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