MACEDONIA: CONTINUED KOSOVO CONTINGENCY PLANNING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000031

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCA PFEUFFER

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/15/2018
TAGS: KV PGOV PREL ETRD MK
SUBJECT: MACEDONIA: CONTINUED KOSOVO CONTINGENCY PLANNING

REF: 2007 SKOPJE 985

Classified By: POL/ECON OFFICER M. LATHAM FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

Summary
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1. (C) The GOM continues to focus on planning for the
possible implications of an independent Kosovo (reftel). In a
January 11 meeting with the Ambassador, FM Antonio Milososki
discussed GOM actions to prepare the Macedonian public for
eventual Kosovo independence, to counter impacts on trade of
a possible Serb embargo, and to keep Pristina apprised of
Macedonian interest in prompt border demarcation. The
Macedonian Customs Agency is working with its Pristina and
UNMIK counterparts on contingency planning in case of a
Serbian closure of the Serbia-Kosovo border. Macedonian
Customs officials believe that, in the event of a Serbian
embargo, there should be no/no significant problems coping
with a potential increase in border traffic between Macedonia
and Kosovo. End summary.

Foreign Minister On Kosovo Independence
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2. (C) Foreign Minister Milososki told the Ambassador in a
January 11 meeting that positive signals from Pristina on
border demarcation of the Kosovo-Macedonia border could
facilitate Macedonia's recognition of Kosovo. He mentioned
that GOM officials had just begun internal discussions of
ways to present the GOM's recognition decision to the
Macedonian public in order to minimize potential negative
domestic reaction. He said the GOM continued to have
concerns about the security and economic impact of
recognition, and noted that Macedonian border officials had
met with their Kosovar counterparts to discuss contingency
planning. Milososki said he was not convinced the Kosovo
side was fully prepared yet to implement the measures needed
to facilitate increased border traffic with Macedonia in the
event of a Serbia embargo.

Macedonian Customs Confident It Can Manage Increased Traffic
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3. (SBU) The Macedonian Customs Agency Head of
Investigations and Control, Darko Dulic, has been tasked to
coordinate Customs' planning in the event that Serbia closes
its border with Serbia and traffic is rerouted through
Macedonia. Dulic told us on January 10 that Macedonian
Customs is confident it can handle the projected increased
border traffic. He said that, in general, Customs has
excellent cooperation with its counterparts in Kosovo.
Customs officials also had met with UNMIK representatives on
January 9 to review possible embargo scenarios. UNMIK had
told the Macedonians that they estimated Macedonia would face
a maximum increase of 200 trucks daily at the Blace border
crossing with Kosovo.


4. (SBU) According to Dulic, Macedonian Customs and border
police would have no problems processing a major increase in
traffic at the Blace crossing. If that border crossing
became too congested, non-commercial traffic would be
re-routed through the less-used Jazince border crossing north
of Tetovo. The Jazince crossing is in a more mountainous area
and is not normally open to commercial traffic. Dulic said
that the Jazince crossing also could be opened to commercial
traffic, if needed. In addition, Macedonian Customs and
UNMIK representatives discussed increased use of the
Pristina-Skopje railway as an alternative transport route.

COMMENT
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5. (C) The discussions between Macedonian and Kosovar customs
officials show that, at the working-level, planning is well
in place to manage the potential impacts of Kosovo
independence. Although Milososki indicated some concerns
that Kosovo authorities are not fully prepared for a possible
re-routing of traffic through Macedonia in the event of a
Serbian embargo, Macedonian Customs officials working the
issue do not appear to share those concerns. Milososki's
discussion of the importance of border demarcation, despite
Pristina's stated acceptance that demarcation will be
resolved in the context of the Ahtisaari plan, underscores
the sensitivity and top priority the GOM accords the issue.
MILOVANOVIC