BULGARIA: RECENT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO A SERBIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000011 SIPDIS PASS TO EUR/CE TOM YEAGER PASS TO EUR/SCE E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/09/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV SR KV BU SUBJECT: BULGARIA: RECENT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO A SERBIAN TEST OF EULEX Classified By: DCM Alex Karagiannis for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Bulgaria views the recent outbreak of violence between Kosovar Serbs and Kosovar Albanians in Mitrovica as a Serbian test of EULEX. According to MFA Head of Western Balkans Krasimir Tulechki, the recent events are another example of "Belgrade provoking Pristina." Tulechki noted that although the recent violence was not serious, EULEX was still "incapable of controlling the situation" and needed more time to develop its capacity and strength. Tulechki also asserted that the "Belgrade propaganda machine is in full gear," and suggested that Belgrade sought to make EULEX feel guilty about its response to the recent incidents. Tulechki dismissed Belgrade's claims that there is a power vacuum under EULEX. ¶2. (C) Tulechki stated that although President Tadic would like to be seen as the "only choice" for Europeans who want to hold a pro-West dialog, the Bulgarian government believes there are more pro-Europe/EU/NATO Serbs (among politicians, parties, and ordinary citizens) than generally assumed. Tulechki also provided a quick scoresheet on how Bulgaria view assesses Belgrade's relations with its neighbors: -- Romania is a "friend" because it did not recognize Kosovo; -- Hungary is a country with which Serbia can have "friendly ties," because although Budapest recognized Kosovo, Hungary has its own ethnic minority issues and it maintains a robust economic relationship with Serbia. -- Bulgaria is more complicated. Tulechki said Serbia views itself as having only "positive ties" with Bulgaria after Sofia's recognition of Kosovo, something "that will never be forgotten" in Belgrade. McEldowney