AMBASSADOR RAISES KOSOVO WITH FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 000689 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2019 TAGS: AORC PREL KV TS SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RAISES KOSOVO WITH FOREIGN MINISTER REF: A. TUNIS 688 (NOTAL) ¶B. SECSTATE 94939 Classified By: Ambassador Gordon Gray for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During his introductory call on Foreign Minister Abdelwaheb Abdallah September 17 (ref a),the Ambassador noted that recognition of Kosovo remains important to the United States and that 62 countries have extended such recognition. Abdallah replied that Tunisia has not yet formulated a definite position and continues to study the question. He acknowledged that several Arab countries, notably in the Gulf, had extended recognition as had Jordan. He pointed out that none of the Maghreb countries had done so nor had Egypt. Tunisia would take a position "soon." ¶2. (C) The Ambassador asked that the Tunisian delegation to the UNGA be willing to meet with the Kosovo delegation if so requested and passed the Minister a copy of a diplomatic noted provided to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier in the week. The Minister acknowledged the request and seemed to agree to do so by asking his special assistant to take note. ¶3. (C) Comment: The Foreign Minister's reaction seemed to indicate some possible movement. In the past, he has indicated that Kosovo was not a topic of interest to Tunisia. End comment. GRAY