KOSOVO: COM EMPHASIZES AHTISAARI LEGISLATION, SERB

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000028

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM EAID KDEM UNMIK KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: COM EMPHASIZES AHTISAARI LEGISLATION, SERB
ISSUES TO PM THACI AND DEPUTY PM'S AS PRIORITIES FOR NEW
GOVERNMENT

Classified By: COM TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: At a January 14 meeting, COM encouraged PM
Thaci to reach out quickly to new opposition party leaders
Bexhet Pacolli and Nexhat Daci and make certain their
representatives were included in the preparation of Ahtisaari
settlement legislation and of Kosovo's new Constitution, in
the interest of quick and non-controversial passage of
Ahtisaari-related items through Kosovo's Assembly. COM urged
that Thaci come out publicly and soon to reaffirm his
government's support for the Ahtisaari plan's provision
regarding border demarcation with Macedonia, noting this
would greatly help relations with Macedonia, a key partner
for Kosovo in the coming years. Thaci said he would build
good relations with opposition parties and include them in
the Ahtisaari legislation and Constitution processes.
Regarding Macedonia, Thaci did not demur and said he would
find the "appropriate time," very shortly, to reiterate his
commitment to Ahtisaari's position on the border issue. At a
subsequent meeting with Thaci,s two deputy prime ministers,
COM reiterated the joint ICOPT/USOP offer to brief all new
ministers on the process to finalize Ahtisaari legislation (a
cabinet meeting with ICO and USOP participation has now been
set for January 17). COM also urged both to pay particular
attention to Kosovo Serb property issues as part of a larger
package of measures designed to support the Serb community.
Both Deputy PMs expressed their deep appreciation for U.S.
support and said they would these issues a priority. COM is
continuing to emphasize these themes in her introductory
meetings with the full slate of new ministers, as well as
with opposition party leaders. END SUMMARY.

Include the Opposition in Ahtisaari Prep


2. (C) COM encouraged newly installed PM Hashim Thaci, at a
January 14 meeting, to include the new opposition parties
emerging from the November 2007 elections in the preparation
of Ahtisaari legislation and of Kosovo's new Constitution, to
help speed the approval and ultimate Assembly passage of all
Ahtisaari-related items. She noted that she and
International Civilian Office Planning Team (ICOPT) head
Jonsson would soon meet with AKR chairman Bexhet Pacolli and
LDD chairman Nexhat Daci to support their participation, but
very much wanted the PM to take the first step. Thaci said
he already had these leaders, personal commitments to be
part of the working groups on Ahtisaari legislation and the
Constitution, but would meet with them in the very near
future to confirm this. He promised to let COM know the
results of these meetings.

Relations with Macedonia, Outreach to Serbs


3. (C) Indicating that Macedonia,s recognition of Kosovo
independence and its support for Kosovo during a difficult
period of relations with Serbia was critically important, COM
asked Thaci to publicly support the border demarcation
provisions with Macedonia that are part of the Ahtisaari
package. Thaci noted that he had been congratulated by
Macedonian PM Gruevski on his election victory, and said that
he would find the "appropriate moment" very soon to express
his and his government's commitment to full implementation of
Ahtisaari provisions with regard to the border.


4. (C) Thaci also indicated that he would like to use the
USOP-sponsored media center in the Kosovo Serb enclave of
Caglavica, just outside of Pristina, to reassure Kosovo Serbs
and encourage them to stay in Kosovo. The PM noted he would
try as well to program a series of visits to Serb communities
to pass similar messages in person. COM strongly encouraged
Thaci in this.

Message to Deputy PMs: Ahtisaari legislation and Serb issues
are priorities


5. (C) COM told Deputy Prime Ministers Kuci (PDK) and Manaj

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(LDK) that they had the double challenge of implementing
Ahtissari and honoring the political commitments they made
during the recent elections, but that the first must take
priority over the second in the interest of Kosovo's future
and the resolution of status. She encouraged a rational and
collaborative approach to their work, suggesting that they
organize the supervision of Kosovo's ministries between them
not on a party basis, but on a basis that made logical and
policy sense and would give the public a sense of confidence
in the government coalition.


6. (C) COM reiterated that the top priorities of the new
government were to prepare Ahtisaari legislation and the new
Constitution, and to resolve issues important to the Kosovo
Serb community, particularly property claims. COM urged
again the scheduling of a cabinet session in which the ICO
and USOP could jointly brief ministers on their obligations
under Ahtisaari. (Note: This session, which will be attended
by President Sejdiu and Assembly Speaker Krasniqu, is set for
January 17. End Note.) Turning to Manaj, whose hometown of
Klina has been the source of troubling obstacles to the
return of Kosovo Serb property, COM said we would look to him
to take the lead in resolving these problems. Both officials
said they were deeply appreciative of U.S. commitment to
Kosovo's independence, were aware of their weighty
responsibilities, and promised their full commitment to these
key priorities.


7. (C) Comment: COM is following up on these messages with
the full slate of new ministers, particularly those
responsible directly for drafting and implementation of
Ahtisaari legislation (Ministers of Local Self-Government,
Interior, Justice, Environment and Spatial Planning, among
others). She has also taken the message on the need for
unambiguous support of Ahtisaari to opposition leaders,
meeting with AAK officials and scheduling USOP discussions
with new parliamentarians from governing and opposition
parties. We will keep up these consultations continuously,
as well as provide direct support for the constitution
drafting process and the ICO-led Ahtisaari legislation
process. Thus far, the responses from Kosovars across the
political spectrum have all been positive and reassuring, but
action is needed to prove their commitment in a concrete way.
End Comment.
KAIDANOW