Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO148
2008-03-14 13:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY'S FORMAL RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO MARCH 28
how-toVZCZCXRO5271 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHNY #0148 0741309 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 141309Z MAR 08 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6694 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000148
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2028
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNMIK PGOV KV NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S FORMAL RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO MARCH 28
REF: OSLO 93
Classified By: Charge Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b and d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000148
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2028
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNMIK PGOV KV NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S FORMAL RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO MARCH 28
REF: OSLO 93
Classified By: Charge Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) On February 20, Foreign Minister Stoere announced
Norway's intent to recognize Kosovo's declaration of
independence. This public, early recognition was designed by
the MFA to help stabilize the situation. At the same time,
the Ministry worked closely with Serbs to encourage dialogue
and avoid having the focus in Serbia entirely dominated by
the loss of Kosovo. That effort continues.
2. (C) At the time of the announcement, the MFA advised us
that formal recognition likely would occur at the King's
Council on February 29 (reftel). When this did not happen,
the MFA claimed that the need for approval of an appointment
of a new minister (as a result of a major political scandal
that had dominated politics the weeks before) had bumped
Kosovo off of the King's agenda.
3. (C) When post followed up to ask why recognition had not
passed March 7, DCM was told by the MFA Balkans chief that FM
Stoere had decided he needed to speak to his Serbian
counterpart before formal recognition; as this had since
happened, formal recognition should be March 14, we were
told. DCM expressed disappointment that what we were told
were administrative delays were, in fact, political.
4. (C) Charge called State Secretary Johansen on the morning
of March 14 to again stress the critical nature of formal
recognition. Johansen explained that recognition would be on
the agenda for the March 28 King's Council meeting. He said
he understood the urgency the U.S. attached to recognition,
but that the GON wished to help European integrationists
within Serbia and that consultations with Serbia were useful
before formal recognition. He said he was aware of the
Secretary's interest and the GON would move recognition on
SIPDIS
March 28.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/NB
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/14/2028
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNMIK PGOV KV NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S FORMAL RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO MARCH 28
REF: OSLO 93
Classified By: Charge Kevin M. Johnson for reasons 1.4 (b and d)
1. (C) On February 20, Foreign Minister Stoere announced
Norway's intent to recognize Kosovo's declaration of
independence. This public, early recognition was designed by
the MFA to help stabilize the situation. At the same time,
the Ministry worked closely with Serbs to encourage dialogue
and avoid having the focus in Serbia entirely dominated by
the loss of Kosovo. That effort continues.
2. (C) At the time of the announcement, the MFA advised us
that formal recognition likely would occur at the King's
Council on February 29 (reftel). When this did not happen,
the MFA claimed that the need for approval of an appointment
of a new minister (as a result of a major political scandal
that had dominated politics the weeks before) had bumped
Kosovo off of the King's agenda.
3. (C) When post followed up to ask why recognition had not
passed March 7, DCM was told by the MFA Balkans chief that FM
Stoere had decided he needed to speak to his Serbian
counterpart before formal recognition; as this had since
happened, formal recognition should be March 14, we were
told. DCM expressed disappointment that what we were told
were administrative delays were, in fact, political.
4. (C) Charge called State Secretary Johansen on the morning
of March 14 to again stress the critical nature of formal
recognition. Johansen explained that recognition would be on
the agenda for the March 28 King's Council meeting. He said
he understood the urgency the U.S. attached to recognition,
but that the GON wished to help European integrationists
within Serbia and that consultations with Serbia were useful
before formal recognition. He said he was aware of the
Secretary's interest and the GON would move recognition on
SIPDIS
March 28.
JOHNSON