AMBASSADOR URGES SINGAPORE TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 000153 SIPDIS SIPDIS SEIJI SHIRATORI, KOSOVO LEAD DESK OFFICE E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2018 TAGS: PREL UN UNMIK PGOV YI EU SN SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR URGES SINGAPORE TO RECOGNIZE KOSOVO REF: STATE 13716 Classified By: Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold; reasons 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 4. ¶2. (C) The Ambassador met with Singapore MFA Permanent Secretary Peter Ho on February 12 to urge Singapore to SIPDIS recognize Kosovo immediately after Kosovo declares independence. She delivered reftel points, emphasizing the high priority the U.S. Government attaches to the issue. The Ambassador stressed that the United States and key European states intend to recognize Kosovo within hours of an independence declaration. She urged Singapore to do the same. Ho said he had not yet studied the issue carefully, but Singapore is considering its position on Kosovo independence. He expressed concern that Kosovo independence could set a bad precedent internationally, encouraging other places to declare independence unilaterally. Ho noted that there is disagreement on the Kosovo issue within the UN. Among the P-5, Russia is opposed. MFA Europe Director Lawrence Anderson, who accompanied Ho, noted that China may also oppose Kosovo independence because Beijing may perceive implications for the Taiwan issue. The Ambassador used reftel points to make it clear that Kosovo is a special case and should not be seen as a precedent for other issues. This is the final chapter of Yugoslavia's non-consensual breakup. Reintegration with Serbia is impossible. Supervised independence under the Ahtisaari Plan is the only viable outcome for Kosovo, she stated. ¶3. (C) Ho agreed to consider the U.S. request carefully as "a matter of importance to the United States and other friends." He expressed strong interest in finding out which countries, especially in Asia, intend to recognize Kosovo's independence. The DCM, accompanying the Ambassador, said the USG cannot speak for other countries and urged Singapore to seek information directly from other countries on their positions. He added that it is clear that the United States and other key countries around the world will recognize Kosovo once Kosovo declares independence. ¶4. (C) Action request: In response to Ho's request, please provide, if possible, additional information we can share with Singapore on which countries, particularly in Asia, intend to recognize an independent Kosovo. End action request. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm HERBOLD