UNMIK - GUIDANCE FOR JANUARY 22, 2010 SECURITY

UNCLAS STATE 005266 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL KV SUBJECT: UNMIK - GUIDANCE FOR JANUARY 22, 2010 SECURITY COUNCIL DEBATE ¶1. (U) This is an action request: USUN is instructed to draw from the points below during the UN Security Council debate on the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) scheduled for January 22, 2010. ¶2. (U) Begin points: Mr. President, I would like to welcome Kosovo Foreign Minister Skender Hyseni and Serbian Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic to the Council today. I also welcome Special Representative Zannier back to the Council and thank him for his briefing and for his service in Kosovo. Mr. President, It has been nearly two years since Kosovo became an independent country, and in this time it has made tremendous progress in solidifying its democracy, promoting reconciliation and playing a constructive role in regional and international economic cooperation efforts. Sixty-five countries-- over a third of the UN's membership -- have now recognized Kosovo. We welcome and applaud Kosovo for its demonstrated commitment and concrete actions to fulfill the obligations it undertook to implement the Ahtisaari plan and to play a responsible role as a regional neighbor and member of the international community. The Special Representative and the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) have made valuable contributions to this progress, as have the EU, the OSCE and NATO. In witness to how far Kosovo has come, I would like to make the following points. First, the United States congratulates Kosovo on holding elections in 36 municipalities, including one expanded and three newly created Serb-majority municipalities. We look forward to the elections that are expected to take place in the remaining two new Serb-majority municipalities later this year. As the Secretary-General acknowledged in his report, the November elections and December run-offs were held in a peaceful atmosphere and adhered to democratic standards. The Government of Kosovo undertook important outreach efforts to ensure Kosovo Serb participation, which contributed to the success of the elections. We will continue our support for Kosovo Government efforts to ensure the new municipalities have the necessary resources to effectively provide services to their citizens. Second, Kosovo continues to take significant steps to strengthen regional relations. In October, Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcating their shared border and established full diplomatic 
relations. In January, the visit of Croatian President Mesic highlighted the growing friendship and cooperation between Kosovo and its neighbors. The Kosovo Security Force recently deployed to Albania to provide humanitarian assistance to the flooded regions. And on January 14, Montenegro announced that it will establish formal diplomatic relations with Kosovo. Kosovo has demonstrated it is ready and able to play a constructive regional role. Facilitating this role is in the Council,s clear interest. We reiterate the Secretary General,s call for flexibility on defining a modus operandi that will facilitate Kosovo,s full participation in regional and international mechanisms, such as the Regional Cooperation Council and the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA). Kosovo,s participation and contribution to these groups -- as well as its ability to export goods to all CEFTA members per CEFTA rules -- are intrinsic to regional stability, cooperation, and growth. Third, we echo the Secretary-General,s call to redouble efforts on returns to safely increase their number and pace. To this end, we urge without further delay the reopening of the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) offices in Serbia. Acceptance of UNHCR,s offer to facilitate reestablishing this presence would promote further progress on returns and resolution of related property claims. Fourth, with regard to religious and cultural heritage, the United States welcomes UNMIK,s efforts to facilitate the work of the Reconstruction Implementation Commission. We are pleased to note that the Kosovo Electricity Corporation (KEK) and Serbian Orthodox Church officials in Kosovo were able to reach agreement on reconnecting Serbian monasteries and churches in Kosovo to KEK,s electrical grid. There is undoubtedly a continuing need for a mechanism to address remaining concerns, such as vandalism and access to cultural sites. To this end, we have supported the appointment of an EU facilitator to advance discussions on religious and cultural heritage. We also hope that all parties will participate in the regional conference with Ministers of Culture planned for later this year where issues can be further explored. Finally, I would like to express my government's concern with regard to recent developments in northern Kosovo. As Council members are aware, UNMIK regulations established an Electrical Regulatory Office in Kosovo, which in turn gave KEK the sole license to distribute and bill for electricity throughout Kosovo. Attempts to undermine this exclusive authority are detrimental to ordinary citizens, well-being and risk confrontation and divisions within Kosovo. We urge those who are involved to act swiftly to resolve differences and to respect the legal framework for the provision of electricity services in Kosovo, including the north. The illegal parallel institutions also pose a threat to stability and the rule of law in Kosovo. We commend the progress that EULEX has made toward integration of the Kosovo police force. We hope to see the similar progress in the courts, as envisaged by the Secretary General,s October 2008 report. So far this has not been possible due to the continued opposition by the Republic of Serbia. We would urge Serbia to look at the example of reconciliation that is taking place in other municipalities to the benefit of Kosovo Serbs. And we urge the Council to monitor developments that risk undermining a unitary Kosovo. Mr. President, Kosovo,s independence is irreversible. Kosovo continues to mature on the path towards greater European and Euro-Atlantic integration. The United States will continue to support Kosovo,s progress as it works to strengthen its democracy, and we will continue to support the aspirations of all of the states of Southeastern Europe to achieve their goals for European and Euro-Atlantic integration. CLINTON