ENGAGING GULF STATES ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 071885 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/31/2019 TAGS: PREL KV SUBJECT: ENGAGING GULF STATES ON KOSOVO RECOGNITION REF: STATE 41665 Classified By: EUR A/S Stuart Jones, Acting, for reasons 1.4(b and d) ¶1. (SBU) This is an action request for Doha, Kuwait, Muscat, and Sanaa. See paragraph 2. Objectives -------------- ¶2. (C) Now that Jordan has joined Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and UAE in recognizing Kosovo, we ask that Ambassadors or DCMs make a high-level approach to urge remaining GCC states and Yemen to follow suit. Posts may, at their discretion, coordinate this approach with British, French, and German counterparts. (Kuwaiti recognition of Kosovo would be a welcome deliverable in advance of the Amir's upcoming visit to Washington.) REPORTING DEADLINE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Embassies should please report results of efforts by front channel cable before July 31. BACKGROUND AND SUGGESTED POINTS -------------- ¶4. (U) Posts can 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. --- Sixty-one countries from around the world have recognized Kosovo, including 14 OIC members; the vast majority of the EU, NATO and Kosovo's neighbors; and all of the G-7. --- Kosovo formally joined the IMF and the World Bank on June 29, having received overwhelming support among the member states that participated in the membership vote for both institutions. Thank you for your votes that made this possible. (N.B. Yemen, Qatar and Oman voted for Kosovo membership in both the IMF and World Bank votes. Kuwait did not vote at all in IMF polling but voted &yes8 for Kosovo to join the Bank.) --- As Kosovo's political and diplomatic situation has rapidly stabilized and strengthened, the Government of Kosovo has begun to focus intensively on economic development. At its annual meeting in May, the OIC adopted a resolution noting &the progress made towards strengthening the democracy in Kosovo, serving peace and stability in Kosovo and the whole region.8 --- The UN mission in Kosovo has significantly downsized, and the EU deployed a rule of law mission to assist the development of Kosovo,s police and judicial institutions. --- 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 a year and a half ago. As a practical matter, Kosovo's independence is irreversible. We respect the ICJ and do not seek to prejudge what its advisory opinion may say, but the fact that the ICJ process is ongoing does not prevent new recognitions. There have in fact been many recognitions of Kosovo since the question was referred, including from Saudi Arabia and Jordan. POINT OF CONTACT -------------- ¶5. (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 Desk Officers Seiji Shiratori at 202-647-7729 or Marianne Toussaint at 202-647-9173 for additional information. ¶6. (U) Minimize considered. CLINTON