KOSOVO DEMARCHE TO CHILE WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000125 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/SCE SHIRATORI AND TOMLYANOVICH E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2019 TAGS: PREL AORC ICJ KV CI SUBJECT: KOSOVO DEMARCHE TO CHILE WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE REF: A. STATE 11928 ¶B. 08 SANTIAGO 907 ¶C. 08 SANTIAGO 843 ¶D. 08 SANTIAGO 779 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Political Officer Jennifer Spande for reason 1.4 (b) (C) Post believes that another approach to Chile asking them to recognize Kosovo would be counterproductive at this time. During several conversations on this topic over the past year, including at the Ambassadorial level, Chilean Foreign Ministry officials made it clear that they are unlikely to reconsider their decision. Chile rejects the U.S. view that Kosovo is a unique situation and worries that Kosovo's decision to break away could encourage other regions to take the same action. Indeed MFA European Affairs Deputy Director Eduardo Schott told poloffs that Kosovo's independence made it easier for South Ossetia and Abkhazia's bids for independence. SIMONS