KOSOVO: OIC SPECIAL ENVOY CUMBER DISCUSSES KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000395 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, NSC FOR HELGERSON, USUN FOR KIRK MCBRIDE E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/16/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL UNMIK YI KV SUBJECT: KOSOVO: OIC SPECIAL ENVOY CUMBER DISCUSSES KOSOVO RECOGNITION IN ISLAMIC WORLD PRISTINA 00000395 001.2 OF 002 Classified By: AMBASSADOR TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: USG Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ambassador Sada Cumber visited with political and Islamic community leaders in Kosovo July 23-24. Cumber discussed opportunities for raising the profile of the Kosovo recognition issue in the Islamic world, and Kosovo leaders committed to doing their part to push for further recognitions before the UN General Assembly convenes this fall. Mufti Ternava, leader of the Kosovo Islamic Community (BIK),highlighted for Cumber Kosovo's religious tolerance and open, interfaith dialogue. Cumber welcomed this, but warned that a weak economy could make Kosovo ripe for a more radical brand of Islam. S/E Cumber's visit was useful in focusing government efforts on gaining greater recognition in the Islamic world. As a next step, we will help the government organize a visit to Saudi Arabia, a key Muslim state with significant influence among OIC countries. Any assistance our posts in the relevant capitals can offer is welcome. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) S/E Cumber visited Kosovo on July 23-24 as the final stop in a European tour focused on dialogue with Muslim communities. In Pristina, S/E Cumber visited Ottoman-era mosques and met with President Sejdiu, Faculty of Islamic Studies members, Kosovo Islamic Community (BIK) leader Mufti Naim Ternava and his staff, and Deputy PM Hajredin Kuci. ¶3. (C) With President Sejdiu and DPM Kuci, S/E Cumber suggested Kosovo request a meeting for the President or Prime Minister with OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu in Jeddah. He indicated that the visit could potentially facilitate a hoped-for meeting with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah to press for recognition of Kosovo independence. Both Sejdiu and Kuci were positive about the idea and promised to work toward it, in coordination with the Embassy. ¶4. (C) Cumber found the President well-versed on Kosovo's efforts to promote recognitions, and was encouraged to hear that the Kosovo government planned a high-level trip to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states, though the Saudis had yet to respond positively to the Kosovars' request for meetings. Cumber noted that he personally had raised the Kosovo recognition issue with the Saudi King and Foreign Minister; though they had repeatedly pledged to move "soon" (and they had given the same assurances to the Kosovo government via ambassadorial contacts with Kosovo's MFA),they offered no guarantees on when they might take the step. Cumber noted the importance of this issue being raised at high levels with the Saudis and kept on the front burner, both by the Kosovo government and by the U.S. administration. ¶5. (C) Mufti Ternava told S/E Cumber the BIK is committed to values of religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue, and that there is no place for extremism in Kosovo. The Mufti expressed frustration that the Kosovo government, in his view, is afraid a Muslim image of Kosovo would do damage to its international interests and has neglected contacts with the Islamic world. S/E Cumber appreciated the BIK's progressive ideology, but warned that a weak economy may leave Kosovo vulnerable to the brand of radical Islam that has transformed societies in Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in recent decades. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: Outreach to the Muslim world is a critical next step in Kosovo's push for further recognitions, and S/E Cumber's visit helped focus the Kosovo government's efforts on what needs to be done. Saudi Arabia is clearly a priority, given its overwhelming influence in the Islamic world and the frank indications we have received from multiple countries that they would move to recognize Kosovo if the Saudis took the plunge. We will work closely with the Kosovo government and with the Department to organize a visit to Saudi Arabia in the very near future; any assistance our posts in the region can offer in helping to press for this trip and pushing for Kosovo recognition generally is very PRISTINA 00000395 002.2 OF 002 welcome. END COMMENT. ¶6. (U) S/E Cumber did not have the opportunity to clear this message. KAIDANOW