Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK977
2009-11-02 21:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
ALBANIA CONFIRMS STRONG RELATIONS WITH U.S.; URGES
how-toVZCZCXRO6612 PP RUEHIK DE RUCNDT #0977 3062124 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 022124Z NOV 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHTI/AMEMBASSY TIRANA PRIORITY 0997 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7495 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHBW/AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PRIORITY 0011 RUEHPS/AMEMBASSY PRISTINA PRIORITY 1638
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000977
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC AL KO SR
SUBJECT: ALBANIA CONFIRMS STRONG RELATIONS WITH U.S.; URGES
SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO
REF: AMBASSADOR SUSAN RICE. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D)
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000977
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC AL KO SR
SUBJECT: ALBANIA CONFIRMS STRONG RELATIONS WITH U.S.; URGES
SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO
REF: AMBASSADOR SUSAN RICE. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) Summary. In an October 27 introductory meeting with
Ambassador Rice, Albanian Permanent Representative Hoxha
underscored Albania's strong relationship with the U.S. and
praised the Obama administration's philosophy of greater UN
engagement. Hoxha stressed that increasing the number of
countries that recognize Kosovo will allow its leaders to
turn their attention to critical domestic development issues.
Ambassador Rice welcomed Albania's close cooperation and
confirmed our continuing support of the recognition process.
Hoxha recommended that Albania's membership into
international and regional organizations be accelerated and
suggested that Serbia be sent a clear message that European
Union membership requires responsible behavior in northern
Kosovo. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In an October 27 introductory meeting with
Ambassador Rice, newly arrived Albanian Permanent
Representative Ferit Hoxha underscored Albania's "close,
strong and continuing" relationship with the U.S., which was
instrumental in Albania's evolution from a young democratic
state into a NATO ally. Hoxha, who has served in the
Albanian government since 1991, stated that Albania is ready
to "do its part" and work with the U.S. as a strategic
security partner in the Balkans. Ambassador Rice welcomed
Albania's close cooperation with the U.S. and expressed hope
that it would extend into issues of mutual concern within the
UN General Assembly.
3. (SBU) Ambassador Rice highlighted the U.S.'s
substantively different approach to the UN General Assembly
this year, which is to lead by finding common ground. Hoxha
praised Ambassador Rice's policy speech given at New York
University in August, stating that it gave a clear outline of
President Obama's strategy vis--vis the new U.S. role within
the UN. Hoxha noted the world's enthusiastic response to the
Obama administration's philosophy, which is "leading the
world in values and action." Because of the U.S.'s sincere
effort to do its best, Hoxha stated that nations worldwide
are now encouraged to maximize their contributions on issues
such as climate change.
4. (SBU) Hoxha thanked the U.S. for its support of Kosovo's
independence, emphasizing that it is crucial to focus on
domestic issues including the economy, rule of law,
anti-corruption and counter-terrorism. Hoxha asked
Ambassador Rice to help maintain momentum on country
recognitions of Kosovo, stating that convincing reluctant
countries to step up will allow its leadership to spend less
time "convincing the world they exist." Hoxha stated that
since August, 2008 Russia and Serbia have shown less
willingness to cooperate with Kosovo.
5. (SBU) Ambassador Rice confirmed U.S. support for widening
Kosovo recognition. She underscored recent efforts by some
member states at the UN to push back on Kosovo's status,
which were indicative of the continuing challenge. She
agreed that Kosovo leaders need space to focus on development
and asked Hoxha for his thoughts on how the international
community can work towards this goal. Hoxha recommended that
Kosovo's membership into regional and international
structures be accelerated, which would be difficult with
those organizations in which Serbia is also a member. Hoxha
lamented the return of nationalism in Serbia, stating that
Serbian President Boris Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk
Jeremic are using their control over hard-liners in northern
Kosovo as a bargaining chip in negotiations on European Union
membership. Hoxha underscored that while Serbian recognition
of Kosovo is not expected, Serbia should be sent a clear
message that a future with the European Union requires it to
behave more constructively towards its neighbors. He
recommended that a framework be provided to the Serbs to
encourage responsible behavior, particularly toward the Serbs
living in northern Mitrovica.
Rice
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC AL KO SR
SUBJECT: ALBANIA CONFIRMS STRONG RELATIONS WITH U.S.; URGES
SUPPORT FOR KOSOVO
REF: AMBASSADOR SUSAN RICE. REASON: 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (SBU) Summary. In an October 27 introductory meeting with
Ambassador Rice, Albanian Permanent Representative Hoxha
underscored Albania's strong relationship with the U.S. and
praised the Obama administration's philosophy of greater UN
engagement. Hoxha stressed that increasing the number of
countries that recognize Kosovo will allow its leaders to
turn their attention to critical domestic development issues.
Ambassador Rice welcomed Albania's close cooperation and
confirmed our continuing support of the recognition process.
Hoxha recommended that Albania's membership into
international and regional organizations be accelerated and
suggested that Serbia be sent a clear message that European
Union membership requires responsible behavior in northern
Kosovo. End Summary.
2. (SBU) In an October 27 introductory meeting with
Ambassador Rice, newly arrived Albanian Permanent
Representative Ferit Hoxha underscored Albania's "close,
strong and continuing" relationship with the U.S., which was
instrumental in Albania's evolution from a young democratic
state into a NATO ally. Hoxha, who has served in the
Albanian government since 1991, stated that Albania is ready
to "do its part" and work with the U.S. as a strategic
security partner in the Balkans. Ambassador Rice welcomed
Albania's close cooperation with the U.S. and expressed hope
that it would extend into issues of mutual concern within the
UN General Assembly.
3. (SBU) Ambassador Rice highlighted the U.S.'s
substantively different approach to the UN General Assembly
this year, which is to lead by finding common ground. Hoxha
praised Ambassador Rice's policy speech given at New York
University in August, stating that it gave a clear outline of
President Obama's strategy vis--vis the new U.S. role within
the UN. Hoxha noted the world's enthusiastic response to the
Obama administration's philosophy, which is "leading the
world in values and action." Because of the U.S.'s sincere
effort to do its best, Hoxha stated that nations worldwide
are now encouraged to maximize their contributions on issues
such as climate change.
4. (SBU) Hoxha thanked the U.S. for its support of Kosovo's
independence, emphasizing that it is crucial to focus on
domestic issues including the economy, rule of law,
anti-corruption and counter-terrorism. Hoxha asked
Ambassador Rice to help maintain momentum on country
recognitions of Kosovo, stating that convincing reluctant
countries to step up will allow its leadership to spend less
time "convincing the world they exist." Hoxha stated that
since August, 2008 Russia and Serbia have shown less
willingness to cooperate with Kosovo.
5. (SBU) Ambassador Rice confirmed U.S. support for widening
Kosovo recognition. She underscored recent efforts by some
member states at the UN to push back on Kosovo's status,
which were indicative of the continuing challenge. She
agreed that Kosovo leaders need space to focus on development
and asked Hoxha for his thoughts on how the international
community can work towards this goal. Hoxha recommended that
Kosovo's membership into regional and international
structures be accelerated, which would be difficult with
those organizations in which Serbia is also a member. Hoxha
lamented the return of nationalism in Serbia, stating that
Serbian President Boris Tadic and Foreign Minister Vuk
Jeremic are using their control over hard-liners in northern
Kosovo as a bargaining chip in negotiations on European Union
membership. Hoxha underscored that while Serbian recognition
of Kosovo is not expected, Serbia should be sent a clear
message that a future with the European Union requires it to
behave more constructively towards its neighbors. He
recommended that a framework be provided to the Serbs to
encourage responsible behavior, particularly toward the Serbs
living in northern Mitrovica.
Rice