KOSOVO: AMBASSADOR MEETS OPPOSITION LEADER HARADINAJ

UNCLAS PRISTINA 000395 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KV SUBJECT: KOSOVO: AMBASSADOR MEETS OPPOSITION LEADER HARADINAJ SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador met with Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) party leader, and former prime minister, Ramush Haradinaj on September 9. The two discussed a range of international and domestic political issues in a frank and friendly exchange. Ambassador told Haradinaj that a key part of his agenda was supporting the further development of Kosovo's institutions and that in a democracy a constructive opposition was also a legitimate institution that should be given space to play an important role. That said, this also imposed a certain responsibility on the opposition not to play politics with matters of genuine national interest. The reaction to the now-famous EULEX protocol was just such an issue and Ambassador urged all the parties to frame their reactions within the context of furthering Kosovo's European ambitions. Ambassador told Haradinaj that we will work with both the GOK and the opposition to forge a new political consensus. STRAINED RELATIONS WITH ICR, MOST PARTY LEADERS -------------- -- ¶2. (SBU) Haradinaj offered his cooperation, saying that the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo has an important role to play in Pristina and that "we look to you to guide us." The former prime minister said his party had been unsuccessful in its efforts to contribute to the country's political process in a cooperative way. Haradinaj said he had tried to be supportive but contended that he has failed in his dealings with International Civilian Representative (ICR) and EU Special Representative Pieter Feith. ¶3. (SBU) Haradinaj discussed relations with his political rivals: "poor" with Prime Minister Thaci, "correct" with President Sejdiu, and "problematic" with New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) party leader Behghet Pacolli and Democratic League of Dardania (LDD) party leader Nexhat Daci. He recounted his unsuccessful efforts earlier in the year to "invite" LDK MPs to leave the governing coalition and join AAK, and his more recent difficulties trying to broker an alliance with LDD. Haradinaj concluded by saying, "we failed to do great things," and claimed that AAK now has no political objectives in the Assembly until after the November 15 municipal elections. (Note: AAK is the largest, best-organized and most coherent opposition party in the Kosovo Assembly but its block of 14 MPs is too small to challenge the government on most legislative issues. End Note) AAK SHIFTS FOCUS FROM NATIONAL TO LOCAL ELECTIONS -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Haradinaj told Ambassador that AAK's prior political strategy had been predicated on contesting the ruling coalition in early national elections this year. Now the party is focusing on preparations for local elections in November and eyeing national elections in 2011. He said AAK is currently not ready to take power. At the same time, Haradinaj's analysis of the current governing coalition paints a picture of instability leading to "disaffected" PDK and LDK MPs who are defecting from their parties. Ambassador encouraged Haradinaj to use the upcoming municipal elections to shape AAK's political message in preparation for national elections in 2011. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Haradinaj was less than genuine in describing AAK's political machinations over the past year as "cooperative." However, the relaxed meeting--complete with mutual reminiscing from Ambassador's prior posting in Pristina-- revitalized our relationship with Kosovo's leading opposition figure. With Kosovo at a delicate point in its relations with Europe, Pristina's politicians must work together to avoid Belgrade's traps and European prejudices in order to advance the country's interests. Haradinaj seems to have taken the message on board, at least to the extent of refusing to comment on the protocol when questioned by the press after the meeting. End Comment. DELL