Wikileaks - MCCV

181263 12/3/2008 19:42 08STATE127443 Secretary of State UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY O R 031942Z DEC 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA IMMEDIATE 2950 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN IMMEDIATE 9834 RUEHJL/AMEMBASSY BANJUL IMMEDIATE 4119 RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA IMMEDIATE 0873 RUEHBM/AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST IMMEDIATE 0386 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 2844 RUEHDK/AMEMBASSY DAKAR IMMEDIATE 1597 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA IMMEDIATE 9856 RUEHDO/AMEMBASSY DOHA IMMEDIATE 0139 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD IMMEDIATE 7903 RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI IMMEDIATE 6595 RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA IMMEDIATE 1852 RUEHKR/AMEMBASSY KOROR IMMEDIATE 1477 RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT IMMEDIATE 5044 RUEHLC/AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE IMMEDIATE 4616 RUEHTO/AMEMBASSY MAPUTO IMMEDIATE 3212 RUEHMK/AMEMBASSY MANAMA IMMEDIATE 5491 RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO IMMEDIATE 7243 RUEHMS/AMEMBASSY MUSCAT IMMEDIATE 1708 RUEHPA/AMEMBASSY PRAIA IMMEDIATE 3525 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT IMMEDIATE 6145 RUEHYN/AMEMBASSY SANAA IMMEDIATE 8226 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV IMMEDIATE 6503 INFO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 4473 UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 127443

SENSITIVE DAKAR FOR BISSAU LIBREVILLE FOR SAO TOME AND PRIMCIPE

E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL, KV SUBJECT: KOSOVO RECOGNITION

1. (SBU) This is an action request. See paragraphs 2 and 3. Posts are requested to deliver this demarche at the highest appropriate level before December 15, requesting host government recognition of the Republic of Kosovo. Info addressees may deliver this demarche if they believe it could have a positive impact. Please see the following SIPR link for a list of countries that have recognized Kosovo: http://www.state.sgov.gov/s/crs/index.cfm?fus eaction=public.display&shortcut=I2GW .

Objectives
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2. (SBU) Fifty-two countries have recognized Kosovo. The UNSC issued a November 26 Presidential Statement, which paved the way for the EU to take the lead on rule of law issues in Kosovo and for the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) to downsize. The EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) reached initial operational capability December 2 and it will assume operations within days.

--- Following these positive developments, action addressees should press host governments that now is the right time to recognize Kosovo, and to support its development as a peaceful and economically successful new member of the community of nations. More recognition of Kosovo will promote stability on the ground, encouraging local actors to put the question of Kosovo's status behind them and to work toward practical cooperation between all communities.

--- At posts' discretion, action addressees in CPLP member states may want to highlight Portugal's recognition of Kosovo on October 7.

--- At posts' discretion, action addressees may share the list of countries that have already recognized Kosovo. (See contacts in paragraph 4 to request an unclassified list of countries that have recognized.)

--- Kolonia and Koror should thank host governments for voting with us against the ICJ referral at UNGA and encourage them to formalize this support for Kosovo by recognizing its independence.

Suggested talking points
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3. (U) Posts can draw on the following points as needed:

--- We urge you to join the 52 nations across the world that have recognized Kosovo, and to support its development as a peaceful and economically successful new member of the community of nations. Kosovo's successful and stable development continues to be one of the most important priorities of the United States and its European partners. Our combined efforts will help Kosovo find its place as a prosperous, peaceful, democratic and contributing member of the international community, which is indispensable to overall stability in the Balkans.

--- We also urge you to support Kosovo's IMF and World Bank membership applications.

--- Kosovo declared independence on February 17. Its independence was recognized immediately by some two dozen countries; a steady stream of other states have recognized since that time.

--- Since its declaration of independence, the Government of Kosovo has shown maturity and willingness to work with its neighbors, including Serbia. It has adopted a Constitution and implemented legislation to promote fundamental freedoms, including strong protections for the rights of all communities in Kosovo, including ethnic Serbs. It has made notable strides in establishing the institutions of democratic governance.

--- A very successful international donors' conference on July 11 raised approximately $1.9 billion in assistance to Kosovo. The U.S. contributed approximately $400 million. All EU members and a number of other non-European states, including Saudi Arabia and Japan, participated in the conference and contributed.

--- Acknowledging the "new reality" in Kosovo, UN SYG Ban Ki-Moon ordered the reconfiguration and reduction of the UN Kosovo mission (UNMIK).

--- On November 26 the UNSC issued a Presidential Statement welcoming the Secretary General's latest report, which acknowledged the progress made in Kosovo, and reaffirmed that the EU rule of law mission in Kosovo (EULEX) would take over rule of law functions throughout Kosovo, paving the way for accelerated downsizing of UNMIK. Kosovo's leaders have welcomed EULEX's deployment and reaffirmed their commitments to cooperate with the international community.

(IF RAISED: Secession - Precedent Issue)

--- Kosovo is a special case and not a precedent. It is the final stage of the break-up of the former Yugoslavia.

--- Other factors that make it unique include the history of ethnic cleansing and crimes against civilians in Kosovo, the extended period of international administration, and a UN-led process designed to determine final status.

(IF RAISED: ICJ Vote and Recognitions)

--- The UNGA recently adopted a Serbian-sponsored resolution to seek an advisory opinion on Kosovo's declaration of independence from the International Court of Justice (ICJ); notably, the question presented to the ICJ does not in any way question the right of states to recognize the independence of Kosovo, which is an entirely separate question in international law. The ongoing ICJ process thus should not be an obstacle to new recognitions -- which is confirmed by the fact that the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Portugal, Montenegro and Macedonia all recognized immediately before or after the ICJ UNGA vote.

4. (SBU) For further information or argumentation to reach Department objectives, please contact Kosovo Desk Officers Seiji T Shiratori or William Tomlyanovich (202-736-7729, or ShiratoriST@state.gov and 202-647-4781, or TomlyanovichWJ@state.gov).

RICE