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.

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Encouraging Serbia Toward the EU
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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.

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Kosovo - Upcoming FM Visit
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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