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