MEXICO ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA

UNCLAS MEXICO 002728 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE -- SEIJI SHIRAOTRI, WILLAIM TOMLYANOVICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UN UNGA KV MX SUBJECT: MEXICO ON KOSOVO ICJ RESOLUTION AT UNGA REF: STATE 91908 Acting PolCouns discussed reftel demarche 8/29 with Julian Juarez, the Deputy Director General of the Office of Peace and International Security in the Foreign Ministry's UN Office, conveying our view that the UNGA need not seek an advisory opinion from the ICJ in connection to Serbia's request and querying him on Mexico's views on this matter. Juarez reported that the Serbian Ambassador had approached the Foreign Ministry on this matter approximately a month ago. After several weeks of high level consultation, Mexico had decided to support Serbia's request that this matter be sent forward to the ICJ for consideration. Mexico regarded the Serbian request as fair and balanced. Further, it assigned great importance to the UNSC resolution which had asserted a decision on the status of Kosovo should emerge as the product of consensus between Serbia and Kosovo. Mexico respected the authority of the ICJ to address such matters believing such decisions contributed to respect for the rule of law. Juarez recognized an ICJ decision on this matter could set a precedent, encouraging groups in other countries, including Mexico, to appeal to the ICJ to consider their claims to autonomy. However, Mexico's overarching respect for the integrity of UN resolutions and the rule of law had dictated that it support Serbia's right to make this appeal. Visit Mexico City's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/mexicocity and the North American Partnership Blog at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / GARZA