KUWAIT SUPPORTIVE OF KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 000134 SIPDIS NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/14/2018 TAGS: PREL AORC KU KV SUBJECT: KUWAIT SUPPORTIVE OF KOSOVO INDEPENDENCE, BUT CONTINUES TO AWAIT GCC CONSENSUS BEFORE OFFERING RECOGNITION REF: A. STATE 11928 ¶B. 08 KUWAIT 1040 Classified By: Political Counselor Pete O'Donohue for reasons 1.4 b and d ¶1. (U) This is an action request (para 5). ¶2. (C) POLCOUNS on February 12 delivered reftel points encouraging Kuwait to support Kosovo recognition to MFA Europe Department desk officer for Kosovo, Bosnia and Serbia, Zaid Al-Harb, in the absence of a more senior MFA interlocutor. In response, Al-Harb acknowledged that, during its year of self-declared independence, Kosovo has made notable progress in developing the institutions of a fully-functioning independent state and that general recognition of Kosovo's independence would be key to helping the states of the former Yugoslavia move forward. At the same time, Al-Harb noted that it is incumbent on a small state like Kuwait to move cautiously on this issue. In any event, the GOK feels it must await the development of a consensus of GCC or Islamic Conference (OIC) states before it can declare categorical support. Al-Harb noted that Kosovo has only been independent for one year, and that garnering the open support of additional states will take time. ¶3. (C) Al-Harb also acknowledged that the GOK has been pressured by the Serbs and Russians not to acknowledge Kosovo's independence. He implied that, while the GOK will not be dissuaded in the long term from supporting Kosovo as part of an OIC consensus, it does not see it in its interest to ruffle Serb or Russian feathers by precipitate recognition; much better to await an Arab consensus and seek safety in numbers. ¶4. (C) Al-Harb urged the USG to continue raising this issue with other GCC and OIC states by way of promoting consensus. He also requested specifics on which countries have already recognized Kosovo and which additional countries appear to be inclined to move towards such recognition. POLCOUNS said he would seek to provide this information. ¶5. (C) Please advise on response to GOK request for an updated list of states that have recognized Kosovo. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES