BOSNIA: MFA TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO BIH

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 000232 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE AND ACE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PREL KVIR BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA: MFA TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATION TO BIH PRESIDENCY ON KOSOVO TRAVEL DOCS REF: A. SECSTATE 14568 ¶B. SARAJEVO 224 ¶1. Per ref A request, DCM and ECONOFF met with Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Trisic-Babic on February 24 to discuss Kosovo official travel access to BiH for Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) meetings. Although Bosnia has not officially recognized Kosovo independence, Kosovo officials had been successfully traveling to RCC events in Sarajevo on UNMIK passports. However, on February 19, officials were refused entry to Bosnia in Vienna on their way to a RCC National Coordinator's meeting (ref B). Trisic-Babic was familiar with the larger issue of recognition of Kosovo travel documents, but had not heard of the incident in Vienna, although she promised to follow up. She was surprised to hear there had been a problem as she understood BiH still accepted UNMIK passports. DCM stressed the importance of resolving the issue before the next RCC board meeting on March 5. ¶2. Trisic-Babic explained that the MFA is currently tasked with preparing a report to the BiH Presidency detailing the Kosovo travel document issue and providing a course of action and recommendations. She personally supports an approach similar to the "Greek" model where Kosovo officials traveling for RCC business could receive a special permit or other form of travel document outside their passports. Trisic-Babic mentioned that Minister Alkalaj had already sent something to the BiH Presidency in this regard, but it was "foggy" and did not clearly represent the situation and explain a course of action. She noted that it also confused the issue by including a lot of other Kosovo-related questions, such as the recognition of Kosovo university diplomas. Therefore, the International/Consular Division of the MFA is preparing an options paper focused solely on the travel document question. The paper will offer several possible mechanisms for resolving the issue, including the "Greek" model. DCM stressed the need for a long-term resolution, especially in light of the termination of UNMIK passports in April. Trisic-Babic said that she fully supports regional coperation efforts and understands that BiH has an obligation to resolve the Kosovo travel question. ENGLISH