UK PREFERS "CONDITIONS BASED" KFOR DRAWDOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 000744 FOR EUR/RPM DAVY AND EUR/WE E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2019 TAGS: MARR PREL UK NATO KPKO KV SUBJECT: UK PREFERS "CONDITIONS BASED" KFOR DRAWDOWN REF: STATE 26179 Classified By: Political Counselor Richard M. Mills for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) HMG agrees that the unpredictable security situation in Kosovo warrants a "robust" KFOR presence, properly resourced and staffed to ensure the continued success of an independent Kosovo. According to FCO NATO Team Leader Omar Daair, the UK concurs with U.S. view expressed reftel that we are "in together, out together" as an alliance in Kosovo. He said that the recent UK decision to draw down its presence in KFOR was taken after SACEUR suggested that the "type and size" of the British military component was no longer required. Daair underlined that the decision in no way reflected a change in UK thinking about the necessity for KFOR's mission. ¶2. (C) The UK's support for French position on reviewing the KFOR posture reflects only a need to "establish benchmarks and plans for future requirements" for KFOR's mission, according to Daair. He said KFOR's posture should only be adjusted after careful consideration of the many conditions influencing the security situation in Kosovo, but especially the efficacy of the EULEX mission and its ability to help maintain stability. Visit London's Classified Website: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom LEBARON