Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08PRISTINA239
2008-05-09 16:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:
KOSOVO: ICR FEITH CHAIRS SECOND ISG MEETING IN
how-toVZCZCXRO9979 OO RUEHBW RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHPS #0239 1301653 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 091653Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY PRISTINA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8187 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1472 RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY RHFMISS/AFSOUTH NAPLES IT PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR TF FALCON PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEPGEA/CDR650THMIGP SHAPE BE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY RUZEJAA/USNIC PRISTINA SR PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRISTINA 000239
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR, EUR/SCE, DRL, INL, AND S/WCI, NSC FOR BRAUN,
USUN FOR DREW SCHUFLETOWSKI, USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER, OPDAT
FOR ACKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM EAID KDEM UNMIK KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: ICR FEITH CHAIRS SECOND ISG MEETING IN
PRISTINA
Classified By: CDA TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PRISTINA 000239
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR, EUR/SCE, DRL, INL, AND S/WCI, NSC FOR BRAUN,
USUN FOR DREW SCHUFLETOWSKI, USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER, OPDAT
FOR ACKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM EAID KDEM UNMIK KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: ICR FEITH CHAIRS SECOND ISG MEETING IN
PRISTINA
Classified By: CDA TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) Summary: International Civilian Representative Pieter
Feith convened the second meeting of the International
Steering Group (ISG) on May 7 in Pristina, at which he polled
members on ISG expansion, discussed transition and ICO
growth, and previewed the agenda for the May 22 ISG Balkans
Directors meeting in Pristina. ISG members expressed support
for ISG expansion and Feith pleaded for additional funding.
End summary.
2. (SBU) ICR Pieter Feith convened the second meeting of the
ISG in Pristina on May 7. Local heads of mission from the
U.S., UK, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, EC, Estonia, Austria and
Belgium were in attendance. At the meeting, Feith polled
member states about ISG expansion and previewed the agenda
for the third meeting of the group scheduled for May 22 in
Pristina, in which ISG Balkan Directors will participate.
3. (SBU) Feith said the May 22 meeting will provide a good
opportunity to reflect on the May 11 Serbian elections,
consider the new situation in Kosovo after the June 15 coming
into force of the Kosovo Constitution, take stock of the
International Civilian Office's (ICO) work thus far, present
the ICO's Mission Implementation Plan (MIP),and discuss the
state of the Kosovo economy and the upcoming donors
conference.
4. (SBU) Setting aside the uncertainty about ICO deployment
in the north, Feith said Kosovo and the ICO continue to move
forward, and predicted that ICO will reach its full capacity
of 268 personnel by summer's end from the current 90.
5. (SBU) Remarking on the progress made since the February 17
declaration of independence, Feith said 39 countries had
recognized Kosovo and that he believes more recognitions are
on the way. In this vein, he said the ICO is working with
the Government to pursue membership into the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Council of
Europe (COE). (Note: Kosovo is ineligible for EBRD membership
until it obtains IMF and World Bank membership. End Note.)
CDA Kaidanow lauded the ICO's work in helping Kosovo obtain
membership in international organizations, but pointed out
that these efforts must be sequenced. She suggested that the
ICO work with the Government to identify priority
organizations and clearly determine beforehand the
prerequisites for acceptance.
6. (SBU) In response to Feith's comments, the majority of
ISG members said they support expansion of the group,
especially to non-EU member states. ISG members expressed
concern about the budget shortfall. The European Commission
(EC) representative said that the Commission was "tired of
being the lender of last resort" and urged all ISG members to
contribute to the ICO budget. The Swedish chief of mission
said that it will contribute additional funding to ICO and
plans to present its contribution at the May 22 meeting.
KAIDANOW
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR, EUR/SCE, DRL, INL, AND S/WCI, NSC FOR BRAUN,
USUN FOR DREW SCHUFLETOWSKI, USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER, OPDAT
FOR ACKER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM EAID KDEM UNMIK KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: ICR FEITH CHAIRS SECOND ISG MEETING IN
PRISTINA
Classified By: CDA TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) Summary: International Civilian Representative Pieter
Feith convened the second meeting of the International
Steering Group (ISG) on May 7 in Pristina, at which he polled
members on ISG expansion, discussed transition and ICO
growth, and previewed the agenda for the May 22 ISG Balkans
Directors meeting in Pristina. ISG members expressed support
for ISG expansion and Feith pleaded for additional funding.
End summary.
2. (SBU) ICR Pieter Feith convened the second meeting of the
ISG in Pristina on May 7. Local heads of mission from the
U.S., UK, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, EC, Estonia, Austria and
Belgium were in attendance. At the meeting, Feith polled
member states about ISG expansion and previewed the agenda
for the third meeting of the group scheduled for May 22 in
Pristina, in which ISG Balkan Directors will participate.
3. (SBU) Feith said the May 22 meeting will provide a good
opportunity to reflect on the May 11 Serbian elections,
consider the new situation in Kosovo after the June 15 coming
into force of the Kosovo Constitution, take stock of the
International Civilian Office's (ICO) work thus far, present
the ICO's Mission Implementation Plan (MIP),and discuss the
state of the Kosovo economy and the upcoming donors
conference.
4. (SBU) Setting aside the uncertainty about ICO deployment
in the north, Feith said Kosovo and the ICO continue to move
forward, and predicted that ICO will reach its full capacity
of 268 personnel by summer's end from the current 90.
5. (SBU) Remarking on the progress made since the February 17
declaration of independence, Feith said 39 countries had
recognized Kosovo and that he believes more recognitions are
on the way. In this vein, he said the ICO is working with
the Government to pursue membership into the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Council of
Europe (COE). (Note: Kosovo is ineligible for EBRD membership
until it obtains IMF and World Bank membership. End Note.)
CDA Kaidanow lauded the ICO's work in helping Kosovo obtain
membership in international organizations, but pointed out
that these efforts must be sequenced. She suggested that the
ICO work with the Government to identify priority
organizations and clearly determine beforehand the
prerequisites for acceptance.
6. (SBU) In response to Feith's comments, the majority of
ISG members said they support expansion of the group,
especially to non-EU member states. ISG members expressed
concern about the budget shortfall. The European Commission
(EC) representative said that the Commission was "tired of
being the lender of last resort" and urged all ISG members to
contribute to the ICO budget. The Swedish chief of mission
said that it will contribute additional funding to ICO and
plans to present its contribution at the May 22 meeting.
KAIDANOW