KOSOVO: S/CRS SUPPORT TO EMBASSY PRISTINA

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000275 ***CORRECTED COPY*** SIPDIS DEPT FOR DRL, INL, EUR/SCE, S/CRS, EUR/ACE, NSC FOR BRAUN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KV UNMIK SUBJECT: KOSOVO: S/CRS SUPPORT TO EMBASSY PRISTINA ¶1. (U) Embassy Pristina would like to thank the Office of Stabilization and Reconstruction (S/CRS) for its strong support of this mission over the past year. S/CRS and its Active Response Corps (S/CRS-ARC) proved a valuable resource in the period leading up to and following Kosovo's independence on February 17, 2008. ¶2. (U) In the run-up to February 17, extensive planning and preparation were needed to ensure that Kosovo would have the foundation on which to build a functional state post-independence. The ARC was instrumental in helping to operationalize the International Civilian Office (ICO),the international body charged with the oversight and implementation of the USG-backed Ahtisaari plan for finalizing Kosovo's status. At post's request, the ARC provided two management officers for three months (February to May 2007),who helped the ICO planning team move from concept to implementation. Prior to the deployment of seconded USG officers, ARC personnel ensured that USG equities were represented as the ICO developed its implementation plan and organizational structure. After independence, S/CRS provided two additional officers to the ICO; one assisted in establishing budget and auditing procedures, and the other helped the ICO plan its field presence. ¶3. (U) S/CRS also provided personnel to help the Embassy fill staffing gaps in the Political/Economic section. S/CRS provided three officers who covered a range of political and economic issues during their deployment, including coordinating foreign assistance, transitional planning, and reporting. S/CRS's deployment of officers who possesed country knowledge prior to their mission to Kosovo helped significantly to reduce the workload at this busy and stressful mission. ¶4. (U) Since independence, Post has worked usefully with S/CRS on a range of ad-hoc transitional issues. For example, S/CRS gathered information about international organizations Kosovo might be eligible to join and the criteria for membership. Post then used this data to help the Kosovo Government identify and prioritize which organizations it should attempt to join and when. ¶5. (U) Again, Embassy Pristina thanks S/CRS for its support and looks forward to a continued collaborative and productive relationship. KAIDANOW