ALBANIAN-SPONSORED DRAFT RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO

C O N F I D E N T I A L JEDDAH 000166 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SE (SHIRATORI),IO (AMORRISON),NEA/ELA, INFO NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2014 TAGS: EAID KISL OFDP OVIP PREL SA KO XF SUBJECT: ALBANIAN-SPONSORED DRAFT RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION MOVES TO OIC MINISTERIAL IN DAMASCUS DESPITE REPORTED LAST-MINUTE EGYPTIAN ATTEMPT TO DILUTE TEXT REF: A. JEDDAH 0165 ¶B. JEDDAH 0163 ¶C. RIYADH 0588 ¶D. RIYADH 0590 ¶E. 08 JEDDAH 0417 Classified By: Consul General Martin R. Quinn for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. The Albanian ambassador in Riyadh and representative to the OIC reported that his country's draft resolution on Kosovo recognition is moving forward to the Damascus ministerial despite a last-minute Egyptian attempt to modify and dilute the text. The Kosovo issue will be raised and discussed again at the OIC ministerial in Damascus, May 23-25. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) In May 7-8 telcons, the Albanian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Admirim Banaj, reported that "the resolution on Kosovo was passed in principle" on May 6 at the OIC preparatory meeting in Jeddah. He said that only the Egyptians, in a last minute effort, proposed text "alterations that practically devaluate the very essence of the resolution." In order to maintain momentum, Banaj said he declined to deal further with Egypt, with the result that "the battle will remain open" for the May 23-25 Damascus ministerial, where the resolution will be raised and re-discussed. The existing draft text along with Egypt's proposed alterations, as a separate document, will be passed to the ministerial. ¶3. (C) Banaj was clearly pleased that no other country came to Egypt's side in opposing the draft resolution -- not Iran, not Syria -- at the final preparatory session. He commented that the Syrian chairman was actually "sharp" about holding firm and refusing the Egyptian approach to re-open debate. According to Banaj, the Egyptians typically do not get out in front on issues at OIC, but in this instance seemed to have panicked at the eleventh hour when they saw that the resolution was being finalized. He had no further insight into Egyptian motivation to obstruct beyond what was reported in reftels A and B. Banaj did describe what he saw as a "silent solidarity" between Russia and the former Soviet republic member states at OIC. ¶4. (C) Reflecting on OIC internal processes, Banaj emphasized that the OIC needs all member states on board in order to pass a resolution and that the opposition of even a single country is an effective block to any resolution. The need to create and to operate from consensus is paramount at the organization. When differences between any two OIC member states occur, a committee is formed to influence both sides toward achieving consensus. Banaj thought it would be hard for Egypt to find adherents to its position at this stage, but frankly expects some Egyptian lobbying attempt to whittle away at the consensus in the two weeks before the Damascus ministerial convenes. ¶5. (C) Banaj said he hoped that the Kosovo recognition issue would not be "hot" in Damascus since the pattern seems to be for OIC ministerials to proceed smoothly with minimal contention. As a practical matter, Banaj expects to be part of Albania's delegation although he said he has not yet received confirmation of his participation from Tirana. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: Post will continue to monitor and report further developments. QUINN