GUIDANCE FOR 6/17 UNSC DEBATE ON KOSOVO

UNCLAS STATE 061197

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNSC PREL PGOV KO
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE FOR 6/17 UNSC DEBATE ON KOSOVO


1. The Department Requests that USUN draw on the following
points for use during the June 17 UN Security Council
discussion of Kosovo.


2. Begin points:

Mr. President,

-- I would like to welcome Special Representative Zannier and
thank him for his leadership of the UN Mission in Kosovo
(UNMIK). The United States fully supports the
reconfiguration of the UN Mission in Kosovo as outlined in
the Secretary-General's reports of June 2008, November 2008,
and March 2009, and commends Special Representative Zannier
for his dedication to carrying out the Secretary General's
directives and to the overall development of Kosovo.

-- The latest Secretary-General's report demonstrates that
Kosovo continues to develop the institutions of a
multi-ethnic democratic state. Kosovo has enacted a
wide-ranging body of laws to promote and implement the
principles of its June 2008 constitution, which upholds the
rights of all communities and supports the preservation of
cultural heritage. These laws are fully consistent with the
plan proposed by former UN Special Envoy Maarti Ahtisaari.

-- Kosovo's independence is irreversible. Sixty members of
the United Nations have now recognized the Republic of Kosovo
as an independent state, including nine members of this
Council. Kosovo has established government ministries, a
security force that is being instructed by NATO, a police
force, and other institutions to foster and protect the rule
of law. Kosovo recently selected an Ombudsperson to ensure
the compliance of public institutions with the law and guard
against abuse of authority, and has chosen the Kosovo members
of the Constitutional Court, including minority
representatives.

-- PM Thaci has publicly restated his government's commitment
to the return of Serbs and other minority communities to
Kosovo -- most recently at the rebuilding of a Serb home in
central Kosovo, which the government funded.

-- Kosovo is increasingly active in regional and
international organizations. It was recently invited to
become a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and
is awaiting the results from the vote to join the World Bank
(WB),which are expected to be announced mid-June.
Membership in international financial institutions will help
Kosovo build economic stability and prosperity for all its
citizens and will advance the integration of Kosovo,s
economy into the global financial system.

-- In light of these developments, UNMIK's presence has been
substantially reduced, and the European Union now serves as
Kosovo's primary international adviser. The United States
fully supports further downsizing of UNMIK's presence,
recognizing that UNMIK still has a valuable role to play in
facilitating Kosovo,s participation in regional
organizations such as the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA).
Kosovo's participation in these organizations promotes
regional stability, cooperation, and growth and is in the
interest of the entire region.

-- As the Secretary-General's report indicates, practical
cooperation between Kosovo officials and UNMIK
representatives continues. The Government of Kosovo
confirmed in its Declaration of Independence that it would
act consistent with principles of international law and
resolutions of the Security Council, including resolution
1244, and it continues to work with the UN mission.

-- We welcome the continued progress of the EU's Rule of Law
Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) and its deployment throughout
Kosovo. The mission reached full operational capacity in
April, and provides valuable rule of law assistance to the
Government of Kosovo which will improve security for all of
its communities. We welcomed EULEX's and KFOR's firm
response to recent violence over the reconstruction of ethnic
Albanian homes in northern Kosovo, in support of a safe and
secure environment and freedom of movement for all,
regardless of ethnicity.

-- It is in the interest of all of Kosovo's ethnic
communities to fully participate in its democratic
institutions. We regretfully note that the Government of
Serbia continues to support parallel structures in Kosovo
that seek to cement divisions and sow tensions. In this
context, we underscore Kosovo's sovereign right to bar
official visits by Serbian officials intending to establish
or support these parallel structures. We encourage
authorities in Belgrade to fully cooperate with EULEX as well
as to support the integration of Kosovo Serb communities into
Kosovo institutions. In particular, we encourage the
Government of Serbia to allow Kosovo Serbs to return to their
positions in the Kosovo police force and to support other
pragmatic solutions that will improve the welfare of Kosovo
Serbs.

-- Regrettably, the Government of Serbia also continues to
block goods from Kosovo, even though UNMIK has certified
twice that Kosovo,s new customs stamp is compliant with UN
Security Resolution 1244. We encourage Serbia to support
intra-regional trade, in keeping with its Central European
Free Trade Association (CEFTA) commitments.

-- The stability of the Western Balkans remains a high
priority for the United States. We strongly support the
region's integration into European institutions, and its full
participation in the Euro-Atlantic community. We recognize
that Kosovo and other countries in the region still face many
challenges, and pledge our continued support for their
progress and development. We will continue to work with
Kosovo, Serbia, and other countries to promote lasting peace
and prosperity in the Western Balkans.

End Points.
CLINTON