ENGAGING OIC STATES ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 041665

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KV
SUBJECT: ENGAGING OIC STATES ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION

REF: STATE 33629


1. (SBU) This is an action request for OIC-member posts to
approach host governments to urge recognition of Kosovo as
well as to reinforce reftel demarche seeking support for
Kosovo,s membership bids in the IMF and World Bank. Posts
may advise Department if an approach would be
counterproductive at this time. Action addressees may
coordinate recognition efforts with British, French, German,
Italian and Turkish counterparts as appropriate. Department
requests posts report responses by May 4. (See paragraph 4
for link to list of countries that have recognized Kosovo.)


Objectives
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2. (SBU) We have received consistent reporting that a number
of states were deferring a decision on Kosovo recognition
until a critical mass of key states, including Saudi Arabia
had acted. Saudi Arabia recognized Kosovo on April 20.
Also, the IMF and World Bank votes on Kosovo membership will
be held on May 5. We currently have 63 members who have
committed to participate; we need a minimum of 93 to
establish a quorum. In each case we have sufficient shares
committed to win membership. But the vote will not be held
if quorum is not established. It is therefore essential that
each government participate in this process.

Post may wish to draw from the following points:

--- Kosovo's success remains a high priority for the United
States. Its full development as a peaceful, multiethnic,
democratic and independent state is a critical element in the
international community's long-standing efforts to bring
stability to the Balkans regions.

--- Fifty-eight countries from around the world have
recognized Kosovo, including the vast majority of the EU,
NATO and Kosovo's neighbors, and all the G-7 members. Saudi
Arabia,s recognition on April 20 brought the number of OIC
member states recognizing Kosovo to 11.

--- As Kosovo's political and diplomatic situation has
rapidly stabilized and strengthened, the Government of Kosovo
has begun to focus intensively on economic development.

--- Voting currently is underway for Kosovo to join the
International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Membership
in the IMF and WB will strengthen the international
community's ability to provide policy advice to the
Government of Kosovo and will unlock important sources of
financing and technical assistance for the people of Kosovo.

--- 93 registered votes are required for quorum for both the
IMF and World Bank. If your government has not yet acted, we
urge that you formally respond and register your votes before
the respective deadlines of May 5 for the IMF and June 3 for
the World Bank. It is essential that we achieve a quorum for
these decisions to advance our Kosovo agenda.

--- IF RAISED: Last fall, the UNGA adopted a
Serbian-sponsored resolution seeking an advisory opinion from
the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the narrow
question of the legality of the manner in which Kosovo
declared independence. As a practical matter, Kosovo's
independence is irreversible. We respect the ICJ and cannot
prejudge its advice, but the fact that the ICJ process is
ongoing does not prevent new recognitions. There have in
fact been 10 recognitions of Kosovo since the question was
referred.

REPORTING DEADLINE
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3. (SBU) Embassies should report results of efforts by front
channel cable before May 4.

POINT OF CONTACT
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STATE 00041665 002 OF 002



4. (SBU) For a list of countries that have recognized Kosovo
see the following SIPRnet website
http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/index.cfm
?fuseaction=public.display&shortcut=I9B9. Please contact
Kosovo Team Seiji Shiratori at 202-647-7729 or Paul Pfeuffer
at 202-647-2452 for additional information.


5. (U) Minimize considered.
CLINTON