Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ZAGREB116
2008-02-22 09:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Zagreb
Cable title:
MGKV01: CROATIA AND RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
how-toVZCZCXRO4576 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHVB #0116 0530924 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 220924Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ZAGREB TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8591 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000116
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR U/S BURNS, EUR FOR A/S FRIED AND DAS DICARLO
FROM THE AMBASSADOR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR KV
SUBJECT: MGKV01: CROATIA AND RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
REF: ZAGREB 112
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT A. BRADTKE FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D
C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000116
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR U/S BURNS, EUR FOR A/S FRIED AND DAS DICARLO
FROM THE AMBASSADOR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR KV
SUBJECT: MGKV01: CROATIA AND RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
REF: ZAGREB 112
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT A. BRADTKE FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D
1. (C) The Croatian Government, at the highest levels, has
confirmed that it will recognize Kosovo. In meetings on
February 21 with Codel Tanner, President Mesic and Prime
Minister Sanader stated that CROATIA would recognize Kosovo,
but both said that CROATIA would not be among the first
countries to recognize and would wait until a majority of EU
countries had formally done so. Mesic and Sanader noted the
complex history of Croatia's relations with Serbia, and
Sanader stressed that CROATIA wanted to keep open lines of
communication to Serbia.
2. (C) In a separate conversation with me later on February
21, Milorad Pupovac, the most prominent leader of Croatia's
Serbs, argued passionately for a brief waiting period before
recognition. "Croatia is not Costa Rica," Pupovac said.
Croatia was Serbia's neighbor, and memories of the 1990's
were still fresh. Premature recognition of Kosovo could risk
setting back a decade of progress towards reconcilation not
only between Serbia and CROATIA but also between Croats and
Serbs inside Croatia.
3. (C) Based upon Mesic's and Sanader's assurances, I am
convinced CROATIA will recognize Kosovo within the next few
weeks. I strongly believe, however, that we should allow
them some space to manage the precise timing.
Bradtke
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR U/S BURNS, EUR FOR A/S FRIED AND DAS DICARLO
FROM THE AMBASSADOR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/21/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR KV
SUBJECT: MGKV01: CROATIA AND RECOGNITION OF KOSOVO
REF: ZAGREB 112
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROBERT A. BRADTKE FOR REASONS 1.4 B/D
1. (C) The Croatian Government, at the highest levels, has
confirmed that it will recognize Kosovo. In meetings on
February 21 with Codel Tanner, President Mesic and Prime
Minister Sanader stated that CROATIA would recognize Kosovo,
but both said that CROATIA would not be among the first
countries to recognize and would wait until a majority of EU
countries had formally done so. Mesic and Sanader noted the
complex history of Croatia's relations with Serbia, and
Sanader stressed that CROATIA wanted to keep open lines of
communication to Serbia.
2. (C) In a separate conversation with me later on February
21, Milorad Pupovac, the most prominent leader of Croatia's
Serbs, argued passionately for a brief waiting period before
recognition. "Croatia is not Costa Rica," Pupovac said.
Croatia was Serbia's neighbor, and memories of the 1990's
were still fresh. Premature recognition of Kosovo could risk
setting back a decade of progress towards reconcilation not
only between Serbia and CROATIA but also between Croats and
Serbs inside Croatia.
3. (C) Based upon Mesic's and Sanader's assurances, I am
convinced CROATIA will recognize Kosovo within the next few
weeks. I strongly believe, however, that we should allow
them some space to manage the precise timing.
Bradtke