KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE LOBBYING: TARGET COUNTRIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 041979

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/21/2018
TAGS: PREL UNMIK PGOV YI EU KV ES CO EC
SUBJECT: KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE LOBBYING: TARGET COUNTRIES

REF: STATE 166909

Classified By: EUR Kurt Volker, Acting; reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (SBU) This is an action request. Ambassadors are
requested to deliver the following demarche on Kosovo to host
governments at the highest possible level. Department
appreciates posts' efforts to date and now seeks to let
governments that have previously expressed interest in
recognizing Kosovo's independence know that now is the time
to act.


2. (C) The objective of this demarche is to:

-- Request host government to recognize Kosovo's independence
now.

-- Explain the importance of prompt recognition.


3. (C) BACKGROUND: Washington, in coordination with our
European partners, continues to lobby countries to recognize
Kosovo's independence as soon as possible. El Salvador, a
member of the Central American Integration System (SICA),has
previously expressed support for independence, but has yet to
move forward with recognition. Panama, also a member of the
UN Security Council, has said that it favors recognizing en
bloc with other SICA countries; hence recognitions by other
SICA countries could be helpful in securing Panama's support.
Colombia has also previously indicated that it would
recognize Kosovo at the right moment, and Ecuador has been
leaning favorably towards recognition. Strong Russian
lobbying against independence has reportedly led to some
hesitation among some countries. We expect that recognitions
by key countries, including two-thirds of the EU, Japan,
South Korea, Canada and several of Serbia's neighbors, can
pave the way for El Salvador, Colombia, and Ecuador to move
forward now.


4. (SBU) For the latest update on recognitions, please refer
to the S/CRS-EUR/SCE Kosovo portal on SIPRNET, located at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/ (Click Kosovo). For examples
of Kosovo's progress, and other cleared press guidance,
please refer to the "Special Focus ) Kosovo" on InfoCentral
at: https://infocentral.state.gov/home/
pd-focus/pd-special-focus/kosovo2. This and other more
in-depth information can be found at the aforementioned
Kosovo Portal on SIPRNET.


5. (SBU) POINTS FOR USE ON KOSOVO: Department requests that
Ambassadors/Charges draw on the following points to
underscore the importance to the USG of recognition of Kosovo
independence.
-- We have been pleased that a number of countries have moved
forward quickly to recognize the independence of Kosovo.

-- Kosovo declared its independence on February 17, in
accordance with the recommendations of UN Special Envoy
Martti Ahtisaari, and his comprehensive proposal for the
Kosovo status settlement. To date, 36 countries have
recognized Kosovo and several others have said publicly or
privately they intend to do so. This pace of recognition has
been significantly faster than that of other states whose
independence was controversial, including Croatia, Slovenia,
East Timor, Bangladesh and Eritrea.

-- Countries that have recognized to date include: two-thirds
of the EU and NATO; 7 of 15 UN Security Council members; all
G8 members, except Russia.

-- We hope that your country will also recognize and
establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of Kosovo.

-- Your recognition would send a positive sign of solidarity
with the people of Kosovo and southeast Europe )- of all
ethnicities -- who crave normalcy after years of conflict and
turmoil. It would also support a smoother transition for
Kosovo, as the new state seeks to integrate itself into the
international community.

-- Your recognition of Kosovo's independence would also send
an important message to Serbia and its people. The sooner
Serbia's leaders accept the fact of Kosovo's independence,
the sooner Serbian society can concentrate on building a
positive future within Europe.

-- Recognition by your countries is furthermore essential for
Kosovo's entry into financial institutions. Although the 36
countries that have already recognized Kosovo represent a
weighted-majority in these institutions, we want to increase
the number and regional diversity of countries that support
economic development for all the people of Kosovo within the
IMF and World Bank.

-- We are pleased that in its first two months of
independence, the Government of Kosovo has shown maturity,
restraint and true leadership. Its leaders have taken
extensive steps to implement the provisions of the Ahtisaari
Plan, particularly its protections for minorities. The
Kosovo Government has adopted nineteen Ahtisaari-related
laws, including laws on minority protection, and a new
constitution that enshrines the Ahtisaari principles.

POINTS FOR EL SALVADOR:

-- Our previous conversations indicated that El Salvador was
prepared to recognize the Republic of Kosovo but that the
GOES would not be among the first wave of countries to
recognize.

-- We are now well beyond the "first wave," with thirty six
countries from around the world having recognized Kosovo
since its declaration of independence two months ago.

--El Salvador has said that it might announce formal
recognition of Kosovo in conjunction with Honduras and
Guatemala at some point soon. We hope you are ready to take
this decision, either together with your regional partners
or, if necessary, independently, but in solidarity with the
other 36 nations that already have recognized.

-- Costa Rica, a member of the Central American Integration
System (SICA),recognized promptly after the declaration of
independence. As President Pro Tempore of SICA we hope you
will follow suit.

POINTS FOR COLOMBIA:

-- In a previous conversation between US Ambassador to
Colombia and Colombian Foreign Minister Fernando Araujo, the
FM said that the Government of Colombia would likely respond
favorably to recognition of Kosovo. The GOC additionally said
that it supports recognition at the "opportune moment."

-- The opportune moment is now. As an important ally, the
United States urges Colombia to recognize soon, to assist the
U.S., and the EU in building stability in the Balkans.

POINTS FOR ECUADOR:

-- From previous discussions we understood that Ecuador was
leaning favorably towards recognition of Kosovo. We urge you
to recognize as soon as possible to assist the U.S. and the
EU in building stability in the Balkans.


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