REQUEST FOR SOLIDARITY WITH KOSOVO AT OIC SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 STATE 022377 SIPDIS SIPDIS USEU BRUSSELS USOFFICE PRISTINA NATEU E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/04/2018 TAGS: PREL UNSC UNMIK PGOV YI EU KV SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SOLIDARITY WITH KOSOVO AT OIC SUMMIT REF: A. STATE 16762 ¶B. STATE 20646 ¶C. JEDDAH 87 Classified By: IO Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary James Warlick for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request. Posts are requested to deliver the following demarche on Kosovo no later than March ¶7. ¶2. (C) The objectives of this demarche are to: -- Urge host government to follow the OIC Secretary General's lead in expressing support for Kosovo's independence at the March 13-14 ministerial summit of the Organization of the Islamic Congress (OIC) in Dakar, Senegal; -- Encourage host government to support language in the OIC Summit communique welcoming Kosovo's independence; -- Recommend that the OIC welcome the attendance of representatives from the Government of Kosovo at the Summit; -- Urge host government to recognize Kosovo's independence as soon as possible. ¶3. (C) BACKGROUND (ENGAGING THE OIC ON KOSOVO): As of March 4, 32 countries have recognized or announced an intention to recognize Kosovo's recent declaration of independence. Over half of the European Union's 27 members have recognized Kosovo; another five have stated they will do so soon. Five OIC states have recognized or announced their intent to recognize Kosovo thus far: Senegal, Afghanistan, Turkey, Albania and Malaysia. In order to ensure a smooth transition for Kosovo to its new status, it is essential that as many OIC states as possible recognize as soon as possible. In response to previous demarches requesting countries to recognize Kosovo (ref A),we noted expressions of solidarity among OIC members for Kosovo's majority-Muslim ethnic Albanian population. We also note that OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu issued a positive statement on Kosovo independence shortly after it was declared (ref B). ¶4. (SBU) BACKGROUND (WHAT WE WANT): A number of OIC STATE 00022377 002 OF 003 countries have told us they are waiting until after discussions at the March 13-14 OIC Summit in Dakar before they decide on recognition. We do not expect the OIC Summit to reach a consensus position -- Russian FM Lavrov, who reportedly plans to attend, will likely lobby hard against recognitions; Indonesia has also spoken out in the OIC against independence out of fears of a possible precedent for its own internal conflicts. Nevertheless, visible expressions of support for Kosovo's independence at the Summit could encourage a number of favorably-inclined countries to move forward. Therefore, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States have agreed to reach out to OIC members to ask them to be outspoken in their support of independence at the Summit. We have already asked Senegal, the host of the Summit, and Malaysia, its chair, to invite Kosovo representatives to attend (ref B) -- it would be useful for other OIC members to support Kosovo's attendance as a Kosovo seat at the OIC table would help boost the public profile of the new state. We are urging in particular that the final Summit communique include language welcoming independence that will that will help move member states more rapidly toward recognition of Kosovo. ¶5. (SBU) POSSIBLE TALKING POINTS: -- As you know, the United States and a majority of EU countries have recognized Kosovo's February 17 declaration of independence, consistent with the recommendation of UN Special Envoy Martti Ahtisaari. -- There is broad support for Kosovo's independence, particularly in its region of Europe. Well over two-thirds of EU members have either recognized or declared an intention to recognize Kosovo soon. (NOTE: As of March 4, 23 countries worldwide had recognized Kosovo, most from Europe; another nine have publicly declared an intention to do so.) We believe that another forty or so countries are leaning toward recognition. -- Five OIC states have recognized or announced their intent to recognize Kosovo thus far: Senegal, Afghanistan, Turkey, Albania and Malaysia. -- We have heard a number of OIC countries express solidarity with the people of Kosovo and their aspirations. -- We encourage you to support language in the Summit communique welcoming Kosovo's independence. Such language could enable countries to proceed with recognition, if they STATE 00022377 003 OF 003 have not done so already. -- Past OIC communiques have included language speaking favorably about Kosovo's aspirations (e.g., resolution No. 3/10-P(IS) from the 10th Islamic Summit in Putraya, and references to Kosovo in the communiques of the 2000 Ninth OIC Summit in Doha). -- We noted with pleasure the OIC Secretary-General's positive statement on Kosovo, issued shortly after independence was declared on February 17. He said: "...a very important event took place yesterday. Kosovo has finally declared its independence after a long and determined struggle by its people. As we rejoice this happy result, we declare our solidarity with and support to our brothers and sisters there. The Islamic Umma wishes them success in their new battle awaiting them which is the building of a strong and prosperous a state capable of satisfying of its people. There is no doubt that the independence of Kosovo will be an asset to the Muslim world and further enhance the joint Islamic action." -- We have encouraged Summit's host (Senegal) and chair (Malaysia) to welcome Kosovo attendance at the Summit. We also encourage you to welcome Kosovo's representatives. (NOTE: Kosovo representatives have attended past summits, including the 1994 Seventh Islamic Summit Conference in Casablanca and the 1997 Eighth Summit in Teheran. END NOTE.) -- We encourage you to recognize Kosovo's independence as quickly as possible. Prompt recognitions would signal global solidarity in responding to this security challenge and help lock Kosovo into respecting the international norms that guide the relations among civilized states. ¶6. (U) POINT OF CONTACT: Joshua Black, Kosovo Status coordinator, Office of South Central Europe, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs ( 1 202-647-9173 or blackj@state.gov). RICE