Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SOFIA11
2009-01-09 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Sofia
Cable title:
BULGARIA: RECENT VIOLENCE IN KOSOVO A SERBIAN
how-toVZCZCXRO3302 PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHSF #0011 0091423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091423Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SOFIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5685 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
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).
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
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