KOSOVO: SUPPORTING UN RECONFIGURATION PLANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 060282

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2018
TAGS: UNSC PREL UNMIK KO
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: SUPPORTING UN RECONFIGURATION PLANS

Classified By: IO PDAS James Warlick for reason
1.4(b).


1. (SBU) This is an action request for USUN. The
Department requests that USUN give its support to
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's initiative to
reconfigure
the UN presence in Kosovo. Our support should be made
conditional on the understanding that Ban will move
forward with all elements of reconfiguration
regardless of
Russian or Serbian objections.


2. (C) BACKGROUND: Previous reporting from USUN -- as
well as recent telephone calls between U/S Guehenno
and the Political Directors of France, Germany, Italy,
United Kingdom and the United States -- has outlined
Ban's approach to reconfiguring the UN presence in
Kosovo. While we and our key European partners have
concerns about some elements (especially proposed UN
dialogue with Belgrade on institutional arrangements
in Kosovo),we are willing to support Ban's plan in
order to break the current impasse on UN
reconfiguration in Kosovo. We also understand that
the EU and UN have come to agreement on language that
applies to their respective roles in Kosovo. Russian
and Serbian opposition to Ban's plan may be more
intense than Ban realizes -- it is therefore
essential that Ban commit to us that reconfiguration
will move forward regardless of Russia's position or
the outcome of any further dialogue with Belgrade.


3. (SBU) POINTS FOR USE WITH SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN:

-- We appreciate your efforts on Kosovo. We know that
this is a difficult issue for the United Nations.
While recognizing the divisions within the Security
Council on Kosovo, reconfiguration of the UN presence
is essential to peace, stability and preservation of
the UN's legacy in Kosovo.

-- The United States will support the plan your staff
has described to us to reconfigure the UN presence in
Kosovo, provided that you assure us that all elements
of reconfiguration will move forward regardless of
opposition from individual Council members (Russia) or
Serbia.

-- We want to assure you that you will have our full
support. In addition to backing your plan in the
Council, we will urge other Council members --
including those who have not recognized Kosovo's
independence -- to support reconfiguration according
to your plan.

-- We urge you to proceed rapidly with reconfiguration
before the situation in the region deteriorates.

-- We have been assured by your staff that you would
not implement new institutional arrangements in Kosovo
without the agreement of Kosovo authorities and
relevant stakeholders (United States, EU, NATO).


4. (SBU) For further information, please contact
IO/UNP - John Mariz (202-647-0048, marizjc@state.gov)
or EUR/SCE - Joshua Black (202-647-9173,
blackj@state.gov).
RICE