Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIGA54
2008-01-30 16:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
Cable title:
(C) LATVIAN CABINET AUTHORIZES KOSOVO RECOGNITION;
how-toVZCZCXRO5149 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRA #0054 0301628 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301628Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIGA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4680 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2013
TAGS: PREL KS
SUBJECT: (C) LATVIAN CABINET AUTHORIZES KOSOVO RECOGNITION;
TIMING UNCLEAR
Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000054
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2013
TAGS: PREL KS
SUBJECT: (C) LATVIAN CABINET AUTHORIZES KOSOVO RECOGNITION;
TIMING UNCLEAR
Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) According to Latvian MFA political director Peteris
Ustubs, on January 29 the Latvian cabinet approved the
recognition by Latvia of an independent Kosovo, but gave FM
Riekstins the authority on the timing of the decision. On
January 30, the MFA briefed the Foreign and European Affairs
Committees of parliament on Kosovo and found no major
resistance to recognition when the time comes. Ustubs
speculated that Latvia would move in the second wave, after
"big EU member states."
2. (C) Ustubs expressed appreciation for an Embassy briefing
January 21 on legal issues related to Kosovo independence,
saying it was very helpful internally and with the
parliament. FM Riekstins, he said, still expects that ethnic
Russian parties in parliament and the Russian language press
here will criticize the decision, but based on USG-provided
information and discussions with EU colleagues, Riekstins
felt more comfortable with his ability to manage any such
criticism.
BAILEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/30/2013
TAGS: PREL KS
SUBJECT: (C) LATVIAN CABINET AUTHORIZES KOSOVO RECOGNITION;
TIMING UNCLEAR
Classified By: Ambassador Catherine Todd Bailey. Reason: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) According to Latvian MFA political director Peteris
Ustubs, on January 29 the Latvian cabinet approved the
recognition by Latvia of an independent Kosovo, but gave FM
Riekstins the authority on the timing of the decision. On
January 30, the MFA briefed the Foreign and European Affairs
Committees of parliament on Kosovo and found no major
resistance to recognition when the time comes. Ustubs
speculated that Latvia would move in the second wave, after
"big EU member states."
2. (C) Ustubs expressed appreciation for an Embassy briefing
January 21 on legal issues related to Kosovo independence,
saying it was very helpful internally and with the
parliament. FM Riekstins, he said, still expects that ethnic
Russian parties in parliament and the Russian language press
here will criticize the decision, but based on USG-provided
information and discussions with EU colleagues, Riekstins
felt more comfortable with his ability to manage any such
criticism.
BAILEY