USNATO REINFORCES MESSAGE ON ALBANIAN DRAFT

C O N F I D E N T I A L USNATO 000063 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2020 TAGS: PREL NATO PGOV MOPS MARR KV YI SUBJECT: USNATO REINFORCES MESSAGE ON ALBANIAN DRAFT INTELLIGENCE LAW REF: TIRANA 58 Classified By: Ambassador Ivo Daalder. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: In a meeting with the Albanian Permanent Representative to NATO, Ambassador Artur Kuko on February 8, Ambassador Daalder expressed the U.S.'s deep concern that implementation of the draft Albanian intelligence law would undermine democracy in Albania. Amb. Kuko said he would pass this message to Tirana. Ambassador Daalder and Ambassador Kuko agreed that NATO should scrutinize any Serbian proposal to modify the Kumanovo Military Technical Agreement (MTA); Ambassador Daalder suggested seeking Serbian cooperation in northern Kosovo in exchange for MTA modifications. END SUMMARY. -------------- --- Draft Intelligence Law Would Undermine Democracy -------------- --- ¶2. (C) Ambassador Daalder reinforced reftel concerns about the draft Albanian intelligence law. Ambassador Daalder expressed deep concern on the part of the U.S. that implementation of this bill would damage the rule of law and undermine democracy in Albania. Ambassador Kuko said he would pass this message to Tirana. -------------- -------------- NATO Should Seek Serbian Concessions for MTA Modifications -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Ambassador Kuko asked about U.S. views on renegotiating the Kumanovo Military Technical Agreement (MTA) with Serbia. He relayed that he had information indicating Belgrade was serious about proposing MTA changes and would send a joint MFA/MOD team of two people to NATO to test the waters, although he was unsure on timing. He said that NATO should scrutinize the Serbian proposal closely and get something in return for making changes. Ambassador Daalder agreed and suggested seeking Serbian cooperation in northern Kosovo in return for agreeing to modify the MTA. He stressed that any changes to the MTA had to be based on Serb proposals and that nothing could be done until Serbia had made formal proposals. -------------- -------------- Albania Looking for Donors on Ammo Disposal Project -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Ambassador Kuko thanked the U.S. for its generous financial and organizational support to the NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) project proposal to assist in the disposal of surplus Albanian ammunition. Ambassador Kuko said he would like to organize a meeting of potential donors on February 25, but Ambassador Daalder advised him that this may be too soon. Ambassador Daalder suggested Albania first talk informally with Allies like Germany, Italy, and Norway to test their receptivity. DAALDER