KOSOVO RECOGNITION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 127443

SENSITIVE
DAKAR FOR BISSAU
LIBREVILLE FOR SAO TOME AND PRIMCIPE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO RECOGNITION


1. (SBU) This is an action request. See paragraphs 2 and

3. Posts are requested to deliver this demarche at the
highest appropriate level before December 15, requesting
host government recognition of the Republic of Kosovo.
Info addressees may deliver this demarche if they believe
it could have a positive impact. Please see the following
SIPR link for a list of countries that have recognized
Kosovo:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/index.cfm?fus eaction=public.display&shortcut=I2GW .

Objectives
--------------


2. (SBU) Fifty-two countries have recognized Kosovo. The
UNSC issued a November 26 Presidential Statement, which
paved the way for the EU to take the lead on rule of law
issues in Kosovo and for the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)
to downsize. The EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX)
reached initial operational capability December 2 and it
will assume operations within days.

--- Following these positive developments, action
addressees should press host governments that now is the
right time to recognize Kosovo, and to support its
development as a peaceful and economically successful new
member of the community of nations. More recognition of
Kosovo will promote stability on the ground, encouraging
local actors to put the question of Kosovo's status behind
them and to work toward practical cooperation between all
communities.

--- At posts' discretion, action addressees in CPLP member
states may want to highlight Portugal's recognition of
Kosovo on October 7.

--- At posts' discretion, action addressees may share the
list of countries that have already recognized Kosovo.
(See contacts in paragraph 4 to request an unclassified
list of countries that have recognized.)

--- Kolonia and Koror should thank host governments for
voting with us against the ICJ referral at UNGA and
encourage them to formalize this support for Kosovo by
recognizing its independence.

Suggested talking points
--------------


3. (U) Posts can draw on the following points as needed:

--- We urge you to join the 52 nations across the world
that have recognized Kosovo, and to support its development
as a peaceful and economically successful new member of the
community of nations. Kosovo's successful and stable
development continues to be one of the most important
priorities of the United States and its European partners.
Our combined efforts will help Kosovo find its place as a
prosperous, peaceful, democratic and contributing member of
the international community, which is indispensable to
overall stability in the Balkans.

--- We also urge you to support Kosovo's IMF and World Bank
membership applications.

--- Kosovo declared independence on February 17. Its
independence was recognized immediately by some two dozen
countries; a steady stream of other states have recognized
since that time.

--- Since its declaration of independence, the Government
of Kosovo has shown maturity and willingness to work with
its neighbors, including Serbia. It has adopted a
Constitution and implemented legislation to promote
fundamental freedoms, including strong protections for the
rights of all communities in Kosovo, including ethnic
Serbs. It has made notable strides in establishing the
institutions of democratic governance.

--- A very successful international donors' conference on
July 11 raised approximately $1.9 billion in assistance to
Kosovo. The U.S. contributed approximately $400 million.
All EU members and a number of other non-European states,
including Saudi Arabia and Japan, participated in the
conference and contributed.

--- Acknowledging the "new reality" in Kosovo, UN SYG Ban
Ki-Moon ordered the reconfiguration and reduction of the UN
Kosovo mission (UNMIK).

--- On November 26 the UNSC issued a Presidential Statement
welcoming the Secretary General's latest report, which
acknowledged the progress made in Kosovo, and reaffirmed
that the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) would
take over rule of law functions throughout Kosovo, paving
the way for accelerated downsizing of UNMIK. Kosovo's
leaders have welcomed EULEX's deployment and reaffirmed
their commitments to cooperate with the international
community.

(IF RAISED: Secession - Precedent Issue)

--- Kosovo is a special case and not a precedent. It is
the final stage of the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.

--- Other factors that make it unique 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.

(IF RAISED: ICJ Vote and Recognitions)

--- The UNGA recently adopted a Serbian-sponsored
resolution to seek an advisory opinion on Kosovo's
declaration of independence from the International Court of
Justice (ICJ); notably, the question presented to the ICJ
does not in any way question the right of states to
recognize the independence of Kosovo, which is an entirely
separate question in international law. The ongoing ICJ
process thus should not be an obstacle to new recognitions
-- which is confirmed by the fact that the United Arab
Emirates, Malaysia, Portugal, Montenegro and Macedonia all
recognized immediately before or after the ICJ UNGA vote.


4. (SBU) For further information or argumentation to reach
Department objectives, please contact Kosovo Desk Officers
Seiji T Shiratori or William Tomlyanovich (202-736-7729, or
ShiratoriST@state.gov and 202-647-4781, or
TomlyanovichWJ@state.gov).


RICE