This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SOFIA 002056 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA SEEKS TO PLAY POSITIVE ROLE IN KOSOVO 
TALKS 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: With the Kosovo talks about to begin, 
Bulgaria is actively working to build confidence among the 
participants and create a positive environment for 
negotiations.  The Bulgarian Minister of Culture last week 
hosted a meeting with his Serbian and Kosovar counterparts to 
discuss protection of cultural monuments.  The GOB believes 
advocating for one particular solution at this point is 
premature and counterproductive. According to Deputy Foreign 
Minister Lyubomir Kyuchukov, Bulgaria has a clear stake in 
the Kosovo talks and is concerned that failure to reach an 
agreement that is acceptable to Serbs and Kosovars could 
destabilize the region generally and neighboring Macedonia 
specifically.  End Summary. 
 
Bulgaria Not Ready to Offer Solution to Kosovo 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Deputy Foreign Minister Lyubomir Kyuchukov on 
December 7 invited Ambassadors from the EU, Southeastern 
Europe and the Kosovo Contact Group countries for a briefing 
on several rounds of regional talks Bulgaria has had 
regarding Kosovo. Foreign Minister Kalfin in early December 
and Kyuchukov in November traveled to Pristina, Belgrade, and 
Podgorica to discuss upcoming talks on Kosovo's future status 
with the different parties involved in the negotiations. 
Sofia on November 30 also hosted a meeting of the Socialist 
International that focused on Kosovo and was attended by a 
number of regional leaders including Kosovar Interior 
Minister Thaci and aides to the Serbian President (Tadic 
himself had planned to attend but cancelled at the last 
minute for reasons apparently unrelated to the meeting 
itself). 
 
¶3. (SBU) Kyuchukov characterized Bulgaria's role at this 
point as one of helping to create a positive environment for 
the negotiations.  Kyuchukov said the process of negotiations 
itself and how negotiations are conducted--from beginning to 
end--will play an important part in ensuring a successful 
agreement.  The public should be informed and get used to the 
various ideas being discussed during negotiations, so that 
the ultimate outcome does not come as a surprise or appear to 
be imposed. Kyuchukov stressed the importance of reaching an 
agreement on Kosovo to ensure the future stability of the 
region.  Everyone he met with expressed a real fear that the 
final agreement could lead to the destabilization of the 
region and radicalization of some communities, particularly 
if the result is viewed as negative by one side. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The Bulgarians also see a role in building trust and 
confidence between the various participants.   One example is 
the recent discussions hosted by Bulgaria's Culture Minister 
with his counterparts from Serbia and Pristina on the 
protection of cultural and historical sites.  The three 
ministers held informal meetings on December 9 in Veliko 
Turnovo and nearby Arbanasi, two Bulgarian towns with 
historical links to Serbia and Albania; Veliko Turnovo is the 
burial place of St. Sava, founder of the Serb Orthodox Church 
while Arbanasi was founded by Orthodox Albanians in the 15th 
century. According to Foreign Ministry contacts, the meeting 
was extremely positive--the visiting ministers reportedly 
"did not want to leave"--and demonstrated that both sides 
trusted Bulgaria as an even-handed intermediary. The 
ministers discussed the tender process for contracts to 
protect and restore Kosovo's monuments, agreeing the process 
should be open to Serbs and Kosovars from Kosovo as well as 
Serbia.  Kosovo's Culture Minister Astrit Haraqija at the end 
of the meetings said he was confident that "together with our 
Bulgarian friends and other nations in the region we will 
work for our common European future."  The sides agreed to 
meet again in January in Pristina. 
 
Western Balkans Need A Euro-Atlantic Perspective 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Bulgaria is in full agreement with the three "no's" 
(no return to Kosovo's status prior to 1999; no change in 
Kosovo's borders (i.e. no internal partitions or unification 
with other countries or parts of countries); no predetermined 
outcome or threat of force.  However, the GOB believes there 
also needs to be a number of "yes's" in order to stabilize 
the region. One important "yes" for Bulgaria is a 
"Euro-Atlantic perspective" for the Western Balkans. 
According to the GOB, these countries should have the 
opportunity for full Euro-Atlantic integration, including a 
partnership with NATO, and concrete EU criteria and standards 
to follow regarding the functioning of Kosovo. For Bulgaria, 
Kosovo's ability to meet standards is as important as the 
results of the talks.  Bulgaria also hopes that Europe will 
remain actively engaged in the negotiations, the eventual 
administration of Kosovo and the military stabilization of 
the country after the settlement.  For Serbia, the prospect 
of integration into European institutions will act as a 
stabilizing factor, all the more important in the event that 
Kosovo,s final status is independence.  Finally, Bulgaria is 
particularly sensitive to the impact the Final Status talks 
might have on the delicate ethnic balance in neighboring 
Macedonia.  Instability in Macedonia would undoubtedly have 
an impact in Bulgaria. 
 
Different Visions For Talks 
---------------------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) Kyuchukov said it is clear from their discussions 
that the two sides differ on a number of issues related to 
the talks: 
 
Kosovo's Final Status:  For now the two sides are sticking to 
their initial negotiating positions--with Pristina unwilling 
to consider anything but unconditional independence and 
Belgrade open to any options but full independence.  One 
Bulgarian official characterized Belgrade and Pristina,s 
current positions as "everything but independence" versus 
"nothing but independence." 
 
Form of Negotiation:  Pristina prefers the "shuttle" approach 
while Belgrade wants face-to-face negotiations.  Bulgarian 
officials believe shuttle diplomacy may be required 
initially, but that real progress can only be made 
face-to-face. 
 
Length of Negotiations:  Pristina envisions talks lasting 
half a year with a resolution likely in June. Belgrade sees 
the process as taking longer with an agreement "possible" by 
the end of 2006. 
 
UN Seat/National Flag:  Belgrade is ready to discuss Kosovo 
having its own seat in certain international organizations, 
namely financial organizations like the IMF, but sees a UN 
seat for Kosovo as unacceptable.  Belgrade also expects the 
Serb flag to remain on Kosovo's borders.  Pristine views a UN 
seat and flag as inevitable and part of independence itself. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Kyuchukov said both sides welcome decentralization 
and view it as inevitable, although the sides have different 
definitions. All sides mentioned the importance of displaced 
persons being able to return to their own houses or wherever 
they choose. There is general agreement as well on the need 
to build administrative and legal structures and to protect 
historical and cultural sites.  Kyuchukov also mentioned 
that, while the official position in Montenegro is closely 
aligned to Belgrade, many Montenegrins sympathize with the 
Kosovars and closely identify with their aspirations for 
independence. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Bulgaria has a vested interest in the stability of 
its neighbors, which in turn is the driving force behind its 
activist foreign policy related to Kosovo.  The successful 
visit of Serbia and Kosovo's Culture Ministers has clearly 
boosted the GOB's confidence that they can play a role in 
restoring trust between Belgrade and Pristina.  Our Foreign 
Ministry contacts said they had detected "a little jealousy" 
from their Greek colleagues at having hosted a successful 
meeting on the protection of cultural monuments.  We are 
certain Bulgaria will welcome U.S. suggestions for further 
engagement.  We will continue to encourage the GOB to use its 
status as an even-handed neighbor to build confidence between 
the sides. End Comment. 
 
BEYRLE