Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TIRANA58
2008-01-23 13:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
ALBANIA WILL CONTINUE TO HELP KEEP PEACE IN KOSOVO
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHTI #0058 0231347 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 231347Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6587 INFO RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 3036 RUEHHE/AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PRIORITY 0068 RUEHLJ/AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA PRIORITY 0787 RUEHVJ/AMEMBASSY SARAJEVO PRIORITY 0707 RUEHSQ/AMEMBASSY SKOPJE PRIORITY 4468 RUEHVB/AMEMBASSY ZAGREB PRIORITY 3248 RUEHPS/USOFFICE PRISTINA PRIORITY 3729 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 3510 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0749 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000058
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, BELGRADE ALSO FOR PODGORICA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA WILL CONTINUE TO HELP KEEP PEACE IN KOSOVO
REF: STATE 6162
Classified By: AMB. J.L. WITHERS II, REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000058
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, BELGRADE ALSO FOR PODGORICA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA WILL CONTINUE TO HELP KEEP PEACE IN KOSOVO
REF: STATE 6162
Classified By: AMB. J.L. WITHERS II, REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) As instructed reftel, Ambassador Withers on January 22
urged Albania's continued constructive and stabilizing role
in the region with respect to the question of Kosovo's
independence in separate meetings with Prime Minister Berisha
and Foreign Minister Basha. He added that we are now
entering an extremely critical phase and the U.S. is counting
on Albania's help to minimize violence and publicly to
advocate respect for minority rights during the upcoming
transition period.
2. (C) Berisha promised to exert a positive and pacifying
influence in his interactions with Kosovar interlocutors. A
peaceful and stabilizing resolution of Kosovo's status, he
declared, is in Albania's interest. He committed to continue
working closely with the international community and the USG
to reach an outcome acceptable to all parties. Basha was
optimistic that the international community would find a way
for Kosovo's northern provinces to maintain close ties with
Belgrade without sacrificing Kosovo's territorial integrity.
The ultimate goal, he maintained, is the integration of the
northern provinces with Pristina in the near future without
the use of force or violence. He and the PM said that
President Topi's upcoming trip to Pristina would include
speeches urging calm among all parties and respect for
minority rights.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) The GOA has been a strong supporter of the U.S. and
Contact Group position on Kosovo. The PM and his ministers
have repeatedly stated publicly that the only feasible
solution for Kosovo is the Athisaari plan and have traveled
frequently to Kosovo to meet with Kosovar leaders and to urge
restraint. We are confident that they will continue their
support and moderating influence during the next few critical
months.
WITHERS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, BELGRADE ALSO FOR PODGORICA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA WILL CONTINUE TO HELP KEEP PEACE IN KOSOVO
REF: STATE 6162
Classified By: AMB. J.L. WITHERS II, REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) As instructed reftel, Ambassador Withers on January 22
urged Albania's continued constructive and stabilizing role
in the region with respect to the question of Kosovo's
independence in separate meetings with Prime Minister Berisha
and Foreign Minister Basha. He added that we are now
entering an extremely critical phase and the U.S. is counting
on Albania's help to minimize violence and publicly to
advocate respect for minority rights during the upcoming
transition period.
2. (C) Berisha promised to exert a positive and pacifying
influence in his interactions with Kosovar interlocutors. A
peaceful and stabilizing resolution of Kosovo's status, he
declared, is in Albania's interest. He committed to continue
working closely with the international community and the USG
to reach an outcome acceptable to all parties. Basha was
optimistic that the international community would find a way
for Kosovo's northern provinces to maintain close ties with
Belgrade without sacrificing Kosovo's territorial integrity.
The ultimate goal, he maintained, is the integration of the
northern provinces with Pristina in the near future without
the use of force or violence. He and the PM said that
President Topi's upcoming trip to Pristina would include
speeches urging calm among all parties and respect for
minority rights.
Comment
--------------
3. (C) The GOA has been a strong supporter of the U.S. and
Contact Group position on Kosovo. The PM and his ministers
have repeatedly stated publicly that the only feasible
solution for Kosovo is the Athisaari plan and have traveled
frequently to Kosovo to meet with Kosovar leaders and to urge
restraint. We are confident that they will continue their
support and moderating influence during the next few critical
months.
WITHERS