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