
position on this issue--an outcome the Slovenians deem
likely--we may want to reiterate our message either here or
in New York in the leadup to the vote.
GHAFARI
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/02/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA UN KV SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA WAITING FOR EU POSITION ON KOSOVO ICJ
RESOLUTION
REF: SECSTATE 91908
Classified By: DCM Brad Freden, reasons 1.4(b,d)
1. (C) On September 2, DCM met with Ambassador Matjaz
Kovacic, Head of International Organizations and Human
Security Division in Slovenia's MFA, and Blazka Kepic,
Minister Plenipotentiary in the MFA's Political Planning
and Multilateral Policy Directorate, to encourage Slovenian
opposition to Serbia's resolution on Kosovo (reftel).
Kovacic said that Slovenia will wait to take a firm
position on the resolution, allowing the French to take the
lead on any common EU determination. He noted that Slovenia
had "no problem" recognizing Kosovo's independence because
the process followed international law, and a referral to
the ICJ would not change anything. He added that although
Serbia might get enough support in the General Assembly to
refer the matter to the ICJ, such support "won't mean much"
because recognition is a political, rather than legal,
issue.
2. (C) Speaking personally, Kovacic speculated that the
proposal could simply be Serbia's attempt to delay the
inevitable. He claimed that it might be better to let
Serbia "have [the resolution pass] just to get it over
with." Kepic commented that Serbia might be hoping that
the resolution will confer some legitimacy on Serbia's
position because all UN countries have recognized the ICJ
but not all have recognized Kosovo. Kovacic stated that it
would be great if Belgrade could see EU integration as the
way forward instead of constantly looking back.
3. (U) Although he will not make the final decision,
Slovenian President Danilo Turk stated to the press on
September 2 that Slovenia does not support Serbia's
resolution because the ICJ is a legal forum, while Kosovo's
status is a political issue.
4. (C) COMMENT: If the EU is unable to reach a common
position on this issue--an outcome the Slovenians deem
likely--we may want to reiterate our message either here or
in New York in the leadup to the vote.
GHAFARI