PURSUING KOSOVO RECOGNITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 111313

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/17/2018
TAGS: OTRA PREL
SUBJECT: PURSUING KOSOVO RECOGNITION

Classified By: NEA/RA DIRECTOR MICHAEL ADLER FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 2.

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SUMMARY AND ACTION REQUEST
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2. (C) On October 14, the UAE became the first Arab country
to recognize Kosovo. Department hopes this action will be
followed by other countries in the NEA region and provides
the following updated points for use at appropriate
opportunities. Department appreciates posts, continued
efforts on this issue.

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OBJECTIVE
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3. (C) To accelerate recognition of Kosovo by states in the
NEA region.

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BACKGROUND
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4. (SBU) Kosovo declared independence on February 17, in
accordance with the recommendations of UN Special Envoy
Martti Ahtisaari and in coordination with the EU and United
States.


5. (SBU) As of October 16, 51 countries have recognized
Kosovo, including over three quarters of EU and NATO members.
With Japan and others this represents over 66 percent of
global GDP, 8 of 15 UN Security Council members, and all G7
members. On October 14, the United Arab Emirates became the
51st country and the first Arab state to recognize Kosovo.
All of Kosovo's immediate neighbors except for Serbia itself
have recognized the new state.


6. (SBU) Kosovo applied for IMF and World Bank membership on
July 10. Following the completion of a membership mission
and the recommendation of the Executive Board, the IMF Board
of Governors will have to consider Kosovo,s Application, we
hope in spring 2009.


7. (SBU) Kosovo continues to be one of the most important
priorities of the United States in Europe. The USG seeks to
help Kosovo find its place as a prosperous, peaceful, and
democratic member of the international community, and bolster
overall stability in the Balkans.


8. (SBU) Since its independence, the Government of Kosovo has
shown maturity and willingness to work with its neighbors,
including Serbia. It has adopted a new Constitution and
implemented legislation to promote fundamental freedoms,
including strong minority rights protections.


9. (SBU) Acknowledging Kosovo's "new reality," UN SYG Ban
Ki-Moon ordered the reconfiguration and reduction of the UN
Kosovo mission, effectively ending the UN's role as Kosovo's
administrator.


10. (SBU) The July 11 donors conference raised approximately
$1.9 billion in assistance to Kosovo. The United States
contributed approximately $400 million. All EU members and a
number of other non-European states, including SAUDI ARABIA
and Japan, participated in the conference.

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ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND (to draw from on if raised)
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STATE 00111313 002 OF 002



11. (SBU) Kosovo is a special case and not a precedent. It
is the final stage of the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.
Other unique factors include the history of ethnic cleansing
and crimes against civilians in Kosovo, the extended period
of international administration, and a UN-led process
designed to determine final status.


12. (SBU) The UNGA recently adopted a Serbian-sponsored
resolution to seek an advisory opinion on Kosovo from the
International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ongoing ICJ
process should not be an obstacle to new recognitions. The
United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Montenegro, and Macedonia all
recognized immediately before or after the ICJ UNGA vote.

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POINTS OF CONTACT
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13. (SBU) Points of contact for further information on this
issue are EUR/SCE Seiji Shiratori and NEA/RA Rina Chatterji.


14. (SBU) Tripoli minimize considered.
RICE