Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE16032
2008-02-15 20:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO SERBIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO0002 PP RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHC #6032 0462012 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P R 152009Z FEB 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 7940 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0649
UNCLAS STATE 016032
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OSCE UNMIK KV YI SR
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO SERBIAN
FOREIGN MINISTER VUK JEREMIC
UNCLAS STATE 016032
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OSCE UNMIK KV YI SR
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO SERBIAN
FOREIGN MINISTER VUK JEREMIC
1. Post is authorized to present the following response to
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic at the special Permanent
Council meeting on February 19.
Begin text:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The United States welcomes Minister Jeremic back to the
Permanent Council at a critical moment in his nation,s
history.
On February x, the United States, along with many European
countries and others from around the globe, announced that we
will recognize Kosovo,s independence.
As painful as this may be for Serbia, we have no doubt that
this decision is the correct one on every level ) morally,
legally, and in terms of promoting long-term security in the
Balkans.
This decision was not reached easily or in haste. Nearly a
decade ago, the United Nations Security Council Resolution
1244 placed Kosovo under international administration and
effectively put an end to Belgrade's authority. That
remarkable step was taken only after a tragic history of
extraordinary atrocities.
From that time, the international community made every
conceivable effort to promote a negotiated settlement
acceptable to both sides.
For over two years, Belgrade and Pristina negotiated
Kosovo,s status. For 15 months UN Special Envoy, Martti
Ahtisaari, conducted intense negotiations with the parties.
Despite the wishes of the majority of the Security Council, a
resolution implementing Ahtisaari could not be passed. For
four months last fall, the EU-Russia-U.S. Troika conducted
still more exhaustive talks to find a solution.
It is painfully obvious that the positions of Belgrade and
Pristina remain fundamentally and irrevocably opposed, and
that no agreement between the parties is feasible no matter
how long talks go on. And yet it is just as clear that the
status quo in Kosovo was unsustainable
In light of these failed talks, it became apparent that
recognizing Kosovo,s independence was the only viable option
left, in order to assure continued peace and prosperity in
the region. As part of their declaration, the Kosovar
authorities have committed to implement the Ahtisaari plan,
which includes critical provisions to fully protect the
rights of Serbian and other minorities in Kosovo.
We do not believe that Kosovo,s independence is in any way a
violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
While UNSCR 1244 aimed for an agreement between the parties,
however, it did not require one. More importantly, the
resolution never excluded independence as an option.
Resolution 1244 remains in place until such time as the
Security Council decides otherwise.
Nor do we believe that Kosovo,s independence will somehow
serve as a precedent for other conflict areas. The
conditions that set Kosovo apart from other territorial
disputes around the world are unique and compelling.
Kosovo's status must be seen in the context of the violent
break-up of the former Yugoslav federation, a country which
no longer exists. The bloodshed and ethnic cleansing created
such a significant threat to international peace that it
necessitated repeated UN intervention.
In light of these facts, we have come to the conclusion that
Kosovo,s independence is a legitimate, fair and lawful
outcome of all the events I have described. Recognizing it
is the right thing to do. Kosovo's independence will allow
all the states in the region to focus on their futures,
especially membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
This includes Serbia. Mr. Minister, it is time for Serbia to
let go of the issue of Kosovo. We encourage your proud
nation to turn its considerable energy and potential to the
task of full integration into Europe. It is this integration
that will assure peace and prosperity for Serbia, just as it
has for successive waves of countries before. But whatever
Serbia does, it must also adhere scrupulously to its
long-stated commitment not to provoke or support violence or
destabilizing acts in Kosovo, which will undermine peace and
stability for all in the region.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
End Text.
RICE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL OSCE UNMIK KV YI SR
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO SERBIAN
FOREIGN MINISTER VUK JEREMIC
1. Post is authorized to present the following response to
Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic at the special Permanent
Council meeting on February 19.
Begin text:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The United States welcomes Minister Jeremic back to the
Permanent Council at a critical moment in his nation,s
history.
On February x, the United States, along with many European
countries and others from around the globe, announced that we
will recognize Kosovo,s independence.
As painful as this may be for Serbia, we have no doubt that
this decision is the correct one on every level ) morally,
legally, and in terms of promoting long-term security in the
Balkans.
This decision was not reached easily or in haste. Nearly a
decade ago, the United Nations Security Council Resolution
1244 placed Kosovo under international administration and
effectively put an end to Belgrade's authority. That
remarkable step was taken only after a tragic history of
extraordinary atrocities.
From that time, the international community made every
conceivable effort to promote a negotiated settlement
acceptable to both sides.
For over two years, Belgrade and Pristina negotiated
Kosovo,s status. For 15 months UN Special Envoy, Martti
Ahtisaari, conducted intense negotiations with the parties.
Despite the wishes of the majority of the Security Council, a
resolution implementing Ahtisaari could not be passed. For
four months last fall, the EU-Russia-U.S. Troika conducted
still more exhaustive talks to find a solution.
It is painfully obvious that the positions of Belgrade and
Pristina remain fundamentally and irrevocably opposed, and
that no agreement between the parties is feasible no matter
how long talks go on. And yet it is just as clear that the
status quo in Kosovo was unsustainable
In light of these failed talks, it became apparent that
recognizing Kosovo,s independence was the only viable option
left, in order to assure continued peace and prosperity in
the region. As part of their declaration, the Kosovar
authorities have committed to implement the Ahtisaari plan,
which includes critical provisions to fully protect the
rights of Serbian and other minorities in Kosovo.
We do not believe that Kosovo,s independence is in any way a
violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.
While UNSCR 1244 aimed for an agreement between the parties,
however, it did not require one. More importantly, the
resolution never excluded independence as an option.
Resolution 1244 remains in place until such time as the
Security Council decides otherwise.
Nor do we believe that Kosovo,s independence will somehow
serve as a precedent for other conflict areas. The
conditions that set Kosovo apart from other territorial
disputes around the world are unique and compelling.
Kosovo's status must be seen in the context of the violent
break-up of the former Yugoslav federation, a country which
no longer exists. The bloodshed and ethnic cleansing created
such a significant threat to international peace that it
necessitated repeated UN intervention.
In light of these facts, we have come to the conclusion that
Kosovo,s independence is a legitimate, fair and lawful
outcome of all the events I have described. Recognizing it
is the right thing to do. Kosovo's independence will allow
all the states in the region to focus on their futures,
especially membership in Euro-Atlantic institutions.
This includes Serbia. Mr. Minister, it is time for Serbia to
let go of the issue of Kosovo. We encourage your proud
nation to turn its considerable energy and potential to the
task of full integration into Europe. It is this integration
that will assure peace and prosperity for Serbia, just as it
has for successive waves of countries before. But whatever
Serbia does, it must also adhere scrupulously to its
long-stated commitment not to provoke or support violence or
destabilizing acts in Kosovo, which will undermine peace and
stability for all in the region.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
End Text.
RICE