PRAGUE COMMENTS ON KARADZIC, SERBIA AND KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000524 SENSITIVE SIPDIS EUR/CE FOR ATRATENSEK, EUR/SCE FOR SSHIRATORI E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2013 TAGS: PREL ETTC KAWCK ICTY BK EZ EUN SUBJECT: PRAGUE COMMENTS ON KARADZIC, SERBIA AND KOSOVO REF: STATE 82494 Classified By: Acting POLEC Counselor Martina Strong for reasons 1.4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (C) Czech MFA Department of South and South East Europe official, Josef Zrzavecky, noted that the GOCR has been surprised by the speed at which the EU has taken up the potential lifting of the travel restrictions for the Karadzic family. Zrzavecky opined that the EU is likely to support a blanket lifting of the travel ban, rather than a one-off lifting to allow the Karadzic family to travel to the Hague. He noted that the GOCR was likely to join the consensus. Emboffs urged the Czechs to hold off lifting these restrictions since information on the networks and linkages between the Karadzic family and the remaining fugitives is still emerging. Emboffs also emphasized USG interest in the EU coordinating closely with the U.S., and the Office of the High Representative (OHR) in Bosnia prior to taking any action to lift restrictions. Zrzavecky took note of our concerns. -------------- Encouraging Serbia Toward the EU -------------- ¶2. (C) Zrzavecky noted that rather than Karadzic, the EU is much more consumed with defining how far to extend its engagement with Serbia, especially related to the Stabilization and Association Agreement 'carrot' for Serbia, signed and then immediately frozen by the EU on April 29, ¶2008. The Czechs anticipate that Belgium and the Netherlands will remain the strongest hold-outs against movement, given that Serbia still has remaining Persons Indicted for War Crimes. An upcoming report from the ICTY prosecutor, if positive, could help address Belgian and Dutch concerns and pave the way for closer cooperation. Zrzavecky highlighted the GOCR's long-standing commitment to advancing closer EU cooperation with the Balkans (a priority of the upcoming Czech EU Presidency) and that they plan to press for visa liberalization for Serbians with EU member states during the Czech EU Presidency. -------------- Kosovo - Upcoming FM Visit -------------- ¶3. (C) Zrzavecky noted that the MFA is working to finalize the details of a visit by the Kosovo Foreign Minister around the third week of August. The target date for this visit is August 22, but this has not been finalized (nor announced). The proposed agenda for the visit will include dialogue with Czech parliamentarians. The MFA anticipates FM Hyseni will emphasize the GOK commitment to safeguard minority rights in Kosovo, an issue that Czech politicians, who were opposed to early Czech recognition of Kosovo, cited as a reason to delay recognition this spring. On a related note, the Serbian Ambassador, who was recalled to Serbia for 'consultations' following the recognition of Kosovo by the GOCR on May 21, returned to the Czech Republic on August 3. Thompson-Jones