Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRISTINA395
2009-09-11 15:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:
KOSOVO: AMBASSADOR MEETS OPPOSITION LEADER HARADINAJ
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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
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
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