CROATIAN ACTIONS ON GETTING KOSOVO INVITED TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000315

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

FOR EUR/SCE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/01/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV HR
SUBJECT: CROATIAN ACTIONS ON GETTING KOSOVO INVITED TO
REGIONAL EVENTS

REF: A. STATE 54930

B. STATE 55320

C. ZAGREB 307

D. ZAGREB 310

Classified By: Rick Holtzapple, PolEcon Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (b)
& (d).


1. (SBU) MFA Chief of Staff Neven Mikec called the Ambassador
on June 2 to follow up on reftel demarches. Mikec said that
FM Gordan Jandrokovic had personally called Montenegrin FM
Milan Rocen to urge Kosovo's inclusion in the upcoming
"Corridors of Culture" event (REFS A and C). Rocen had given
a "non-committal" response, which Mikec felt indicated that
the Montenegrins were unlikely to invite Sejdiu. Regarding
the upcoming RCC and SEECP events in Moldova (REFS B and D),
Mikec said that the MFA felt planning was too far advanced
for FM Jandrokovic to withdraw from the event. Jandrokovic
would still represent the GoC at the RCC and SEECP, but
intends to include in his statements a reference on the need
to include all SEE countries in all regional cooperation
efforts.


2. (C) Mikec said that we needed a more effective way to
ensure the inclusion of Kosovo in such events, and that the
GoC would welcome the opportunity to consult with the U.S. on
this issue. (NOTE: In an earlier conversation with
PolCouns, Mikec observed that any country hosting such events
typically faces an ultimatum from Belgrade that Serbia will
refuse to participate in an event if Kosovo is included. END
NOTE.) The Ambassador said he would pass the request to
Washington. (COMMENT: This could be a useful topic of
discussion for EUR/SCE Director Hyland's June 11-12 visit to
Zagreb. END COMMENT.)
BRADTKE