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 PRISTINA 00000308 002 OF 002 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