Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO93
2008-02-20 11:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
how-toVZCZCXRO2503 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHNY #0093 0511159 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201159Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6607 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA PRIORITY 3058
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000093
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV KV NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
REF: STATE 16319
Classified By: Charge de Affairs Kevin M. Johnson
for reasons 1.4 b and d
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000093
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV KV NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
REF: STATE 16319
Classified By: Charge de Affairs Kevin M. Johnson
for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (U) The Norwegian MFA informed Charge that Foreign
Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere would announce Norway's intension
of recognizing Kosovo's declaration of independence during a
press conference at 12:00 on February 20. Formal recognition
would occur after a cabinet meeting to be held next week,
approximately on February 28 or 29.
2. (C) Stating that recognition was the best of several bad
choices, the Norwegian MFA representative praised both
Kosovar and Serbian authorities for responsible actions and
statements in Kosovo, specifically the Kosovar commitment to
follow all the provisions of the Ahtisarri plan and the
Serbian decision to keep the borders open and continue
subsidies to Serbs living in Kosovo. The Security situation
in Belgrade was more worrying and the MFA is concerned about
the safety of its embassy as well as Norwegian business
interests in Serbia. Telenor, Norway's largest mobile phone
company, has extensive business interests in Serbia. The GON
will continue its assistance programs in Serbia and will
increase its assistance to Kosovo by 30 million NOK ($6.5
million).
3. (C) Commenting on the Spanish reaction, the Norwegians
were surprised at the hard words coming from Madrid. Deputy
FM Elisabeth Walass visited Madrid a few weeks earlier and
was told that Spain would wait until after its elections to
recognize Kosovo, most likely around March 9. FM Moratino's
declaration that Kosovo's independence was "illegal" made
Norway wonder where Spain really stood.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV KV NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO
REF: STATE 16319
Classified By: Charge de Affairs Kevin M. Johnson
for reasons 1.4 b and d
1. (U) The Norwegian MFA informed Charge that Foreign
Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere would announce Norway's intension
of recognizing Kosovo's declaration of independence during a
press conference at 12:00 on February 20. Formal recognition
would occur after a cabinet meeting to be held next week,
approximately on February 28 or 29.
2. (C) Stating that recognition was the best of several bad
choices, the Norwegian MFA representative praised both
Kosovar and Serbian authorities for responsible actions and
statements in Kosovo, specifically the Kosovar commitment to
follow all the provisions of the Ahtisarri plan and the
Serbian decision to keep the borders open and continue
subsidies to Serbs living in Kosovo. The Security situation
in Belgrade was more worrying and the MFA is concerned about
the safety of its embassy as well as Norwegian business
interests in Serbia. Telenor, Norway's largest mobile phone
company, has extensive business interests in Serbia. The GON
will continue its assistance programs in Serbia and will
increase its assistance to Kosovo by 30 million NOK ($6.5
million).
3. (C) Commenting on the Spanish reaction, the Norwegians
were surprised at the hard words coming from Madrid. Deputy
FM Elisabeth Walass visited Madrid a few weeks earlier and
was told that Spain would wait until after its elections to
recognize Kosovo, most likely around March 9. FM Moratino's
declaration that Kosovo's independence was "illegal" made
Norway wonder where Spain really stood.
JOHNSON