KOSOVO RECOGNITION: CHILE REMAINS ON FENCE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000380 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/23/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL KPAO KV SR UNMIK CI SUBJECT: KOSOVO RECOGNITION: CHILE REMAINS ON FENCE REF: A. STATE 43188 ¶B. SANTIAGO 148 ¶C. SANTIAGO 159 Classified By: E/Pol Counselor Juan A. Alsace for reasons 1.4 (b & d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador, accompanied by E/Pol Counselor, took advantage of a previously scheduled April 24 courtesy call on Deputy Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren (septel) to raise reftel points. The Ambassador noted that the situation on the ground has stabilized considerably, that Serbian cultural sites and population are being fully protected, and that international community efforts to ensure security, including through training of police, are proving successful. Kosovo is the "last link" in bringing peace to the Balkans after the breakup of Yugoslavia and the USG urged Chile to join the many countries that had recognized Kosovo's independence. ¶2. (C) Repeating a position we have heard (reftels),Van Klaveren said Chile is "monitoring the situation closely," and remains unconvinced that Kososvo's declaration of independence is consistent with applicable UNSC declarations. Van Klaveren allowed that some Latin American countries had recognized Kosovo ("Peru and possibly Colombia") but that others ("Argentina") had expressly declined to do so. Brazil has also not made a decision. Comment: As noted reftels, Chile is unlikely to recognize Kosovo until there exists a Latin American consensus. The GOC will not be the country to lead the region to it, preferring that Brazil do so. End comment. SIMONS