C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000227

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS FOR EUR/SCE/PFEUFFERP,
EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/18/2019
TAGS: PREL UNGA AORC BX
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE RESPONSE: KOSOVO RECOGNITION

REF: SECSTATE 94939

Classified By: Charge d' Affaires McIntyre for Reasons 1.4 (b and b)


1. (C) Charge d' Affaires (CDA) delivered reftel demarche to
Florence Chong, Director, International Organizations,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). CDA urged
Brunei to meet with Kosovo's UN delegation on the margins of
the UNGA, in addition to continuing to urge Brunei to
formally recognize Kosovo's independence. Ms. Chong did not
indicate if the Government of Brunei (GoB) would be willing
to met with Kosovo's UN delegation nor if there is any
changes in Brunei's current position of not recognizing
Kosovo as a sovereign nation.


2. (C) COMMENT: Brunei will likely follow the majority
opinion of other ASEAN nations regarding recognition of
Kosovo. However, Brunei membership in the Organization of
Islamic Conference (OIC) and the growing number of OIC member
states recognizing Kosovo's independence could serve as
positive talking points in possible discussions. The GoB will
likely not/not change its policy in the near term but
depending on regional and OIC positions, there is hope for
future recognition. End Comment.

MCINTYRE