KOSOVO CELEBRATES ENTRY INTO FORCE OF NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000308

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL, INL, AND EUR/SCE, NSC FOR HELGERSON, USUN FOR
DREW SCHUFLETOWSKI, USOSCE FOR STEVE STEGER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2018
TAGS: PGOV EAID KDEM UNMIK YI KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO CELEBRATES ENTRY INTO FORCE OF NEW
CONSTITUTION


Classified By: CDA Tom Yazdgerdi FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The entry into force of Kosovo's constitution
was celebrated on June 15, just four months after the country
declared independence. The day included President Sejdiu
signing into effect 41 Ahtisaari Plan and related laws as
local and international media looked on. Sejdiu and PM Thaci
later presided over a dignified, low-key ceremony, attended
by local officials, the diplomatic corps, and CODEL Engel
(septel),at which the Kosovo philharmonic played the new
Kosovo anthem for the first time. Sejdiu, Thaci, and
Assembly Speaker Krasniqi delivered speeches welcoming the EU
rule of law mission (EULEX) and affirming the country's
commitment to the Ahtisaari Plan and protection of minority
community rights. The next day, visiting Rep. Eliot Engel
(D-NY),joined by Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-OH),gave heartfelt
remarks at an Assembly session convened especially in his
honor. The constitution's entry into force represents
another milestone in Kosovo's democratic development.
However, we will urge continued restraint, moderation and
patience among Kosovo's governing and opposition leaders, who
for the most part understand that UNMIK will maintain
residual responsibilities until the EU is able and ready to
deploy its rule of law mission -- and that the constitution
cannot immediately be applied to Serb-majority areas. END
SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) As Kosovo's Constitution entered into force on June
15, Assembly Speaker Krasniqi ceremoniously delivered 41 laws
to President Sejdiu to sign as the state's new legal
framework took effect. The culmination of four long months
of negotiating texts and Assembly votes, the signing, with
international and local press looking on, included ten laws
passed only two days earlier in marathon Assembly plenary and
committee sessions. June 15 was also the first time that
Kosovo's President promulgated the country's laws, as this
power had been a reserved competency of the UNMIK SRSG until
now.


3. (SBU) Kosovo's constitution entered into force in a calm
atmosphere thanks in large part to the understanding by
Kosovar leaders of the need for restraint and a pragmatic
approach on extending the application of the constitution to
the Serb-majority north and southern enclaves. In remarks at
the evening events marking the entry into force of the
constitution, Sejdiu noted the beginning of this new era for
Kosovo and the constitution's strong guarantees of minority
community rights and privileges. PM Thaci highlighted the
constitution's guarantee of equal rights for all citizens,
calling it "the best guarantee for the defense of our
values," and expressed the gratitude of Kosovo's people for
the support of their international friends.


4. (SBU) Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY),in Kosovo along with Rep.
Jean Schmidt (R-OH) to mark this historic occasion, gave a
well-received speech to the Kosovo Assembly on June 16 at a
session convened especially in his honor. In emotional
remarks noting his nearly 20 years of support for the freedom
and independence of Kosovo, Rep. Engel strongly affirmed
continued U.S. support for Kosovo. EUR A/S Fried's
congratulatory call to President Sejdiu, received during the
ceremonial signing of the 41 laws, also underscored this
message.


5. (U) Local press coverage of the constitution was generally
positive, with headlines quoting Sejdiu on this "historic
moment" and popular daily Koha Ditore giving the
constitution's entry into force its "plus of the week."
Nearly every news outlet prominently featured official USG
congratulations to the people of Kosovo on the new
constitution.


6. (C) COMMENT: The entry into force of a modern
constitution, coupled with the UNSYG's recent decision to
reconfigure UNMIK, represent another milestone in Kosovo's
democratic development. UNMIK will no longer administer or
govern Kosovo. That said, Kosovo's leaders understand that

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until the EU is ready and able to deploy its rule of law
mission, UNMIK will retain certain residual authorities to
support law and order in Kosovo -- and that the constitution
cannot immediately be applied to the north or other
Serb-majority areas. We will continue to impress upon
governing and opposition leaders the need to maintain the
restraint, moderation and patience that has served Kosovo so
well since the status process began.
YAZDGERDI