JAPAN'S VIEWS ON RESOLVING KOSOVO'S STATUS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 000104 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/10/2018 TAGS: PREL UNMIK PGOV EU JA SUBJECT: JAPAN'S VIEWS ON RESOLVING KOSOVO'S STATUS IN EARLY 2008 REF: SECSTATE 01087 Classified By: Charge D' Affaires Joseph R. Donovan for reasons 1. 4 (b ) and (d). ¶1. (C) Embassy Tokyo's Political Minister Counselor delivered the message regarding resolving Kosovo's status in early 2008 (reftel) to Ministry of Foreign Affairs European Affairs Bureau Deputy Director General Etsuro Honda on January 9. Japan shares the hope for a successful and peaceful outcome in Kosovo, understands the U.S. position and appreciates United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) efforts to lead negotiations, Honda said. It is regrettable the negotiations appear to have ended in failure and it is important to prevent a declaration of independence from leading to instability. Japan has not reached a decision on whether it will recognize Kosovo if it declares independence and will closely monitor the international community's reaction if the declaration occurs. Japan shares the international community's goal for stability in Kosovo and agrees that the rights of minority groups living in Kosovo need to be protected, Honda added. DONOVAN