ENGAGING WITH STATES ON ICJ ADVISORY OPINION ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 000301 SIPDIS EUR/SCE FOR P. PFEUFFER AND S. SHIRATORI E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2019 TAGS: AORC PREL ICJ KV GT SUBJECT: ENGAGING WITH STATES ON ICJ ADVISORY OPINION ON KOSOVO'S INDEPENDENCE DECLARATION: GUATEMALAN RESPONSE REF: SECSTATE 29385 Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Drew Blakeney for reasons 1.4 (b&d). ¶1. (U) Pol/Econ Counselor made reftel demarche March 31 to Julio Martini, Director General for Multilateral Affairs of the Guatemalan MFA. Martini said he understood that Guatemala would not file a brief with the ICJ on Kosovo, but noted that Vice Foreign Minister Lars Pira, who has the MFA lead on Kosovo, would have the final word on the matter. He noted that there has been no evolution of Guatemala's position, i.e., Guatemala has no plans to recognize Kosovo. ¶2. (C) Comment: Embassy believes that Guatemala probably will not file a brief on Kosovo with the ICJ. However, we prefer not to confirm that with VFM Pira, who favors the Russian position on Kosovo and Serbia, because our inquiry could spur him to action. McFarland