Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRISTINA398
2009-09-14 12:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:
KOSOVO: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER PROMISES PROTOCOL SUPPORT
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UNCLAS PRISTINA 000398
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER PROMISES PROTOCOL SUPPORT
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000398
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER PROMISES PROTOCOL SUPPORT
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) Kosovo Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, in a meeting with
the Ambassador on September 9, promised his support to reduce
political tensions over the EULEX-Serbia law enforcement protocol.
The Ambassador thanked Krasniqi for previous public comments the
Speaker made to reduce political volatility stirred up by
overwrought media coverage of the protocol. Krasniqi said the issue
should be settled between the Government of Kosovo (GOK) and EULEX
without interference from the Assembly or the distraction of a
parliamentary debate.
2. (SBU) The Ambassador told the Speaker that the protocol would not
infringe on Kosovo's independence and sovereignty. The greater risk
is that Pristina's dispute with EULEX over the protocol damages both
the GOK's reputation and Kosovo's interests in European capitals.
The Ambassador informed Krasniqi that we are working with the
government on public messaging to dampen emotions over the protocol
issue. If tensions remain high, we run the risk of roiling radicals
to act out and damage Kosovo's image in Europe. Krasniqi responded
that the government and EULEX should handle negotiations over the
protocol between themselves and agreed to keep the subject from
being debated within the Assembly. Krasniqi said he would consult
with parliamentary leaders and noted approvingly that Deputy Prime
Minister Kuci had already addressed two Assembly committees to
present the government's position regarding the law enforcement
protocol.
3. (U) Last week Krasniqi told media sources that the EULEX protocol
would be signed and defended the agreement as necessary for EULEX to
combat organized crime, smuggling, and trafficking, while furthering
efforts to restore the rule of law in the North. Krasniqi is the
only prominent GOK leader to date to voice support for the protocol.
The Speaker, a member of Prime Minister Thaci's ruling PDK, also
publicly criticized Thaci and President Sejdiu for mishandling the
protocol issue.
4. (SBU) Comment: The EULEX protocol continues to dominate local
media coverage, putting the government on the defensive. There are
currently no requests from MPs to debate the issue, but last week
the Assembly's Security Committee requested protocol-related
documents from both the government and EULEX, a possible prelude to
a full parliamentary debate. We know that Krasniqi's statesmanship
on the protocol comes as an order from the Prime Minister, and the
Speaker has risen to the occasion, taking a position that is
politically unpopular and demonstrating good cooperation in limiting
the damage that this negotiation sideshow might cause for Kosovo's
European aspirations. 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: ASSEMBLY SPEAKER PROMISES PROTOCOL SUPPORT
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) Kosovo Assembly Speaker Jakup Krasniqi, in a meeting with
the Ambassador on September 9, promised his support to reduce
political tensions over the EULEX-Serbia law enforcement protocol.
The Ambassador thanked Krasniqi for previous public comments the
Speaker made to reduce political volatility stirred up by
overwrought media coverage of the protocol. Krasniqi said the issue
should be settled between the Government of Kosovo (GOK) and EULEX
without interference from the Assembly or the distraction of a
parliamentary debate.
2. (SBU) The Ambassador told the Speaker that the protocol would not
infringe on Kosovo's independence and sovereignty. The greater risk
is that Pristina's dispute with EULEX over the protocol damages both
the GOK's reputation and Kosovo's interests in European capitals.
The Ambassador informed Krasniqi that we are working with the
government on public messaging to dampen emotions over the protocol
issue. If tensions remain high, we run the risk of roiling radicals
to act out and damage Kosovo's image in Europe. Krasniqi responded
that the government and EULEX should handle negotiations over the
protocol between themselves and agreed to keep the subject from
being debated within the Assembly. Krasniqi said he would consult
with parliamentary leaders and noted approvingly that Deputy Prime
Minister Kuci had already addressed two Assembly committees to
present the government's position regarding the law enforcement
protocol.
3. (U) Last week Krasniqi told media sources that the EULEX protocol
would be signed and defended the agreement as necessary for EULEX to
combat organized crime, smuggling, and trafficking, while furthering
efforts to restore the rule of law in the North. Krasniqi is the
only prominent GOK leader to date to voice support for the protocol.
The Speaker, a member of Prime Minister Thaci's ruling PDK, also
publicly criticized Thaci and President Sejdiu for mishandling the
protocol issue.
4. (SBU) Comment: The EULEX protocol continues to dominate local
media coverage, putting the government on the defensive. There are
currently no requests from MPs to debate the issue, but last week
the Assembly's Security Committee requested protocol-related
documents from both the government and EULEX, a possible prelude to
a full parliamentary debate. We know that Krasniqi's statesmanship
on the protocol comes as an order from the Prime Minister, and the
Speaker has risen to the occasion, taking a position that is
politically unpopular and demonstrating good cooperation in limiting
the damage that this negotiation sideshow might cause for Kosovo's
European aspirations. End Comment.
DELL