NORWAY'S FORMAL RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO MARCH 28

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