Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RIGA94
2008-02-20 14:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Riga
Cable title:
LATVIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
how-toVZCZCXRO2623 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHRA #0094 0511455 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 201455Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY RIGA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4723 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000094
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2013
TAGS: PREL KR LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson, Jr. Reason 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RIGA 000094
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2013
TAGS: PREL KR LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson, Jr. Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (U) On the afternoon of February 20, Latvian FM Riekstins
formally recognized the independence of Kosovo (text e-mailed
to EUR/NB). The statement announcing the decision noted the
importance of protection of minority rights in the context of
implementation of the Ahtissari plan and reaffirmed that
Kosovo is not a precedent for any other situation in the
world. We understand that the official Latvian government
documents will be delivered in Pristina on Feb. 21 by the
German office there.
2. (C) Comment: It is not insignificant that Latvia moved
rather quickly on this. There has been much discussion in
the press here in recent weeks that Latvian foreign policy is
captive to Moscow. While only one decision, this one does do
something to belie that idea. Given the dynamics within the
EU, Latvia easily could have dragged out the process for
weeks and then claimed that in only acted in response to
pressure inside the Union. That it moved so quickly should
be seen as a positive sign of the importance Latvia places on
being a responsible NATO and EU member.
LARSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2013
TAGS: PREL KR LG
SUBJECT: LATVIA RECOGNIZES KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE
Classified By: Ambassador Charles W. Larson, Jr. Reason 1.4 (d)
1. (U) On the afternoon of February 20, Latvian FM Riekstins
formally recognized the independence of Kosovo (text e-mailed
to EUR/NB). The statement announcing the decision noted the
importance of protection of minority rights in the context of
implementation of the Ahtissari plan and reaffirmed that
Kosovo is not a precedent for any other situation in the
world. We understand that the official Latvian government
documents will be delivered in Pristina on Feb. 21 by the
German office there.
2. (C) Comment: It is not insignificant that Latvia moved
rather quickly on this. There has been much discussion in
the press here in recent weeks that Latvian foreign policy is
captive to Moscow. While only one decision, this one does do
something to belie that idea. Given the dynamics within the
EU, Latvia easily could have dragged out the process for
weeks and then claimed that in only acted in response to
pressure inside the Union. That it moved so quickly should
be seen as a positive sign of the importance Latvia places on
being a responsible NATO and EU member.
LARSON