Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SKOPJE557
2008-09-04 05:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Skopje
Cable title:
KOSOVO: MACEDONIA READY TO RECOGNIZE WITH MONTENEGRO, WILL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000557
SIPDIS
BELGRADE PLEASE PASS PODGORICA
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA SR KV MK
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: MACEDONIA READY TO RECOGNIZE WITH MONTENEGRO, WILL
NOT SUPPORT SERBIAN ICJ RESOLUTION
Ref: STATE 91908
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons1.5 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SKOPJE 000557
SIPDIS
BELGRADE PLEASE PASS PODGORICA
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA SR KV MK
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: MACEDONIA READY TO RECOGNIZE WITH MONTENEGRO, WILL
NOT SUPPORT SERBIAN ICJ RESOLUTION
Ref: STATE 91908
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Macedonia may be ready to recognize Kosovo by late
September and may do so with Montenegro, FonMin Milososki told Charge
Sept. 3. Demarcation is proceeding well. Macedonia opposes Serbia's
UNGA resolution calling for ICJ review of Kosovo's independence, but
has not decided whether to vote "no" or abstain. End summary.
2. (C) Charge called on FonMin Milososki Sept. 3 to reinforce reftel
points on Serbia's UNGA resolution calling for ICJ review of Kosovo's
independence and to inquire as to the latest state of play on
Macedonian recognition. On the latter, Milososki reported that the
border demarcation process continues to proceed well, with six of 17
stones laid in the Debelde area. He added that with some exceptions
members of the local community were actively assisting the teams in
laying the markers. Without committing firmly, Milososki reiterated
the GoM's likely timeline of mid-to-late September for recognition.
Charge pointed out that recognition prior to UNGA would send an
especially positive message.
3. (C) Milososki also reported that Macedonia had offered Montenegro
the opportunity to coordinate on recognition -- presumably to be on
the same day -- and that Podgorica had accepted. He emphasized that
Macedonia took this step to offer Montenegro cover, not vice versa,
but admitted this step would help both governments deal with the
Serbian response. He noted that for the first time Belgrade had
publicly hinted that it may "de-recognize" Macedonia under its
constitutional name if Macedonia recognizes Kosovo.
4. (C) On the ICJ resolution, Milososki confirmed that the GoM does
not support the Serbian proposal, but had not yet decided whether to
vote "no" or to abstain. Charge pressed for the "no" vote; Milososki
replied that Macedonia would discuss the issue with other governments
to gauge support/opposition, then decide closer to the vote. He
reflected that while he expects the Serbian proposal to fail, he
thought the proposal was "not a bad idea" in the context of Serbian
domestic politics compared to other alternatives. "If only Milosevic
had taken the approach of trying to use the ICJ," he added ruefully.
NAVRATIL
SIPDIS
BELGRADE PLEASE PASS PODGORICA
STATE FOR EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNGA SR KV MK
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: MACEDONIA READY TO RECOGNIZE WITH MONTENEGRO, WILL
NOT SUPPORT SERBIAN ICJ RESOLUTION
Ref: STATE 91908
CLASSIFIED BY: CDA Tom Navratil for reasons1.5 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Summary: Macedonia may be ready to recognize Kosovo by late
September and may do so with Montenegro, FonMin Milososki told Charge
Sept. 3. Demarcation is proceeding well. Macedonia opposes Serbia's
UNGA resolution calling for ICJ review of Kosovo's independence, but
has not decided whether to vote "no" or abstain. End summary.
2. (C) Charge called on FonMin Milososki Sept. 3 to reinforce reftel
points on Serbia's UNGA resolution calling for ICJ review of Kosovo's
independence and to inquire as to the latest state of play on
Macedonian recognition. On the latter, Milososki reported that the
border demarcation process continues to proceed well, with six of 17
stones laid in the Debelde area. He added that with some exceptions
members of the local community were actively assisting the teams in
laying the markers. Without committing firmly, Milososki reiterated
the GoM's likely timeline of mid-to-late September for recognition.
Charge pointed out that recognition prior to UNGA would send an
especially positive message.
3. (C) Milososki also reported that Macedonia had offered Montenegro
the opportunity to coordinate on recognition -- presumably to be on
the same day -- and that Podgorica had accepted. He emphasized that
Macedonia took this step to offer Montenegro cover, not vice versa,
but admitted this step would help both governments deal with the
Serbian response. He noted that for the first time Belgrade had
publicly hinted that it may "de-recognize" Macedonia under its
constitutional name if Macedonia recognizes Kosovo.
4. (C) On the ICJ resolution, Milososki confirmed that the GoM does
not support the Serbian proposal, but had not yet decided whether to
vote "no" or to abstain. Charge pressed for the "no" vote; Milososki
replied that Macedonia would discuss the issue with other governments
to gauge support/opposition, then decide closer to the vote. He
reflected that while he expects the Serbian proposal to fail, he
thought the proposal was "not a bad idea" in the context of Serbian
domestic politics compared to other alternatives. "If only Milosevic
had taken the approach of trying to use the ICJ," he added ruefully.
NAVRATIL