EL SALVADOR: DEMARCHE ON RESOLVING KOSOVO STATUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SAN SALVADOR 000051 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/JOSHUA BLACK E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/09/2017 TAGS: ES PGOV PREL UN UNMIK YI EU SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: DEMARCHE ON RESOLVING KOSOVO STATUS DELIVERED; GOES WILL STUDY AND RESPOND REF: STATE 01087 Classified By: Ambassador Charles L Glazer, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The MFA Director General for Political Affairs Guillermo Melendez told us on January 11 that the GoES will review the Kosovo independence issue and get back to us after completing their analysis and adopting a position. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On January 11, PolCouns and PolOff delivered reftel demarche to Guillermo Melendez, MFA Director General for Political Affairs, Mauricio Armando Aparicio Amaya, Director of European Affairs and Gustavo Argueta, Multilateral Affairs Officer. Melendez agreed to study the request to recognize Kosovo when it declares its independence. Melendez said that the MFA will prepare a decision paper on the issue so that senior MFA officials can weigh in. Melendez advised that the GoES review may not be completed until after the announcement of Kosovo's independent status. He strongly hinted that recognition would not be immediate and that the GoES would take a wait-and-see approach to recognizing Kosovo. ¶3. (C) Melendez stated that the Serbian reaction to the recognition of Kosovo's independence would not be good and could affect stability in Kosovo. The GoES is hesitant to recognize Kosovo if it is poised to enter immediately into a crisis, drawing a comparison with Slovenia and Croatia. He stated that there needs to be legitimacy and transparency in Kosovo and UN relations. ¶4. (C) Melendez compared Kosovo to Taiwan and remarked on the influence the UN has over these issues, noting that while a number of countries recognize Taiwan, it is not a member of the UN due to China's influence and USNC veto. He wondered out loud if the same might happen with Kosovo because of Russia. ¶5. (C) Melendez requested to be advised of other countries in the region which will support Kosovo's independent status and to be notified of the announcement date as soon as known. PolCouns agreed to provide information as available. Melendez said he will get back to us as soon as the MFA's analysis and position are finalized. ¶6. (C) Comment: Kosovo is far from El Salvador and the GoES does not see direct interests there. At the same time, the GoES recognizes the importance and sensitivity of the situation and wants to carefully consider its decision. We will report back as more information on the GoES position becomes available. Glazer