Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRISTINA531
2009-12-01 16:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Pristina
Cable title:
KOSOVO READY TO SUPPORT AF-PAK POLICY IN WORD AND DEED
how-toVZCZCXRO4322 OO RUEHIK DE RUEHPS #0531 3351613 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 011613Z DEC 09 FM AMEMBASSY PRISTINA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9518 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1283 RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1820 RHFMIUU/AFSOUTH NAPLES IT RHMFISS/CDR TF FALCON RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEPGEA/CDR650THMIGP SHAPE BE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC RHMFIUU/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RUZEJAA/USNIC PRISTINA SR
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000531
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR SCA, EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO READY TO SUPPORT AF-PAK POLICY IN WORD AND DEED
REF: STATE 122731
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
UNCLAS PRISTINA 000531
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR SCA, EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO READY TO SUPPORT AF-PAK POLICY IN WORD AND DEED
REF: STATE 122731
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires Michael Murphy met Kosovo President
Fatmir Sejdiu Tuesday, December 1 to preview the main thrust of
President Obama's announcement on the way forward for Afghanistan
and Pakistan and to seek his support (reftel). The Charge noted
that the main U.S. goal for the region remains the same as President
Obama articulated March 27, namely, "to disrupt, dismantle and
defeat Al-Qaeda and to present their return to Afghanistan or
Pakistan in the future." He noted that the international military
mission in Afghanistan would be narrow, time-limited and clearly
defined, and that training would be accelerated so that Afghan
forces could take the lead in securing their country. The Charge
promised to deliver a copy of President Obama's speech to President
Sejdiu as soon as it was available, and asked the President for
Kosovo's support for President Obama's approach.
SEJDIU PLEDGES KOSOVO'S SUPPORT FOR U.S. APPROACH
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) President Sejdiu expressed his gratitude to the Charge for
the meeting, and said that he was honored by the request for
Kosovo's support for U.S. plans in Afghanistan. He said that he
would raise the issue with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and
the two would most likely issue a joint statement of support for the
U.S. approach Wednesday, December 2. (Note: In a telcon the Charge
held with Prime Minister Thaci later in the day, Thaci echoed the
President's willingness to issue a joint statement in support of
President Obama's position. End note)
...AND ITS READINESS TO CONTRIBUTE
--------------
3. (SBU) In addition to his statement of support, President Sejdiu
noted Kosovo's willingness to make substantive contributions as
well. He said that he had told NATO SYG Rasmussen, during the
latter's visit to Kosovo earlier this year, that Kosovo was prepared
to contribute a small number of personnel to the Afghan effort.
These personnel could take part in NATO's Afghan mission within the
bounds of the Kosovo Security Force's (KSF) civil defense tasks.
Sejdiu said he was prepared to visit NATO Headquarters in Brussels,
together with the Commander of the KSF, General Sylejman Selimi, to
discuss the possibilities for such a contribution, adding that he
had passed this message to Brussels via Albania's PermRep to NATO,
who had accompanied the Albanian Foreign Minister on a recent visit
to Kosovo.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Kosovo's leaders are foursquare behind U.S. policy for
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and are prepared to match supportive
statements with tangible contributions. We leave it to experts in
NATO and in Washington to determine if a Kosovo contribution of
manpower makes sense. That said, we are encouraged that Kosovo,
which benefits from a stabilizing NATO troop presence, is willing to
contribute to peacekeeping efforts itself.
MURPHY
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
DEPT FOR SCA, EUR/SCE, EUR/PGI, INL, DRL, PRM, USAID
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO READY TO SUPPORT AF-PAK POLICY IN WORD AND DEED
REF: STATE 122731
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY
1. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires Michael Murphy met Kosovo President
Fatmir Sejdiu Tuesday, December 1 to preview the main thrust of
President Obama's announcement on the way forward for Afghanistan
and Pakistan and to seek his support (reftel). The Charge noted
that the main U.S. goal for the region remains the same as President
Obama articulated March 27, namely, "to disrupt, dismantle and
defeat Al-Qaeda and to present their return to Afghanistan or
Pakistan in the future." He noted that the international military
mission in Afghanistan would be narrow, time-limited and clearly
defined, and that training would be accelerated so that Afghan
forces could take the lead in securing their country. The Charge
promised to deliver a copy of President Obama's speech to President
Sejdiu as soon as it was available, and asked the President for
Kosovo's support for President Obama's approach.
SEJDIU PLEDGES KOSOVO'S SUPPORT FOR U.S. APPROACH
-------------- --------------
2. (SBU) President Sejdiu expressed his gratitude to the Charge for
the meeting, and said that he was honored by the request for
Kosovo's support for U.S. plans in Afghanistan. He said that he
would raise the issue with Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci and
the two would most likely issue a joint statement of support for the
U.S. approach Wednesday, December 2. (Note: In a telcon the Charge
held with Prime Minister Thaci later in the day, Thaci echoed the
President's willingness to issue a joint statement in support of
President Obama's position. End note)
...AND ITS READINESS TO CONTRIBUTE
--------------
3. (SBU) In addition to his statement of support, President Sejdiu
noted Kosovo's willingness to make substantive contributions as
well. He said that he had told NATO SYG Rasmussen, during the
latter's visit to Kosovo earlier this year, that Kosovo was prepared
to contribute a small number of personnel to the Afghan effort.
These personnel could take part in NATO's Afghan mission within the
bounds of the Kosovo Security Force's (KSF) civil defense tasks.
Sejdiu said he was prepared to visit NATO Headquarters in Brussels,
together with the Commander of the KSF, General Sylejman Selimi, to
discuss the possibilities for such a contribution, adding that he
had passed this message to Brussels via Albania's PermRep to NATO,
who had accompanied the Albanian Foreign Minister on a recent visit
to Kosovo.
COMMENT
--------------
4. (SBU) Kosovo's leaders are foursquare behind U.S. policy for
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and are prepared to match supportive
statements with tangible contributions. We leave it to experts in
NATO and in Washington to determine if a Kosovo contribution of
manpower makes sense. That said, we are encouraged that Kosovo,
which benefits from a stabilizing NATO troop presence, is willing to
contribute to peacekeeping efforts itself.
MURPHY