Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BANDARSERIBEGAWAN31
2009-02-13 08:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Cable title:
BRUNEI STILL CONSIDERING KOSOVO RECOGNITION
how-toR 130838Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4434 INFO ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE ISLAMIC COLLECTIVE CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000031
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (SHIRATORIS/TOMLYANOVICHW)
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ICJ KVIR AORC BX
SUBJECT: BRUNEI STILL CONSIDERING KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: STATE 11928
Classified By: DCM John McIntyre for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000031
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (SHIRATORIS/TOMLYANOVICHW)
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ICJ KVIR AORC BX
SUBJECT: BRUNEI STILL CONSIDERING KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: STATE 11928
Classified By: DCM John McIntyre for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1) (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Todd and DCM McIntyre have
brought the matter of recognition to GoB officials repeatedly
over the past few months. Ambassador Todd will be speaking
with Deputy Foreign Minister Pehin Lim Jock Seng next week
and demarche points will be delivered. Post will report via
SepTel. Brunei is still considering recognizing Kosovo's
independence but will likely not do so in the near future.
End Summary
LIMITED RESPONSE FROM OTHER MISSIONS
--------------
2) (C) DCM approached the British, French, German, and
Australian embassies to determine if they would wish to
conduct joint demarches. The British noted that Pehin Lim
had already been demarched during his recent visit to London
and had stated that Brunei is considering the issue but is
awaiting the results of the ICJ tribunal. The British did
emphasis similar points as reftel concerning the ICJ but to
no avail. The German, French, and Australians have so far not
given any indication they would be willing to conduct a joint
demarche.
KOSOVAR IN BRUNEI
--------------
3) (C) The issue of Kosovar recognition is also one that
Embassy Brunei personnel are facing. The spouse of the DCM is
a Kosovar citizen. We believe she is the only Kosovar in
Brunei and GoB officials we have spoken to agree. The issue
of recognition of Kosovo has also arisen in the context of
diplomatic visa placed in a Kosovar passport. GoB officials
are currently deciding how to issue a diplomatic visa to a
Kosovar possessing a Kosovar passport. (NOTE: Previously the
diplomatic visa was issued in an UNMIK travel document which
will expire in June, 2009. End Note.) GoB officials, to
date, have not given the embassy a formal response on how the
visa will be issued.
COMMENT
--------------
4) (C) It is unlikely the GoB will move from its current
position on Kosovo independence. Even with Malaysia's recent
recognition of Kosovo, the consensus opinion of Embassy and
the broader diplomatic community in Brunei is that the GoB
will wait till more OIC members recognize Kosovo and/or for
the results of the ICJ advisory opinion. In addition, given
the GoB cautious response to the relatively simple issue of
issuing a diplomatic visa to a Kosovar, this is another
indication that the GoB is not prepared, at this time, to
recognize Kosovo's independence. End Comment
TODD
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE (SHIRATORIS/TOMLYANOVICHW)
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS/COPPOLAMG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/13/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV ICJ KVIR AORC BX
SUBJECT: BRUNEI STILL CONSIDERING KOSOVO RECOGNITION
REF: STATE 11928
Classified By: DCM John McIntyre for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1) (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador Todd and DCM McIntyre have
brought the matter of recognition to GoB officials repeatedly
over the past few months. Ambassador Todd will be speaking
with Deputy Foreign Minister Pehin Lim Jock Seng next week
and demarche points will be delivered. Post will report via
SepTel. Brunei is still considering recognizing Kosovo's
independence but will likely not do so in the near future.
End Summary
LIMITED RESPONSE FROM OTHER MISSIONS
--------------
2) (C) DCM approached the British, French, German, and
Australian embassies to determine if they would wish to
conduct joint demarches. The British noted that Pehin Lim
had already been demarched during his recent visit to London
and had stated that Brunei is considering the issue but is
awaiting the results of the ICJ tribunal. The British did
emphasis similar points as reftel concerning the ICJ but to
no avail. The German, French, and Australians have so far not
given any indication they would be willing to conduct a joint
demarche.
KOSOVAR IN BRUNEI
--------------
3) (C) The issue of Kosovar recognition is also one that
Embassy Brunei personnel are facing. The spouse of the DCM is
a Kosovar citizen. We believe she is the only Kosovar in
Brunei and GoB officials we have spoken to agree. The issue
of recognition of Kosovo has also arisen in the context of
diplomatic visa placed in a Kosovar passport. GoB officials
are currently deciding how to issue a diplomatic visa to a
Kosovar possessing a Kosovar passport. (NOTE: Previously the
diplomatic visa was issued in an UNMIK travel document which
will expire in June, 2009. End Note.) GoB officials, to
date, have not given the embassy a formal response on how the
visa will be issued.
COMMENT
--------------
4) (C) It is unlikely the GoB will move from its current
position on Kosovo independence. Even with Malaysia's recent
recognition of Kosovo, the consensus opinion of Embassy and
the broader diplomatic community in Brunei is that the GoB
will wait till more OIC members recognize Kosovo and/or for
the results of the ICJ advisory opinion. In addition, given
the GoB cautious response to the relatively simple issue of
issuing a diplomatic visa to a Kosovar, this is another
indication that the GoB is not prepared, at this time, to
recognize Kosovo's independence. End Comment
TODD