Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VALLETTA270
2008-07-03 13:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Valletta
Cable title:
MALTA: LATEST ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
how-toVZCZCXRO9276 OO RUEHAG RUEHROV DE RUEHVT #0270 1851312 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031312Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY VALLETTA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1640 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES IMMEDIATE RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO IMMEDIATE 0055 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 0020 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0028
C O N F I D E N T I A L VALLETTA 000270
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK KPKO MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: LATEST ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. STATE 69691
B. VALLETTA 227
. VALLETTA 0056
D. STATE 13716
E. 07VALLETTA 470
Classified By: DCM Jason Davis, resons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L VALLETTA 000270
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK KPKO MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: LATEST ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. STATE 69691
B. VALLETTA 227
. VALLETTA 0056
D. STATE 13716
E. 07VALLETTA 470
Classified By: DCM Jason Davis, resons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) In a July 1 working unch with Foreign Minister Tonio
Borg and the mebers of the Maltese Parliament's European and
Foeign Affairs Committee, Ambassador Bordonaro drew n Ref A
talking points to urge that Malta recognze Kosovo at the
earliest opportunity.
2. (C) M Borg responded that Kosovo was at the top of his
briefing agenda for the Committee's meeting on Jly 7, the
first Committee meeting since the new arliament was elected
in March. When the Ambassaor asked the assembled members of
the committee hw they expected to respond to the briefing,
membrs from both parties indicated that they would be in
listening mode. The general consensus of the Committee
members was that the discussion should focus on preserving
regional stability. The Labor parliamentarians were a bit
reticent to speak out on the subject before the briefing.
They pointed out, however, the decision on recognition does
not require approval by the Committee -- that is in the hands
of the government.
3. (C) Following the meeting, European and Foreign Affairs
Committee Chairman Michael Frendo pulled the Ambassador aside
to tell her "don't worry, this is going to happen." Walking
out the door, Frendo said only half jokingly that a decision
on recognition was not made before the March elections
because the election was certain to be exceedingly close, and
it was not inconceivable that the outcome could have been
influenced by the relatively large number of Maltese who have
Serbian spouses (whereas there are virtually no Maltese who
are married to Kosovars or Albanians.)
BORDONARO
SIPDIS
EUR/SCE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UN UNMIK KPKO MT
SUBJECT: MALTA: LATEST ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: A. STATE 69691
B. VALLETTA 227
. VALLETTA 0056
D. STATE 13716
E. 07VALLETTA 470
Classified By: DCM Jason Davis, resons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (U) In a July 1 working unch with Foreign Minister Tonio
Borg and the mebers of the Maltese Parliament's European and
Foeign Affairs Committee, Ambassador Bordonaro drew n Ref A
talking points to urge that Malta recognze Kosovo at the
earliest opportunity.
2. (C) M Borg responded that Kosovo was at the top of his
briefing agenda for the Committee's meeting on Jly 7, the
first Committee meeting since the new arliament was elected
in March. When the Ambassaor asked the assembled members of
the committee hw they expected to respond to the briefing,
membrs from both parties indicated that they would be in
listening mode. The general consensus of the Committee
members was that the discussion should focus on preserving
regional stability. The Labor parliamentarians were a bit
reticent to speak out on the subject before the briefing.
They pointed out, however, the decision on recognition does
not require approval by the Committee -- that is in the hands
of the government.
3. (C) Following the meeting, European and Foreign Affairs
Committee Chairman Michael Frendo pulled the Ambassador aside
to tell her "don't worry, this is going to happen." Walking
out the door, Frendo said only half jokingly that a decision
on recognition was not made before the March elections
because the election was certain to be exceedingly close, and
it was not inconceivable that the outcome could have been
influenced by the relatively large number of Maltese who have
Serbian spouses (whereas there are virtually no Maltese who
are married to Kosovars or Albanians.)
BORDONARO