Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JEDDAH166
2009-05-08 13:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jeddah
Cable title:
ALBANIAN-SPONSORED DRAFT RESOLUTION ON KOSOVO
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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)
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
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