Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE10431
2009-02-04 23:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO REPORT BY HOM
how-toVZCZCXRO3268 OO RUEHAST RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHMRE RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSR DE RUEHC #0431 0352345 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O R 042336Z FEB 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE IMMEDIATE 7526 INFO ORG FOR SECURITY CO OP IN EUR COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS STATE 010431
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL KV
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO REPORT BY HOM
KOSOVO, AMBASSADOR WERNER ALMHOFER
UNCLAS STATE 010431
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL KV
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO REPORT BY HOM
KOSOVO, AMBASSADOR WERNER ALMHOFER
1. Post is authorized to present the following statement at
the February 5, 2009 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
The United States joins other delegations in welcoming the
Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner
Almhofer.
As your comprehensive report shows, major transitions are
still underway in Kosovo. These transitions present
challenges for the international community and demand that
our respective roles continue to adapt and evolve.
The successful and peaceful deployment of EULEX throughout
Kosovo is a significant achievement that could not have been
possible without the constructive participation of all
stakeholders.
The recent transition from the Kosovo Protection Corps to the
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has been largely trouble-free,
and is another step in the right direction.
The engagement of the Serbian community in Kosovo's politics
and municipal administrations is a critical element for the
development of a prosperous, multi-ethnic, democratic state
that also simply makes life better for Kosovo Serbs by
improving local governance and services. We hope Belgrade
will work in good faith to encourage and foster practical
cooperation with the Kosovo authorities and the international
community and to support pragmatic solutions on topics
including public services, property claims, and protection of
cultural and religious heritage.
The United States continues to believe that OMiK serves vital
functions in Kosovo; at the same time, we have some concerns
about possible duplicative activities of the international
organizations in Kosovo, and believe that OMiK could be
reduced without compromising its mission. Now is a good time
to look at things from a fresh perspective to ensure that the
Mission's activities are complementary with those of other
organizations and are focused in areas where the OSCE has
proven competency. We would welcome your views on areas
where you think OMiK's activities could be streamlined or
improved.
As your report notes, 54 UN member states have now recognized
Kosovo, including a majority of OSCE participating States,
and the European Commission has pledged significant resources
to help strengthen institutions and improve social and
economic development. The development of a multi-ethnic
democracy in Kosovo which protects minority rights and
religious freedom, and which has government institutions that
can deliver stability and prosperity for its people, is a
goal that we should all support. The United States will
continue to strongly support and assist Kosovo. Continued
international engagement in Kosovo will help facilitate its
integration into European and regional institutions, such as
the OSCE. This will help secure the future for Kosovo and
its citizens and will also contribute to stability for its
neighbors in Europe and the wider OSCE region.
The United States is eager to work constructively with all
participating States to identify ways this organization can
continue to contribute to Kosovo,s stability and the welfare
and security of its people.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
End text.
CLINTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PREL KV
SUBJECT: OSCE/PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO REPORT BY HOM
KOSOVO, AMBASSADOR WERNER ALMHOFER
1. Post is authorized to present the following statement at
the February 5, 2009 Permanent Council meeting in Vienna.
Begin text:
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
The United States joins other delegations in welcoming the
Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Werner
Almhofer.
As your comprehensive report shows, major transitions are
still underway in Kosovo. These transitions present
challenges for the international community and demand that
our respective roles continue to adapt and evolve.
The successful and peaceful deployment of EULEX throughout
Kosovo is a significant achievement that could not have been
possible without the constructive participation of all
stakeholders.
The recent transition from the Kosovo Protection Corps to the
Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has been largely trouble-free,
and is another step in the right direction.
The engagement of the Serbian community in Kosovo's politics
and municipal administrations is a critical element for the
development of a prosperous, multi-ethnic, democratic state
that also simply makes life better for Kosovo Serbs by
improving local governance and services. We hope Belgrade
will work in good faith to encourage and foster practical
cooperation with the Kosovo authorities and the international
community and to support pragmatic solutions on topics
including public services, property claims, and protection of
cultural and religious heritage.
The United States continues to believe that OMiK serves vital
functions in Kosovo; at the same time, we have some concerns
about possible duplicative activities of the international
organizations in Kosovo, and believe that OMiK could be
reduced without compromising its mission. Now is a good time
to look at things from a fresh perspective to ensure that the
Mission's activities are complementary with those of other
organizations and are focused in areas where the OSCE has
proven competency. We would welcome your views on areas
where you think OMiK's activities could be streamlined or
improved.
As your report notes, 54 UN member states have now recognized
Kosovo, including a majority of OSCE participating States,
and the European Commission has pledged significant resources
to help strengthen institutions and improve social and
economic development. The development of a multi-ethnic
democracy in Kosovo which protects minority rights and
religious freedom, and which has government institutions that
can deliver stability and prosperity for its people, is a
goal that we should all support. The United States will
continue to strongly support and assist Kosovo. Continued
international engagement in Kosovo will help facilitate its
integration into European and regional institutions, such as
the OSCE. This will help secure the future for Kosovo and
its citizens and will also contribute to stability for its
neighbors in Europe and the wider OSCE region.
The United States is eager to work constructively with all
participating States to identify ways this organization can
continue to contribute to Kosovo,s stability and the welfare
and security of its people.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.
End text.
CLINTON